Michigan wind farm opponents look to heliports for help

[UrbScotty]

Some residents of Michigan's rural northwestern Lower Peninsula are applying for permits to establish heliports in their efforts to block rural wind turbine development.

Turbines can't be built near the liftoff and landing pads for helicopters, and observers say the tactic could gain momentum statewide, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported Wednesday.

Benzie County's Joyfield Township once was considered part of a site for a proposed wind farm. The community of 800 now could soon have up to eight licensed, stand-alone public heliports. That comes after Joyfield Township residents last year recalled three township trustees and replaced them with wind farm project opponents.

Heliports could prevent construction of wind turbines or any structure taller than 200 feet within almost a one-mile radius of the landing pads, the state said. According to the township, at least one permit has gone to a resident who wanted to figure out a way to prevent wind turbine development.

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/09/michigan_wind_farm_opponents_l.html#incart_river_default