Forget wind farms, and grow more trees to protect our landscape

After a heavy downpour here in the upper Bandon river valley, every hill stream starts thundering downwards.

Soon after the start of heavy rain, even from a distance from the road, you can see the water rise and go white on the close-cropped hillsides.

There is far too little tree cover on the slopes around Shehy and Nowen hills to absorb the rain and slow down the run-off. Yet, Coillte is about to make things worse by allowing the erection of huge towers for wind generation, with all the associated hard standing.

The best thing Bandon could do if it wants to avoid endless flooding is to prevail on Cork County Council, Coillte, the landowners, commonage rights holders etc, to replant the oak, ash, birch, hazel and holly forest that clothed these hills up to the late 17th century and abandon these foolish wind farm deals.

And if you say “Trees like that take a lot of work and a long time to grow”, I will say “Like your children”.

How will it be in 30 years? Going for a walk with your kids in the hills of a weekend? Or watching them stand in raw sewage and river water up to their wellie tops as they open their latest ESB bill and wonder about the green levy still going to the wind farm investors, whomever or where ever they are, to ensure a nice safe income ?

D. Edmond

Coolmountain West

Dunmanway

Co Cork