Comment on FR Doc # 2010-28811

I am writing in opposition to the Presidential Permit for this project. I oppose this project for both personal and public policy reasons. On a personal level, my husband and I own a home in Lancaster, New Hampshire that is less than seven tenths of a mile from the proposed transmission line. If these very large transmission towers are installed, they will be a scar on the gorgeous landscape of the White Mountains and ruin the beautiful view that we have of the mountains. The construction of this transmission line will also substantially reduce the value of our property. On a public policy level, the transmission line will be a terrible eyesore on the pristine landscape of northern New Hampshire through which it will run. It seems incongruous that such a project is being considered on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Weeks Act which created the White Mountain National Forest. The line will also be antithetical to the tourist and recreation industries that are Coos County's best hope for future economic growth. I would request that the Presidential Permit be denied. If the project is allowed to proceed, I would request that Northeast Utilities be required to construct the transmission line through Vermont, not New Hampshire. If the permit is granted and the transmission line is constructed on the route now proposed, I would strongly urge that you require the utility lines to be buried rather than run on enormous (90-130 foot) towers. Burying the transmission lines would be economically viable and would mitigate the most serious economic and environmental effects of the Northern Pass. The department should not allow a plethora of gigantic and ugly transmission towers to cut a 110-plus mile swath across the Northern Forest. Thanks you for considering our concerns. Very truly yours, Linda Upham-Bornstein