“I found a comment about gaming as a tool for economic development in Brewed Fresh Daily yesterday. Chas Rich mentions that the threat of gaming may not disappear with the issues of Native tribes (the Shawnee) planning to claim land rights in Ohio and open gambling establishments. While we certainly owe all this land to the native people since our ancestors took it from them by force, and they can do whatever they need to do to make that land profitable (this is a debt we early colonists incurred that will reach beyond our time), the native people might consider alternatives to gaming as a means to generate cash. The Shawnee might think about what this tribal leader of the Kumeyaay Nation from Southern California is saying about gaming vs. wind farming on tribal lands. It is the first segment of three on this KPBS science show from San Diego. The Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians has diversified their economic base by placing wind turbines on their land and powering 12,000 homes in San Diego. Now they are discussing building a hotel for tourists who come to see the turbines and a tour to the top of a turbine some 22 stories up to the hub of one of the towers.

The Campo Indians have their water issues together, too. Not only has the Campo Indian Tribe successfully repaired damage and restored lost vegetation and habitat, but its initial attempts at restoration have also reaped numerous unexpected benefits.

While there is much talk about wind power on Lake Erie, we might also benefit from towers and small wind onshore, maybe on reclaimed tribal lands. But the real economic boon to our region, with its manufacturing capabilities, would be to build the towers, blades, electrical and mechanical components here. Sarah Taylor’s idea “Windustrious” noted in this week’s 11.08-11.15.06 CoolCleveland offers a 30 second advertisement for the possibility.   Being the first to build a freshwater wind farm would send a strong message of support for sustainability from a city whose claim to fame has been a burning river.

It is good news that the city is beginning to talk about net metering and smart metering and interconnection. I do hope also that water conservation by individuals and businesses will become a topic of conversation as well when the stormwater plans are being produced before the December 2007 deadline. For example, could we get credits from NEORSD for disconnecting downspouts, using rain barrels, rain gardens, permeable pavers and cisterns just as we in the suburbs sign on for the “summer sprinkling ” program to preserve the lovely expanse of green lawn whose care ultimately clogs our waterways?

PS. I didn’t know just where to place this comment since it covers a couple of topics. Since I see our ecosystem and its challenges as interconnected, I sometimes have trouble choosing in which part of the energy, air, water or land cycle of GCBL to place these comments. Feel free to find a better place if this one is not right.