Massive data center doesn’t belong near wildlife refuge, Seneca Nation’s ‘Big Woods’

Editor:

The idea of placing a 2.2-million-square-foot, 500 megawatt data center in the middle of several wildlife management areas and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s “Big Woods” is the worst idea ever!

First of all, the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is one of many important birding areas in Western New York. A refuge for many birds to rest, nest, feed and raise their young. I learned that over 30% of the endangered short-eared owl population have been lost since the WNY STAMP project began.

The owl depends on hearing to hunt its prey. How is the owl going to be able to hear if a data center is roaring as loud as a rock concert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

The other species of special concern in this area is the Eastern Massassauga snake, the Northern Harrier Hawk, Bobolinks, Long Nose Bat and the Cerulean Warbler are all at risk here.

What about the demand on our power grid and water resources? The STAMP project was intended for advanced manufacturing not a power-sucking data center! The GCEDC doesn’t care about the environment and how can they be the lead agency for the SEQR? It’s like putting the wolf in charge of the sheep.

Of course they are going to push it through they will receive millions for destroying our wetlands. For very little jobs offered.

Stop WNY STAMP. No data centers next to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Evelyn Wackett

Certified wildlife rehabber

Buffalo