May 14, 2010

Chairman Barry Smitherman

Commissioner Donna L. Nelson

Commissioner Kenneth W. Anderson

Public Utility Commission of Texas

P.O. Box 13326

Austin, Texas 78711-3326

Subject: Please Protect the Canadian River Basin: DOCKET# 37138

Dear Chairman Smitherman and Commissioners Nelson and Anderson:

I write in opposition to the two proposed CREZ routes north of the city of Amarillo to be constructed by Sharyland Utilities LLC. Both of these routes would rip across the Canadian River watershed and disturb major creeks and canyons that drain into the Canadian. This beautiful and pristine basin is one of the treasures of Texas and the Panhandle.
The major recorded and undisturbed archeological sites along the tributaries south of the Canadian River are of national importance and draw scholars from across America to study the ancient cultures that lived in this beautiful and rugged country. Paleontologists come to the Panhandle to study and record the pre-historic riches of in this bountiful watershed. This is a major North American migratory bird route and Bald Eagles nest in the wetlands of the Canadian River basin.
Historians track the Ft. Smith-Santa Fe trail that meanders through the canyons south of the river. The river is sanctuary to a string of nineteenth century ‘plazas’ (stone compounds) built by New Mexico sheep herders who found such good water and tall summer grass in the protected breaks of the Canadian River.
Please protect both of our Panhandle treasures: The Canadian Watershed and the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. We understand that no route threatens the Palo Duro State Park, but the watersheds of both of our great rivers must be left undisturbed.
Careful planning could avoid established small communities and most homes without endangering fragile riparian areas, critical habitat for both plants and animals, as well as the rich pre-historic and historical sites that these rivers shelter.

In many areas the same families steward the legacy of these rivers for more than a century now. Given the powers of appropriation held by utility companies, the solemn responsibility for protecting the heritage and riches contained in these two river systems now falls to the PUC Commissioners. We are counting on you.

Respectfully,

May 14, 2010
Page 2

William Hughes Seewald

2010-05-14

McGraw-Hill