My family is the property owner of the ranch in La Plata Canyon damaged by La Plata Electric Association and mentioned in the article, “Powerline work damages property in Western La Plata County” (Herald, July 18).
The operator of the Masticator lied to me on the telephone that he didn’t damage any fences. Photographs and masticated steel and wooden posts and stays and hundreds of feet of wire prove otherwise.
Cattle on our pastures escaped to neighbors, so far none on the highway or the county road.
The operator said LPEA told him they notified all property owners. The truth is they didn’t notify customers and they didn’t even bother with the ranches that aren’t electricity customers from that line either. That’s their responsibility to know where their line is and not our fault that we weren’t notified.
LPEA spokesperson Amanda Anderson mentioned our fence, not fences, and that they are working closely with us. I hope this will be accurate. We need to consult with the contractor they hire to rebuild the fences.
The serviceberry bush in the photograph might survive, but not the 100-year-old heritage apple tree that was planted before the power line.
La Plata Canyon is a treasure for all of us. Destruction of natural beauty is a travesty. I hope the other private and national forest properties are respected. And hope the new line will be nonreflective. We can provide information if necessary.
I hope a new era of communication and honesty starts now.
Katy Scott Moss
Aztec
