Residents Fight High-Voltage Power Lines Threatening Dinosaur Valley State Park

Concerns Rise Over High-Voltage Power Lines Near a Natural Wonder

The tranquil landscape of Dinosaur Valley State Park, a site that preserves ancient dinosaur tracks for an estimated 230,000 visitors a year, is under threat from a proposed high-voltage transmission line project in Glen Rose, Texas. Local residents are protesting plans by Oncor Electric to build a 765-kilovolt line, fearing that towering structures will mar the park's prehistoric beauty and disrupt its vital role in the community.

Economic and Environmental Stakes

Glen Rose, often dubbed the “dinosaur capital of Texas,” relies heavily on the tourism generated by the park. Mayor Joe Boles highlighted the economic implications, asserting that the park contributes significantly to local business revenues—approximately $12 for every dollar spent there. “This park is the heartbeat of our community,” he stated. The proposed towers, which could rise to 200 feet, would create an unwelcome industrial presence, shattering the park's rural scenery.

The Project and Its Implications for Residents

The Dinosaur–Longshore Project aims to address Texas's surging energy demand due to population growth and the electric transition of the oil and gas industry. However, community members express strong opposition, emphasizing that even a single power line could detract from the park's historical significance. Multiple residents have rallied against the project, holding signs and making their concerns clear to local officials.

Balance Between Infrastructure and Preservation

Officials from Oncor have acknowledged the park's cultural and ecological significance and indicated that they will consider community feedback in determining the final route. However, this has not assuaged local fears. As Chip Joslin, a Somervell County commissioner, grimly noted, the project could enclose Dinosaur Valley State Park in a steel cage. “It’s going to be horrific,” he warned.

Historical Significance of the Park

This area is renowned not just for its dinosaur tracks, but also for the stories they tell about the past—millions of years ago, these massive creatures roamed the land. Residents are drawing a line at compromising this historic landscape for modern infrastructure. Standing beside these ancient footprints, locals feel a strong sense of duty to protect not just the natural beauty, but the identity of their community, deeply intertwined with this natural heritage.

The Community Speaks Out

In a demonstration of unity, more than 120 locals gathered recently to voice their concerns. Representatives from various government levels attended, showcasing a collective front against the construction of the power lines. Not only are they worried about the visible impact, but they are also concerned about the implications for tourism and the local economy that heavily relies on it.

Future Directions

As Oncor prepares to finalize the routes with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, residents remain vigilant, hoping their voices will be heard in preventing this incursion into their cherished park. The situation presents a broader question: how do communities balance the need for modern energy infrastructure with the preservation of unique cultural and natural sites?

The final decision remains in limbo, but Glen Rose's fight against the Oncor transmission lines is emblematic of larger conflicts between progress and preservation—not just in Texas, but across the country. Residents urge their fellow Texans to pay close attention to developments and stand united in protecting their local heritage.