logo
Article

Transmission line could affect rare species, says DNR

Jackson County Chronicle|Chris Hubbuch|February 10, 2016
WisconsinImpact on WildlifeTransmission

Classified as an endangered species in Wisconsin, the phlox moth has been cataloged in five counties, including Jackson and Monroe. It relies on the downy phlox plant, which according to the DNR does not rapidly colonize new openings. The frosted elfin butterfly lives in similar habitats and is listed as threatened in the state.


The frosted elfin butterfly is one species that could be impacted by the construction of a high-voltage power line in Jackson County.

Construction of a high-voltage power line between Holmen and Madison could result in the loss of endangered and threatened species.

Soil borings for the towers supporting the Badger-Coulee transmission line in Jackson County could damage plants that host phlox moths and the frosted elfin butterfly, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which is proposing to issue the project owners a permit to allow incidental losses of either species.

Classified as an endangered species in Wisconsin, the phlox moth has been cataloged in five counties, including Jackson and Monroe. It relies on the …

... more [truncated due to possible copyright]

The frosted elfin butterfly is one species that could be impacted by the construction of a high-voltage power line in Jackson County.

Construction of a high-voltage power line between Holmen and Madison could result in the loss of endangered and threatened species.

Soil borings for the towers supporting the Badger-Coulee transmission line in Jackson County could damage plants that host phlox moths and the frosted elfin butterfly, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which is proposing to issue the project owners a permit to allow incidental losses of either species.

Classified as an endangered species in Wisconsin, the phlox moth has been cataloged in five counties, including Jackson and Monroe. It relies on the downy phlox plant, which according to the DNR does not rapidly colonize new openings.

The frosted elfin butterfly lives in similar habitats and is listed as threatened in the state.

The DNR also has proposed to issue permits for the loss of three endangered reptiles and amphibians native to Sauk, Columbia and Juneau counties.

The DNR will accept comments on the Jackson County permit through Tuesday, Feb. 16 and on the others through Feb. 18. Visit the DNR’s website for more information and to submit comments.

A joint venture of ATC, Xcel Energy, La Crosse-based Dairyland Power Cooperative and two other utilities, the 345-kilovolt line will originate at a new substation on Briggs Road in Holmen that was completed this fall as part of CapX2020, another high-voltage transmission project running across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

According to ATC, the 180-mile line will improve system reliability and provide a pipeline to bring wind energy from western states to eastern population centers.

The $580 million estimated price tag will be passed on to ratepayers throughout the Midwest. It will connect to CapX2020, a project connecting western Minnesota and the Dakotas to Rochester and La Crosse.

The Wisconsin portion of CapX was completed in September with an approved price tag of $211 million.


Source:http://lacrossetribune.com/ja…

Share this post
Follow Us
RSS:XMLAtomJSON
Donate
Donate
Stay Updated

We respect your privacy and never share your contact information. | LEGAL NOTICES

Contact Us

WindAction.org
Lisa Linowes, Executive Director
phone: 603.838.6588

Email contact

General Copyright Statement: Most of the sourced material posted to WindAction.org is posted according to the Fair Use doctrine of copyright law for non-commercial news reporting, education and discussion purposes. Some articles we only show excerpts, and provide links to the original published material. Any article will be removed by request from copyright owner, please send takedown requests to: info@windaction.org

© 2024 INDUSTRIAL WIND ACTION GROUP CORP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WEBSITE GENEROUSLY DONATED BY PARKERHILL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION