Utilities looking to finish building a high-voltage power line linking Iowa and Wisconsin have completed a contentious land deal allowing them to cross a Mississippi River federal wildlife refuge. The last mile of the line would cross the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge near Cassville, Wisconsin.
FILE - A grain wagon supports a sign against the proposed transmission line by American Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative, along Highway 18-151 near Ridgeway, Wis., Dec. 8, 2018. Utilities looking to finish building a high-voltage power line linking Iowa and Wisconsin completed a contentious land deal Thursday that allows them to build on a Mississippi River federal wildlife refuge.
A mile-long section of the line would cross the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge near Cassville, Wisconsin. The refuge is a haven for fish, wildlife and migratory birds. Conservation groups filed a lawsuit in March seeking to block the crossing. They contend the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued final approvals for the crossing without adequate public comment. They also allege that the fish and wildlife service and the utilities improperly reached a deal calling for the utilities to transfer about 36 acres south of Cassville to the refuge in exchange for 10 acres within the refuge for the line.
Rodney Pritchard, a spokesperson for ITC Midwest, said the utilities and the agency closed the deal Thursday. He said it’s unclear when construction will begin. The conservation groups fear construction will begin immediately. They asked Conley on Thursday to issue another injunction. The judge has set a hearing for Tuesday.
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