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No line through Faville Grove!
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, in
a precedent-setting decision, rejected the American Transmission
Company’s preferred route for the new Jefferson County high-voltage
transmission line that would have bisected MAS’s Faville Grove
Sanctuary. In the next 18 months or so, you will see new transmission
towers rise along I-94 near Lake Mills, rather than in the sanctuary
to the north.
In discussing the case, both commissioners recognized
the ecological and historical value of MAS’s efforts at Faville
Grove, and they acted to protect the public interest here. In the
most far-reaching part of the decision, the commissioners agreed
with arguments presented by MAS that approval of a transmission
line through the sanctuary, which in part is protected by permanent
conservation easements, could have a chilling effect on future efforts
by individual landowners to protect their land, and on public/private
partnerships like those established between Madison Audubon and
the Department of Natural Resources and other state and federal
agencies. The state's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, in particular,
seeks to promote such public/private partnerships to further land
conservation, and has been key in the development of Faville Grove
Sanctuary. This decision will strengthen such partnerships in the
future as landowners recognize that the state speaks with one voice
when it agrees to work with landowners and non-profit organizations
to protect the natural heritage that we all enjoy.
We would like to thank the many individuals and
organizations that provided support in the long and arduous effort
to protect the sanctuary. First and foremost, all MAS members, contributors,
and volunteers have helped to build the sanctuary, and it really
was the strength of the sanctuary effort that won the day. We truly
appreciate the 200 or so comments submitted to the PSC in support
of the sanctuary. Gathering Waters Conservancy, The Leopold Foundation,
the Natural Heritage Land Trust, and the Natural Areas Preservation
Council all publicly backed MAS. When ATC is buying friends wherever
they can, such independent-minded organizations particularly deserve
our support. David Drake, professor of Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison,
Darrell Kromm of Reeseville Ridge Nursery, and Kurt Kielisch of
Appraisal Group One all provided invaluable expert testimony before
the PSC, as did the staff of DNR’s Office of Energy and Bureau
of Community Financial Assistance. Finally, David Bender from the
law firm of Garvey, McNeil & McGillivray provided tremendous
legal counsel as well as financial flexibility. Many thanks to all.
We couldn’t have done it without you.
~Roger Packard and David Musolf
September 2006
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