Despite an ongoing court battle, construction of a controversial transmission line through a national wildlife refuge is underway. The Driftless Area Land Conservancy (DALC) and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) challenged the power line project, which crosses the refuge near the Mississippi River.
DALC and WWF, along with the National Wildlife Refuge Association, claim that the utility companies didn’t get public input for the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line project and that it can harm wildlife in the refuge.
They sued to block a land exchange that would enable the project in March, and U.S. District Judge William Conley granted the request that halted construction temporarily. Utilities then appealed the decision. Last week, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the court’s order. Construction of the project began on Monday.
“We are now in a position in which the transmission companies — despite being requested to not build — are continuing to move forward, And the refuge is being damaged and harmed,” says Howard Learner who is the executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center.
According to reporting by Wisconsin Public Radio, Conley said he’s “open to possibly issuing an injunction after reviewing new findings, saying utilities are doing “real damage” at the crossing near Cassville.”
Driftless Area Land Conservancy has taken a leading role in opposing this transmission line project. Learn more about their position here.
Photo courtesy of Courtney Celley/USFWS.
