Energy maintenance projects can often intersect with environmental concerns, particularly when rare species are involved. In such cases, it becomes a balancing act of development and conservation—one that Xcel Energy finds itself negotiating as it prepares to upgrade its existing W3419 Line in Monroe County, Wisconsin, as reported by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has proposed a permit for what's known as "incidental take," which might occur as a result of this project. Incidental take is the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that doesn't put the species' overall population at jeopardy. Although, this poses a distinct challenge given the presence of the state-endangered slender glass lizard, ottoe skipper, phlox moth, and regal fritillary in the project’s vicinity.
Spanning approximately 28.5 miles between the existing Sparta Substation and the Melrose SS, the maintenance includes the installation of an overhead static wire with an optical ground wire (OPGW) and the replacement of select structures. Access to construction sites will be limited to temporary roads, both within and outside the existing right-of-way corridor, as required for activities like completing splices and wire pulls, as per the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Despite the acknowledged risk to the endangered species in the area, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has concluded that the project "is not likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival or recovery of the species within the state, the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part of, or the habitat that is critical to their existence." These conclusions are drawn from thorough evaluations by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff. To mitigate any potential harm, Xcel Energy will incorporate conservation measures into the project plan following the stipulations of the proposed Incidental Take Permit.
