Bill Thornley 

Spooner Advocate 

SPOONER -- It could be said there was electricity in the air on Wednesday, as representatives from Douglas, Washburn, Sawyer, and Marathon counties gathered at Northwest Regional Planning Commission in Spooner to discuss the proposed 345-kilovolt powerline scheduled to run from Arrowhead near Duluth to Weston near Wausau. 

The route is roughly a 250-mile stretch across Wisconsin, with the line sitting atop hundreds of 13-story towers. It is a project which could affect an estimated 11,500 private property owners. 

The message from the counties? A united and resounding “no.” 

Although the line has been approved, said county officials and foresters, there are still many avenues available to protest and block it. 

Also at the meeting were representatives from a grassroots environmental organization known as Save Our Unique Lands (SOUL) which has battled the power line every step of the way. Present as well were county foresters and representatives from the organization known as WOLF Inc. 

In a review of positions and actions thus far taken by the counties, it was brought out that the various counties have taken a stand against the line. 

Last year the Washburn County Board voted unanimously against the line coming through the county. Douglas County Forestry administrator Richard Moore reported that his county had also denied access to the line crossing county forest land, or approximately 13 miles of the route, and the county board took a stance against the line in October 1999. 

Sawyer and Marathon counties have opposed the line as well. 

“We are a major road block to them,” stated Douglas County Board member Mark Liebart, who is also on the SOUL board. “They are trying to back county boards into a corner. We're in a different position than private landowners. We can say 'no' to them. But we don't know if they're listening. Counties, by standing firm, can make it so that the line doesn't have a route.” 

“Every bit of land they want to cross in Sawyer County is private land,” said James Barrett of the Sawyer County Board. 

“Can they condemn private lands?” asked Mike Peterson, Washburn County Forest administrator. “From what I'm hearing, they can't.” 

“They can't condemn private land, but they are trying to bluff and bully,” said Liebart. 

“Minnesota Power does not have the power to condemn,” responded Linda Hanson of WOLF, Inc. “They cannot subject private landowners to eminent domain.” 

Ric Flecker, Douglas Countyís Corporation Council offered legal information at the meeting, and was concerned by language in easements for the power line, fearing that the line that eventually exists if it is built will be “massively enhanced” from the power line currently described. 

“Each county has to look at the easement, look at the language in it,” he advised. “There are legal and political tricks being played. Keep an eye on what is going on down in Madison.” 

It was pointed out that the proposed route is 85 percent on private lands, and suggested that backers of the line are trying to by-pass the counties. It was indicated that part of the alternate route goes through the Brule State Forest, a route that currently involves lands the power company, “does not have access to,” according to Liebart. 

“They are looking at alternate routes right now so that they don't have to deal with counties,” said Flecker. “There will be political pressure on counties and private landowners.” 

“We need them to be very specific on what they want and where they want to go,” offered an observer from Marathon County. 

“SOUL is reaffirming its position of not letting them on public land,” said Liebart. 

“It is important we don't stick our heads in the sand on this, though,” offered Peterson, saying that if the line does occur, “the counties should maintain the ability to negotiate with the power company.”

“An open vote on a board floor is legislative immunity,” said Felker. 

“That is a pretty good hand to play.” 

“If we keep fighting them, we will win this,” said Liebart. “We must hold firm. Counties can stop this line.” 

“I guess I've been around for awhile,” said Robert Lester of Washburn County. “In 1967 I heard the same thing about the pipeline, but it did happen.” 

“They have never seen a grassroots effort like this,” said Liebart. 

“And you have to believe that the political climate will change with the next election. Long ago the Public Intervener opposed this, What did the governor (then-Gov. Tommy Thompson) do? He eliminated the Public Intervenerís office. But there is another election in November, and people don't want this,” he explained. 

“This line is not for the benefit of locals, or to serve local needs,” said Roger Steffen of SOUL in Rusk County. “This is to benefit big companies.” 

Liebart said that Indian tribes in Marathon have now gotten involved in challenging the line, but that they have “been ignored.” 

“But this is not over,” he continued. “The National Park Service will start hearings in May 2003 -- they aren't going to let them cross before then. Minnesota Power would like you to think this battle is over. It is not over. We're just starting the third inning.” 

The Spooner Advocate is a member of Murphy McGinnis Newspapers.

Ashland, WI