Why do we so strongly oppose the power lines?

We, those comprising the community of Fredonia, are unified in our strong opposition to the power lines along what ATC calls the South Contingent Route.   

Why?  Because we will suffer tremendous damage and be harmed if these power lines run through the Town of Fredonia.  Our community has spoken; here are some of the concerns that are being expressed, with deep passion and concern:

• Our Health and Safety Will Be Put at Risk:  Numerous studies show that living in close proximity to power lines is dangerous from a human health perspective and can cause cancer, leukemia, and other serious medical illnesses and conditions.  Massive amounts of power will be transmitted along these extra high-voltage power lines.  They are not safe.  We must protect our families from these risks.  We love those around us and do not want to put our families and friends at health and safety risk.

• The Rural Character of Our Area Will Be Destroyed:  Many of us treasure the pristine rural character of this part of Ozaukee County.  This is what attracted many of us to make this area our home.  This will be ruined by miles of ugly tall towers and power lines, with wide paths of surrounding areas clear cut in order to permit their construction.  This precious and valuable characteristic of our area will be destroyed.  Once lost, this will be lost forever.

• Our Property Values Will Plummet:  The value of our properties, including important homesteads that have been held within families for many generations, will be substantially diminished – by 50% or even more, according to studies.  These are not only the properties where the power lines will be constructed, but also those properties whose views will be compromised.  For many of us, these properties represent our biggest asset, and this major devaluing of our property will impact us and our families forever.  It is not fair that we be asked to bear this financial burden for a project that will not provide us a proportional benefit.  

• Nationally Important Native American Sites Will Be Destroyed:  Nationally important Native American Indian sites, including burial places and effigy mounds, will be disturbed and potentially destroyed, in a way that does a great injustice to these peoples and their culture and indeed all of us.  The power lines will run dangerously close to known mound sites and will likely disturb or destroy sites not currently known or documented.  This area is one of the nation’s richest archaeological sites for Native American culture and this will be put at risk and destroyed.  

• Our Important Historic Assets Will Be Compromised:  The unique historic nature of many of our communities and country properties will be damaged or destroyed.  Consider, as just one example: the small town of Waubeka, founded in the early 1800s with many original stone, brick, and wooden structures, where the nation’s Flag Day holiday began, will have ugly power lines running through it.  And these extremely tall towers and power lines will be seen for miles and miles.  The viewshed from national historic site, Stony Hill School, and many other places will be destroyed by the power lines.  

• Our Natural Environment Will Be Destroyed:  Our area has valuable and scarce forests, prairies, meadows, and wetland ecosystems that will be compromised and in some cases destroyed.  Biodiversity here will be disrupted and destroyed.  An important mesic forest will be quite literally cut in half.  These are environments that have been carefully protected and nurtured for generations.  Once destroyed, we cannot regain these valuable assets.

• The Milwaukee River Corridor Will Be Compromised:  These power lines are proposed to run along the Milwaukee River, our principal riparian asset in this area.  Our towns and rural communities grew up around and surround the Milwaukee River, which is home to many diverse species of animals as well as plants.  This river corridor is a delicate and special ecosystem that will be heavily compromised, and potentially ruined, by running the power lines through the area.  We must protect this important natural asset, which is the basis for the patterns of human and other natural populations of this area.    

• Wildlife -- Endangered and Protected Species: The proposed power lines along the Milwaukee River corridor (and surrounding areas) will destroy valuable wildlife habitat and threaten many endangered and protected species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, insects, and freshwater life.  Among others, the following are at risk:

  • Mammals

    American Marten:  This is the only endangered mammal in the state of Wisconsin.

    Little Brown Bat: A threatened species facing population decline due to white-nose syndrome and wind turbine impacts.

    Gray wolf: The gray wolf is a federally protected species and was reinstated as endangered across most of the country, including Wisconsin, in 2022.

     

    Reptiles and Amphibians

    Eastern Massasauga Snake: One of Wisconsin's most endangered reptiles, protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

    Ornate Box Turtle: Endangered in Wisconsin due to loss of habitat and illegal capture for the pet trade.

    Blanchard's Cricket Frog: An endangered species in Wisconsin, threatened by pollution and habitat destruction as well as climate change.

     

    Birds

    Whooping Crane: A large bird that nearly went extinct, with reintroduction efforts underway.

    Sandhill Crane: Several subspecies, found on the Milwaukee River corridor, are protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

    Kirtland's Warbler: An endangered songbird.

    Golden-winged warbler: Considered one of the most endangered songbirds in North America, this bird's decline is due to habitat loss, hybridization, and nest parasitism.

    Piping plover: One of Wisconsin's endangered birds, the piping plover has seen its population fall significantly due to habitat loss and other factors.

    Eagles: American bald eagles are protected in Wisconsin by both federal and state laws. Though they were removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007, and from Wisconsin's own endangered list in 1997, they are still shielded by multiple regulations, including:

    * Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA): This 1940 law makes it illegal to "take" (including kill, capture, disturb, or wound) a bald eagle or golden eagle, or to possess, sell, or transport any part of the bird, including its nests and eggs. Disturbing a nest, even if it is not currently in use, is a violation of this act.

    * Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA): Passed in 1918, this act protects most native bird species, their parts, eggs, and nests. The MBTA covers the bald eagle as a migratory species.

     

    Invertebrates/Insects

    Karner Blue Butterfly: A federally endangered species found in Wisconsin.

    Hine's Emerald Dragonfly: A federally endangered species in Wisconsin.

    Rusty-patched Bumble Bee: A federally endangered species in decline since the mid-1990s.

     

    Freshwater Species

    Crystal darter: The crystal darter is one of several fish species negatively impacted by changes to the Mississippi River, such as the removal of gravel bars and the creation of navigation pools.

    Other fish that are either threatened or endangered include:

    * Black buffalo

    * Blue sucker

    * Gilt darter

    * Longear sunfish

    * Paddlefish

    * Pugnose shiner

    * Redfin shiner

    * River redhorse

    * Black redhorse

    * Bluntnose darter

    * Goldeneye

    * Gravel chub

    * Pallid shiner

    * Skipjack herring

    * Slender madtom

    * Starhead topminnow

    * Striped shiner

    Freshwater mussels, including:

    * Flutedshell: This mussel is commonly found in parts of the Milwaukee River, including the South Branch and Cedar Creek watersheds.

    * Slippershell mussel: Although no living slippershells were found during one study in the Milwaukee River, valves of the species have been discovered, indicating a past or potential presence.

    * Other species: Many of Wisconsin's 50 native mussel species are listed as a "Species of Greatest Conservation or Information Need" under the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan.

     

    It would be irresponsible and devastating to destroy the habitat of these and other threatened and endangered species. 

These are just some of the major concerns that have been noted.  These are the points that have been made by our local community members, both at community meetings and in our letters and protests.  There are other concerns as well, but we have tried to highlight some of the most important ones here.  

We implore you to please help to protect our community, not just for us but for future generations ….  We do NOT want the power lines.  They are being built to serve a mega data center – one of the largest in the world – that does not benefit us, but rather serves the interests of major corporate conglomerates who will profit greatly from our losses.  

Please stop these power lines from destroying our community and taking away the things we value and cherish.