LETTER: Land owners fear damaging  impacts of data power lines

To Ozaukee Press:

In response to the article in the Aug. 7 issue of Ozaukee Press, “Port council considers key data center agreement,” I am writing on behalf of a group of concerned property owners called Ugly Power Lines (uglypowerlines.com). We have formed to oppose the proposed “west route” for the new high-voltage power lines that would cut across Ozaukee County. 

We have been distributing yard signs and using Facebook to get our message out to people in the local area who still seem unaware or are not grasping what a 80-120-foot tower with audible buzzing lines on a 250-foot easement looks like to live near or under.

Our outreach has revealed significant gaps in the public notification process. Many property owners along the proposed route never received a physical mail notification. Furthermore, key stakeholders like the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust were not informed that this project would directly impact their County Line Preserve, Center Lane Preserve and Shannon Preserve.

The route American Transmission Co. (ATC) has labeled “preferred” appears to

intentionally target large tree lines, pristine wetlands and undeveloped land. In contrast, a  route exists that largely follows County Highway A. This alternative would pass through Fredonia’s industrial park and impact far less residential and environmentally sensitive land.

It is deeply concerning that ATC appears to be prioritizing this high-impact route seemingly to save just a few tenths of a mile in construction. We urge our local officials and community members to demand a more responsible and less destructive path forward.

Nick Buck

Fredoni