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Landowners urge smaller transmission right-of-way and raise endangered species concerns in public comment
Summary
Two members of the public told the Michigan Public Service Commission that ITC’s proposed transmission routes (cases including U-21471) threaten farms, wetlands and an eastern massasauga rattlesnake habitat, and urged use of existing rights-of-way to limit land condemnation and cost to ratepayers.
During public comment on Feb. 11, two residents urged the Michigan Public Service Commission to scrutinize proposed high-voltage transmission routes and right-of-way widths in ITC projects, citing impacts to property, wetlands and endangered species.
Val Walsh Brennan said the proposed Nelson–Onida route threatens her historic Centennial Farm and three family homes and criticized ITC’s request for a 200-foot right-of-way for some 345 kV projects. Brennan argued the 200-foot request departs from a 150-foot regional standard used by other developers and said the wider corridor would condemn substantially more land and increase costs to ratepayers. “Following existing right of ways is an industry best practice,” Brennan said, and she urged commissioners to require ITC to justify a departure from the 150-foot standard under Public Act 30.
Heidi Brown said her 25-acre marsh has documented eastern massasauga rattlesnake sightings and that ITC’s proposed pole placements would fall within 30 feet of a federally protected drain, potentially blocking routine maintenance and complicating permitting. Brown said her community is organizing public forums and that additional federal review is likely because of the protected species observations.
Both commenters identified case U-21471 (Nelson–Onida and Helix–Hipple routes) as the matter of concern. Their remarks were part of the public comment period; the commission did not act on the route appeals during the Feb. 11 meeting.
