LES committee backs original power line route

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By ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS / Lincoln Journal Star

Opponents of a high-voltage power line planned along the western edge of Nine-Mile Prairie suffered a setback Thursday when a Lincoln Electric System committee voted to stick with its original recommendation.

“I’m very disappointed,” said Marilyn McNabb, vice president of Wachiska Audubon Society. “We need to re-group. They haven’t heard from everybody who has an opinion about this, yet.”

Wachiska members and others who want to preserve the unspoiled western view of the prairie convinced the LES board last month to explore alternate routes. The board directed a three-member committee to study other options, including those suggested by opponents.

On Thursday, the committee announced that after examining additional possible routes inside and outside the study area, the best route was the one it originally recommended to the board in August.

That route, part of the North Tier II Project, would place the power line on the west side of Nine-Mile Prairie, a 230-acre tallgrass prairie on the northwest edge of Lincoln.

Opponents say having 100- to 110-foot-high power poles would mar the western view and ruin what some have called a “signature landscape.”

Some people who own land along the proposed power line route opposed the committee’s original choice for different reasons, saying it could prevent future development of their property.

The committee vote was not unanimous.

Richard Evnen, who serves on the committee, said he did not vote in favor of the recommended route.

However, he added: “I do believe the committee did its work properly and thoroughly in looking at alternative routes and ideas and considered the concerns voiced by people interested in Nine-Mile Prairie and people who voiced other concerns.”

The LES board will consider the committee’s recommendation at its Sept. 16 meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. at the LES building, 11th and O streets.

Meanwhile, McNabb and others said they plan to contact board members to voice their concerns about the committee’s recommendation.

“LES needs good public relations. They need to have their rates approved by the City Council and they need public support and they need to be aware that this is not a positive step,” McNabb said.

James Locklear, who chairs a prairie management committee, said he was disappointed with the LES committee’s decision.

He said the city’s Comprehensive Plan includes a residential development along the eastern edge of the prairie, so that makes preserving the western view very important.

“I hope the LES Board will explore other options,” he said.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.