Notification of Construction

Summary of Construction Activities

When ATC constructs a transmission line that requires access to a landowner’s private property, there are certain conditions and limitations that ATC will meet when it seeks an easement for the transmission line right-of-way.

• Landowners will be informed of the length and width of the right-of-way; the number, type and maximum height of all structures to be erected; the minimum height of the transmission lines above the landscape; and the number and maximum voltage of the lines to be constructed and operated.
• Landowners will be compensated for the use of their property. Lands or rights-of-way are acquired through negotiations with property owners based on the appraised value of the area needed for the transmission line.
• In addition to compensation for the easement, ATC will pay for any crop damages and/or physical damages to property resulting from the construction and maintenance of the transmission line. Payment for crop damages is based upon current market prices and expected yields in the area.

When constructing and maintaining high-voltage transmission lines on landowner's property, ATC is required by law to:

• Ensure that the topsoil is stripped, piled and replaced upon completion of the project, if excavation is necessary.
• Restore back to its original condition any slope, terrace, or waterway that is disturbed by the construction or maintenance.
• Schedule construction work on property used for agricultural production when the ground is frozen to prevent or reduce soil compaction, as practicable and when the landowner requests.
• Clear all debris and remove all stones and rocks resulting from construction activity upon completion of construction.
• Repair to its original condition any fence damaged as a result of construction or maintenance operations. If cutting a fence is necessary, a temporary gate will be installed and left in place at the landowner ’s request.
• Repair any drainage tile line within the easement damaged by construction or maintenance.
• Pay for any crop damage caused by construction or maintenance.
• Supply and install any necessary grounding of a landowner’s fences, machinery or buildings.

ATC will control weeds and brush around the transmission line facilities. No herbicidal chemicals will be used without the express written consent of the landowner. If weed and brush control is done by the landowner under an agreement with ATC, the landowner will be reasonably compensated for the services.

The landowner will be given a reasonable time prior to the start of construction to harvest any trees located within the easement boundaries, and if the landowner fails to do so, the landowner will nevertheless retain ownership of all trees cut by ATC.

The landowner is not responsible for any injury to people or property caused by the design, construction or upkeep of the transmission lines or towers.

ATC will use all reasonable measures to ensure that the transmission lines do not adversely affect the landowner’s television and radio reception.

ATC will not use any lands beyond the boundaries of the easement for any purpose, including entry to or exit from the right-of-way, without the written consent of the landowner.

Notification of Construction

Wisconsin Public Service Corporation is the general contractor for the Arrowhead-Weston transmission line project.

Landowners will be notified by WPS’s contractor real estate representatives prior to construction crew clearing operations begin on the right-of-way (ROW). After landowners have received notification, they are requested to keep off the ROW during construction activities to ensure everyone’s safety. In addition, landowners should not spread manure on any of the ROW or they may be at risk of paying farm disease mitigation costs.

Under state law, landowners have the right to reasonable notification in order to harvest any trees or crops within the easement boundaries. Landowners should contact WPS for disposition of timber or crops, whether the construction crew clears it or they choose to themselves. If landowners elect to have clearing performed by the construction crew, the landowner retains title to the trees and if the landowner would like to clear their own timber, WPS will assist in identifying the ROW boundaries.

WPS will stack all merchantable timber 3" and greater, as measured at chest height, on the side of the ROW in tree lengths for the landowner to remove. Branches in excess of 3" will also be piled on the side of the ROW for the landowner to remove. Slashings will be piled on the side of the ROW or chipped and spread on the ROW, except in wetlands where material cannot be left on the right of way. Due to potential environmental impact, construction crews cannot leave any material on the ROW in wetlands. WPS will need to make arrangements with the landowner for removing the timber found in wetlands. If the landowner is unreachable, WPS will remove the timber from the wetlands and notify the landowner of the location.

If you have any questions please call the Project Right of Way Office at (toll-free):

1-877-201-9067.

Summary of Construction Activities

When transmission lines that require access to a private landowner’s property are built, the landowner should be aware of several construction activities that require equipment and construction crews to move in and out of the right-of-way (ROW) that take place before the project can be completed.

Initial Walk-Through

Several people will walk the transmission line route to review structure locations and to identify structure locations that may require special consideration. This will occur a month or two before the construction schedule start date. The landowner will be contacted by a ROW agent prior to the walk-through.

Centerline Surveying 

A two-person crew using pickup trucks and/or ATV vehicles will mark the centerline and outer edges of the ROW at road crossings and on the ROW at each structure location. For line-of-sight purposes, a limited amount of tree, shrub and crop clearing may be required.

Installation of Access Roads and/or Construction Matting

About a week following the centerline surveying, access roads will be installed by heavier equipment and construction mats may be placed in wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas. The access roads consist of road gravel and culverts, while the wooden construction mats are about 4'x20' and each weigh about 3,000 pounds. The installation equipment is normally rubber-tired and consists of three to five pieces of equipment.

Soil Borings

Using a tracked vehicle or rubber-tired truck, a two-person crew may drill a 4" to ~10" diameter hole in the ground at the structure location. The hole is filled in a day or two after the soil sample is completed. This operation may immediately follow the centerline surveying or the installation of access roads, depending on field conditions.

Structure Staking

For construction purposes, a two-person crew will mark the structure location using pickup trucks or ATVs.

Clearing

The ROW must be cleared to allow construction activities and eventual transmission line operation. As stated under Landowner Notification the landowner with be notified prior to construction clearing and has the right to harvest or dispose of any timber or crops in the ROW.

Foundation Installation

A drilling crew will install a large diameter (6’ to 13’) hole into the ground approximately 35’ deep. This operation consists of excavation equipment, concrete trucks, steel piping and crew carriers. Normally the foundation installation will last anywhere from half a day to several days depending on the size of the foundation. In addition, blasting may be used to remove rock. Once the hole is drilled, a reinforcing bar and foundation bolts are placed in the hole and concrete is poured to fill it.

Steel Pole Assembly, Erecting and Insulator Installation

A steel pole (125' to 150') and cross-arms will be brought to the structure site for assembly. The pole is assembled in multiple pieces and will lay on the ground for a period of two weeks to two months before it is erected on the concrete foundation. Once the pole is upright, insulators are installed at the ends of the cross-arms. Work equipment for this operation consists of rubber-tired or track mounted trucks, trailers, cranes, dozers and personnel vehicles.

Preparation for and Wire Pulling

Ropes used for pulling the wires will be pulled from pole to pole with a tracked or rubber tired vehicle. A large truck mounted pulling winch is used for pulling the wires for the transmission line. The wire is fastened in place at each pole. Wire reels about 9’ in diameter are mounted on trailers and controlled during pulling. This is a large operation consisting of several trucks and people. In addition, numerous boom trucks will be present to reach up to the insulator attachment points.

Right-of-Way (ROW) Cleanup and Restoration

The ROW is cleaned after each operation and the cleanup normally consists of picking up trash and any unused materials. After all the work is completed, the ground is restored to nominally level; there is the potential of planting native species, and the ROW is allowed to return to its native state. Growth will be maintained by trimming and pruning in the future to assure continued reliability of the transmission line.

If you have any questions, please call the Project Right of Way Office at (toll-free): 1-877-201-9067.