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Dear Editor;
Thank you for publishing the article, "Transmission Line Project Threatens National Wildlife Refuge," which described how construction is approaching The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The photos depicting the devastation caused by Cardinal-Hickory Creek were heart breaking.
Four conservation groups are taking legal actions--including filing a federal lawsuit--against U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Rural Utilities Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They allege these agencies violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, and the Endangered Species act when they granted permits allowing CHC to cross through the Refuge. Driftless Defenders intends to send a petition to the federal agencies showing support for the conservation groups' legal efforts and confirming that the public passionately wants to protect the Refuge from this unneeded and environmentally destructive transmission line.
Please help save the Wildlife Refuge by signing the petition https://www.change.org/StopCHCdestruction Thank you.
Betsy D'Angelo
Town of Dodgeville