To the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security for the Environmental Report and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission concerning the Cap X2020 Brooking County-Hampton 345 kV High Voltage Transmission Line We, the people, respectfully request that the Minnesota River Crossing for the CapX 2020 345 kV Electrical Transmission Line proposed routing at Le Sueur, Minnesota, known as the Le Sueur Crossing, within the Le Sueur/Henderson Recovery Zone, be removed from consideration as routing option for the project. Article I: The Resident Eagles The five eagle nests in the Le Sueur/Henderson Recovery Zone require protection under the Bald Eagle Act of 1940. Article II: The Migrating birds The Minnesota River Flyway through the area in question is used by 100's if not thousands of migrating eagles, and dozens of other bird species that use the unique feeding area known as Buck's Lake as a major feeding stop. In addition, the 345 kV line would inhibit floodplain habitat as well as result in strikes by birds flying in the river corridor. Article III: The Nesting Habitat The Buck's Lake Blue Heron Rookery within Le Sueur/Henderson Recovery Zone along with the floodplain habitat for dozens of other nesting water bird species must be protected and preserved. There were nineteen active Blue Heron Nests in 2008 alone. Article IV: Ground Water Protection The soon to be decommissioned Le Sueur sewer ponds are clay lined and may not withstand compromise through clay layer puncture that could result from power line tower construction. This could contaminate surface, river and ground water resources of the floodplain habitat and potentially the city water supplies. Article V: Economic Impact The Scenic Byway and Henderson Feathers tourism efforts center on the MN Hwy 93 bordering Buck's Lake. Placement of the 345 kV line at the Le Sueur Crossing would force termination of those efforts. Article VI: Human Habitat A residential area housing development within the city of Le Sueur and the Hermel Addition is believed to be in direct line of maximum impact to those residents.

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