Threatened Birds Halt Work on CapX2020 in La Crosse Area

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — The construction of a portion of a major high-voltage power line connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin is on hold due to concerns about nesting by protected bird species.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that a 3-mile stretch of the line in an area near Onalaska that's owned and managed by the Mississippi Valley Conservancy contains 11 species of concern. Two of the bird species, Henslow's sparrow and Bell's vireo, are classified as "threatened."

The Wisconsin portion of Xcel Energy's $500 million project, which links the La Crosse area and Rochester, Minnesota, is slated for completion in September.

But the timeline may change, depending on whether the Wisconsin Public Service Commission approves the utility's request to resume the construction of a 2-mile stretch of the project.