LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin regulators have given contractors the go-ahead to resume work on a high-voltage power line connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin that was put on hold due to concerns about protected bird species.

Work stopped last month after it was discovered that crews working for Xcel Energy were mistakenly allowed to build in an area that was designated for no-construction activities. The Minneapolis-based utility had told contractors the area as a no-tree-clearing zone, not a no-construction zone.

The land near Onalaska contains 11 species of concern and two species classified as threatened.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the Public Service Commission notified Xcel Friday that work can resume in part of the area where no protected species have been found, but it'll need to submit a new construction plan for approval.

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