This came in today from Audubon:
ACTION ALERT
ATC Transmission Line Could Split Goose Pond Sanctuary
Attend the ATC Open House
Thursday, June 30, 2011
1 – 7 p.m.
Waunakee Middle School, Waunakee
(or send comments to ATC at [email protected])
American Transmission Company (ATC) is planning to build a 150-mile, 345-kilovolt line from north of La Crosse to northern Dane County (the Badger Coulee Transmission Line Project). One of their proposed routes is down the railroad tracks that cross Madison Audubon Society’s Goose Pond Sanctuary. To avoid key bird and wildlife habitat, no powerlines should be built east of the I-39/90/94 corridor. Neither should powerlines be built through the Baraboo Hills or the Kickapoo Reserve.
ATC is inviting everyone to an open house on Thursday, June 30, at Waunakee Middle School, 1001 South St., Waunakee, from 1 – 7 p.m. You’re also welcome to submit comments via e-mail to [email protected]
Information about the Badger Coulee Transmission Line Project is available on the ATC website at www.BadgerCoulee.com. The map for Columbia County is at
http://www.atc-projects.com/documents/ColumbiaCounty11X17.pdf (see southeast corner of map to find Goose Pond and the Arlington area)
Reasons to oppose a large powerline through
Madison Audubon Society’s Goose Pond Sanctuary
Land Acquisition:
– More than $2,800,000 has been spent on acquisition of 660 acres at Goose Pond.
– Significant funding for land acquisition has been received from Fish and Wildlife Service – North American Wetlands Conservation Act; and the Knowles Nelson Stewardship program.
Restoration:
– More than $300,000 has been spent on prairie and wetland restorations since 1990.
– Goose Pond is one of the largest mesic prairie restorations in Wisconsin with more than 400 acres of prairie.
– About 20 acres of wetlands have been restored.
Bird & Wildlife Use:
– Wildlife surveys have been done since 1980 that include spring and fall waterfowl counts, waterfowl pair counts, Wisconsin frog and toad surveys, and Christmas Bird Counts.
– More than 250 species of birds have been sighted at Goose Pond, including 34 species of waterfowl and 34 species of shorebirds.
– More than 60 species of birds nest annually at Goose Pond.
Spring Migration
– Canada Geese – average of 2,500/day for almost 4 weeks
– Tundra Swans – average more than 100/day
– other waterfowl – hundreds/day in spring migration
– shorebirds – significant use in some years
Summer – Nesting season
– Ducks – in recent years, 75 – 90 pairs of seven species nest at Goose Pond. This year, 86 pairs of ducks were counted
– Canada Geese – 2 pairs nested in 2011
– Sandhill Cranes – 2 pairs nested in 2011
– Bats – summer surveys have found significant use by 4 species
Fall Migration
– Canada Geese – average of 2,500 – 3,000/day from September 20 through mid-November
– Mallards – average 2,500 from October 1 to mid-November
– Tundra Swans – average probably 100-300/day for 3 weeks in November, with high counts 1,000 or more in some years
– Sandhill Cranes – more than 100 have staged at Goose Pond in recent falls
– other waterfowl – hundreds/day stop during fall migration from late September through mid-November
Birds of prey – Birds of prey, including Peregrine Falcons and Bald Eagles, are attracted by the number and variety of prey species, primarily shorebirds and waterfowl, that use Goose Pond.
Shorebirds – There is significant shorebird use (probably thousands of individuals) in some years from spring through fall.
Mallards and Canada Geese – These roost on Goose Pond in very large numbers, flying out to feed in surrounding cropland fields (picked corn and soybeans). A powerline along the railroad tracks would greatly impact both migrating and nesting waterfowl that feed in nearby fields.
Fishing eating birds – Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and others forage at Goose Pond.
Partnerships:
– Research site for many University of Wisconsin – Madison projects
– Restoration funds have been received from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program and the Private Lands Program; Pheasants Forever; Safari Club; and Wisconsin Society for Ornithology.
– Dozens of university student interns have worked at Goose Pond since 1985. An average of five interns work at Goose Pond each summer.
Special Designations:
– Audubon Goose Pond State Natural Area
– Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing site
– Site on the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail
– Part of the Northern Empire Prairie Wetlands Important Bird Area
Other:
– Thousands of people visit Goose Pond annually.
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