State to Pioneer Transmission Line
Washtenaw County, Michigan
Quick Facts
- New 3-mile double-circuit 120kV transmission line along the railroad right-of-way
- 150-foot right-of-way for vegetation clearance
- Route touches approximately 40 parcels along corridor in the City of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township
Project Summary
The survey team provided ground survey and base maps along the 3-mile corridor. To support the client’s land acquisition efforts, easement exhibits and descriptions were provided for all 40 parcels.
The proposed pole and easement locations were staked accordingly, and soil erosion and sediment control (SESC) plans were designed for submittal to the City of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township to facilitate site clearing and construction activities.
The ecological team spearheaded early coordination meetings with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regarding wetland use impacts and wetland mitigation ratios. Ultimately, the team completed an EGLE wetland, inland lakes and streams, and floodplain permit application for the project with the client purchasing credits in an approved wetland mitigation bank.
In addition, wetland boundary confirmations were completed with the City of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township to facilitate local permitting requirements.
The project required an enhanced threatened and endangered species (TES) review for Indiana and Northern Long-Eared bats along with a habitat assessment for ginseng, which determined that the appropriate habitat for the state-threatened flora was not present within the project easement.
To keep the project moving forward, the ecological team facilitated early and ongoing agency coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and EGLE to discuss potential natural resource impacts and requirements to obtain the necessary federal and state concurrences and authorizations for the project.
