Action Needed: Block power line construction through the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge!

 

ACT NOW

Protect habitat for birds and fish in the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge

You might expect to see any number of wild birds and fish in a wildlife refuge – but you probably wouldn’t expect to see huge industrial-scale power lines and 20-story transmission towers. The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is a globally important bird area, and it is home to endangered whooping cranes. It’s also a popular outdoor recreation spot for local communities. The Refuge was recently protected when a federal judge sided with Defenders and our partners to block construction of a destructive $492 million transmission line that would cut through this habitat. Now those developers are appealing the judge’s decision so they can build this massive power line through the Refuge anyway. We’re asking wildlife advocates like you to reach out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to uphold protections for this refuge and put a stop to this destructive development! Protect whooping cranes and other wildlife: Urge the FWS to block construction of industrial power lines and towers in the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge! The unspoiled habitat in the wildlife refuge is a natural treasure, allowing fish and birds to thrive. Warblers, tundra swans, bald eagles and endangered whooping cranes all find shelter here.   Developers are threatening the integrity of this habitat by pushing to build an industrial-scale power line, complete with 20-story electricity transmission towers. The courts have already ruled that this development goes against the interests of the refuge, but those developers aren’t giving up. Don’t let this massive industrial power line development destroy habitat in the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge. Add your signature now! We need to work together to find a way to accommodate the region’s renewable energy needs without sacrificing essential habitat for fish and wildlife. Take a moment to urge the FWS to find solutions to the region’s electricity needs without despoiling the Refuge! PROTECT THE REFUGE Thank you for taking action to protect wildlife and wild places. Sincerely, Monica Goldberg Vice President, Landscape Conservation Defenders of Wildlife     Defenders of Wildlife 1130 17th Street NW • Washington, DC 20036 defenders.org © 2021 Defenders of Wildlife  Photo credit: Whopping Cranes Landing (c) Klaus Nigge/USFWS