CEAC-2022-06-June

which had about 60,000 visitors a year. The state Department
of Natural Resources said the trail needed two complete
bridge replacements and landslide repairs, among other
work.
According to the DNR, $2.3 million needed for repairs came
from the Federal Emergency Management Administration
and the state.
State Sen. Howard Marklein, of Spring Green, and state Rep.
Tony Kurtz, of Wonewoc, spearheaded efforts in the Legislature
to secure funds for the trail’s repairs, Wisconsin Public
Radio reported.
“The easy part was the funding,” VanLanduyt said. “The
more difficult part was just the sheer amount of infrastructure
that needed to be replaced, and designing all of that,
and then going through the bidding process and then finally
a very long construction period as well.”
While repair work is largely complete, a 1-mile section of
the trail was closed as of May 13 because of bridge safety
concerns, though was set to reopen after Memorial Day
weekend, with a permanent bridge replacement coming in
late 2023 or early 2024.
Staff Proposal Would Retain Permit for $1B
Transmission Line
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A proposed Maine Board of Environmental
Protection order would let stand a permit issued
for a $1 billion electric transmission corridor to serve as a
conduit for Canadian hydropower.
The draft order was written by environmental agency staff
ahead of a hearing this week that was postponed because of
COVID-19 illnesses.
The board was supposed to meet May 17 to decide whether
to hold a public hearing or to begin deliberations the following
day.
The permit was suspended by Maine Environmental Commissioner
Melanie Loyzim after voters rebuked the project in a
statewide referendum. Because the permit was not permanently
revoked, the Board of Environmental Protection was
required to issue a final decision on consolidated appeals.
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court, meanwhile, is weighing
a lawsuit aimed at overturning the referendum on constitutional
grounds, as well questions about the legality of a state
lease for a small portion of land.
Funded by Massachusetts ratepayers, the New England Clean
Energy Connect would supply up to 1,200 megawatts of Canadian
hydropower — enough electricity for 1 million homes
— to the regional power grid. — David Sharp
Saginaw to Resume Water Shutoffs, Collection
Efforts
SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — Water shutoffs for delinquent payments
are expected to resume in Saginaw this summer.
Collection efforts and water service disconnections that were
suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic will restart July
18, the city said May 16.
Saginaw, about 100 miles northwest of Detroit, suspended
water shutoffs in March 2020.
The city said it has worked over the past 18 months to help
financially struggling residents and business owners and connect
them to available assistance from local agencies.
“This is an issue where there are no easy answers,” Saginaw
City Manager Tim Morales said. “However, we must begin
collecting on city of Saginaw utility accounts to support and
maintain our infrastructure.”
Fiscal Services staff will continue to contact water and sewer
customers behind on payments to make payment arrangements
or seek assistance, the city said.
Planned Ho-Chunk Nation Casino in Beloit
Gets Final Approval
BELOIT, Wis. (AP) — The Bureau of Indian Affairs on recently
approved the Ho-Chunk Nation’s application for a casino in
Beloit, more than two decades after the city residents voted
in favor of the complex.
The plan places 33 acres of land into trust for the project,
which is expected to produce 3,000 construction jobs and
1,300 permanent jobs. Officials say the tribe plans to handle
design and construction for the project, including the necessary
infrastructure.
The complex would include one of the largest casinos
in the state as well as a 300-room hotel with more than
45,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, and a
40,000-square-foot indoor waterpark.
Beloit voters approved the project in a 1999 referendum.
The tribe purchased the land in 2009 and has been working
to win federal and state approval to build a casino there
since 2012. Gov. Tony Evers signed off on the plan more than
a year ago. It will be the tribe’s fourth casino in Wisconsin,
including one in Nekoosa, one in Baraboo and one in Black
River Falls.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin said the new facility
should provide a long-term source of revenue for essential
housing, as well as education and health programs for tribal
members.
Volume 87 · Number 6 | 7