MORTON - Several citizens asked questions and commented Wednesday at a public meeting at Jackpot Junction Hotel/Casino on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a high-voltage transmission line project from Bookings to Hampton.

The 345 kV transmission line up to 262 miles long would extend through parts of Lincoln, Lyon, Yellow Medicine, Chippewa, Redwood, Brown, Renville, Sibley, Le Sueur, Scott, Rice and Dakota counties.

The project includes proposed expansion of four existing substations and construction of four new substations near Granite Falls, New Prague, Franklin and Hampton.

Hosted by the Minnesota Energy Facility Permitting State Planning Director Scott Ek, the meeting included comments from Duane Anderson who lives between Jackpot and Springfield, Chris Hettig of Birch Coulee Township and Scott Larsen of the Upper Sioux Community.

Anderson, who said one of two proposed power line routes is within 1,000 feet of his home, asked about project effects on property values, aesthetics and health.

Ek said studies showed property values are affected by many variables including market conditions and property size.

"Property value impacts would be greater on smaller properties and are estimated at 4-14 percent," said Ek.

He added that such issues would be between utility companies and property owners after the state permitting process.

Project route permit decisions are expected in March of April 2010.

Ek said reconsideration and litigation could delay route decisions.

He urged Anderson to attend a public hearing with an Administrative Law Judge, set for 1-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Redwood Area Community Center.

Ek said studies by national and international organizations including the WHO (World Health Organization) show no laboratory-affirmed link between electro-magnetic fields from power lines and childhood leukemia, which he said is the most common health argument against high-voltage lines.

Ek said aesthetics and power line projects are "tough to define."

Anderson said he preferred an alternative power line route that runs a couple miles north of State Highway 19 rather than the original route the runs south of State Highway 19.

Hettig said AM radio reception has deteriorated lately as towers were built on the Minnesota River valley ridge.

Ek said towers affect AM radio signals more than FM signals.

Larsen asked if national historical research laws were followed for the project regarding Native American burial and ceremonial sites.

Larsen took several project maps from the meeting and said he will discuss routes with tribal elders.

Larsen said he wasn't sure if tribal elders could attend a Monday, Nov. 30 public hearing set for 2:30-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.at Prairie's Edge Casino & Resort near Granite Falls.

Other public Contested Case Hearings will be held through Dec. 11, at Marshall, Redwood Falls, Winthrop, Henderson, Lonsdale, New Prague and Lakeville.

The public hearing comment deadline is Jan. 15, 2010.

The Draft EIS includes possible mitigation for environmental and socio-economic settings, noise, aesthetics, proximity to structures, displacement, tree groves and windbreaks, existing utilities and water wells, air and water quality, archaeological and historic resources, public health and safety, recreation, transportation and public services, interference, natural resources, zoning and land-based economies, property values, plans and wildlife, plus rare and endangered species and habitat.

For more information, visit energyfacilities/puc.state.mn.us/resource.html?Id=25589

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).