Number: 1978-09
WHEREAS, the number of miles of electric transmission lines and the number of acres of land lying within electric transmission rights-of-way are continuing to expand rapidly; and
WHEREAS, in many instances, it appears that lands within existing and new electric transmission facilities could be managed in ways to enhance their value as wildlife habitat; and
WHEREAS, voltages at which electricity is transmitted has to increase greatly over the years even though there is evidence that extra high and ultra high voltage transmission may produce effects harmful to human health and to the use of such transmission line rights-of-way by wildlife;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 16-19, 1978, in Phoenix, Ariz., hereby:
- urges that both public and private agencies which construct and/or operate electric transmission facilities and/or manage rights-of-way to manage lands within the rights-of-way in manners maximizing the values of the lands as wildlife habitat;
- recommends that electric transmission facilities be located, constructed, and operated in manners causing the least possible harm to wildlife;
- encourages additional research and examination of the side effects of extra high and ultra high voltage facilities to determine their effects on humans and wildlife with the view toward reducing or eliminating harmful results; and,
- encourages public understanding of high voltage electric transmission problems and full participation in decisions on electric transmission line siting and operation.