SWEPCO gives an answer to Safari’s many supporters

GENTRY - While support grows for Gentry’s Wild Wilderness Drive-through Safari in its battle with Southwestern Electric Power Co. over payment for an easement the utility company is taking from theSafari by eminent domain, which crosses a corner of the drive-through portion of the Safari, there is another side of the issue which is not receivingas much publicity and which fair-minded individuals may also wish to consider.

Though some supporters of the Safari have posted letters and statements to the effect that SWEPCO has condemned 100 acres of the Safari’s land, or about one quarter of its park, Peter Main, spokesman for SWEPCO, points out that the energy company has only condemned 9 acres of the 100 acre corner of the park in order to have access to construct the overhead transmission lines which will cross Safari 4.

“Some people are saying SWEPCO condemned Safari 4, but the condemnation was only for nine acres of the 100-Main, the Safari manager asked SWEPCO to move the power lines and poles north and SWEPCO did all in its power to minimize impact to the Safari by placing only one pole in the public area and moving it to a more suitable location. He said the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s order, issued two years ago, in 2011, did not permit the power company to move the lines off the property. The APSC order only allows for 600 feet of deviation from the approved path, Main said.

The Commission’s April 14, 2011, order in docket 10-074-U can be viewed on the Commission lines. One of those poles would be on land to which park visitors have access and two would be in a non-public area, Main said on Friday.

According toacre portion of the park,” Main said. “Public statements that SWEPCO condemned the Safari or Safari 4 are false,” Main added. “And the condemnation does not require the closure of any part of Safari 4.”

The construction on Safari lands includes three poles to support the transmis-sion’s web site at: http://www apscservices.info/pdf/10/10-074-u_32_1.pdf.

In 2010, SWEPCO brought a proposal to the APSC to build the transmission lines from the Flint Creek Power Plant to Shipe Road, in Centerton. The proposal went through the usual hearing process and each affected landowner had opportunity to contest the planned route Main said.

“The Safari folks knew since 2010, and the line was under review two times since 2010, and each time they chose not to raise any concerns over the impact of the line for their animals or operation,” Main said “They didn’t raise any concerns until after the line was finalized and SWEPCO approached them to purchase a right of way easement. The Safari manager had the same opportunity to voice opposition or concerns as every other land owner along the proposed route, and he did not,” Main said.

According to Main, in spite of having legal access, the Safari has denied SWEPCO access to the easement even though SWEPCO has offered to erect temporary fencing or to provide additional funds to pay for personnel to be present and watch over the animals while the work is completed. Main said when access is granted the work will be completed quickly and with a minimal impact on the Safari. Main said SWEPCO has held off on work at the Safari to allow time for a solution to the impasse, but now work is nearing completion on the rest of the line and the time has come to complete the work on the Safari easement

“With cooperation, the construction will be completed quickly, safely and with a minimal interruption of Safari operations,” Main said.

At least a part of this dispute is set to be resolved by the Benton County Circuit Court, which is to hear and decide how much SWEPCO should pay for its easement across Safari lands.

Leon Wilmoth, speaking for the Safari, has contended that the transmission lines across the 100-acre Safari 4 portion of the park makes the entire 100 acres unusable because of potential dangers to both animals and humans from the high voltage lines. SWEPCO contends that the power lines are not incompatible with the operation of the park and has offered payment only for the 9-acre easement.

Wilmoth said, in August they are closing Safari 4 and moving the animals during construction but will not reopen that portion of the drive-through after construction is complete because of safety concerns for both people and the animals. He said the land might be suitable for grazing cattle but would not be usable for keeping expensive exotic animals or for having Safari visitors driving through it.

In addition to concerns about possible effects of the high voltage lines, Wilmoth said the easement would give power company workers access to the land at any time and U.S. Department of Agriculture rules which govern the Safari require a Safari representative to accompany anyone out of their vehicle on land which contains exotic animals.

“A person has to be close enough to intervene,” Wilmoth said, “to keep a person from hurting an animal or an animal from hurting a person. That is why you see all these people around in Safari vests,” he added.

Wilmoth said in August he is hoping for a settlement with SWEPCO which will allow the Safari to purchase additional property adjacent to Safari property so that it can be used to replace the land the Safari deems unusable for the drive-through portion of the park. Wilmoth estimates it would take three years to purchase land and build roads and facilities on the land for the animals.

“SWEPCO has no reason to believe that the transmission line is not compatible with the operation of the park,” Main said. “For years Safari animals have grazed near transmission lines to the east along Safari Road,” Main said.

The court hearing, originally set for Sept. 16, was moved to Oct. 17.

SWEPCO issued a public statement on Friday regarding the issue with Gentry’s Wild Wilderness Safari. It can be found online at https://www.swepco.com/ info/projects/BentonCounty and is reprinted below.

Statement Regarding SWEPCO Transmission Line and Wild Wilderness Safari

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Oct 4, 2013 - Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) issued the statementregarding concerns raised about a SWEPCO transmission line under construction in Benton County, Ark. The transmission line will cross part of the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari property near Gentry on a route approved by the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC).

SWEPCO is working to complete construction of a 14-mile transmission line in Benton County that will strengthen the transmission system serving Northwest Arkansas. We appreciate the many public concerns expressed about the Wild Wilderness Safari and its special place in the community. We also believe the installation and operation of the transmission line will not impact the ongoing successful operation of the Safari. The route of the line was approved in 2011 by the Arkansas Public Service Commission. The Wild Wilderness Safari chose not to raise any concerns about its animals or operations during two reviews of the transmission project by the APSC. SWEPCO’s rightof-way easement involves 9 acres of the approximately 100-acre Safari 4 area within the 400-acre park. The condemnation does not require closure of any part of the Wild Wilderness Safari. Any closure is the Safari manager’s decision. We have worked for many months to find a reasonable compromise to allow the project to proceed as approved. With the cooperation of the Safari manager, we can quickly and safely complete the installation of three poles without the relocation of animals from Safari 4.

Public statements that SWEPCO has condemned Safari 4 or the entire Wild Wilderness Safari are false SWEPCO’s right-of-way easement involves 9 acres of the approximately 100-acre Safari 4 area within the 400-acre park. The condemnation does not require closure of any part of the Wild Wilderness Safari. Any closure is the Safari manager’s decision. Condemnation proceedings occur only after the utility and the property owner are unable to reach an agreement regarding purchase of the easement A court then determines the amount of compensation the property owner will receive for the easement.

Adjustment limits in the 2011 Arkansas Public Service Commission order that approved the line do not allow SWEPCO to move the line to the edge of the Safari property or off the property The adjustment limits in the APSC order do not allow SWEPCO to move the line beyond 600 feet from the approved route. SWEPCO is planning to place only one transmission pole in the public portion of the Safari 4 area and two poles in the non-public portion of Safari 4. At the Safari manager’s request, SWEPCO changed the planned location of the pole in the public area to minimize the impact to visitors’ views in the Safari 4 area. We were able to make the change within the APSC adjustment limits.

With the cooperation of the Safari manager, we can quickly and safely complete the installation of three poles without therelocation of animals from Safari 4. SWEPCO has tried for many months to reach an agreement that would provide the necessary access to complete the project. We have offered temporary fencing, additional funds for Safari personnel to be on hand during construction and other options to address concerns about the Safari animals and operations. Our ongoing efforts have been met with constantly changing objections and escalating demands. Months ago, SWEPCO was allowed to complete right-of-way work, but since that time access for construction has not been allowed. Relocation of animals from Safari 4 is the latest requirement. Despite having legal access to the right-of-way, we have held off further work on the Safari property while trying to resolve the situation. We are wrapping up work on other parts of the 14-mile transmission line and must now complete work on the three poles at the Safari. With the cooperation of the Safari, construction can be completed quickly, safely and with minimal disruption to Safari operations.

The Safari manager didnot raise any concerns about the Safari or its animals during two lengthy reviews of the proposed transmission project at the APSC. The Safari manager has been aware of the project since it was proposed in 2010. He had the same opportunities to raise his concerns as every other landowner along the route of the line. He received certified notice from SWEPCO on two occasions. He did not object until after the route was approved and he was contacted by SWEPCO regarding the purchase of easements. The APSC review process provides the opportunity for concerns to be addressed before a route is fi nalized.

There is no reason to believe a transmission line is incompatible with operation of the park. For years Wild Wilderness Safari animals have grazed in the immediate vicinity of an existing transmission line just east of the park entrance along Safari Road. We continue to believe that installation and operation of the transmission line will not impact the ongoing successful operation of the Wild Wilderness Safari.

News, Pages 1 on 10/09/2013