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The Sheffield Press September 4, 2014 Shef¿eld, Iowa
ROCK ISLAND Rock Island Clean Line would begin in northwest Iowa and wind its way way through 16 counties en route to the Illinois border. The project has yet to be approved by the Iowa Utilities Board. MAP COURTESY OF RICL
sign voluntary easements. A typical easement would be 145’-200’ wide and would vary in length depending on the parcel of land. Property owners can choose to be compensated by a one-time payment or by an annual recurring payment, the amount of which depends on the type of tower built on that property. If the transmission line is constructed, property owners would be able to return the ground in the easement zone back to its prior condition.
The RICL route would jog through Franklin County from the northwest corner, cut down through the middle and exit through the southeast corner. MAP COURTESY OF RICL
If approved by the IUB, Conley said RICL would use eminent domain to obtain easements as a last resort. She said the company’s goal has always been to acquire voluntary property easements, and it plans to continue that objective in the months ahead. “It’s pretty reasonable to get some questions and concerns if you’re building a transmission line of this size,” Conley said. “Our objective with the project is not taking land, but getting the easements to put a pole there.” Conley also pointed out the potential economic impact from RICL. The company expects the $2 billion project to create 5,000 construction jobs, 500plus operations jobs and generate millions in tax revenue each year. “We think there’s some nice beneÀts and opportunities for Iowa companies and jobs,” she said. Still, local opposition has remained strong over the past year. More than 80 people from Franklin County have submitted formal objections against RICL, according to the IUB’s online Àling system. Franklin County farmers Audrea and Kent Keninger were two of the names listed on the objection docket. The couple has two farms near Ackley aͿected by the proposed transmission line and have been vocal about opposing it. Audrea Keninger warned against signing voluntary easements and encouraged landowners to contact legal council to explain the document. She felt RICL wasn’t being transparent about the easements, and she said the transmission line could devalue land between 10-30 percent. “That adds up if it’s going through a 60-acre Àeld,” she said. “For us, it’s going through really good ground.”
The type of pole built depends on ground composition and other factors. If approved, RICL would utilitize three different kinds of poles along the 16-county route. The monopole, pictured on the far left, is the company’s preferred structure. GRAPHIC COURTESY OF RICL
Keninger said she and fellow PRIA members planned to “get the word out” about easements and other RICL-related issues. She believed opposition to the project has grown in Franklin County since it was Àrst announced in 2013 and she believed it would continue. Conley admitted the opposition was all part of
the process, and said RICL will continue seeking voluntary property easements and host open houses in the lead up to their IUB franchise application. “Those are the sorts of things we’re working on right now and those things take a long time,” she said. “I can tell you we’ve been really encouraged.”
Regional business tackling new foe – BY KIM DEMORY MID-AMERICA PUBLISHING “Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the beg bugs bite.” Many mothers have said that to their children over the years. It used to be nothing more than just a fun little saying to tuck children in for the night, but now that has all changed. In case you haven’t heard, there really are bed bugs, and they really do bite. Candy and Ron Fjetland started their Eagle Grove-based extermination business Fjetland and Sons in 1986, which later became known as Hawkeye West Pest Control. Their main focus was traditional pest control at commercial, residential, farms and industrial buildings. Back then they exterminated insects, rodents and other pests, but they never imagined bed bugs would become part of their business 28 years later. Candy said the pests are like people at a family get-together – they eat, get full and then take a nap. Bed bugs like to get on your skin, numb you, feed and then stay on you until they’re hungry again. After that, they’ll try to move on to the next person for their next meal. How do you know if you have bed bugs? Candy said there are some telltale signs. First, the bug resembles a watermelon seed. Keep an eye out for them on/underneath your bed mattresses, on your clothes, in the couch, under tables, etc.
When they bite they leave marks that are similar to a mosquito bite, but they are Áatter and more spread out. “They even itch differently than mosquito bites,” Candy said. Bed bugs also leave “tracks” on your bed, clothing or furniture. They don’t wipe their mouths when they eat, so they leave traces of blood behind. Their streaks can almost resemble small rust stains. These little bugs can cause a big problem. They like to travel with you, which means if you have them in your house, they can also take over your car, your oce, your pets and even your friends’ houses if they come in on your clothes. Despite the bugs’ recent surge, all hope is not lost. Hawkeye West Pest Control began eliminating bed bugs this March with a heating process, which it has proven itself successful. If you think you have bed bugs in your house, Candy and her son, Mark, Àrst begin the extermination process with an inspection. If they Ànd proof of the pests the next step, Candy said is to educate the family on what can be done and how. She said they must vacate the house with nothing more than the clothes on their back, and those must be washed in hot water and placed in a hot dryer for a minimum of a half hour. “They can’t even take shav-
Mark, Lucus and Candy Fjetland of Hawkeye West Pest Control wait inside their technology trailer for temperatures inside a bed bug-infested apartment to reach 140 degrees. KIM DEMORY/MID-AMERICA PUBLISHING
ing kits, make-up, suitcases… because bed bugs can be in there, too,” Candy said. Before they go, all aerosol cans, candles, and anything that could melt or explode must be placed in a box and removed. Once the living quarters are clear, the bed bugs are ready for
heat treatment. Hawkeye West Pest Control begins by placing heaters and fans around the area. Temperature probes are strategically placed to monitor temperature levels around the area at all times, and the clothes, cushions, blankets, etc. are all literally dumped in the middle of the Áoor
so the heat can penetrate through things stirred and moved because and kill the bed bugs. we have an exact plan of moveWhen the temperature reaches ment.” 120 degrees throughout the enCandy has earned the nicktire building, a fan is turned on name “The Bug Lady” over the to help circuyears, but she late the heatdoesn’t realed air, and ly mind. She then the connd Mark You would be surprised alove tents inside their jobs are “stirred.” how fast you can move. even if it’s When tem- In less than ¿ve minutes not the most peratures glamorous of r e a c h 1 4 0 we can get things stirred occupations. d e g re e s i n and moved because we Being every level “the bug of the build- have an exact plan of lady” as she ing (which movement. has been can take six called and ac- Candy Fjetland, Exterminator to 10 hours) tually doesn’t including really mind, the walls, the isn’t exactly a basement, the porcelain in the glamorous job, but she and Mark bathroom, etc., it is maintained love it. for two hours to eliminate all the “I got into the business bebed bugs. cause someone asked me to try it, “You can’t even stand in front and I liked it. It just Àt me,” she of the fans because the air is so said. “I like helping people, and I hot,” said Candy. like meeting new people.” Furniture is also moved off There’s no doubt this Àeld isn’t it’s footprints, three different for everyone, especially since the times, which means cushions are job requires them to be on-site Áipped and items repositioned to round the clock for up to nearly make sure the heat gets in every 30 hours sometimes. But, it’s a crack and crevice. perfect Àt for the Fjetland famiBecause temperatures are so ly. They have served people all high, they always make sure two over north central Iowa including people go into the area together Hampton, Belmond, Iowa Falls for safety reasons. and Mason City. “You would be surprised how If you’re wondering if you fast you can move (when it’s so have bed bugs, Hawkeye West hot inside),” Candy said. “In Pest Control can be reached at less than Àve minutes we can get 515-532-3499.