LINCOLN COUNTY — Lincoln County Commissioners spent much of Monday morning discussing a series of conditional use permits connected to the NPPD transmission line project, including concerns from nearby landowners about wildfire risk and construction activity during red flag conditions.
The permits involved temporary construction staging and helicopter yards requested by Forbes Brothers Timberline Construction on agricultural land in several areas of the county. Planning officials said the sites would be used for material storage, lattice tower assembly and helicopter operations during the multi-year transmission project.
During discussion on the first permit near East Able Road, neighboring landowner Mike Kelly voiced concerns about construction traffic and equipment operating in the Sandhills during recent red flag warning days following major wildfire activity across Nebraska.
“Our concern is you’re going to burn us up,” Kelly told commissioners while discussing fire danger in the area.
Kelly said neighboring ranchers had observed vehicles, side-by-sides and construction activity in the area despite high winds and dry conditions. He asked commissioners to consider restricting activity during red flag warning days.
Sam Mroy, senior project manager for Forbes Brothers Timberline Construction, said the company follows a project-specific fire prevention plan approved through NPPD and already limits certain work activities during dangerous conditions.
“We don’t do hot work anywhere on the project, red flag or not, without going through the steps,” Mroy said. “Part of that permit is verifying that it’s not a red flag day.”
Mroy said the company uses fire extinguishers, water packs and a 1,000-gallon water truck on site, adding that the company’s focus is on prevention rather than firefighting response.
Commissioners also questioned why some staging sites had already seen preliminary work before conditional use permits were approved.
Mroy said the company had discussed the issue with county planning staff and moved forward understanding the work was being done at the company’s own risk.
“We requested to be able to start construction before approval and we were told that we could, but it was our risk and if these were rejected, we would have to remove everything,” Mroy said.
Commissioners later discussed adding additional fire-related conditions to the permits. Planning officials suggested requiring “reasonable precautions” during red flag warning events and holding contractors responsible for any damages caused by project activity.
The board ultimately approved the permit with added conditions tied to fire prevention, road agreements and company mitigation plans. One commissioner voted against the motion.
Earlier in the meeting, commissioners also approved a special designated liquor license for Mid-Plains Food and Lodging at the Farmhouse Venue on June 4, reappointed three members to the Nebraska International Port of the Plains board and approved a conditional use permit allowing a second home for elderly parents on property near State Farm Road.