Reclamation starts on Basin Electric's Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge transmission line

Basin Electric launched a major land reclamation project along the 32.5-mile Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, aiming to restore land disturbed during the line’s construction last year. Reclamation efforts officially began on April 22.

“This reclamation project is necessary to restore the surface of the land that was disturbed within the right of way of our transmission line easement area, as well as some of our access easement areas,” Jerry Haas, Basin Electric senior property and right of way specialist, said.

The route, stretching from the Roundup substation near Killdeer, North Dakota, to the Kummer Ridge substation near Johnsons Corner, North Dakota, crosses predominantly pastureland, with some hay and cropland. Restoration efforts include erosion and sediment control using straw wattles and erosion control blankets, seeding with drilling and hydroseeding methods, mulching, fertilizing, and spreading topsoil. Basin Electric’s reclamation contractor is also repairing gates and fences damaged during construction and removing any remaining debris.

“The biggest challenge right now is the weather,” Haas said. “Conditions are quite wet from recent rains, and we have to wait for the ground to dry out before proceeding.” Rugged terrain along the transmission corridor also presents challenges, requiring special soil stability techniques.

Basin Electric coordinates closely with private landowners, the MHA Nation, State Trust lands, and federal agencies to meet specific reclamation requirements, including approved seed mixes. The cooperative’s right-of-way consultants work directly with landowners to review and gain approval for the work being done. Landowners are also compensated for any damage to their property within the easement area.

“We’re hoping to have the majority of the reclamation work completed by the end of this summer,” Haas said. “We’ll conduct a full inspection in the fall and finish any remaining activities. Then we’ll review again in the spring to address any erosion, weed growth, or areas that need reseeding.” The goal of reclamation is to return the surface to as good or better condition than it was before construction activities took place.

Southwest Power Pool, a regional transmission organization, determined that the Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge transmission project was necessary to ensure system reliability. The new line increases the region’s transmission capacity and helps relieve reliability constraints in the area. The line was energized in December 2024.