Settlement Agreement Reached Between Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and Vista Sands Solar Project in Portage County

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WiWF) and Vista Sands Solar are pleased to announce a mutual agreement has been reached on the planned solar development in Portage County, Wisconsin. As part of the agreement, and pending formal approval by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), WiWF will be withdrawing its appeal filed in Columbia County Circuit Court.

The agreement comes after several months of collaborative discussions aimed at protecting Wisconsin’s state-threatened Greater Prairie Chicken – while maintaining the full capacity and progress of the renewable energy project. It reflects productive engagement and a shared interest in preserving Wisconsin’s natural heritage, while supporting sustainable homegrown energy generation.

Vice President of Development at Doral Renewables and Project Manager for the Vista Sands Solar project, Jon Baker, said: “From day one, this project has been shaped by a simple, commonsense goal: deliver clean, homegrown energy and economic uplift, while respecting nearby conservation lands, the people who work it, and the wildlife that inhabit it. Thanks to direct feedback from local leaders, adjustments have been made to further protect wildlife habitat and mitigate stakeholders’ concerns – demonstrating that energy progress and environmental stewardship are not at odds.”

“Vista Sands Solar made a tremendous effort to communicate and present accommodations that addressed the concerns raised by our technical working group,” said Cody Kamrowski, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. “This agreement shows what’s possible when conservation organizations and energy developers engage, listen to one another, and work toward a shared vision.”

As part of the agreement Vista Sands Solar is building on its existing commitments to restoring nearly 7,000 acres of native grasslands in the region, providing a $2.1 million contribution to support the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Greater Prairie Chicken management plan, and funding for local university-led research to study how wildlife interacts with solar.

Key Elements of the Agreement:

• 750 additional acres have been set aside specifically to address WiWF’s concerns for the Greater Prairie Chicken.
• Vista Sands Solar has committed $1 million to WiWF, specifically designated for habitat restoration and land acquisition in the Greater Prairie Chicken management priority areas.
• Project plans remain on schedule and capacity remains intact, ensuring solar-generated electricity will soon benefit Wisconsin homes and businesses.

This settlement is a model for future collaboration between stakeholder groups and energy developers. It sends a powerful message: with good-faith engagement and open dialogue, environmental stewardship and renewable energy goals are not mutually exclusive.

“This agreement sets a strong precedent for public lands and wildlife protections in Wisconsin,” Kamrowski added. “It demonstrates that renewable energy and habitat preservation can – and should – go hand in hand.”

WiWF encourages other conservation and community organizations to engage early with developers on similar projects. Moving forward, WiWF will advocate for the inclusion of stakeholder voices, including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advisory committees, during the early stages of project planning and permitting.

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation looks forward to continued partnerships that protect the state’s rich natural heritage while advancing a clean energy future.

Vista Sands Solar | vistasandssolar.com

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation | www.wiwf.org