The EIS process consists of several steps, each with opportunities for you to get involved as we prepare the I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project EIS (DOE/EIS-0436). We also work with tribal governments and cooperating agencies during this process.

 

The environmental review process began with a Notice of Intent (74 Federal Register 52482, October 13, 2009) and a letter to the public announcing the scoping process. Scoping is an important time when the public can help BPA identify issues and provide suggestions about the project. The overall goal of the scoping process is to define the scope of issues that will be addressed, analyzed and included in the EIS. The official public scoping period closed Dec. 14, 2009, but BPA accepted public comment up through the publication of the draft EIS.

 

The draft environmental impact statement describes the proposed project and why it is needed, discusses the environmental impacts the project would create, and lists mitigation measures that would lessen or eliminate those impacts. BPA released the draft EIS on Nov. 13, 2012 for public review and comment. The official draft EIS comment period closed on March 25, 2013. BPA held drop-in sessions in December 2012 to assist you in your review, and public meetings in January and February 2013 to accept comments on the draft EIS.

 

 

 

After the final EIS is released, BPA will release a record of decision (also expected in 2014), which will announce BPA's decision about whether to build the project and describe any commitments for mitigating potential environmental impacts. These and other EIS-related documents will be available for downloading and browsing on this website.

 

BPA will consult with Native American tribal governments about the I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project Environmental Impact Statement.

 

The Bonneville Power Administration works on a government-to-government basis with Native American tribes. As a part of the government's treaty and trust responsibilities, the government-to-government relationship was formally recognized by the federal government on Nov. 6, 2000, in Executive Order 13175.

 

The outcome of this EIS may affect or apply to tribal resources. Therefore, BPA will meet its federal requirements to consult with affected tribes throughout the development of the EIS. BPA and tribes will jointly evaluate and address the potential effects, if any, of the proposed action. These consultations will be conducted in accordance with Executive Order 13175 "Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments" (65 FR 67249), the president's memorandum of April 29, 1994, "Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments" (59 FR 22961), agency-specific guidance on tribal interactions and applicable natural and cultural resource laws and regulations (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act). More information is available in BPA’s Tribal Policy.

 

For more information on government-to-government consultation for this project, contact:
Tribal Account Executive Corrina Ikakoula at tribalaffairs@bpa.gov.

 

 

When a project could involve more than one federal or state agency, those agencies often work together during the planning and decision-making process. The agency primarily responsible for preparing the environmental impact statement is identified as the lead agency, and the other participating agencies are identified as cooperating agencies. The Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act also allow for the designation of state and local agencies and Indian tribes as cooperating agencies where appropriate.

 

BPA is the lead agency for preparation of the EIS. BPA is working with several entities as cooperating agencies, including: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the States of Washington and Oregon, the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council, and Clark and Cowlitz counties. These federal and state agencies and counties are assisting BPA in evaluating alternative transmission line routes and identifying interests that should be addressed in the EIS.

 

If you have a question about the Corps' participation in the EIS, contact:
Steven W. Manlow, Biologist/Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Seattle District Regulatory Branch, Southwest Washington Field Office
2108 Grand Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98661
Phone: 360-694-1171
Fax: 360-750-9307

 

If you have a question about Washington's or Oregon's participation in the EIS, contact:
Stephen Posner, Acting Manager, EFSEC
Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
905 Plum Street SE
PO Box 43172
Olympia, WA 98504-3172
Phone: 360-664-1903

 

Hillary Dobson, Federal Projects Coordinator
Oregon Energy Facility Siting
625 Marion St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-3737
Phone: 503-378-4041
Toll free: 800-221-8035
Fax: 503-373-7806

 

If you have a question about Clark County's participation in the EIS, contact:
Axel Swanson, Sr. Policy Adviser
Clark County
1300 Franklin Street
PO Box 9810
Vancouver, WA 98666-9810
Phone: 360-397-2232