Central Ferry-Lower Monumental proposed transmission line
The following comments were submitted in response to the open comment period described below.
BPA is proposing to construct a 500-kilovolt transmission line in Garfield, Columbia, and Walla Walla counties, Washington. The proposed line is needed to increase transmission capacity to respond to requests for transmission service in this area.
BPA is considering two routing alternatives and a no action alternative for the proposed transmission line; portions of both routes parallel existing BPA lines in the area.
BPA will prepare an environmental impact statement to make an informed decision on whether to build the line and substation, and to understand the impacts of the alternatives.
More information and a project map are available at the link below.
Comments are numbered consecutively as they are received. Breaks in the number sequence result when comments are deleted because they were submitted in error or have inappropriate content (such as SPAM). If you do not see your comment two business days after you submit it, please contact us at (800) 622-4519.
For More Information:
http://www.efw.bpa.gov/environmental_services/Document_Library/Central_Ferry-Lower_Monumental/
Close of comment: 8/3/2009
- CLM090001 -
Susan T./land ownerYou cannot offer a good map, make meeting convenient for workers- give important information to land owners. You need to reasearch your areas wants and needs prior to your own.
- CLM090013 -
Robert A. Hutchens/SelfI am a long time resident of Columbia County and am certainly supportive of the proposed transmission line from Central Ferry to Lower Monumental. It seems to me that the proposed line is an essential link for upgrade of the area's power grid. It is also critical to distributing power from the area's wind turbine industry which is of great benefit to the area. The proposed line location is in an area where there will be little disruption to the environment, and little exposure to humans or wildlife. I would encourage to move ahead with the project as soon as possible. Thank you for considering my comments. Robert A. Hutchens
- CLM090017 -
Terri Costello/Washington Department of Ecology
- CLM090018 -
Tom Schirm/WA Dept of Fish and WildlifeIn regards to the Proposed Central Ferry-Lower Monumental Transmission Line Project, the Washington Department of Fish and wildlife (WDFW) would offer the following comments. The comments are general concerns, but further collaboration will be needed throughout the EIS process to determine the extent of fish and wildlife concerns with the transmission line project. The maps that were available to look at alternative line routes were of a scale that makes it very difficult to determine exactly where the alternatives lie in relation to critical habitats or habitat features. Therefore, the concerns may not apply in certain areas, but this will not be known until the proposed route alternatives can be determined in relation to the landscape more effectively. Also, timing may be important. With a possible two-year construction period, seasonal wildlife use may be impacted by construction activities. Raptors are a major concern. The proximity of the breaks of the Snake River, cliffs, and rangeland make the area attractive to raptor species. Of particular concern are golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, and prairie falcons. Precise knowledge of the transmission line proposed locations is very important to determine if these species may be disrupted during nesting and fledging seasons. WDFW would ask for raptor surveys to be done throughout the areas of the alternative routes to determine species presence, nesting sites, and potential impacts; or to suggest proper construction timing. The area of the two proposed alternative routes lie in both whitetail and mule deer range. Some of the area are concentration areas and would be considered critical deer winter range, particularly the area from Lyons Ferry to Central Ferry near the Snake River. Construction activities during the winter months may dislocate animals, or disturb normal activities that may have a detrimental impact on the deer. Again, WDFW would ask BPA to sponsor deer monitoring surveys to determine impacts during winter months. This could be coordinated with SE Washington WDFW wildlife program staff. Another concern is the crossing of streams or riparian areas by the transmission line. BPA staff stated that suspension over the riparian area should be implemented along with placing the towers back from the riparian area. Lastly, minimizing the footprint of the project is important. Cumulative affects of projects over time reduce the available habitat for wildlife, and may lead to reductions in abundance and diversity. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
- CLM090020 -
T. JamesIn order to run efficiently and effectively, everything needs to be repaired and updated at some point. I am in support of the planned upgrade.
- CLM090021 -
Matthew Fromherz/Washington State DNRThe signed original of the attached document has been placed in the mail.
View Attachment
- CLM090022 -
Kelly Powell for Rory Westberg/National Park ServiceSee attached letter comments.
View Attachment
- CLM090023 -
Jennifer Dickinson(This is the second time I have submitted a comment online - the first one didn't show up!) Please consider the economic impacts of this transmission upgrade as part of the EIS: The negative impacts if it is NOT built could be severe. The growing renewable energy industry in eastern Washington is so important to our economic health. We need this upgrade in order to have a way to get this new power to the populous market. Part of a healthy economy is to create a product and ship it out of the community, bringing much-needed outside revenue into our area. We need this infrastructure to help keep our rural communities alive.
- CLM090024 -
Brian Walsh/Iberdrola RenewablesView attached comment.
View Attachment
- CLM090025 -
Gerald Magill/Luvass TrustSee attached comment.
View Attachment
- CLM090026 -
Ferrell Family FarmSee attached comment
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- CLM090027 -
Merle D. Jackson/Jackson EstateSee attached comment
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- CLM090028 -
Raymond DeRuweSee comment attached.
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- CLM090029 -
Theogene Mbabaliye/U.S. Environmental Protection AgencySee attached comments
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- CLM090030 -
Katherine Shearer, Town Council Position 5/Town of StarbuckSee attached comment.
View Attachment
- CLM090031 -
Public Comments/Starbuck, WA Open HouseSee attached comments from open house
View Attachment
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