McNary-Roundup Transmission Line Rebuild Project

Umatilla County, Oregon

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

BPA proposes to rebuild its existing 38.5-mile-long, McNary to Roundup No.1 230- kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Umatilla County, Oregon. The wood-pole line connects the BPA McNary Substation in Umatilla, Oregon, to the BPA Roundup Substation near Pendleton, Oregon. The transmission line has been in service for about 70 years needs to be rebuilt to ensure reliable electric service and the safety of the public and transmission workers who operate and maintain the line. 

Along the existing transmission line corridor, the work would include replacing the H-frame wood pole structures, conductors, crossarms, guy lines and anchors, overhead ground wires, and all hardware. The transmission line right-of-way would be cleared of certain vegetation and danger trees would be removed. In addition, access roads would be improved and reconstructed and small sections of new access roads would be constructed. 

The transmission line would be replaced in the existing right-of-way and would continue to be operated at 230-kV. The proposed project would also involve related work within BPA’s McNary and Roundup substation electrical yards. 

An interactive project location map is available at: https://bpagis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/media/index.html?appid=f433980a219f45f8bf2e269d88af32f0 
Directions about how to use the online project map are available on the landing page.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:

To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA may prepare an environmental assessment (EA). If BPA determines that an EA should be prepared, the EA will describe anticipated impacts to natural and human resources and include mitigation measures that help avoid or minimize impacts. We are asking for your comments to help determine the issues that should be addressed in the environmental review. During this process, BPA will work with federal, state and local agencies, Tribes, potentially affected landowners, and other interested parties.  The proposed schedule is as follows:

Comment scoping period: February 22, 2024 - March 23, 2024

EA determination (if warranted):Spring 2024

Draft EA available for public comment (if warranted):Spring 2024

Final EA (if warranted):Fall 2024

Finding of No Significant Impact (if warranted): Fall 2024

If decision to build, construction start: Fall 2025

CURRENT STATUS:

BPA is requesting public scoping comments to help identify issues that should be addressed in the environmental review. You may send us your comments so they may be considered as we analyze the issues. Please send your comments by March 23, 2024, so they may be considered as we proceed with the environmental review. When commenting, refer to the full project name. All comments will be posted on the BPA comment website. There are several ways to comment:

Mail: Bonneville Power Administration
Public Affairs - DKE 7
PO Box 14428
Portland, OR 97291-4428

Toll-Free: 800-622-4519
Online: https://publiccomments.bpa.gov/OpenCommentListing.aspx
FAX: 503-230-4019

 

CONTACT:

For project information, contact:
Mark Nadeau, Transmission Project Manager
Bonneville Power Administration - TEPL-TPP-1
PO Box 3621 Portland, OR 97208-3621
Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Direct line: 503-230-5889
Email: mhnadeau@bpa.gov

For environmental information, contact:
Douglas Corkran, Environmental Protection Specialist
Bonneville Power Administration - ECT-4
PO Box 3621 Portland, OR 97208-3621
Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Direct line: 503-230-7646
Email: dfcorkran@bpa.gov

DOCUMENTS

SCOPING:

Comments Received
Public Letter (February 22, 2024)
Project Map (February 22, 2024)
Comment Form  (February 22, 2024)