Bonneville Power Administration to Meet with Public for Input on Proposed Rebuild of 60-Year-Old Transmission Line (Bonneville Power Administration)

(PORTLAND, OR) -- The Bonneville Power Administration invites members of the public to attend one of two open house meetings in early April to review and comment on BPA’s proposal to rebuild the 41-mile Lane-Wendson transmission line in Lane County, Ore.

The 115-kV wood-pole line was built in 1948. Through the years, routine maintenance has been performed, but the wood poles, wires and associated parts are near the end of their life span and now need to be replaced. The project may also require developing temporary staging areas during construction; removing some vegetation; and improving, acquiring or building access roads. 

The proposed rebuild is part of BPA’s pledge to maintain reliable electric service and to reduce potential safety risks to the public and work crews. BPA preserves the value of its transmission system by rebuilding aging lines—many of which are now more than half a century old—when needed. 

“The public plays a vital role in helping us make well-informed decisions,” said project manager Richard Heredia. “We look forward to talking to local residents about potential impacts to natural and human resources such as native plants and wildlife, land use and transportation.”

Community members can ask questions, voice concerns and share local knowledge about potential impacts the Environmental Assessment should address. Comments help guide the analysis in the project’s EA. Findings from the analysis determine whether the project could cause significant environmental impacts.

Public meetings will be held at the following locations:

Tuesday, April 2, 2013
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Florence Event Center
715 Quince St.
Florence, OR 97487

Wednesday, April 3, 2013
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Veneta Elementary School
88131 Territorial Rd.
Veneta, OR 97487

Residents who cannot attend can learn about the proposed transmission upgrade at: http://www.bpa.gov/goto/LaneWendson. Or, send comments to www.bpa.gov/comment.

Please submit comments either online or by phone at 800-622-4519 by April 22, 2013, and reference Lane-Wendson Transmission Line Rebuild Project. Comments can also be faxed to 503-230-4019.