Grand Coulee to Creston - BPA to Meet Again with Public for Feedback on Proposed 71-Year-Old Transmission Line Rebuild (Bonneville Power Administration)

Portland, Ore. -- The Bonneville Power Administration invites members of the public to attend an additional public meeting to help identify environmental and social issues that should be considered before moving forward with a proposed transmission line rebuild between Coulee Dam in Grant County and Creston in Lincoln County, Wash. The 28-mile Grand Coulee to Creston 115-kv line has aged since it was built in 1941 and is in need of replacement due to age, rot, and deterioration. Rebuilding the line would help maintain reliable electrical service and avoid risks to the safety of the public and maintenance crews.

BPA recently held two public scoping meetings in January in the vicinity of the project area to hear comments from the public on the proposed project. At these meetings, BPA learned that some landowners were inadvertently left off the original mailing list.  In order to ensure that all interested parties have the chance to provide their input on the scope of the proposed project, BPA has decided to hold an additional scoping meeting and to extend the comment period for this proposed project. 

At the public meetings, community members can share questions, concerns and local knowledge about the potential impacts the EIS should address. This review provides the information needed to make well-informed decisions.

The additional public meeting will be held at the following location:

March 13, 2013
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wilbur Community Center
5 SW Railroad Avenue
Wilbur, WA 99185

BPA is seeking public input and comments through March 27, 2013. Feedback we receive during the public comment period will be used to help develop the EA.

Over the next three years, BPA employees or contractors will be conducting field activities related to planning and environmental review. BPA will prepare an Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act to assess the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action and identify ways to reduce those impacts.

Residents who cannot attend the meetings can learn about the proposed transmission upgrade at: www.bpa.gov/goto/CouleeCrestonRebuild. Or, send comments to www.bpa.gov/comment.  Please submit comments online or by phone at 800-622-4519 by March 27, 2013 and reference Coulee to Creston Transmission Line Rebuild Project.