Albany-Eugene Transmission Line Rebuild Project
Linn and Lane Counties, Oregon

• PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

  BPA proposes to rebuild a 32-mile section of the Albany-Eugene 115-kilovolt No. 1 Transmission Line. No major work has been done on the line since it was originally built in 1940. Many of the structures, the electric wire (conductor), and associated structural components (cross arms, insulators, and dampers) are physically worn and structurally unsound in places. These wood transmission poles have lasted beyond the expected 55 to 60 years, and now need to be replaced due to age, rot, and deterioration. Based on the deteriorated condition of this line, there is a need to rebuild the line to maintain reliable electrical service and to avoid risks to the safety of the public and maintenance crews.

  Proposed activities would include establishing temporary access to the line, improving some access roads developing staging areas for storage of materials, removing some vegetation, removing and replacing existing wood pole structures and associated structural components and conductor, and revegetating areas disturbed by construction activities. The existing structures would be replaced with structures of similar design within or near to their existing locations. The line would continue to operate at 115-kilovolts.

  To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Two alternatives will be studied in the EIS: to rebuild the line or not to rebuild, continuing with current operation and maintenance practices. The EIS will describe anticipated impacts to natural and human resources and include mitigation measures that would enable BPA to avoid or minimize impacts.

• CURRENT STATUS:

  BPA is issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) March 2012. The BPA Administrator will issue a Record of Decision (ROD) in May deciding whether to construct the project or not. If the BPA Administrator decides to construct the project, construction would begin in June 2012.

• CONTACT:

  For further information on this project, please contact:

  Erich Orth, Project Manager, Bonneville Power Administration - TEP-TPP3, P.O. Box 61409, Vancouver, WA 98666-1409; toll-free telephone 800-282-3713; direct telephone 360-619-6559; fax 360-619-6984; or e-mail etorth@bpa.gov.

  Douglas Corkran, Environmental Specialist, Bonneville Power Administration - KEC-4, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, OR 97208-3621; toll-free telephone 800-282-3713; direct telephone 503-230-7646; fax 503-230-5699; or e-mail dfcorkran@bpa.gov.

• DOCUMENTS:

  Final EIS Public Letter (32Kb pdf) (04/12/12)
  Final EIS (6.1MB pdf) (March 2012)
  Letter to Public (33Kb pdf) (01/18/12)
  Comment Form (50Kb pdf) (01/18/12)
  Draft EIS (5.2MB pdf) (January 2012)
  Public Letter (29Kb pdf) (1/18/12)
  Draft EIS (5.1MB pdf) (Jan 2012)
  Notice of Intent (17Kb pdf) (10/21/10)
  Letter to the Public (32Kb pdf) (02/25/10)
  Comment Form (35Kb pdf) (02/25/10)
  Project Vicinity Map (602Kb pdf) (02/22/10)