Midway-Moxee Transmission Line Rebuild Project (DOE/EA 1951)
Benton and Yakima Counties, Washington

• PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

  
  Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) proposes to rebuild the Midway-Moxee 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in
  Benton and Yakima Counties, Washington (Rebuild Project). This 34-mile long transmission line is owned and
  operated by BPA. The line begins at the BPA Midway Substation and ends at the BPA Moxee Substation in Moxee,
  about five miles east of Yakima.
  
  The rebuild is needed because the transmission line, which was built in the early 1940s, is old and the existing wood-pole structures and electrical wires (conductors) show normal deterioration due to age. Rebuilding this transmission line would enable BPA to continue to provide reliable electric power to local utilities.
  
  The Rebuild Project would include replacing wood pole transmission structures, associated structural components, and conductors. The existing structures would be replaced with structures of similar design within or near to their existing locations. Some existing access roads would need to be improved to provide construction access and some new access roads may be needed to access structures for which BPA currently does not have adequate access. The rebuilt transmission line would continue to operate at 115-kV.
  
  

• CURRENT STATUS:

  
  To understand the potential environmental impacts of the Rebuild Project, BPA will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA). As a federal agency, BPA follows procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Two alternatives will be studied in the EA: to rebuild the transmission line or not to rebuild, continuing with current operation and maintenance practices. The EA will describe anticipated impacts to natural and human resources from the proposal and include best management practices and mitigation measures that would enable BPA and to avoid or minimize impacts. The preliminary EA is expected to be available for public review and comment in late 2013 or early 2014.
  
  Beginning in spring 2013, BPA will conduct background research, field studies, coordination and consultation to learn more about the project area environment and the potential impacts of this proposal. BPA will also conduct engineering surveys needed for the preliminary project design. During this process, BPA will work with federal, state and local agencies, Tribes, landowners, and other interested groups and persons.
  
  

• PUBLIC MEETING:

  
  BPA project staff would like to hear your ideas and concerns, answer your questions, and accept comments related to the scope of the environmental analysis. A public scoping meeting was held on:
  

  Wednesday, February 20, 2013
  4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  Moxee City Hall
  255 West Seattle Avenue
  Moxee, WA
  
  

  Because there will not be a formal presentation, you can come at any time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  
  

• COMMENTS:

  
  The initial comment period begins February 4 and ends March 8, 2013. During this time, BPA is accepting comments related to the scope of the environmental analysis and information related to the project area or proposal.
  
  If you cannot attend the public meeting, you can still submit comments. You may submit comments to BPA online at: www.bpa.gov/comment, return the enclosed comment form or other written correspondence in the postage-paid envelope provided, or fax your comments to (503) 230-4019. You also may call us with your comments toll free at (800) 622-4519. Please submit scoping comments to us by March 8, 2013 and reference "Midway-Moxee Rebuild Project" on your comments. We will post all comments we receive on the Midway-Moxee Rebuild Project comments webpage.
  
  

• CONTACT:

  
  For further information, please contact:
  
  Chad Hamel, Project Manager
  Bonneville Power Administration - TEP-TPP1
  P.O. Box 61409
  Vancouver, WA 98666-1409
  Direct phone 360-619-6557; Toll-free 1-800-282-3713
  Fax 360-619-6984
  E-mail cjhamel@bpa.gov
  
  Kimberly St.Hilaire, Project Environmental Lead
  Bonneville Power Administration - KEC-4
  P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621
  Direct phone 503-230-5361; Toll-free 1-800-282-3713
  Fax 503-230-5699
  E-mail krshilaire@bpa.gov
  
  

• DOCUMENT:

  
  Public Scoping Letter (34Kb pdf) (02/04/2013)
  Public Scoping Comment Form (39Kb pdf) (02/04/2013)
  Project Vicinity Map (1.2MB pdf) (12/10/12)