Drawing the line
Malheur County Court jumps hip- deep into power line controversy
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:05 PM PST
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| These transmission lines, supported by lattice towers (shown in the Owyhee River Canyon, near Owyhee Dam) carry power across southern Idaho and southern Oregon to central Oregon. A similar line is proposed from northeastern Oregon to southwestern Idaho. Its proposed route is being heavily opposed by many Malheur County officials and residents. |
VALE — The Malheur County Court announced Wednesday it was preparing an official letter to the Oregon Department of Energy and the United States Bureau of Land Management that stated its opposition to the proposed route of a 500-kilovolt transmission line through Malheur County.
The letter will ask for officials to develop an alternative route for the power line away from the valley and its prime agriculture land.
Idaho Power Company plans to build the massive new line from Boardman to a substation near Melba. The regional energy firm is in the early stage of a complicated permitting and siting process, which includes the BLM and ODE’s Energy Facility Siting Council. The first public comment period regarding the proposed route ends Friday.
The proposed route would cross through farmland in Malheur County three times.
With a standing-room-only crowd, including members of the Concerned Citizens/Idaho Power Boardman to Hemingway 500 kV Transmission Line — a grass-roots opposition group to the venture — looking on Wednesday, the County Court explained what other steps it will take to encourage a change in location.
Malheur County Judge Dan Joyce said he will bring up the power line issue with state and federal officials at the Association of Oregon Counties Convention next week in Eugene. Among the people he will be talking to are members of the state siting council and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Joyce said his first concern about the transmission line is possible interference with operations at the Ontario Municipal Airport, particularly after the successful effort to get the runway lengthened. At the request of the citizens group, the court is also moving to designate Malheur Butte and the Trenkel Hill viewpoint as scenic and aesthetic values and including them in the county’s comprehensive plan.
A small group of the citizens along with Malheur County Commissioner Jim Nakano and county planner Jon Beal met with Idaho Power officials Wednesday afternoon to discuss concerns.
Speaking to the County Court, Bruce Corn, a farmer and citizens group spokesman, said, “We are not against development. We’re not against the power line.”
Instead, he said, members of the opposition group want the line to be routed away from farmland. Noting 300 people had attended a meeting about the transmission line, he had seen other issues that had divided people, he said.
“This issue is different,” he said, adding the power line dilemma has united people.
“It has no economic benefit to this county,” Corn said. “It goes across the valley three times and goes through the most populated areas.”
One complaint regarding the power line revolves around the fact it cuts through land zoned exclusive farm use.
“Transmission lines are permitted as an outright use (in an exclusive farm use zone),” Beal said.Ed McKinney, owner of the Country View Golf Course, between Vale and Ontario, said, if the transmission line goes through, “It will devastate golfing.” His property is in line with proposed route, he said.
Also looking into the issue is state Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario), who said he contacted lawmakers in other affected counties to determine their position and actions they may be taking.
Another meeting on the power line issue is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, at the Boulevard Grange.
