Anti-power line group proposes new route
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Thursday, December 18, 2008 10:49 AM PST
ONTARIO — Members of a local, grass roots civic-action group recently proposed an alternative route for an Idaho Power, 500-kilovolt transmission line set to cut through Malheur County.
Members of Stop Idaho Power proposed a line route on public land managed by the United States Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service instead of private property during a meeting at the Boulevard Grange Hall Monday night. Despite cold weather, the meeting drew more than 200 people.
Jean Findley, a member of the Stop Idaho Power executive committee, explained the three alternatives the group presented at a meeting with Vale District BLM officials. Also involved in the stakeholder sessions were Helen Sayers, another member of the executive committee, Jon Beal, Malheur County planner, and Jim Kimberling, county surveyor. The preferred route of the civic action group will follow the established Pacific Power Light corridor, which crosses through the county just north of Owyhee Reservoir, to Buchanan, east of Burns, and then north over BLM and forest service land to Boardman, the northern terminus.
The second route follows the Pacific Power Light corridor to a point even with Bully Creek Reservoir and then goes north around the reservoir, over Cottonwood Mountain, and then on through Baker County.
Their third proposal would be to have the line stay on the Idaho side until it reaches the northern part of the county.
Malheur County Judge Dan Joyce had met with the BLM deputy state director, and one of the results of the meeting was the BLM’s initial public comment period on the power line proposal was extended through the end of December, Findley said.
Roger Findley told the group about 88 percent of the Idaho Power’s proposed route through the county is on private land and 12 percent on public land. He said the legal committee has arranged for a legal counsel, who has technical expert available if needed. Findley reminded the group the focus is to get the route changed not to stop the line. In addition, Stop Idaho Power leaders have been in contact with state officials and federal lawmakers, having met with Wayne Kinney, who represents Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. Although the siting is not a federal issue, except where federal land is involved, Jean Findley, said the senator or his representative can be in contact with state officials.
Joyce confirmed that Tom Stoops, secretary to the siting council of the Oregon Department of Energy talked with Malheur County officials about the proposal, and Scott Fairley, the governor’s representative on the regional economic revitalization team, is contact with the county regularly about the issue.
