Kalispell-Kerr Transmission Line Rebuild (DOE/EA-1961)

Flathead and Lake counties, Montana

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) rebuilt its Kalispell-Kerr 115-kilovolt Transmission Line between Kalispell and Polson, Montana. To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA prepared an environmental assessment (EA). Two alternatives were studied in the EA: to rebuild the line or to not rebuild the line, and continue on with current operation and maintenance practices. The EA described anticipated impacts to natural and human resources and included mitigation measures that will help avoid or minimize impacts.

The schedule for the environmental review was as follows:

Scoping comment period          May 28, 2013 to June 28, 2013
Scoping public meetings         June 17, 2013 in Polson, MT
         June 18, 2013 in Kalispell, MT
Draft EA comment period          February 1, 2016 to March 1, 2016
Final EA          December 20, 2016
Finding of No Significant Impact (if warranted)          December 20, 2016
Construction begins          Summer 2017
Completion expected          Winter 2018

CURRENT STATUS

BPA issued the final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact for the project in December of 2016 and decided to proceed with the Proposed Action. Project construction will begin in Spring 2017 and be completed in Winter 2018.

CONTACT

For environmental information, contact:
Carol Leiter Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist Direct line: 360-418-8608
Bonneville Power Administration - ECT-4  Email: cpleiter@bpa.gov 
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208-3621

For project information, contact:
Amanda Williams Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Project Manager Direct line: 360-619-6634
Bonneville Power Administration - TEP-TPP-1  Email: amloran@bpa.gov 
P.O. Box 61409
Vancouver, WA 98666-1409

DOCUMENTS

FINAL EA / FONSI
Public Letter  (12/30/2016)
Final EA  (12/20/2016)
FONSI and Mitigation Action Plan  (12/20/2016)

DRAFT EA
Draft EA comments received
Public Letter  (02/01/2016)
Draft EA  (February 2016)
Comment Form  (02/01/2016)

SCOPING
Scoping comments received
Public Letter  (05/28/2013)
Comment Form  (05/28/2013)
Project Map  (05/09/2013)
EA Determination Memo  (04/05/2013)