PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has decided to proceed with the Marys Peak BPA Communications Site Project. BPA needs to maintain and upgrade the existing BPA communications site located at Marys Peak, approximately 15 miles southwest of Corvallis. Some communications equipment at the site is outdated or unstable and needs to be replaced, and the site needs a more reliable back-up power source due to the high risk of power outages at the site. The existing communications site is located on lands managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS), including the Marys Peak Scenic Botanical Special Interest Area. In addition, some portions of the project area are on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northwest Oregon District. Finally, some work would also be needed at the BPA Albany Substation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA prepared an environmental assessment (EA), in collaboration with the USFS and BLM. The EA discusses the project, including three action alternatives and the No Action Alternative, describes anticipated impacts to natural and human resources, and includes mitigation measures that would help avoid or minimize potential impacts.
CURRENT STATUS
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has selected Alternative 3C Marys Peak Co-locate with USFS – BPA Albany Substation for implementation. Under this action alternative, BPA will co-locate with the USFS at their Marys Peak communications site as described in the final EA.
BPA released the final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI includes a Mitigation Action Plan to help avoid or minimize potential impacts.
SCHEDULE
Initial scoping comment period
Initial public scoping meeting
Additional public scoping comment period
Additional public scoping meeting
Draft EA comment period
Draft EA virtual public meeting
Final Environmental Assessment
Finding of No Significant Impact
Construction could begin as early as 2023 |
September 27 - December 2, 2016
November 9, 2016
January 8 - February 21, 2018
January 25, 2018
October 13 - November 23, 2020
October 28, 2020
December 15, 2021
December 15, 2021
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