Methow Transmission Project
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Frequently Asked Questions
Question: I didn’t receive (or I heard that some people didn’t receive) an EIS to review in a timely fashion. Are you going to extend the comment period because of this confusion?
Answer: Although the Draft EIS was sent out on schedule, is available on the Okanogan PUD Web site, and is available in many public locations, the PUD has extended the comment period to March 31, 2005 to accommodate those who requested additional time to review the EIS.
Question: Where can I view a complete copy of the Draft EIS?
Answer: The Draft EIS is available in electronic form (pdf) on our Web site. For those who can’t currently read pdf files or have an older version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, a link to install the current version is available on the Web site and is loaded on the CDs. Hard copies are also available for viewing at local libraries, PUD offices and at the USFS office. Summaries and CDs are also available at each PUD office for you to take.
Question: I know a lot of people who aren’t able to attend one of the public hearings and provide comments face-to-face. Will comments that are sent in carry the same weight as the ones provided at the hearings?
Answer: Written comments provided to the PUD or USDA Forest Service before the comment period deadline will be given the same consideration in the EIS revision process as oral comments provided at the public hearings.
Question: I have some questions that weren’t answered at the public hearing. Who can I contact with my questions?
Answer: You can contact Derek Miller or Dan Boettger at the PUD, or Jan Flatten or Keith Rowland at the USDA Forest Service. Their contact information is available at www.okanoganpud.org, in the EIS, and on the comment form.
Question: Why are you limiting speakers to 3 minutes each? I have more to say than I can cover in 3 minutes.
Answer: The reason for the speaking time limit at the hearings is to ensure that we can provide a speaking opportunity for as many people as possible in the time allowed. Please write down your more extensive comments and submit them by the comment deadline. There is no page limit for written comments, although those that are succinct and specific are more effective.
Question: If you are trying to be economically and environmentally responsible, why didn’t you print the EIS and Summary on recycled paper and why did you use card stock divider pages?
Answer: We did print the EIS and Summary on recycled paper. We used card stock for the divider pages to make the large document more user friendly, particularly for those who will use the Draft EIS as a reference document. The card stock divider pages were also printed on recycled stock, as was the black-and-white cover. In addition, we attempted to limit the amount of paper use by making the document available on the PUD web site and making CDs of the entire document available at no cost.
Question: What was the philosophy used in developing the engineering cost estimates for the alternatives in the EIS?
Answer: Costs for the proposed action and the alternatives can only be estimated prior to design. The estimates developed for the Draft EIS and used to rank the alternatives relative to each other do not represent the final cost for any alternative. These cost estimates are, however, based on the best available pre-design information and are useful for a comparative evaluation of the alternative costs. Across the board, we used industry averaged costs based on standard instructions and specifications for the types/styles of materials and procedures considered.
Question: Would helicopters be used, and on which alternatives/routes?
Answer: None of the alternatives has been engineered yet. As we estimated costs and impacts, we assumed helicopter use for Alternative 2 and for the new construction portion of Alternative 5.
Question: Why are there more river crossings with the Loup Loup route than the Pateros/Twisp route?
Answer: In addition to the transmission line rebuild, the Loup Loup route has a substantial distribution rebuild component on the valley floor, which necessitates multiple river crossings.
Contacts:
Document Requests or Public Information Requests should be directed to:
Steve Brown, Okanogan PUD, Phone: (509) 422-8428 Fax: (509) 422-4020 or
Debra Peters, Okanogan PUD, Phone: (509) 422-8427 Fax: (509) 422-4020.
Follow this link to download and view a Public Information Request Form.
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