HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment of Energy - 052924 \\,/,ENTOFF'Y Department of Energy
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o Bonneville Power Administration
i P.O.Box 61409
Vancouver,WA 98666-1409
TRANSMISSION SERVICES
May 29,2024
In reply refer to: TEP-TPP-1
To: People interested in the Shelton-Fairmount Transmission Line Rebuild and Fiber Optic
System Replacement Project
The Bonneville Power Administration(BPA)has finalized the environmental assessment(EA)for the
Shelton-Fairmount Transmission Line Rebuild and Fiber Optic System Replacement Project. Based on
the final EA,BPA is issuing a finding of no significant impact(FONSI)and has made a decision to
proceed with the project.This letter describes BPA's decision,the construction schedule,and how to
obtain additional information.
Background: BPA will fully rebuild the 40-mile-long Shelton-Fairmount No. 1 115kilovolt transmission
line and replace the fiber optic communication cable system associated with the transmission line that
runs 107 miles in total from Olympia,WA to Port Angeles,WA. The project will provide customers on
the Olympic Peninsula a more reliable power source,increase the reliability and capabilities of the BPA
communication system with the new fiber optic cable,and create a safer work environment for field
operations and maintenance staff through transportation system upgrades.
BPA prepared an EA to help the agency determine if the project would cause significant impacts that
would warrant preparing an environmental impact statement. BPA released the draft EA for public
review and comment in August 2023 and received comments from eight entities. The final EA provides
responses to those comments and minor revisions to the EA. Based on the EA analysis and mitigation
measures to help lessen impacts,BPA has found that the project will not cause any significant impacts
and,therefore,an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.
Decision: BPA has decided to construct the Shelton-Fairmount Transmission Line Rebuild and Fiber
Optic System Replacement Project. Project construction is expected to begin in March 2025 and continue
through October 2028,with breaks in construction during seasonal restrictions.
Copies Available: The final EA,FONSI,and mitigation action plan are available on BPA's website at
www.bpa.gov/nepa/shelton-fairmount. If you previously requested a copy of the documents,they are
enclosed. If you would like to obtain paper copies of any of these documents,please call our toll-free
document request line at 1-800-622-4520; leave a request naming this project and giving your name and
complete mailing address.
For More Information: If you have questions regarding the environmental process,please contact the
Environmental Protection Specialist,Mike O'Connell,toll-free at 800-622-4519,directly at 503-230-
7692,or by e-mail at mjoconnell(d bpa.gov.
If you have other questions or would like more project information,please call Scott Lissit,Project
Manager,at the toll-free number listed above,directly at 503-230-5057,or by e-mail at salissit@ bpa.gov.
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Thank you for your interest in our work.
Sincerely,
Emm nuel Jar o
Supe 'so ctri 1 Engineer
Enclosures(if requested):
Final EA
FONSI/Mitigation Action Plan
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