BLM Seeks Public Input on Proposed Transmission Line Project in Idaho and

Wyoming

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues to seek public comment on the

proposed Gateway West Transmission Line Project in Wyoming and Idaho.

This project, proposed by Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power, would

result in the construction of nearly 1,000 miles of high voltage

transmission lines across southern Wyoming and southern Idaho. Public input

is important to the BLM to inform further analysis of project effects to

the natural and built environments and in preparation of the draft

environmental impact statement (EIS). The public comment period for the

scoping process closes on July 3, 2008.

"We have just completed nine public scoping meetings for the preparation of

the draft EIS in Idaho and Wyoming and I encourage the public to continue

to submit comments on this proposed project," said Walter George, Gateway

West Project Manager for the BLM. "Public input is crucial to the draft

EIS, which will examine project alternatives and potential project

effects," explained George. Public scoping meetings were held in Idaho and

Wyoming June 3 through 12, 2008 to provide an opportunity to learn about

the project and discuss project details with BLM staff and project

proponents.

In addition, materials from the public scoping meetings are available on

the BLM project web site, noted below. The public is encouraged to continue

to comment on the project, as well as sign-up on the project mailing list

in the following ways:

· Via the Gateway West Web site at

http://www.wy.blm.gov/nepa/cfodocs/gateway_west

· Via E-mail at Gateway_West_WYMail@blm.gov

· In writing to Bureau of Land Management, Gateway West Project, P.O.

Box 20879, Cheyenne, WY 82003

· Hand or courier-delivered to Bureau of Land Management, Gateway West

Project, 5353 Yellowstone Highway, Cheyenne, WY 82009

The BLM Wyoming State Office, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Caribou-Targhee

and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests will prepare the draft EIS

following the conclusion of the public scoping period. The draft EIS will

be published in spring 2009. Public hearings and a 60-day public comment

period will follow the release of the document.

Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power have applied to the BLM and USFS for

right-of-way grants to construct, operate and maintain high voltage

transmission lines from the proposed Windstar substation near Glenrock,

Wyo., to the proposed Hemingway substation near Melba, Idaho, approximately

20 miles southwest of Boise, Idaho.

While the BLM is the lead federal agency for this project, it is working

with cooperating agencies identified at this time as the USFS, National

Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Wyoming, Twin Falls and

Power Counties, Idaho, Lincoln and Sweetwater Counties, Wyo. The notice of

intent to prepare the EIS was published in the Federal Register on May 16,

2008, which kicked off a 45-day public scoping period that concludes on

July 3, 2008.