Marys Peak BPA Communications Site Project (DOE/EA-2050)

Benton, Linn, and Marion counties, Oregon

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 Some communications equipment at the site is outdated or unstable and needs to be replaced, and the site needs a more reliable back-up power source due to the high risk of power outages at the site.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. Detailed designs for Alternative 3C are in the development phase and construction may begin as early as Summer 2025.

CONTACT

For environmental process information, contact:
Becky Hill         
Environmental Protection Specialist
Bonneville Power Administration - ECT-4  
P.O. Box 3621 Portland, OR 97208-3621
Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Direct Line: 503-230-7312
Email: rlhill@bpa.gov 


For project information, contact:
Eric Lyerla
Project Manager         
Bonneville Power Administration - TEPF-CSB-2
P.O. Box 61409 Vancouver, WA 98666-1409
Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Direct line:  360-619-6656
Email: ewlyerla@bpa.gov

 

DOCUMENTS

Fact Sheet - BPA Communication's Site
2018 Vegetation Survey Report
2019 Vegetation Survey Report
Revegetation Plan
Scenic Resources Assessment Report
Oregon Historic Sites Form:  BPA's Marys Peak Microwave Radio Station

Cooperating Agency's Information
BLM Project Webpage
USFS Project Webpage
 
FINAL EA
Public Letter (12/15/2021)
Final EA  (12/15/2021)
FONSI with Mitigation Action Plan  (12/15/2021)

DRAFT EA (comment period Oct. 13 to Nov. 23, 2020)
Draft EA comments received 
Draft EA  (10/13/2020)
Public Letter  (10/27/2020)
Comment Form  (10/27/2020)
Updated Project Alternatives Map (10/13/2020)
Scoping Comment Summary

ADDITIONAL SCOPING (Jan. 8 to Feb. 21, 2018)
Additional Scoping comments received         
Additional Public Scoping Meeting Handout  (01/23/2018)  
Additional Public Scoping Letter  (01/08/2018)
Alternatives Map  (01/08/2018)
Project Vicinity Map  (01/08/2018)
Alternatives Considered Map  (01/08/2018)
Topography Map  (01/08/2018)
Comment Form  (01/08/2018)

INITIAL SCOPING (Sept. 27 to Dec. 2, 2016)
Scoping comments received                     
Project Update Letter  (05/23/2017)
Public Letter  (09/27/2016)
Project Map  (08/25/2016)
Comment Form  (09/27/2016)