02/14/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Regarding Mr. McKinney's earlier statement that Alternative A minimizes health effects, Mr. Boles asked whether BPA has acknowledged that EMF exposure is hazardous. Mr. McKinney clarified that BPA acknowledges only that there is no conclusive evidence proving or disproving the negative health effects associated with EMF. It is BPA's policy, he said, to avoid increasing EMF exposure and the company is currently participating in and supporting research to determine the effects. Ms. Bascom requested clarification of BPA's approach to joint planning. Mr. McKinney explained that>> as the need for facility improvements becomes more defined, BPA proposes to publicly announce construction, establish a public involvement program, and develop and finalize an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Although BPA currently has the authority to build power line facilities in the area, it has chosen to solicit local public involvement in the predevelopment stage of the process. He warned, however, that a decision to abandon long-range planning efforts now could lead to reduced service capabilities in the future. --- Mr. Boles asked whether it would be possible to design public policy in an effort to ensure that need will not grow so much that it impacts service levels. In response to his question concerning the limitations of BPA's intent to provide service to meet growing needs, Mr. McKinney stated that, only if resources were unavailable would BPA limit its pursuit of providing better service. Mr. Boles noted that resource conservation efforts could result in negating projected growth figures. Mr. Green asked Mr. McKinney to explain the statement that BPA's proposed alternatives would have only a slight impact on air quality. Mr. McKinney said that the finding, as stated in the DEIS, refers to the effects of construction activity on air quality. The Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (LRAPA) would be directly involved in any heavy construction activity. He informed council that the connection project has a 20-year time line. In response to a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. McKinney acknowledged that EWEB supports BPA's projected need for a new transmission line but has not communicated its preference on alternatives. Mr. Croteau provided a brief history of the BPA project and other transmission line activity in the Eugene area. In 1982, in conjunction with a joint project to construct a power link between Eugene and Medford, a resolution was passed opposing the construction of a 500-kV line through the south hills. The primary issues motivating the decision was the degradation of the scenic quality of the area and the possible negative health effects. Mr. Croteau acknowledged that, since that time, tower designs have been modified to be less disruptive and health hazards remain unproven. He stated that the South Hills Study, a refinement plan which addresses the area in question, specifically calls for the acquisition and development of a ridgeline park system, limits density and structure height, and prohibits development on the highest acreages. Because BPA's plans conflict with the South Hills Study, staff would have to develop findings consistent with the study in order to allow development. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 14, 1990 Page 5 /