Draft Environmental Impact Statement expected to developed by this fall

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

At their regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, the Harney County Court voted to enter in to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to participate as a cooperating agency in the North Steens Transmission Line Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

“By entering into this MOU, we hope to expedite the process,” Harney County Judge Steve Grasty said. “It also provides us with a seat at the table in discussions with this project.”

The transmission line is being proposed by Echanis, LLC, a subsidiary of Columbia Energy Partners, LLC, and would transmit electric power that would be generated from Echanis’ proposed wind farm on the north side of Steens Mountain. The proposed route of the line would cross private and public land and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR).

According to the MOU, development of the Draft EIS is expected during the summer and fall of 2009, and consideration of public comments on the Draft EIS will occur prior to the Final EIS, expected in October 2010. After consideration of public comments on the Final EIS, the Records of Decision for the North Steens Transmission Line Project are anticipated late in 2010.

•••

The court also discussed 4R Recycling and the amount it is costing the county to keep the facility operating. “We need to at least break even,” Commissioner Dan Nichols said. “If the communities would support it, fine. But we can’t continue to fund it.”

4R manager Wayne Baron and two members of the newly formed board of directors told the court they are continuing to work toward non-profit status.

The court instructed the group to keep the bills, such as rent taxes and baler payments, current. “If the bills become more than 30 days past due, we’ll look at having to close the facility down,” Grasty said.

The court agreed that many people in the community liked having a recycling center, but just as with any business, if it’s losing money, it can’t continue to operate.

Fred Flippence was in attendance to give the court a report on the Harney County Library Foundation. He stated the fund is coming back up after the drop in the economy, including gaining $60,000 in March.

Flippence added that the library is planning an open house for Aug. 13, which will include auctioning off book baskets and a barbecue.

The court also declined to transfer any monies from the foundation’s fund to the general fund.

Harney County Weed Board (HCWB) supervisor Jesse Barnes reported they would be having a “Free Spray Day” starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6. They will have the Weed Wagon at Big R and will be giving away herbicide on a first come-first-served basis.

Barnes said the HCWB would also be attending the Ag, Auto, Home and Garden Show at the fairgrounds May 29-30.

The next county court meeting will be held at 10 a.m. June 3.