Renae Corn said, “Our state is so concerned with endangered species that we’ve neglected to take care of our own species.” Donna Kemble thought that she would have herself declared an endangered sage grouse so no line could come within two miles of her. Jim and Jill Conant mentioned where we can’t get flood insurance because we’re a flood plain, so why put metal towers in a flood plain?
Nancy Peterman from Baker City has a ranch near the Interpretive Center and under the planned corridor She described how two nurses come from Portland with electrically sensitive equipment to treat critically ill people in their cabin clinic. She phoned Adam Bless of the Oregon Department of Energy and told him of her plight. Diane Bloomer of Durkee helped inform the Department of Energy about the farming taking place there.
Jay Chamberlin, Owyhee Irrigation District, restated OID’s support of SIP’s effort. The Bureau of Reclamation, which controls what goes over canals, did not receive any notice about the proposal. Chamberlin was concerned about the “4 ½ miles of the Owyhee siphon (along with other metal conductors such as wheel lines, hand lines and center pivots) which will be subject to electrolysis and corrosion” due to electrical induction. The transmission lines are planning to cross the Snake River in three places, including Starvation Camp near Old Fort Boise on the Oregon Trail and wild species habitat. (See "Useful Links" for more information on Starvation Camp.)
Jean Findley, formerly of the BLM, brought up the problem when spray planes can’t aerially apply herbicides and pesticides, leaving “pockets of vectors that will not be killed. The bottom line is that it’s not just narrow agricultural, it will be large swaths through our little valley.” Field burning, another way to control vectors, will “not be happening” around electrical towers.
Thanks for everyone who made comments and to Senator Ferrioli for giving us a forum to express them.
