Following the review of comments received during the public scoping period (fall 2008/winter 2009), Idaho Power initiated the Community Advisory Process (CAP) to recommend proposed and alternate routes for the B2H Project.

Five project advisory teams (PATs) were convened representing geographic areas from Boardman, Oregon to Melba, Idaho in spring 2009. The teams included community members; local agencies, business owners; and other interested parties. Outcomes from PAT meetings were presented at public meetings for review and comment. To learn more, visit Idaho Power’s Community Advisory Process page.

Based on input, feedback and recommendations from the PATs and the public, Idaho Power selected a proposed route in April 2010.

BLM and ODOE attended CAP meetings, as requested. The agencies were available during the meetings to: provide information about state and federal resource issues, explain their review processes in more detail, clarify the state and federal statutes and rules that the project must meet, and answer questions from CAP participants.

The state and federal agencies will reinitiate their separate review processes following Idaho Power’s submittal of the CAP-recommended proposed route.

Under NEPA, BLM is required to analyze a range of reasonable alternatives to meet the proposed project's purpose and need.

Following Idaho Power’s CAP, the agencies will conduct additional public scoping meetings to provide information on the project and request input. Public comments received during these meetings will supplement input received following the October 2008 public scoping meetings.

BLM and USFS will review the revised routes provided in Idaho Power’s application and the input received from the public and resource agencies prior to developing proposed and alternate routes. The federal agencies will determine which routes will be analyzed in detail in the project’s environmental impact statement (EIS).

The CAP team reviewed the BLM’s Public Scoping Report and the ODOE’s Project Order to understand the issues and concerns that were identified by the public through comments submitted during the public scoping period in fall 2008/winter 2009. Additionally, Idaho Power, BLM and ODOE-EFSC continue to review, categorize and record comments submitted by the public. Many comments and concerns have also been addressed through these FAQs.