Watch the Looking at the Land video to learn more about fieldwork.

Fieldwork Overview

Idaho Power began requesting right of entry from landowners along the proposed route and alternatives in late 2010 and limited fieldwork began shortly thereafter. In early 2011, crews began a much larger effort to supplement the information already collected. Contractors hired by Idaho Power will gather a variety of data to continue development of a line route.

Although a final line route cannot be determined until the federal and state agencies complete their respective reviews, the data gathered from this fieldwork will inform the agency processes and help determine a final location. Initially, fieldwork will take place along Idaho Power's proposed route and alternatives. Additional work along alternatives identified during the federal review process may be necessary.

Fieldwork operations will include terrain and access reviews, cultural field surveys and biological field surveys, using both ground and aerial surveying techniques. Learn more about fieldwork by watching the Looking at the Land video, reviewing the Fieldwork FAQs, and viewing the Fieldwork Survey Schedule table for specific details.

Engineers and surveyors will conduct reviews of the topography and land features, as well as evaluate corridor accessibility from public rights of way, to identify where access roads and landowner permission may be needed. This work should not result in any ground disturbance.

To help with the terrain surveys, land surveyors will set control monuments along the proposed project corridor; however, no monuments are planned on private land at this time. A GPS base unit will take a reading over each monument to establish precise positions and coordinates to allow for accurate and repeatable control positioning for Idaho Power as long as the transmission line is in use.

Archeologists will be looking for cultural resources (archaeological or historic sites). If cultural resource sites are discovered, archeologists will work with the State Historic Preservation Officers in Idaho or Oregon, and other interested parties, to determine which sites meet the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Crews will work in small teams on foot, and this work should not result in any ground disturbance.

Biologists will conduct surveys to classify the types of vegetation and wildlife habitats present along the proposed route and surrounding areas. Biologists also will survey for threatened, endangered, and other sensitive species according to protocols established by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and either Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or Idaho Department of Fish and Game. These include surveys to determine the presence of specific species or their habitats, for example sage-grouse leks, raptor nests and Washington ground squirrel colonies. Because different species require specific survey protocols, work could occur throughout the day and night and require ground or aerial access. Biological resource reports will be reviewed by appropriate federal and state agencies. Crews will work in small teams, and surveys should not result in any ground disturbance.

Questions? Please see the Fieldwork FAQ page.

This website is the joint Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project site. Information contained on this site is approved for posting by Idaho Power. Visit the Idaho Power website.