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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 1 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Purpose and Need PAGE 1-14 • Maintain the electrical stability and reliability of the FCRTS; • Continue to meet BPA’s statutory and contractual obligations; • Act consistently with BPA’s environmental and social responsibilities; and • Provide for cost and administrative efficiency. 1.7.4 Bureau of Reclamation Purpose and Need Pacific Power has submitted a ROW application to construct, operate, and maintain a 230 kV transmission line across Reclamation-managed public lands. The Reclamation action on this proposal would be the issuance of a land use authorization(s) (such as a ROW grant or license) for the proposed non‐federal use of public lands. Reclamation’s need for action, to respond to Pacific Power’s ROW application, arises from 43 CFR Part 429: Use of Bureau of Reclamation Land, Facilities, and Waterbodies. These procedures are for use authorizations for such things as ROW requests like that of Pacific Power to cross Reclamation- administered land. 1.8 DECISIONS TO BE MADE This FEIS is an informational document for agency decision makers and the public which assesses the environmental effects of the proposed Project associated with the Action Alternatives. The specific decisions that will be made by BLM, JBLM YTC, BPA, Reclamation, FHWA, WSDOT, DNR, DAHP, and the counties are described below. Separate authorizations would be issued by BLM, Cooperating Agencies, and other agencies with permitting authority for construction, operation, and maintenance of the Project across lands they manage or administer. The BLM and Cooperating Agencies will use the NEPA and SEPA processes to issue separate final decisions to approve, approve with conditions or modifications, or deny the authorizations. Although the BLM is the lead federal agency responsible for the preparation of this FEIS, the BLM’s decision regarding a land use authorization for BLM lands that are crossed by the proposed transmission line constitutes only a small portion of the overall Project. Numerous other land use authorizations, permits, approvals, and/or favorable decisions would be necessary in order to construct an end-to-end transmission line between the Vantage and Pomona Heights substations. Project components, stipulations, and permitting and approval decisions would be made on the selected alternative. Each agency decision- maker reserves the right to make its own independent decision. The considerations and/or decisions to be evaluated through this FEIS process include, but are not limited to, the following: • Whether to grant, grant with conditions, or whether to deny Pacific Power a ROW to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed transmission line facilities. • Whether some or all mitigation measures identified in the FEIS may be adopted or if additional measures may be required. 1.8.1 Bureau of Land Management The BLM will decide whether to grant, grant with conditions, or to deny Pacific Power’s application to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed Project on lands managed by the BLM’s Spokane District, Wenatchee Field Office. If the BLM issues a ROW grant, the BLM may include, without limitation, terms, conditions, and stipulations that the BLM determines to be in the public interest (43 CFR Part