Public comments sought for Master Permit Renewal of Southern California Edison power lines

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The U.S. Forest Service is preparing to reissue powerline permits to Southern California Edison (SCE) for infrastructure serving local communities adjacent to and within the national forest.  The existing Special Use Authorizations have exceeded their expiration dates and updated authorizations are needed for continued use and occupancy of national forest lands.

The Forest Service will be allowing SCE to continue maintaining the grid in a safe and reliable manner while continually managing and mitigating effects to plants, animals, aquatic features, endangered species habitats, areas of resource concern or any other area of potential affect.  SCE is required to maintain the grid to standard and be in compliance with several state and federal laws and regulations, including the California Public Utility Commission requirements.

All authorizations will be consolidated into Master Permits and Easements with an attached Master Operation and Maintenance Plan, which will identify best management practices for all activities.  This action does not authorize any changes to facilities, alignments or to the capacity of the electric grid.  Facilities considered in this analysis have been previously authorized with various special use permits, easements or statutory rights and are eligible for continuance.

The Forest Service recognizes the importance of electric system infrastructure and the key role its lands play in providing electric service to the public.

If you would like to comment on this proposal during the 30-day scoping period, or have any questions, the Forest Service would like to receive your input. The preference for receiving comments is by email. Please send comments to Jason Collier at jpcollier@fs.fed.us by April 12, 2018, with the words “SCE MSUP” in the subject line. If you are unable to send comments electronically, you may send them to the following address:

SCE MSUP

Jason Collier

USFS Supervisor’s Office

602 South Tippecanoe Ave.

San Bernardino, CA  92408

For more information about this project, including the proposed action and maps, go to https://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=53348. If you have any questions, please write or call Jason Collier at jpcollier@fs.fed.us or 909-382-2869.