News Release
Contact: Jeannine Rispin
Phone: (770) 270-7741
Email: jeannine.rispin@gatrans.com
Georgia Transmission Announces Route Adjustment
TUCKER, Ga. (April 8, 2008) -- Georgia Transmission issued the following statement April 8 in regard to the proposed East Walton to Bethabara 230-kilovolt transmission line project (a fact sheet, map and Q&A are available under the “Construction” tab of this web site):
Georgia Transmission – a not-for-profit company which builds high-voltage power lines and substations for Walton Electric Membership Cooperative and 37 other EMCs in Georgia – is in the process of planning a 230-kilovolt power line in parts of Oconee County to meet the area’s growing demand for electricity.
Late last year, public meetings were conducted on a proposed power line route from northeast Walton County to a substation near the intersection of Highway 78 and Hog Mountain Road in Oconee County. Residents, county commissioners and others raised concerns about the line’s impact on a conservation easement area along Snows Mill Road. To satisfy those concerns, we chose in December to adjust a one-mile section of the route in question. Trying to minimize impact to residents and the environment, we selected an area along the back border of a platted and undeveloped section of Lane Creek Plantation and through other land parcels to the south. The line was proposed to parallel the 2,300-foot back border of the subdivision.
To our surprise, our verbal proposal to replat that section of the subdivision and buy land for additional buffering was rejected by the developer. County commissioners passed a resolution opposing the adjustment, and most property owners to the south of the subdivision said they preferred the line be built on Snows Mill Road instead of bisecting their properties.
As a result, we have decided to return to the Snows Mill Road area, utilizing the east side of the road to completely avoid the conservation easement. We have apologized to the owners of the conservation easement and other residents along Snows Mill Road because we thought we could avoid the area and regret that we cannot.
To improve the situation, we have offered to work with the Snows Mill Road residents on a beautification project. This could include a selection of pole construction options, landscaping and other beautification actions. Participation is reserved for residents along the affected area of the road.
We are also offering to work with the Oconee River Land Trust and similar groups to develop a statewide database of conservation easements or other studies. In addition, we are willing to consider the purchase of two or three acres of land to help with the beautification or conservation improvements.
A public meeting planned for April 21 for the route adjustment near Lane Creek Plantation has been canceled.
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