The Columbian | Serving Clark County, Washington

A proposed high-voltage transmission line continues to generate plenty of concern among Clark and Cowlitz county residents, despite the Bonneville Power Administration adding a new alternative running primarily through state and industrial forest land.

Bonneville bowed to public pressure in adding the new alternative to the north and east away from populated areas. However, by shifting segments away from campsites and trails proposed in the Yacolt Burn State Forest, Bonneville also added other alternatives that affect an extra 300 to 400 living on the forest’s western edge.

Many turned out during BPA’s latest public meeting, at Skyview High School in Vancouver on Tuesday night.

“Is an ATV trail more important than homes?” Battle Ground area resident Bryan Call asked.

Larry Bekkedahl, BPA’s vice president of engineering and technical services, fielded questions during the Skyview event on Tuesday. He also visited a business-friendly audience at the Vancouver Rotary Club over the lunch hour on Wednesday.

“We are certainly not going to please everybody,” Bekkedahl said. “Is there any one answer that’s going to be perfect? No. And is it going to be easy? No.”

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