Doug and Sharon Ott have lived on Wamble Road for over 20 years, where they farm 12 acres of almonds. Doug’s father has an adjacent piece of property where he farms an additional 18 acres.

The Otts — who have extensively remodeled their home and improved their property over the years — recently learned their property is in the proposed path of a project by the Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) utilizing high voltage lines and extremely large transmission towers.

TANC and the Western Area Power Administration are planning on building or upgrading approximately 600 miles of high voltage transmission lines in Northern California to improve electrical system reliability and providing a path for renewable energy resources. TANC recently extended the comment, or ‘scoping’, period until May 31 for those who want to provide information for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The proposed path of the project show TANC will run transmission lines and towers along Highway 120/108 as it enters the Oakdale area from New Melones Reservoir. The path of the proposed lines and towers then turns south on Wamble Road to Sierra Road, where it proceeds west for about 2,500 feet, where it turns south through farmland. The route passes within about 2,500 feet east of the Oakdale Airport, and eventually reaches a junction area south of the Oakdale city limits.

Sharon Ott said she understands the need to upgrade California’s electric grid, but is concerned about the process TANC is taking.

“I never thought we would say ‘Not in our backyard,’ but this isn’t in our backyard. This will go through our front yard and house.”

Maps provided by TANC show the agency is considering a 1,000 foot wide pathway along the proposed routes to place the transmission towers and lines. In addition to the Otts, others living along the proposed path may be affected.

Sharon Ott said she believes TANC did not do enough to notify property owners along Wamble Road. She said the notice she received appeared to be junk mail, and did not have any route information. She said she only learned the proposed route when she and her husband went online to investigate.

“Only two of our neighbors also looked at it,” she said.

TANC had initially planned to close the public comment period at the end of April, but extended the period 31 days due to requests from property owners.

Current transmission lines in the area cross nearby Emery Road. These towers and lines stretch from New Melones Reservoir and eventually reach the Bay Area as part of the Hetch Hetchy project.

Doug Ott questioned why TANC could not simply follow these existing lines.

Janet Thomson, a spokesperson for TANC, wrote in an email to The Leader that a final route for the project has not been determined yet.

“TANC is currently studying a number of routing alternatives, in addition to those currently viewed on the maps. If residents have suggested route alternatives, TANC would encourage residents to submit those suggestions as part of the public scoping process,” she said.

Thomson said comments on the preliminary proposed study areas, and the scope and content of the EIR and EIS must be submitted in writing to Mr. David Young, NEPA Document Manager, Western Area Power Administration, Sierra Nevada Region, 114 Parkshore Drive, Folsom, CA 95630; by fax to 916-353-4772; or by email to TTPEIS@wapa.gov.

Sharon Ott said a group of rural residents are beginning to organize a meeting to address concerns about the project.