A series of public meetings has been scheduled to discuss a proposal to run a 500 kilovolt transmission line across the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recrational River, and through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The meetings will be held on January 24, 25, and 26.

The National Park Service has been reviewing a permit application from the Pennsylvania Power and Light Electric Utilities and Public Service Electric and Gas Company.  The application proposes the replacement of an existing 230kV transmission line through park lands with a double circuit transmission line carrying both the 230kV (capable of being energized to 500 kV) and a new 500kV line. 

While several alternatives have been identified in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, including the environmentally preferred alternative, the agency preferred alternative will not be selected until public involvement is complete. Public input and participation is essential in deciding the final outcome and is specifically required by the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended.

The DEIS can be downloaded from the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/DEWA. A CD or hardcopy of the document will be provided to those who request one. A desk copy is also available for viewing at Park Headquarters located at 1 River Road (off US 209) Bushkill, Pennsylvania. Additionally, hardcopies are available at local libraries.

Public comment is extremely important and will be accepted through January 31, 2012. There are several ways to submit comments during this period:

Online - through the project website shown above; through the mail - send your written comments to:

                 Morgan Elmer
                 National Park Service
                 Denver Service Center
                 12795 West Alameda Parkway
                 Post Office Box #25287
                 Denver, Colorado 80225-0287; or

In person - attend one of the public meetings below and deliver your comments orally or in writing.

PUBLIC MEETING DATES & LOCATIONS

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
(snow date 1/31, if required)
Fernwood Hotel and Resort
U.S. 209 Bushkill, PA 18324

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
(snow date 2/1, if required)
Stroudsmoor Country Inn - Ridgecrest
RD#4 Stroudsmoor Road
Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Thursday, January 26, 2012
(snow date 2/2, if required)
Farmstead Golf and Country Club
88 Lawrence Road
Lafayette, NJ 07848

Each meeting will follow the same format with an Open House from 2:30 - 4:30 pm to learn about the project, followed by a Public Hearing from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. to submit oral or written comments into the record.