Helms-Gregg 230 kV: Successfully Negotiating the NEPA Process.

In the mid 1980's, PG&E stopped using herbicides on USFS property due to their moratorium. PG&E had just completed construction of the controversial Helms Pumped Storage Facility, which required the clearing of approximately 21 miles of right-of-way through Sierra National Forest land for the construction of the Helms-Gregg 230 kV transmission line. As part of the original FERC license, a Wildlife Agreement between PG&E and the State of California was reached in 1978, which required PG&E to develop a Wildlife Habitat Plan in cooperation with California Department of Fish and Game, the USFS, and the USFWS. Even though this wildlife habitat plan included the use of herbicides, they were never used and the plan was never fully implemented. Up until 1999 only minimal vegetation work occurred. By this time the vegetation density and height had reached a critical stage and PG&E approached the USFS regarding the need for a comprehensive vegetation management plan. This ultimately led to the preparation of an Environmental Assessment to re-establish the ROW and the re-introduce herbicides as part of an Integrated Vegetation Management on the Sierra National Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]