FSEC staff finalizes CRT SEPA scoping memorandum; public comment period to open May 1

FSEC staff said the Cascade Renewable Transmission Project (CRT) is moving into formal SEPA scoping, with staff finalizing a scoping memorandum and planning public comment. Trevin Taylor, the SEPA specialist assigned to CRT, told the council on April 15 that staff issued an initial data request and have been coordinating applicant responses and clarification of submittal procedures.

Taylor said staff notified the applicant on April 7 of an anticipated determination of significance; the applicant responded April 15 and staff finalized the scoping memorandum. "We anticipate opening the SEPA register as of 05/01/2026 for 30 days," Taylor said. He added that details of the scoping period and associated comment and hearing periods will be posted on FSEC's project website.

Staff described continuing coordination with state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon agencies, to align SEPA and NEPA processes. Tribal outreach is ongoing: consultation-request letters have been distributed and staff are tracking responses and scheduling government‑to‑government consultations. Taylor noted appointment letters for local jurisdiction council members have been received for Skamania and Klickitat counties and several cities; some jurisdictions remain pending, and the Port of Skamania declined to appoint a non‑voting council member.

Council members did not take formal action at the meeting; staff answered procedural questions and said they will notify the public when the scoping register and comment periods open.