FSEC staff readies additional land‑use review for Cascade Renewable Transmission after Yakima Nation consultation

Maria Belkina, siting specialist for the Cascade Renewable Transmission Project, told the council that staff have reviewed the applicants’ supplemental land‑use materials and expanded jurisdictional information and plan to open an additional public comment period focused on the updated land‑use record.

Belkina said staff have continued outreach to local jurisdictions and taken field reviews of upland route segments and wetlands with Ecology and the applicant’s wetland specialists. She described recent government‑to‑government consultation with the Yakima Nation, noting topics included cultural resources, water quality, electromagnetic fields and aquatic resources; additional tribal consultation with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde is planned.

Council members asked for a clear delineation of outstanding land‑use items and how local permitting interfaces with the FSEC review. Staff clarified that local permitting requirements are functionally absorbed by the FSEC process and that any locally required conditions would be included in a draft site certificate if the project advances to approval. Staff said they expect to begin a public comment period on the updated land‑use materials shortly and that the council will consider next steps after reviewing the comments.

What’s next: Staff will open the comment period and compile comments for council review; the council may request additional hearings, data or community engagement depending on comments received.