NPS schedules power line meetings

Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line impact planning BUSHKILL — The National Park Service is holding three public scoping meetings for the Susquehanna-Roseland power line proposal. The meetings will be held on Feb. 16, 17, and 18, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. An Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for the project, to provide a decision-making framework for analyzing the proposal by PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (PPL) and PSE&G, requiring construction and right-of-way (ROW) permits for the proposed 500,000 kilovolt transmission line. The line would cross three park system units- the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Each meeting will begin with an open house and a presentation by NPS staff, followed by a formal public comment session, and will conclude with a return to the open house. NPS staff will be available to answer questions and record input. The locations, times and dates are: Tuesday, Feb. 16, Fernwood Hotel (Victorian Room), 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., US Route 209 North, Bushkill Wednesday, Feb. 17, Camp Jefferson, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 81 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong, N.J. Thursday, Feb. 18, Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 199 Smith Road, Parsippany, N.J. The can provide comments on this important phase of the planning process by providing comments at the public meetings, leaving a message on the Park Planning Information Telephone Line at 570-426-2491, submitting comments online through a link on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment site, http://parkplanning.nps.gov (select Appalachian NST or Delaware Water Gap NRA), or by sending comments through by mail to: National Park Service, Attention: DEWA PPL EIS Planning Team, Denver Service Center-Planning Division, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225-0287. The deadline to receive comments is March 5.