ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 10, 1994                   TAG: 9408100057
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium


SUPERVISORS TO DISCUSS POWER-LINE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES

Responding to citizen concerns about the location of a proposed high-voltage power line, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will consider a response later this month to suggested routes near Blacksburg.

At Supervisor Jim Moore's suggestion, the board agreed Monday to discuss the alternative routes for Appalachian Power Co.'s proposed Wyoming County, W.Va.-to-Cloverdale power line. The issue will come up at the 7 p.m. meeting Aug. 22 at the Montgomery County Courthouse.

Two of the alternatives, released last month by the U.S. Forest Service, would pass through the Toms Creek and Mount Tabor areas of Montgomery County, just north of Blacksburg. Moore represents Mount Tabor and most of northeastern Montgomery.

The Forest Service is studying the environmental impact of the alternatives, which also pass through Pulaski, Giles and Bland counties. Apco's preferred route passes to the north in Craig, Roanoke and Botetourt counties.

Power line opponents in the New River Valley and Bland County contend they haven't been given the same due process to comment on the alternatives as people in the counties along the route favored by Apco. They've also questioned the need for the new transmission line and raised the issue of possible health impacts on people who live along its corridor.

The board heard from four Montgomery residents and members of the Informed Citizens Action Network earlier Monday night, each urging the supervisors to call on the Forest Service to delay consideration of the alternatives and reopen its preparation of an environmental impact statement for more public input.

Supervisor Joe Gorman urged caution. "We've got to know what we're doing before we take a position."

The board came under fire earlier this year for endorsing a Montgomery County route for the controversial Interstate 73 proposal. Critics said the board hadn't done enough study or allowed enough public input. The board has modified but never fully backed away from the I-73 endorsement, despite opposition from county residents.



 by CNB