Grant PUD files lawsuits for land
Rita Bjork PUD Spokesperson
EPHRATA - The Grant County PUD started 11 civil cases to obtain about 32 acres for a new power line.
The PUD filed the condemnation proceedings in Grant County Superior Court against various landowners along the route of a new 230 kilovolt power line. The 33-mile-long line is expected to stretch from the Columbia Substation in Douglas County to the Rocky Ford Substation near state Route 17 in Grant County.
The district expects to request construction bids starting July 2, and award the bid on Sept. 24, stated Rita Bjork, PUD public affairs officer. Construction is beginning at the Rocky Ford Substation and is expected to start in October. The construction is estimated to cost $42 million.
The utility needs to secure the right to use the property where the line is being built, in order to start with the construction contracts, she said. The PUD started negotiating with property owners.
"In January 2012, those property owners received letters with a possession and use agreement," Bjork stated. "The signed agreement gives immediate right to construct with the understanding that the utility will continue to negotiate in good faith to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. This agreement was signed by one of the 12 outstanding property owners."
The district reportedly offered the property owners an amount equal to or greater than the appraised amount for their property, according to court records.
The commissioners approved a resolution in April allowing the district to start legal proceedings, so it can use the land to build, she stated.
"This action is taken as a last resort," Bjork stated. "The utility would prefer to come to an agreeable resolution with these property owners."
The property owners involved include: Vincent G. Duke, Dianne Blake-Ohman, Monument View Limited Liability Corp., Jason and Jennifer Williams, Juan G. Martinez Sr. and Mary Martinez, Gabriel and Lisa Martinez, Juan G. Martinez Jr. and Joanne Martinez, John and Joelle Heikkila, Rodney O. Christian, Paul Ung and James R. Soderlind.
Contact information was not available for all the people involved. Most were not available when contacted. Mary Martinez declined to comment.
The district claims the property is necessary to carry on the public utility business of the district, according to court records.
The transmission line is meant to increase the amount of electricity the district can deliver and increase the system's reliability, according to PUD documents.