The Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County has entered a determination of environmental nonsignificance, (DNS), for the proposed action under the State Environmental Policy Act, (RCW 43.21C), as amended. The lead agency for this proposal has determined that the subject action does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under 43.21C.030(2)c. This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency.
This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2); the lead agency shall not act on this proposal for 15 days from the date below. Written comments must be submitted by January 28th, 2026. Written comments should be submitted to John M. Brown, SEPA Official, Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee, WA 98802. Copies of the DNS, and Environmental Checklist can be obtained from the Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 and on Douglas PUD’s website; www.douglaspud.org.
The issuance of the determination of environmental nonsignificance, for which notice is hereby given, is for the following action:
Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County proposes to expand the O’Malley Substation and Construct a new 115kV transmission line and new 13.2kV distribution line between the Lone Pine Substation and O’Malley Substation in Douglas County.
The proposed project creates a new 9.8 mile 115kV and 13.2kV Transmission and Distribution corridor beginning in proximity to the Columbia River at Lone Pine Substation to O’Malley Substation on the Waterville Plateau, Douglas County. The O’Malley Substation on the South end of the project will be expanded from .15 acres to 1.4 acres to accommodate the new lines. This project is intended to improve power reliability for the Waterville Plateau and create redundant routes for the transmission system serving the Waterville and Chelan Regions.
The proposed project begins at the District’s Lone Pine Substation at 89 Reeds Way Orondo, WA T26N R22E S01 and extends south up the hill to the Waterville plateau where it will terminate at the District’s O’Malley Substation located at 303 RD K NW Waterville, WA T25N R23E S18. The Lines will cross through T26N R22E Sections 01 & 12, T26N R23E Sections 06, 07, 18, 19, 20, 29 & 32, and T25N R23E Sections 05, 08 & 17. The construction will utilize existing roads when possible. New access roads will be required in T26N R23E Sections 06 & 07.
Dated this 16th day of December, 2025.
Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County, WA
John M. Brown
SEPA Official