In May 2010, PHI announced its choice for a route. PHI's approach to siting the MAPP transmission line was a careful, multi-step process based upon public input. We used a state-of-the art transmission line siting model, developed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Photo Science, to integrate input from local leaders and citizens, satellite imagery, publicly available data, expertise from engineers and surveyors, as well as information from environmental groups and agencies. The model weighted our research and the public's input to generate appropriate routes that had the least impact on communities and the environment.

Evaluation Process for Developing MAPP Route in Dorchester County 

While PHI has taken the important step of selecting its proposed route in Dorchester County, the process of refining the route is not complete. The selection of a proposed route allows the formal agency review and approval process to begin. The information developed by PHI, including information comparing alternatives, as well as additional information brought forward in this review, will be open for public and agency review. During this time, interested parties may continue to provide input through agency-sponsored public hearings and the submission of written comments. The final route selection in Maryland will not be complete until approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Construction will begin once all required permits and authorizations are obtained. 

Protecting the Environment

The MAPP project team took great care in selecting a route through Dorchester County. Among area residents' most pressing concerns were the impacts the potential route might have on the environment. The MAPP project team worked to minimize impact to the environment, agriculture, historic sites and cost by:

• Offering the shortest amount of on-land right-of-way when compared to the other potential routes considered


• Making annual payments to support the Maryland Tidal Wetlands Compensation Fund for restoration of wetlands 


• Ensuring two thirds of the route will avoid agricultural land 


• Avoiding most of the oyster repletion areas in the Chesapeake Bay and Choptank River


• Mitigating for any oyster beds that are disturbed

The MAPP team is committed to responsible environmental stewardship. The team will use advanced technologies and design and construction techniques to improve efficiency, enhance operations and minimize impacts. For example, MAPP will use a direct current (DC) system for the portion of the project that crosses the Chesapeake Bay and the Maryland Eastern Shore, thus eliminating the need for fluid filled cables, reducing the number of cables used, and reducing the size of the aerial transmission structures. Before construction begins, MAPP will obtain all required approvals.

Extensive environmental studies are underway across the project corridor, including within the bay and Dorchester County, to identify and assess environmental resources. Some of these studies include:

• Wetlands assessment


• Threatened and endangered species


• Cultural resources


• Forest stand assessment


• Oyster bed assessment


• Essential fish habitat


• Aquatic survey


• Sediment modeling

Community Involvement

Throughout the course of selecting a route in Dorchester County, the MAPP project team worked hard to ensure all residents had a choice to voice their opinions about MAPP.

• Delmarva Power has held 15 community meetings in Dorchester County.

• The MAPP project team received input from more than 500 residents.

• Delmarva Power operates a local MAPP office in Cambridge, Md., for the community to visit and address concerns and have questions answered.

• The MAPP project team met with many local groups, including the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, Dorchester County Council and many others.

• The MAPP project team worked with the community to form the Dorchester County Community Advisory Council (DCAC). The DCAC was chaired by Mr. Allen Nelson, the executive director of the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, and vice-chaired by Mr. Russel Brinsfield, mayor of the Town of Vienna. The DCAC consisted of 21 members who represented different interests within the county. DCAC meetings were open to the public and input from both DCAC members and the public was solicited and used as part of the siting process.

FACTORS CONSIDERED

SOME STAKEHOLDERS THAT PROVIDED INPUT INTO THE SITING MODEL