Public utility district commissioners in Grant County, Wash., have delayed condemning farmland for a transmission line to see whether power poles can be placed to minimize interference with agriculture.

Landowners dismissed the pause as a face-saving move by PUD commissioners to appear sympathetic to landowner complaints.

“So, you see where the poles are placed. Then what? They’re still coming through,” farmer John Rylaarsdam said.

PUD commissioners chose to route the 31-mile, $40 million 230-kilovolt line from Wanapum Dam to Quincy, a high-tech industry hub, through private property even though shorter routes through public land were possible.

The shorter routes would have crossed a wildlife refuge managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The department said it was open to the line crossing the refuge, but warned that clearing environmental reviews could take several years.

The PUD opted for the route across private land. Landowners, including some farmers, say they didn’t know about the project until the PUD had settled on crossing their property.

The PUD has yet to acquire easements on 43 parcels. Commissioners were poised to condemn an initial batch of 13 parcels, but decided on a six-week delay April 8 after more than a dozen landowners spoke at a commissioner meeting.

The high-voltage line and poles will interfere with irrigation equipment and fences, according to farmers. Landowners also complained the one-time payments offered by the PUD was too little to compensate for a permanent easement and potential loss in property values.

PUD Commissioner Terry Pyle said a six-week pause will give PUD officials time to meet with landowners to discuss how to avoid disrupting agriculture. “Let’s get together so we can see how the poles will impact farming,” he said.

Landowner Lisa Marcusen said the pause will only give the appearance the PUD has taken the complaints seriously. “We feel it’s inevitable that they’re going to force this on us,” she said.

Farmer John Eilers said the delay “may ease their conscience a little bit.”

“People are not trying to be difficult, but this is about protecting private property. When public land is available, and they’re not looking at it, it’s frustrating,” he said.