BPA officials on Tuesday released a supplemental environmental review that named the watershed route as the preferred path for the 500,000-volt power line.

The watershed is the primary source of water for most of King County's 1.7 million residents. Seattle city officials don't want the line running through the watershed, but alternative routes through Covington, Maple Valley, and Hobart also are opposed by residents who don't want the power lines and towers in their communities.

The BPA's preferred route would follow an existing transmission line that was built 25 years ago. Construction would require clear-cutting about 90 acres.

Opponents fear erosion would pollute water and require the Seattle utility to build a $150 million filtration plant.

The BPA says the new line is needed to prevent a brownout during a surge in electricity demand caused by cold weather.

Officials are expected to announce their final choice for the route by July 1.

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