BURLEY, Idaho (AP) -- Dozens of ranchers and landowners are criticizing the planned route for a high-voltage transmission line across southern Idaho.

Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power want to build the 1,103-mile Gateway West transmission line through private and public land in Cassia County and neighboring counties.

The Times-News reports (http://bit.ly/nK3iDE ) that Cassia County landowners who gathered in Burley on Wednesday want the line moved farther south.

Bureau of Land Management Project Manager Walt George says the public comment period on the BLM's environmental impact statement will end Oct. 28. The BLM is expected to issue its decision in June 2013.

The BLM will decide where the project will cross public land. But that will help determine where it goes on private land.

The utilities will still need permission to cross private land.

___

Information from: The Times-News, http://www.magicvalley.com

Copyright 2011 The AP.