The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office is seeking public comment on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) analyzing a proposed wind energy project in Palm Springs, California. The 45 day public review and comment period began on February 23, 2007.
A public scoping meeting was held on June 27, 2006 at the Desert Highland Community Center in Palm Springs with notice of the meeting published in the Desert Sun newspaper.
Mountain View Power Partners IV, LLC has applied for a right of way on public lands and a conditional use permit on private lands to construct a wind energy generating facility in the Coachella Valley, in Riverside County.
The project site is west of Indian Avenue and is within the corporate boundary of the city of Palm Springs and within the planning area for the draft Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Operations are expected to last approximately 30 years. The proposed project would install a total of approximately 42 to 50 wind turbines on public and private lands, with a total generating capacity of approximately 49 megawatts. Related structures would include access roads, a 34.5kV powerline and an electrical substation. If approved, the wind energy generating facility on public lands would be authorized in accordance with Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (USC) and the federal regulations at 43 CFR 2800. The proposed project would take approximately 7 months to construct.
The document and the established dates of the 45 day review and comment period are available online at the BLM web site: www.blm.gov/ca/palmsprings. Copies of the document can also be viewed at the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 690 West Garnet Ave., North Palm Springs, Calif. 92258, and at the Palm Springs Public Library located at 300 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. To obtain a printed copy or, or for more information, contact Greg Hill, planning and environmental coordinator, at (760) 251-4840.
Submit comments to the Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office; Attention: Greg Hill, P.O. Box 581260, North Palm Springs, Calif. 92258. All comments will be considered by the BLM in making a final decision on the proposed project.
Source: BLM California