April 23, 2008
California

Wind power meeting is April 29

A community meeting to inform the public about a proposed wind energy project near Apple Valley is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29.

The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Granite Hills High School gymnasium, 22900 Esaws Avenue in Apple Valley. A description of the project will be presented at 6:30 p.m.

Granite Wind LLC has proposed installing up to 28 turbines – each 410 feet tall – along the ridge tops of the Granite Mountains. Most of the land is under supervision of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and part of the project is on private land.

The deadline to submit preliminary comments on issues that should be covered in the environmental review was extended from March 31 to May 5 at the request of San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who represents the area.

The county and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in March entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that calls for the county and BLM to work together on environmental reviews of wind and solar projects.

Apple Valley residents have expressed concerns that their property values could be affected, that scenic views would be disturbed, that wildlife corridors will be blocked by new roads, and that hunting and recreational opportunities will be lost.

Comments may be submitted by e-mail or regular mail to:

Carrie Hyke, Principal Planner

Re: Granite Wind

San Bernardino County Land Use Services

385 N. Arrowhead Ave.

San Bernardino, CA 92415

chyke@lusd.sbcounty.gov

(909) 387-4147

Edy Seehafer, Environmental Coordinator

Re: Granite Wind

Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field Office

2601 Barstow Road

Barstow, CA 92311

Edythe_Seehafer@ca.blm.gov

(760) 252-6021