July 21, 2011
California
California
Environmental review, land use plan amendment proposed for Alta East Wind Project in Mojave:Scoping’ meeting in Mojave Aug. 4
www.tehachapinews.com 21 July 2011
www.tehachapinews.com 21 July 2011
The Bureau of Land Management last week announced the beginning of an environmental review of the proposed wind energy project on 3,200 acres near Mojave that a spokesman said could produce 300 megawatts of electricity.
David C. Briery of the BLM said Alta Windpower Development, LLC, has requested a right-of-way (ROW) authorization to construct, operate, maintain and decommission the 300-megawatt Alta East Wind Project.
The project includes wind turbines, access roads, and energy collection lines on 2,083 acres of public land and 1,117 acres of private land under the jurisdiction of Kern County.
The BLM and Kern County will prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to analyze the site-specific impacts of the proposed project and a CDCA Plan amendment.
A joint BLM and Kern County public scoping meeting will be held on Aug.t 4, at the Veterans Building, Room 1, 15580 O Street, Mojave, from 7 to 9 p.m. The BLM and the county will use the public scoping comments received to prepare the draft plan amendment and EIS/EIR to be available for public review later in 2011.
The EIS/EIR will analyze the site-specific impacts on air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, water resources, geological resources and hazards, hazardous materials handling, land use, noise, wilderness characteristics, visual resources and transmission system engineering, and transmission line safety.
Publication of the NOI initiates a public scoping period of 30 days, ending Aug. 15. During the scoping period, the BLM will solicit public comments on planning issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed action.
More information about the proposed wind energy project can be found at the following website: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd.html.
For information, contact Jeffery Childers at (951) 697-5308, or e-mail jchilders@blm.gov.