Arizona State Office
| Contacts: | Joe Incardine | , 801-524-3833 | , joe.incardine@blm.gov |
Sonoran Solar Energy Project Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
Phoenix, Ariz. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lower Sonoran Field Office has published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register on July 8, 2009, to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Sonoran Solar Energy Project (Project) on public lands it manages in Maricopa County, Arizona. Boulevard Associates, LLC has submitted an application to the BLM requesting a right-of-way (ROW) and seeking approval to construct and operate an electrical generating facility. The facility will generate a nominal capacity of 375 megawatts, using concentrated solar thermal power. The Project will require approximately 4,000 acres of land to develop the related facilities, including a 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line.
Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, BLM is responsible for processing requests for a ROW to authorize proposed renewable energy projects, the associated transmission lines, and other related facilities on lands it manages. BLM must comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, to ensure that environmental impacts associated with construction, operation, and decommissioning would be identified, analyzed, and considered during the application process. NEPA compliance for solar thermal power plant projects would be accomplished through coordination with the State of Arizona (e.g., Arizona Corporation Commission), other federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), public participation, environmental analysis, and the preparation of Draft and Final EISs. The EIS must also comply with all other applicable laws, Executive Orders, regulations, and direction. The EIS will provide the basis for the Record of Decision (ROD), signed by the BLM Phoenix District Manager, on whether to issue the ROW grant.
The Notice of Intent, published in the Federal Register initiates the public participation and scoping processes for the EIS. A public scoping period of at least 30 days and at least one public meeting will be announced through the local news media, newspapers, and BLM’s Web site:http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en.html at least 15 days prior to the meeting. During the public scoping period, the BLM will solicit public comment on issues, concerns, and opportunities that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed action. Comments on issues, potential impacts, or suggestions for additional alternatives may also be submitted in writing to the address listed below. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting; whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public participation and formal comment will occur when the Draft EIS is issued.
- Mail: Use first-class postage and be sure to include your name, any organization you represent, and a return address to: Sonoran Solar Energy Project, ATTN: Joe Incardine, National Project Manager, BLM Phoenix District Office, Lower Sonoran Field Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027-2929.
- Electronic Mail: Include your name, any organization you represent, and return address in the e-mail message to: sonoransolar@blm.gov
For further information, contact Joe Incardine, (WO-350), authorized project manager for the Sonoran Solar Energy Project. The project manager is the principal point of contact and representative for the BLM authorized officer on all aspects of the project. Contact information: (801) 524-3833, joe_incardine@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Arizona State Office One North Central Ave., Ste.800 Phoenix, AZ 85004-4427