A seagull flies over the California Coastal National Monument which stretches along the entire coast of California and extends 12 miles into the Pacific Ocean.  The Monument includes 20,000 rocks, islands, pinnacles and reefs.
BLM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Wagon wheel in the Carrizo Plain National Monument Geothermal Well Rock Climbing Wild Horses River Rafters on Cache Creek
California
BLM>California>El Centro>Environmental & Planning Documents>Ocotillo Sol
Print Page
El Centro Field Office

Ocotillo Sol Project (CACA 51625)


The following diagram shows the current progress for this proposed project with links to applicable project-related documents. The colored bar in the center indicates the items that have been completed or are currently underway.

 

Federal Coordination Process
  

- Right-of-Way Grant

Record of Decision -  
  - Notification of Final EIS

  Publication of Final EIS -

  
  - Public Comment Period
Notice of Availability of Draft EIS -  
  - Notice of Intent 

Project Vitals

SDG&E has requested a right-of-way authorization from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to construct and operate a photovoltaic solar energy facility on public land in southwest Imperial County, California.

The Ocotillo Sol Solar Energy Project would be constructed on an approximately 115-acre site located approximately nine miles southwest of El Centro, four miles south of Interstate 8, and 82 miles east of San Diego. An additional 15 acres would be temporarily disturbed during construction.

The project would be a 15-to 18-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic project (with peak capacity of 20 MW), with construction planned to begin in late spring 2012 if approved by the BLM. The project would utilize solar panels and would be built in a single phase. The project would connect to the existing SDG&E Imperial Valley Substation (IVS) to its immediate north via a buried 12.47-kV cable. The project would not require any expansion of the IVS, nor any upgrades to the existing transmission lines exiting the substation.

The EIS will be prepared by the BLM in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EIS 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, visual resources, and transmission system engineering and transmission line safety.

The California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan of 1980, as amended, requires that all sites associated with power generation or transmission not identified in the 1980 Plan will be considered through the plan amendment process. If the project is approved, a plan amendment will be necessary; the BLM will integrate the land use planning process with the NEPA process for this project.


Public Comments

Publication of a Notice of Availability in today’s Federal Register initiates a 90-day public comment period for the EIS and possible plan amendment that ends July 19, 2012.  During the comment period, BLM will solicit public comment on issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that should be considered in writing the Final EIS that will be released later this year.

For further information please contact Noel Ludwig, Project Manager, (951) 697-5368. Written comments may be sent to Noel Ludwig, Ocotillo Sol Project Manager, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553 or to the e-mail address nludwig@blm.gov



Public Meeting and Hearings

Two public scoping meetings are scheduled to solicit public comment on issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed action.

The meetings will be held at the following date, times and location: 

5/23/122PM - 4PM Imperial County Department of Social Services ("CalWorks") at 2895 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243
5/23/126PM - 8PM Imperial County Department of Social Services ("CalWorks") at 2895 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243


DEIS
Volume I

Chapters 1- 9
From Cover to Glossary; 3.85Mb

Volume II
Appendix Table of Contents
0.01Mb
Appendix A
Figures; 4.65Mb

Appendix B
Decommissioning Reclamation; 0.8Mb

Appendix C
Biology; 0.3Mb

Appendix D
Weed Plan; 1.62Mb

Appendix E
Alternatives Analysis; 2.34Mb

Appendix F
Plant Surveys; 1.49Mb

Appendix G
Avian Winter Survey; 0.2Mb
Appendix H
Avian Spring Survey; 0.2Mb
Appendix I
FTHL Survey; 0.7Mb
Appendix J
Burrowing Owl Survey; 0.02MB
Appendix K
Paleo Survey; 0.1Mb
Appendix L
Visual Analysis; 1.41Mb
Appendix M
Scoping Report; 0.2Mb
 
Related Documents
Public Scoping Report
Geotechnical Field Work EA

Related Links
BLM CDD Renewable Energy
Understanding the NEPA Process


Bureau of Land Management
El Centro Field Office
1661 S. 4th Street
El Centro CA 92243
Phone: (760) 337-4400
Fax: (760) 337-4490
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F
Contact us by Email