BLM Seeks Public Comment on Campo Verde Gen-Tie

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on a proposed one-mile generation-interconnection (gen-tie) transmission line that would cross federal lands approximately eight miles southwest of El Centro, Calif.  About 4/10 of the line would be on public land.

If approved, Campo Verde Solar, LLC, would build the line to transport renewable electrical energy from the proposed Campo Verde Solar Photovoltaic (PV) facility to San Diego Gas and Electric’s Imperial Valley Substation.  The PV facility would be located on approximately 1,990 acres of disturbed private land that is currently used for agriculture.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared analyzing impacts that could result from the proposed gen-tie. This EA describes and evaluates the environmental impacts that are expected to result from construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the project and presents recommended mitigation measures that, if adopted, would avoid, minimize, or mitigate the environmental impacts identified.

The BLM is the lead federal agency for this EA. There are no formal cooperating agencies but the applicant is coordinating with other federal agencies, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding potential project approvals and any associated compliance requirements. The applicant is also coordinating with California state and local agencies including Imperial County, the California Department of Fish and Game, Regional Water Quality Control Board, Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, and the Imperial Irrigation District.  The EA can be viewed at: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/nepa/campoverde.html

Public comment on the proposed expansion will be accepted until May 13, 2012. Comments should be made in writing and e-mailed to Lynette Elser at lelser@blm.gov or mailed to: Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District Office, Attn: Lynette Elser, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553.

For further information please contact Lynette Elser at (951) 697-5233 or lelser@blm.gov.

California Desert District Office   22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos      Moreno Valley, CA 92553