BLM Adds Public Meeting for Stateline Solar in San Bernardino County

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has added a Jan. 10, 2013, public meeting in Barstow for the proposed 300-megawatt Stateline Solar Farm on the California side of the Nevada border.  The Barstow meeting will be held Jan. 10 at the Holiday Inn Express – Lenwood, 2700 Lenwood Road, Barstow, CA 92311 from 6-9 p.m.
The BLM will use the public comments received to prepare the final environmental documents and plan amendment regarding the project.

Public meetings will also be held on Jan. 9 from 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at the Primm Valley Golf Club, 1 Yates Well Road, Nipton, CA 92364. 

First Solar Development, Inc. applied to the BLM for a right-of-way on 2,143 acres of public lands to construct a photovoltaic solar energy generation power plant facility about two miles south of the Nevada-California border.

The agency-preferred alternative in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) shifts the boundary of the project to reduce impacts to desert tortoise, cultural resources and other Rights of Way in the area. The preferred alternative allows for a larger home range and connectivity area for desert tortoise, including those relocated from the nearby Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System currently under construction.

The Federal Register published the Notice Of Availability of the DEIS on Friday, Nov. 23, initiating a public comment period of 90 days, ending Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.  During the comment period, the BLM will solicit public comment on planning issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed action. 

Further details on the proposed solar energy project can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/needles/stateline_solar_farm.html.  For information, contact Jeffery Childers at (951) 697-5308, or e-mail jchilders@blm.gov.

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