BLM Initiates Segregation near Searchlight to Facilitate Additional Analysis of Searchlight Wind Project
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Las Vegas – The Bureau of Land Management announced today a segregation of lands near Searchlight to allow the agency to complete a Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a proposed wind energy facility in response to a recent Federal Court decision. While valid existing rights remain in effect, no new mining claims can be filed for the area during the environmental analysis period.
On Oct. 30, 2015, a Federal judge vacated the BLM's record of decision, Final Environmental Impact Statement and Biological Opinion supporting the right-of-way grant for the Searchlight Wind Project, citing insufficient protections for species such as the desert tortoise and bald eagle. In order to remedy the deficiencies identified by the court, the BLM will undertake a Supplemental FEIS. The purpose of the two-year segregation is to facilitate efficient processing of the Supplemental FEIS and avoid conflicts between renewable energy generation and new mining claims. The lands remain open to discretionary actions, such as rights-of-way and land use permits and to the mineral leasing laws.
The notice segregates the Searchlight Wind project area of nearly 18,790 acres of Federal land from appropriation pursuant to the public land laws, including location pursuant to the General Mining Law of 1872, subject to valid existing rights. This segregation does not apply to oil and gas leases under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 or sales of materials such as sand and gravel under the Mineral Materials Act of 1947. The segregation is necessary to prevent the filing of mining claims in the project area, which would hinder the development of the project and increase costs of the project. This temporary segregation does not affect valid existing rights in mining claims located before this segregation notice. Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements, or discretionary land use authorizations of a temporary nature, which would not impact lands identified in this notice, may be allowed with the approval of an authorized officer of the BLM during the period of segregation.
For more information, please call Greg Helseth at 702-515-5173.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.