PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management today opened a 30-day public

comment period to gather input for an environmental assessment for the proposed Easley Solar project in Riverside County. The comment period closes Oct. 15, 2023.

The BLM plans to hold an in-person public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at UCR Palm Desert, Room: B114-117 located at 75080 Frank Sinatra Dr., in Palm Desert, CA 92211, please register HERE to attend virtually.

 IP Easley, a subsidiary of Intersect Power LLC, proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission the Easley Renewable Energy Project on approximately 2,700 acres of BLM-managed public lands and 990 acres of private lands north of Desert Center on I-10. If approved, the project could generate and store up to 400 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy and deliver renewable electricity to the statewide transmission grid.

“The BLM has a vital role in meeting the Nation’s energy needs through the responsible development of renewable energy resources on public lands,” said BLM California State Director Karen Mouritsen. “We are committed to conducting a thorough science-based review of the proposed Easley Solar project and value public input.”  

The proposed Easley Solar Project would be constructed on Development Focus Area-designated lands in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, a landscape-level plan that streamlines renewable energy development, while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities. The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan is focused on 10.8 million acres of public lands in the desert regions of seven California counties – Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego.

Written comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” function on the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred), emailed to blm_ca_cdd_easley_solar@blm.gov, or mailed/hand delivered to the Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office at 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

For additional information, please contact the Tammy Faust, Project Manager, at 505-427-6759.

The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote the development of these energy sources, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands. The efficient deployment of renewable energy from our nation’s public lands is crucial in achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, as well as Congress’ direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands no later than 2025.

ALTURAS, Calif. —  The Bureau of Land Management today began a 30-day public comment period on a draft environmental analysis for the proposed expansion of gold exploration on approximately 200 acres of public lands at the site of the former Hog Ranch Mine in Washoe County, Nev. The comment period will end October 30, 2023.

The project, proposed by Hog Ranch Minerals Inc., would include improved, permanent and temporary access roads, drill pads, exploration drill holes, a staging area and a water well, mostly on the previously disturbed mine site. During the environmental analysis, the BLM will consider impacts to cultural and biological resources, including opportunities to minimize impacts to sensitive plant species and special status wildlife species.

“The BLM has been fully engaged with cooperators, including the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Technical Team, to make sure this proposed exploration meets the highest level of environmental protection,” said BLM Applegate Field Office Manager Craig Drake. “We look forward to hearing from the public on our work as we consider appropriate mitigation measures for this project.”

Comments can be emailed to BLM_CA_Web_AP@blm.gov (preferred) or mailed to ATTN: Craig Drake, Surprise Field Station BLM, 602 Cressler Street, Cedarville, CA 96104. Please add “Hog Ranch Exploration Project” in the subject line.

Maps and additional information about the project are available at the BLM NEPA Register, or by calling the BLM Surprise Field Station at 530-279-6101.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on the Control-Silver Peak project proposal to update existing transmission lines in Inyo and Mono counties to increase safety and reliability.

Southern California Edison proposes to replace and consolidate structures to increase ground clearance on two existing 55-kilovolt transmission lines, along approximately 61 miles of the Control-Silver Peak lines, which would meet California Public Utility Commission standards and bring the lines into compliance.

“This project ensures the safety and reliability of existing transmission lines and will improve energy transmission generation on public land,” said Shelly Lynch, BLM California Desert District Manager.

The proposed project would support approximately 350 construction jobs and would rebuild components of the existing transmission system to ensure reliability and delivery of clean energy to more than 25,000 people in the surrounding communities.

The Notice of Intent in the Federal Register opens a public comment period until Feb. 12, 2024. The public can help identify issues, suggest alternatives, or provide information for potential consideration in the Environmental Impact Statement.

As part of the scoping process, the Bureau of Land Management will hold one virtual and two in-person public meetings on the following dates/times at the BLM Bishop Field Office – USFS Inyo National Forest Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, CA 93514.

• In-person: Tuesday, January 16, from 2 – 4 p.m. and Wednesday, January 17, from noon – 2 p.m.
• Virtual: Wednesday, January 24, from noon – 2 p.m. The public must register to participate in the virtual public meeting. Registrants will receive a link and phone number to join the meeting.

Public comments can be submitted in the following ways:

• Email comments to: BLM_CA_CA_TLRR_ControlSilverPeak@blm.gov   
• Mail or hand deliver comments in an envelope labeled “Control-Silver Peak Project EIS” to Joan Patrovsky, Project Manager, Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
• Fax: 760-833-7199

The Control-Silver Peak line western terminus is the Control Substation, approximately five miles west of Bishop in Inyo County, and the eastern terminus is at Fish Valley Substation, approximately six miles west of the California-Nevada border. For more information contact Joan Patrovsky, Bureau of Land Management Project Manager, 951-214-1775, or visit the Control Silver Peak Project BLM’s .