RIDGECREST, Calif. – Today, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Notice to Proceed authorizing Avangrid to begin construction of the Camino Solar Project, a 44-megawatt solar photovoltaic facility that will be located on 233 acres of public lands and 150 acres of adjoining private land in Kern County.

“The Camino Solar Project will expand access to clean energy for Californians and increase reliability for the state’s power grid,” said BLM California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch. “Projects like this one support the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy by adding more carbon-free electricity to the grid, creating jobs, and boosting local economies.”

The project is expected to employ 150 people during peak construction, include a 34.5-kV underground electrical collector line, and connect to the existing Southern California Edison Whirlwind Substation through the Manzana Wind Substation and associated 220 kV generation-tie line.

The project is in an area scientifically analyzed and identified as suitable for clean energy development as part of the BLM’s Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. The plan focuses on 10.8 million acres of public lands in the desert regions of seven California counties to streamline renewable energy development, while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities.

Additional information, including National Environmental Policy Act documents, are available on the BLM National NEPA Register.

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. 

RIDGECREST, Calif. – A proposed project to increase water supply in Kern County is now open for public comment.

The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority has proposed a water pipeline that would be partially located on Bureau of Land Management public lands in Kern County in order to provide additional water to the City of Ridgecrest and the Indian Wells Valley.

The Groundwater Authority originally identified this project in a Groundwater Sustainability Plan published in 2020 and approved by the California Department of Water Resources in 2022. The proposed pipeline would stretch between California City and Ridgecrest and include a right-of-way and authorization to construct a 50-mile buried pipeline up to 24-inches in diameter, of which 21 miles would pass through BLM-managed public lands.

If approved, the pipeline would originate at the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency located in California City and terminate at the Indian Wells Valley Water District’s Ridgecrest Heights Water Storage Tank southwest of Ridgecrest. The proposed project would also include the construction of three booster pump stations and a regulating station, which would be necessary to pump the water over the El Paso Mountains between California City and Ridgecrest.

The proposed project area is partly located within three Areas of Critical Environmental Concern: El Paso to Golden Valley, Western Rand Mountains and Fremont-Kramer. The project plan would include design features to mitigate potential conflict with the desert tortoise, Mohave ground squirrel, and other natural and cultural resources in these areas.

Release of the project documents begins a 30-day public scoping period, during which the public can identify issues, suggest alternatives or provide information for potential consideration. Substantive written comments must be received by November 4, 2023. Members of the public may review the documents and submit comments via the BLM NEPA Register website, by email at mwiegmann@blm.gov, by fax at 760-384-5499 or by mail to the BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, Attention: Paul Rodriquez, 300 S. Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.

For additional information, please contact BLM Realty Specialist Paul Rodriquez at prodriqu@blm.gov.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office plans to conduct prescribed fire operations of up to 120 piles of downed hazard trees, branches and understory brush in the Walker Pass Campground and 75 piles in the Keysville North area of the Keysville Special Recreation Area. Burn operations will commence on Oct. 26, and will continue through the end of 2023.

Some of the pile burns will take place in the surrounding areas of the Chimney Peak Recreation Area, located just off of California State Highway 178 and at the junction of the Owens Peak and Cache Peak segments of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail in Kern County. Burn operations in the Keysville North area will be located west of California State Highway 155, near the communities of Wofford Heights and Lake Isabella in Kern County.

“The prescribed burns are part of a multi-year fuels reduction effort to strategically reduce hazard trees; remove ladder fuels, which can feed flames to the treetops; and overgrown brush on the forest floor,” said Bakersfield Field Manager Gabriel Garcia. “These treatments improve landscape health by removing hazardous fuels near developed recreation areas and campgrounds and help increase protection of the BLM facilities.”

Planned burning will take place only when weather and fuel moisture allow for safe and successful operations. Smoke may be visible in the area for several days once burning operations are complete.

The Bakersfield Field Office remains under fire restrictions due to dry conditions and high wildland fire danger. The seasonal fire order will remain in effect until further notice. Fire personnel will take additional precautions while conducting prescribed burns during fire restrictions. The public will be notified when current restrictions are rescinded.

The BLM is committed to keeping public landscapes healthy and productive. Updates will be provided by BLM using the #RxBurn through its social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, please call the BLM Bakersfield Field Office at 661-391-6000.