The Bureau of Land Management has scheduled an additional public meeting for public comment on the Soda Mountain Solar Project’s draft environmental document. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Travelodge Inn and Suites Yucca Valley Meeting Room, 54850 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley.
Two previously announced public comment meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Comfort Suites, 2571 Fisher Blvd., Barstow.
The public meetings are being held to aid the public’s understanding of the project and to solicit written comments on planning issues and the potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that should be considered in the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report.
On Nov. 29, 2013, the BLM published the Notice of Availability for the Soda Mountain Solar Project’s Draft California Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment and a Draft EIS/EIR. The Draft EIS/EIR analyzes the site-specific impacts of the project on air quality, vegetation and wildlife, livestock grazing, cultural resources, water resources, recreation resources, wilderness characteristics, visual resources, and other resources and issues.
Soda Mountain Solar LLC has requested authorization to construct, operate, maintain and decommission the Soda Mountain Solar Project, a photovoltaic facility and necessary ancillary facilities, including a project substation, access road, realignment of an existing designated route (Rasor Road), operations and maintenance buildings and lay down areas. The project is proposed on 4,179 acres with the solar field and associated facilities occupying approximately 2,222 acres. The proposed site is approximately six miles south of the community of Baker and straddles both sides of Interstate 15.
Publication of the NOA initiated a 90-day public comment period that ends on March 3, 2014. Written comments will be accepted at the public meetings. Written comments also may be sent by email to: jchilders@blm.gov, by fax to (951)697-5229, or by mail:
Jeffrey Childers, Project Manager
BLM California Desert District Office
22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Further details about the proposed Soda Mountain Solar Project can be obtained by contacting Childers by phone (951) 697-5308, or e-mail at jchilders@blm.gov, or found on the following website: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/barstow/renewableenergy/soda_mountain/.
Source: BLM
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