BLM schedules public scoping meeting on Crimson Solar Project

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management, California

BLM Office:

California Desert District Office

Media Contact:

Solar Panels in the Desert.  Photo courtesy of Tom Brewster Photography.MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, has scheduled a public scoping meeting for the proposed Crimson Solar Project in eastern Riverside County on  April 3 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the BLM Palm Springs South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262.                    

A Notice of Intent to prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report and possible Land Use Plan Amendment for the proposed RE Crimson Solar Project in eastern Riverside County was published in the Federal Register on March 9. The public is encouraged to comment on issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed action.

Sonoran West Solar Holdings LLC., has requested a right-of-way (ROW) authorization to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission an up to 350-megawatt photovoltaic facility along with necessary ancillary facilities, including up to eight project substations, access roads, operations and maintenance buildings, and lay-down areas. The project site consists of approximately 2,700 acres of BLM-managed land.

In coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the BLM will prepare a joint-Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report and possibly a Plan Amendment to analyze the site-specific impacts of the proposed BLM ROW grant and other permit approvals required by CDFW, as well as potential amendments to the California Desert District Area Plan.

The scoping comments received will be considered during preparation of the draft environmental documents; comments will be available for public review in summer 2018. The environmental review will analyze the site-specific impacts on various resources. 

Public comments may be submitted by email to: blm_ca_crimsonsolar@blm.gov; or by fax with Attn: Crimson Solar Project to: 760-833-7199; or by mail to: Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Crimson Solar Project, 1201 Bird Center Dr., Palm Springs, CA  92262.

Further details can be found at the BLM webpage at: https://eplanning.blm.gov. For more information, contact Miriam Liberatore, project manager, 541-618-2412, or email: mliberat@blm.gov.


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.