Public Meetings Scheduled
RAWLINS –The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rawlins Field Office is seeking public comment on the environmental assessment (EA) of infrastructure components for the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre (CCSM) Wind Energy Project and draft finding of no significant impact (FONSI).
This EA is tiered to the 2012 CCSM Wind Energy Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD), which approved the 219,707-acre project site as suitable for wind energy development, subject to additional review of individual plans of development to ensure compliance with overall ROD requirements.
The EA analyzes potential impacts from the site-specific plans of development for the haul road and facilities, road rock quarry and West Sinclair rail facility. Based on the analysis, no new or significant impacts were identified beyond those already disclosed in the EIS.
The CCSM project consists of two wind development areas with 1,000 turbines and ancillary facilities south of Rawlins, Wyo. Each wind turbine will generate up to three megawatts (MW) of electricity, with a total project capacity of up to 3,000 MW – enough energy to power nearly one million homes. Turbines will be constructed in two phases over an estimated eight-year span.
The BLM has scheduled two open houses for the public to ask questions and submit comments about the EA and draft FONSI. They will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Aug. 25, Platte Valley Community Center, 210 W. Elm Ave., Saratoga, Wyo.; and Aug. 26, Jeffrey Center, 315 W. Pine St., Rawlins, Wyo. Each meeting will include a presentation at 5:30 p.m.
Written comments on the EA and draft FONSI will be accepted until Sept. 10. Comments may be emailed to BLM_WY_PCW_windfarm@blm.gov with “Infrastructure EA Comment” in the subject line; faxed to 307-328-4224; or mailed or delivered to BLM Rawlins Field Office, Attn: Heather Schultz, CCSM Infrastructure EA, 1300 N. Third St., P.O. Box 2407, Rawlins WY 82301.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
For more information, please visit www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/documents/rfo/Chokecherry.html or contact Heather Schultz at 307-328-4215.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the individual above during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the below individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
Rodgers Canyon Management Plan
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rawlins Field Office has issued the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and decision record (DR) for the Rogers Canyon Resource Protection, Public Access and Travel Management Plan.
In response to public concerns regarding the degradation of the 640-acre recreation area, the BLM will provide a preferred area for safer target shooting, construct three vehicle parking areas, deter illegal dumping with 1.15 miles of fence along the south side of County Road 17, limit off-highway vehicles to a 65-inch or less width, close eight extraneous routes with engineering, erosion or routing problems and offer more education about and enforcement of existing rules and policies.
The environmental assessment, FONSI and DR are available atwww.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/documents/rfo/rogers_canyon.html or the Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. Third St., Rawlins, Wyo.
For more information, please contact Amanda Strand at 307-328-4205.
