Dry Lake Wind Project assessment completed; Public comments welcome through March 14

A Bureau of Land Management unsigned Finding of No Significant Impact and supporting Environmental Assessment for the proposed Dry Lake Wind Project are available for public review and comment through March 14.

The BLM is seeking comments pertaining to its assessment and the determination that an environmental impact statement is not needed. The impact document is unsigned to allow for further public input.

To respond to an application submitted in the summer of 2007 by PPM Energy Inc., the BLM Safford Field Office analyzed the impacts of the proposed action to the entire project area. The proposed action is to construct wind turbines, access roads, collector lines, a substation, and operations and maintenance facilities on private, state and public lands. The BLM decision to grant a right of way will apply only to BLM-managed public lands.

The proposed Dry Lake Wind Project would be located six to 18 miles north-northwest of the town of Snowflake, just east of State Highway 377 and southwest of the I-40 corridor. The project would provide up to 378 megawatts (MW) of wind energy and consist of multiple phases:

• Phase I would include 64 MW of wind energy with up to 43 wind turbines, access roads, an interconnection substation, an operations and maintenance facility, and collector lines to transmit the generated energy to the substation. The turbines would range in size from 1.5 to 3.0 MW each.

• Subsequent phases would include comparable facilities able to provide a total of up to 314 MW of additional wind-generated energy. Turbines would also range in size between 1.5 and 3.0 MW. The total number of project turbines for subsequent phases would be between 105 and 209.

The unsigned assessment and supporting environmental assessment are available for public review and comment. Those who participated in earlier public outreach efforts for this project and indicated their wish to receive the assessment will automatically receive a copy of these two documents.

Copies of both documents are also available by contacting BLM Project Manager Roberta Lopez by mail at the Safford Field Office, 711 14th Ave., Safford, AZ 85546; by phone at 928-348-4437; or by e-mail at Roberta_Lo-pez@blm.gov. The two documents are available in printed format and on a CD. Both are also available on the Internet.

The documents can also be viewed at these locations:

• BLM Safford Field Office, 711 14th Ave., in Safford

• Snowflake-Taylor Public Library, 418 South Fourth West in Snowflake

• Holbrook Public Library, 403 Park Street in Holbrook

Comments should specifically address the BLM's finding that the impacts of the action are not significant and that an environmental impact statement is not needed. Mail or e-mail written comments to Roberta Lopez at the addresses listed above. If sending comments via e-mail, you must include "PPM Dry Lake Wind Project" in the subject line.

The deadline for receipt of comments is March 14. After the public review and comment period ends, any substantive comments will be incorporated into the EA.