Agency Milestone Date of 09/15/2026 for Section 106 consultation concluded (Agency Action) has passed by 1 business days
California
Milestones:
-
Non-conformance Explanation:In May 2026, USACE consulted with the California SHPO pursuant to the Section 106 process for a revised project description. The SHPO did not concur with the USACE Section 106 determination and requested additional information. In response to the SHPO’s concerns, the sponsor and USACE provided additional information and completed a site visit with consulting parties. Additionally, USACE consulted with the ACHP and received their recommendation. In response to the ACHP consultation, the sponsor proposed additional minimization efforts and as recommended by ACHP, USACE provided the consulting parties with a summary response to comments on September 9 and facilitated a meeting with consulting parties on September 14, 2026, the earliest available time. USACE anticipates concluding the Section 106 process by October 15, 2026.
-
Non-conformance Explanation:In May 2026, USACE consulted with the California SHPO pursuant to the Section 106 process for a revised project description. The SHPO did not concur with the USACE Section 106 determination and requested additional information. In response to the SHPO’s concerns, the sponsor and USACE provided additional information and completed a site visit with consulting parties. Additionally, USACE consulted with the ACHP and received their recommendation. In response to the ACHP consultation, the sponsor proposed additional minimization efforts and as recommended by ACHP, USACE provided the consulting parties with a summary response to comments on September 9 and facilitated a meeting with consulting parties on September 14, 2026, the earliest available time. USACE anticipates concluding the Section 106 process by October 15, 2026.
All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
IN PROGRESS
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
11/20/2026
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED
SECTOR
Mining
CATEGORY
Project Category
FAST-41 Covered Projects
LEAD AGENCY
Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory
View FAST-41 Postings by Agencies
Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Description:
The Hell’s Kitchen Critical Minerals & Power Project will convert geothermal brine into steam to generate electrical energy. The power plant will use the geothermal brine to produce electrical power from its steam and the direct lithium extraction plant will convert the dissolved lithium into battery-grade lithium hydroxide and/or lithium carbonate for the battery industry. The Project is located southeast of the Salton Sea, Calipatria, California.
The Executive Director granted a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers request to extend completion dates for all actions on October 10, 2025. The Executive Director Determination is posted here.
-
Non-conformance Explanation:In May 2026, USACE consulted with the California SHPO pursuant to the Section 106 process for a revised project description. The SHPO did not concur with the USACE Section 106 determination and requested additional information. In response to the SHPO’s concerns, the sponsor and USACE provided additional information and completed a site visit with consulting parties. Additionally, USACE consulted with the ACHP and received their recommendation. In response to the ACHP consultation, the sponsor proposed additional minimization efforts and as recommended by ACHP, USACE provided the consulting parties with a summary response to comments on September 9 and facilitated a meeting with consulting parties on September 14, 2026, the earliest available time. USACE anticipates concluding the Section 106 process by October 15, 2026.