BLM issued its Draft EIS in August 2018; FWS received a complete and sufficient Biological Assessment on October 25, 2018 and anticipated concluding consultation within the 135 days provided by statute; however, due to a lapse in appropriations the government was shut down for 35 days. FWS anticipates concluding consultation by April 15, 2019, which allows for the entire 135 days provided by statute. BLM does not anticipate issuing its FEIS until May of 2019, and its ROD in July of 2019. Issuing the BO by April 15, 2019, will not delay any other project-related actions.
PROJECT WEBSITE: Bureau of Land Management Desert Quartzite Home Page
All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
COMPLETE
COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
08/04/2020
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED
SECTOR
Renewable Energy Production
CATEGORY
Project Category
FAST-41 Covered Projects
LEAD AGENCY
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Description:
The Project would be located approximately 2.75 miles southwest of the City of Blythe, just south of the Interstate 10 freeway, in Riverside County, California. The Project involves construction of a 450 MW solar facility and a 3 mile long 230 kilovolt transmission line that would connect with Southern California Edison’s Colorado Substation. After construction, the Project would occupy up to 2,673 acres of BLM land and 154 acres of private land under the jurisdiction of the County of Riverside. Once completed, the Project would also include an operations and maintenance building, an on-site substation, internal access roads, and ancillary facilities.
Milestone: Conclusion of ESA Consultation
Requested extensions greater than 30 days for this Action are shown below:
Conclusion of ESA Consultation by 35 days
From: 03/11/2019
To: 04/15/2019