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Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Project Name:
Bonanza Solar Project
Responsible Agency:
Bureau of Land Management
Status:
In Progress
POC Name:
Katy Paiva
POC Title:
Project Manager
POC Email:
bonanzasolar@blm.gov

Description:

Bonanza Solar, LLC submitted a right-of-way application for the Bonanza Solar Project to the Bureau of Land Management on December 4, 2020. The application indicated that a plan of development, required for right-of-way applications, would be submitted within 60 days of the application filing.  A preliminary plan of development for the Bonanza Solar Project was submitted on March 5, 2021 and an updated version was provided on August 22, 2022.

 

On April 26, 2023 the BLM determined that it is appropriate to continue processing the right-of-way application, and it will be processed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and all other relevant laws, regulations, and policies.

Milestones:

Issuance of Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (Agency Action)
Completed Date:
Milestone Details

Public scoping is the first formal public participation opportunity for the Bonanza Solar Project. The 45-day public scoping period was initiated when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register on June 5, 2023. The scoping period ended on July 20, 2023.

Scoping (Agency Action)
Completed Date:
Official Notice of Availability of a Draft EIS published in the Federal Register (FR) beginning both the public comment period and concurrent CAA Section 309 Review (Agency Action)
Completed Date:
Official Notice of Availability of a Final EIS published in the FR beginning both the public review period and concurrent CAA Section 309 Review (Agency Action)
  • Non-conformance Explanation:
    The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) missed the June 5, 2025 milestone to publish the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).  Per 42 U.S.C.§ 4370m-2(c)(2)(F), BLM is required to provide an alternative completion date and an initial explanation for the missed completion date by June 13, 2025. BLM has provided the initial explanation for the missed date, but has not yet provided the required alternative completion date.  The Executive Director is working directly with BLM leadership to ensure an alternative completion date is determined and represented on the permitting timetable as soon as possible. The DOI-BLM internal review and briefing process is occurring during a transition period for new Bureau and Department leadership. As such, the review of the project is requiring enhanced coordination that has affected the timeline for this project.
Alternative Completion Date:
Milestone Details

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) missed the June 5, 2025 milestone to publish the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). 

The DOI-BLM internal review and briefing process is occurring during a transition period for new Bureau and Department leadership. As such, the review of the project is requiring enhanced coordination that has affected the timeline for this project.

Issuance of Lead Agency Record of Decision (Agency Action)
Current Target Date:


View Action's Modification History