Oct. 9, 2013 – After extensive environmental analysis and stakeholder collaboration through the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, the U.S. Department of the Interior signed a Record of Decision on Oct. 9, 2012, approving the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy site as suitable for wind energy development. The ROD authorized subsequent site-specific environmental analysis to proceed, with all analysis to be tiered to the decisions, terms and conditions outlined in the project-wide EIS and ROD documents.

In compliance with the ROD, the Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office opened public scoping on Sept. 9 for a Site-Specific Environmental Assessment for Infrastructure Components for the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project. This first EA covers Power Company of Wyoming LLC’s plans of development for its Phase 1 Haul Road and Facilities, West Sinclair Rail Facility, and Road Rock Quarry. The BLM hosted two public scoping meetings on Sept. 23 in Saratoga and Sept. 24 in Rawlins to provide opportunities for the public to learn about and comment on the project and the EA.

Because access to the NEPA documents on the BLM website has not been available since Oct. 1, PCW has re-posted PDFs of all of the relevant posters and handouts that were shared at the public meetings on its website. To view these materials, including a copy of the BLM comment form, visit PCW’s environmental assessment page.

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