Project Name: Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility Eagle Conservation Plan

NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-CA-D070-2018-0065-EA

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-CA-D070-2018-0065-EA
Project Name

Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility Eagle Conservation Plan
Project Type

EA
NEPA Status

Completed - Completed
Lead Office

El Centro Field Office
Last Updated

Project Description

The applicant, Ocotillo Express LLC, is requesting Eagle Act programmatic take coverage for operational activities associated with the Ocotillo Wind. The applicant has requested a 5-year programmatic take permit for golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) under the Eagle Act at the Ocotillo Wind. 

The applicant is also requesting an amendment to their BLM right-of-way (ROW) grant, to allow discontinuation of a system designed to minimize risk to eagles. The golden eagle risk minimization system includes a DeTect Merlin avian radar system; radar-controlled video tracking system, and a full time golden eagle biological monitor to observe any golden eagles flying within the wind facility and to curtail turbines when eagles are at risk of collision. This eagle risk minimization program was required as part of the ROW grant and associated Record of Decision that was signed by the BLM on May 11, 2012.

What's New

BLM Decision
The BLM has posted the EA, Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision Record in the Documents section.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) prepared the Environmental Assessment (EA) in response to a request for an eagle take permit from Ocotillo Express LLC for their Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility. The proposal tiers from the Service’s Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Eagle Rule Revision, December 2016 (PEIS; Service 2016).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) served as a cooperating agency in development of the EA. The BLM responded to Ocotillo Express LLC's request to amend their right-of-way (ROW) grant to allow discontinuation of a system designed to minimize risk to eagles and to change the turbine lighting system from lights that flash all night to lights which turn on only when aircraft are flying near the project.

A 30-day public comment period ran from October 31, 2018 through November 29, 2018. The USFWS and BLM received received four comment submissions: one from the applicant, two from nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and one from a Native American tribe. One of the NGO comment letters combined comments from three different environmental groups: Defenders of Wildlife, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the San Diego Audubon Society/National Audubon Society. USFWS and BLM responses to comments are located in a Response to Comments Matrix posted in the Documents section.

Agency Contact Information
Bureau of Land Management

Carrie Sahagun
Resources Supervisor
Phone: (760) 337-4437
Email: [email protected]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Heather Beeler
Eagle Permit Coordinator
Phone: (916) 414-6651
Email: [email protected]

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Ocotillo	California	92259

Application Information

Applicant

Ocotillo Express LLC
Program

Renewable Energy
Sub-Program

Wind Energy

Project Dates

Start Date

5/30/2018
Decision Date

3/29/2019
FONSI Date

3/29/2019

Project Office Information

Lead Office

El Centro Field Office
Offices

El Centro FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Carrie Sahagun
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(760) 337-4437