The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), California Energy Commission (CEC) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced today the dates and locations of several public meetings for the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS).Public meetings will be held throughout the DRECP planning area and surrounding population centers between Oct. 20 and Nov. 13. The meetings are designed to help the public understand the draft DRECP EIR/EIS and to facilitate public comments. Meetings will include a presentation, information stations and an opportunity to submit recorded verbal and written comments.The draft DRECP is an innovative renewable energy and conservation plan covering more than 22 million acres of land in Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. The draft is the result of collaboration among the BLM, FWS, CEC, CDFW and other stakeholders.The draft proposes to protect areas in the California desert that are important for wildlife, recreation, cultural and other uses while also facilitating the timely permitting of solar, wind and geothermal energy projects and associated transmission in appropriate areas. The draft plan presents six alternative approaches for meeting renewable energy and conservation goals through 2040. Each alternative proposes a different conservation design and configuration of lands available for more efficient and predictable renewable energy project review. The draft plan also includes an analysis of the potential environmental impacts of these alternatives.Public meetings will be held at the locations, dates and times listed below. Some of these meetings will also be broadcast by WebEx to allow for remote attendance. Please visit www.drecp.org to confirm meeting details and WebEx availability.Monday, Oct. 20, 4:00-6:30 p.m.Imperial Irrigation DistrictBoard Room1285 Broadway Ave.El Centro, CA 92243Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6:30-9:00 p.m.Hilton San Diego Mission Valley901 Camino Del Rio SouthSan Diego, CA 92108Monday, Oct. 27, 4:00-6:30 p.m.Statham Hall138 Jackson St.Lone Pine, CA 93545Tuesday, Oct. 28, 4:00-6:30 p.m.Kerr McGee Community Center100 W. California Ave.Ridgecrest, CA 93555Wednesday, Oct. 29, 4:00-6:30 p.m.Hilton Garden Inn12603 Mariposa Rd.Victorville, CA 92395Monday, Nov. 3, 4:00-6:30 p.m.Lancaster City HallCouncil Chambers44933 N. Fern Ave.Lancaster, CA 93534Wednesday, November 5, 4:00-6:30 p.m.Palo Verde Community CollegeRoom CL 1011 College Dr.Blythe, CA 92225Thursday, November 6, 6:30-9:00 p.m.Ontario Convention Center2000 E. Convention Center WayOntario, CA 91764Friday, November 7, 4:00-6:30 p.m.UC Riverside, Palm Desert CenterAuditorium75080 Frank Sinatra Dr.Palm Desert, CA 92211Thursday, Nov. 13, 2:00-4:30 p.m.California Energy CommissionHearing Room A1516 9th St.Sacramento, CA 95814A recorded informational webinar to help the public navigate the DRECP documents is available at www.drecp.org. The webinar may be viewed online, and will also be broadcast on Oct. 9 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at locations listed on the website. The website also contains instructions for providing written comments on the draft document.The DRECP's formal public comment period runs through Jan. 9, 2015.The draft DRECP EIR/EIS is available for review and download at www.drecp.org, and at local libraries and agency offices. A DVD will be provided upon request. To request a DVD, please send an email request to drecp.info@energy.ca.gov or call (866) 674-9996 and provide a mailing address. For a list of local area libraries and agency offices that have the document on file (most are on DVD), please visit www.drecp.org/draftdrecp.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
