The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are seeking public comment on an environmental assessment of the proposed Two Rivers Wind Energy Project, which would be located near the Towns of Medicine Bow and Rock River in Carbon and Albany counties, Wyoming.
The proposed project includes up to 79 wind turbines that could generate up to 420 megawatts of renewable energy. The environmental assessment analyzes potential effects for the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the commercial wind energy facility proposed on lands administered by the BLM that are interspersed with private and state lands. The two agencies coordinated in the preparation of the environmental assessment and, if applicable, will issue a joint Finding of No Significant Impact. Other decision documents, such as permit authorizations and decision records, will be completed separately for each agency.
Additionally, the assessment analyzes the environmental consequences of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issuing an incidental eagle take permit for the project. Bald and golden eagle populations are located around the project area. Should the project be approved, a compensatory mitigation plan would be developed in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, based on the estimated annual eagle mortalities.
The project involves development of two wind development phases that are geographically separate (Two Rivers Phase I-III and Phase IV) and associated transmission lines to connect both wind development phases to PacifiCorp’s Freezeout substation. Two Rivers Phase I-III would be located in Carbon County on approximately 15,657 acres of private, BLM, and state lands north of US 30/287 and the Town of Medicine Bow. Two Rivers Phase IV would be located in Albany County on approximately 4,500 acres of private lands south of US 30/287 and west of the Town of Rock River.
Should the project be constructed, it would result in numerous jobs and significant investments in both the local community and the State of Wyoming through lease payments and tax revenues. It is anticipated that construction would commence first on Phase I-III, followed by construction on Phase IV. Commercial operations for all wind development areas are expected in late 2024.
The draft environmental assessment and other application materials are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2003881/510 for 30 days to solicit comments. For more information on the Two Rivers Wind Energy Project, contact BLM Wyoming Public Affairs Specialist Azure Hall at 307-274-5591.
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*Note: The public comment period has been extended until December 23, 2022.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
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