Chokecherry-Sierra Madre Wind Energy (Phase 1)

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Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Wyoming Description: The first phase of the Chokecherry Sierra Madre (CCSM) Wind Energy Project  proposes to build 500 wind turbines in Carbon County, Wyoming.  Early coordination has resulted in numerous mutually-agreed upon wildlife monitoring practices that will improve the siting of wind turbines. Additionally, the project proponent has significantly modified its proposed action to take into account issues raised by the public with regards to potential conflicts with other resource uses in the area. Once completed, the project will have the capacity to generate up to 1,500 megawatts of clean, renewable power -- enough to run nearly 500,000 homes. The programmatic Record of Decision (ROD) was signed October 2012 that determines that wind energy development is appropriate within a portion of the 219,707-acre conceptual area of development for the CCSM Project.   An Environmental Assessment for Infrastructure Components (EA1) and Decision Record (DR) on the Phase I Haul Road and Facilities, Road Rock Quarry and West Sinclair Rail Facility was signed by the Department of the Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management on Dec. 23, 2014.  The decision was later amended in May 2016.  This amendment provided management flexibility to issue multiple right-of-way grants as provided for by the CCSM ROD.  ROW grants were issued for the Infrastructure Components and construction commenced in August 2016. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Phase I Wind Turbine Development Draft Environmental Assessment (EA2) and Draft Finding of No New Significant Impacts (FONNSI) in March 2016, prepared consistent with the tiering procedures outlined in the ROD for the CCSM Wind Energy Project. After reviewing public comments, the BLM completed the environmental analysis and signed a Decision Record approving the turbine development on January 17, 2017. The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) also completed an Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project on December 9, 2016. Additional information is available on the ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do?methodName=renderDefaultPlanOrProjectSite&projectId=58548

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