Scoping Period on Geothermal Energy Development Extended to June 26
The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) has extended the deadline for public comments on the scope of the environmental analysis on the potential impact of geothermal energy development on Forest Service land from June 12 to June 26, 2015.
The two-week extension is in response to requests received at public scoping meetings on June 1 and 2 to give the public more time to submit comments on the proposed project.
The U.S. Geological Survey has identified approximately 195,000 acres within the boundaries of the SFNF with “significant geothermal potential,” and the Bureau of Land Management has received expressions of interest in leasing approximately 46,000 acres of SFNF land for geothermal exploration and development.
The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed geothermal leasing project as part of the decision-making process on whether to open certain SFNF lands to geothermal leasing. The EIS will include issues raised at the public meetings and in public comments received through June 26.
Written comments may be sent via email to comments-southwestern-santafe@fs.fed.us, via facsimile to 505.438.5390, or via postal service to:
Geothermal EIS Project
Santa Fe National Forest
11 Forest Lane
Santa Fe, NM 87508
Additional information on the geothermal leasing proposal and project documents are posted on the Schedule of Proposed Actions and on the SFNF website under Alerts and Notices.