Wind Energy Site Proposed for Johnson Valley OHV Area

Florida Power and Light has begun the permitting process necessary to develop a wind energy power generation site in the Fry Mountains of California's Mojave Desert. The Fry Mountains are located within the boundaries of the Johnson Valley OHV Area operated by the Bureau of Land Management.

Key to the permitting process is obtaining the permission of the BLM to construct the complex of 23 towers and necessary infrastructure to support required maintenance. A Federal Register Notice beginning the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) review is expect in the January-February 2008 timeframe.

Johnson Valley is a popular recreation area and home to some extremely popular four wheel drive rock-crawling trails -- Sledgehammer, Jackhammer, Outer Limits are a few of the noted trails.

The FPL officials do not expect their turbine towers to have a significant impact on recreation opportunity and no special fences or restrictions are planned. Citing public safety and security concerns, officials do caution that a power sub-station will be constructed that will be fenced.

Download a copy of the project description from: http://www.muirnet.net/Public/content/2007/12/project-description.pdf

Project Description