15 Feb 2010

The proposed White Mountain Wind Energy Project, spearheaded by Tasco Engineering, could result in the construction of up to 240 wind turbines on top of White Mountain as part of a 360-megawatt electrical generating facility. Project costs could reach $200 million. If costs exceed $170 million, review by the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council would be triggered.

White Mountain is a popular recreation area located near Rock Springs and Green River, just north of Interstate 80. The project area would impact a number of significant cultural resource sites, including the Overland Trail, the North Cherokee Trail, Pilot Butte which has guided thousands of travelers through centuries of migration, significant Native American cultural sites, and historic wagon roads from early settlement days. The BLM is currently examining whether the area qualifies for the National Register as either a Rural Historic Landscape or a Traditional Cultural Property. The mountain is also home to elk, deer, wild horses, sage grouse and other species. The area also includes the recently developed Wild Horse Loop which runs along the rim and slope of White Mountain. In all, the proposed project area includes approximately 13,165 acres includes about 8,527 acres of lands privately owned by Anadarko and the Rock Springs Grazing Association.

The recently released Environmental Assessment (EA) can be reviewed online here. Public comments will be accepted on the proposal until March 10. People attending the public sessions can turn in their comments there. Otherwise, they can be Turn on JavaScript! or by surface mail to Bureau of Land Management, Rock Springs Field Office, Attn: White Mountain Wind Energy Project, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, WY 82901. AHW's comments on this project can be read here.