SAFFORD — The Bureau of Land Management will host a virtual forum to share information and receive public input on a right-of-way application for a proposed solar project located within a designated solar variance area in Graham County.
The Calypte Solar Project would consist of a 685-megawatt solar energy facility and battery storage system on 6,340 acres of BLM-managed land in the Safford Field Office, Gila District, about nine miles southeast of the city of Safford.
The virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. and is expected to last about one hour. Participants can register in advance via Zoom.
BLM staff will provide a short introduction followed by a presentation from the project applicant. Members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input on the proposal. BLM will record the meeting and post it to the BLM Arizona YouTube channel.
As part of the solar variance application process, BLM gathers information during the public input period and uses that input to determine whether to continue processing the application. If BLM continues to process a solar variance application, it is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act review process, including environmental review and additional opportunities for public involvement.
Interested parties may also submit comments until Sept. 16 via email at blm_az_sfo_solar@blm.gov (preferred) or via mail to the BLM Safford Field Office, Attn: Ron Peru, 711 14th Ave., Safford, AZ 85546.
Project information, including maps and preliminary environmental screening, is available on the BLM National NEPA Register.
