The Wind Energy Development Final Programmatic EIS

A guide to the Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS document, the EIS process, scope, and schedule.

The Wind Energy Development Final Programmatic EIS evaluates the potential impacts associated with the proposed action to develop a Wind Energy Development Program, including the adoption of policies and best management practices (BMPs) and the amendment of 52 BLM land use plans to address wind energy development. The Programmatic EIS also evaluates the No Action alternative and a Limited Wind Energy Development Alternative.

The Final PEIS includes proposed amendments to 52 BLM land use plans in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as described in Appendix C of the Final PEIS. BLM land use planning regulations (43 CFR 1610.5-2) state that any person who participated in the planning process, and has an interest that may be adversely affected, may protest. The protest must be filed within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. Instructions for filing of protests are described in the “Dear Reader” letter in the front of Volume 1 of the Final PEIS.

Explore this section to learn more about the Programmatic EIS; what it is, why it is needed, what's in it, how it was prepared and by whom, the schedule for preparing the Programmatic EIS, and information about government-to-government consultation.

Record of Decision Issued

The Record of Decision to implement a Wind Energy Development Program and amend land use plans is now available for downloading or online browsing, in the Documents section of this web site.

Final Programmatic EIS Document Available

The full text of the Wind Energy Development Final Programmatic EIS is available for downloading or online browsing in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The EIS Guide provides an annotated table of content for the main sections of the EIS with links to the text, while the EIS Summary provides an overview of the final PEIS contents and findings.

Programmatic EIS Scope

The scope of the Programmatic EIS includes all BLM-administered lands in the Western United States, excluding Alaska. The Programmatic EIS was prepared by BLM, with assistance from Argonne National Laboratory.

For more information about the scope of the Programmatic EIS, see What's in the Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS.

Programmatic EIS Process and Schedule

Preparation of the Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS is a multi-step process that will be completed in approximately 24 months and included publication of a Draft Programmatic EIS, a Final Programmatic EIS and will include publication of a Record of Decision. These and other programmatic EIS documents are/will be available for downloading and browsing on the Documents page of this web site.

Follow the links in the menu at the left to learn more about the programmatic EIS process, preparers, and schedule, as well as tribal government consultation.

Public participation in the Programmatic EIS is encouraged. See Getting Involved to learn how you can participate in the process.