Abstract
This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) analyzes the environmental consequences of seven proposals to construct and operate large-scale wind turbine fields on approximately 12,780 acres of public land in the San Gorgonio Pass located northwest of Palm Springs, California in Riverside County. The proposed wind farms would include turbine installations, several transmission lines to collect power and interconnect into the local power network, the installation of new substations, and construction of access roads to support system requirements. In addition to these proposals one application has been received for the right to wind access across public lands. Alternatives to the proposed project include: development on public lands expect where significant surface conflicts exist and no action. Major environmental issues are related to aesthetics, threatened and endangered animal and plant species, bird migration, changes in land use, socioeconomics, noise and communications interference.