I have spent some time on the DRECP website and it appears we have
problem.
Rockhounds are in danger of losing two well known local collecting spots
to solar and/or wind farm development. Both Lonely Butte aka Brown Butte
and Gem Hill lie directly in the Development Focus area of the DRECP.
Both of these spots are in the Gem Trails of Southern California books
and have been used by Rockhounds for decades.
The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), a major component
of California's renewable energy planning effort. It is designed to
streamline and fast track the permitting process for huge solar and wind
development in the California Deserts.
The pink areas on the attached maps are marked as Development focus areas. There will be little or no further hearings on development in the focus areas. The projects will be essentially already approved in these areas.
The required meetings for comments are currently in progress. There is
one in Lancaster next Monday. Please attend if you can to make it known we want
to be able to continue to access these areas and keep them open for
future generations of Rockhounds.
Public Meeting for the Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan
(DRECP) EIR/EIS - Lancaster, CA
Monday, November 3, 2014
4:00-6:30 p.m.
Lancaster City Hall
Council Chambers
44933 N. Fern Ave.
Lancaster, CA 93534
Public comments can also be submitted in writing.
Go to the website:
http://drecp.org for information on how to comment,
maps and much more.
I have created a Facebook Page - Save Gem Hill & Lonely Butte to unit Rockhounds and provide information on how to comment and what to do as I figure it out myself.
Speak up or we may loose these awesome spots.
Ruth Hidalgo
