Forest Seeks Comment on Geothermal Lease in Mt. Baker Area

The American Alpine Institute just received the following email:

Everett, Wash., April 20, 2012—The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is seeking public comment until May 20 on whether to lease a portion of 5,500 acres of land nominated for geothermal exploration and development, located southeast of the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area and west of Baker Lake.

This project will evaluate the suitability of the area for leasing and determine stipulations to minimize potential impacts on natural resources.  The Bureau of Land Management manages subsurface resources on federal lands and nominated the area for lease and development. If the Forest Service allows BLM to lease the area, that agency would later conduct additional environmental analysis of specific locations for exploratory drilling, production wells and a power plant.

To comment or ask questions about this project, email project leader Eric Ozog or call him at 360-691-4396. Written comments may also be mailed to Mt. Baker Ranger District, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284-1263.