Aluminum plant EIR expected by mid-November

The Environmental Impact Report on a proposed 964-acre aluminum direct chill billet casting facility in Lenwood is expected to be released by November, officials say.

Economic Development and Planning Manager Gaither Lowenstein confirmed recently that he anticipates releasing the public review draft by mid-November. Mojave Aluminum President Eric Shen said he is a little more optimistic.

"We are hoping to have the consultants sign off on the draft for administrative city review and public review sometime in October," Shen said by phone Wednesday.

The $201 million proposed aluminum plant is targeted for a site at the southeast corner of Gazana Street and Amarylis Avenue. City Manager Curt Mitchell had last reported on the plant's progress at the August 25 City Council meeting.

During a public scoping meeting on the project, held in April, Loewenstein said the site will be developed with an aluminum direct chill billet casting facility. It will include a 500,000-square-foot cast house, 11,000-square-foot office building, on-site water treatment and power plants, and a primary metal storage area.

Loewenstein said the facility will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He also said the project site would be designed to be visually screened from surrounding uses through the construction of a landscaped berm. "We're making fantastic progress," Shen said. He explained that more time was given for analysis and finding ways to reduce water consumption. Shen also said he still expects to break ground on the project in March.