On October 24, 2008, Safford Field Manager Scott Cooke signed the Record of Decision and right-of-way grant authorizing Arizona's first wind energy project on public lands. Arizona State Land Commissioner Mark Winkleman concurrently signed the State's authorization for the project. The signing took place at the BLM Arizona State Office with approximately 50 invited guests looking on. Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Steve Allred and Arizona State Director Elaine Zielinski were among the dignitaries who participated in the event. Iberdrola Renewables will construct Phase 1 of the Dry Lake Wind Project in Navajo County in 2009, with wind energy generated to be fed into the Salt River Project's electricity grid.

Seated are Mark Winkleman, Arizona State Land Commissioner and Scott Cooke, BLM Safford Field Manager. Standing are Rany Raviv, Iberdrola Renewables Vice President for Organic Renewable Business Development and Renewable Mergers/Acquisitions, Jesse Gronner, Iberdrola Renewables Regional Director for Business Development and Stephen Allred, DOI Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management and Elaine Zielinski, BLM Arizona State Director.