Guidelines for Reducing Impacts from Wind Energy Development
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North Dakota Native Wildlife Resources: Guidelines for Reducing Impacts from Wind Energy Development The North Dakota Wind and Wildlife Collaboration DRAFT April 10, 2018 Table of Contents The North Dakota Wind and Wildlife Collaboration ......................................................................1 Contacts................................................................................................................................1 Section 1. Introduction and Background .........................................................................................2 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................2 USFWS WEG Integration....................................................................................................4 Objectives ............................................................................................................................5 Authorities............................................................................................................................6 Section 2. Impacts to Wildlife and Habitat ......................................................................................8 Key Species ..........................................................................................................................8 Key Habitat ..........................................................................................................................9 Direct Impacts ....................................................................................................................10 Collisions ...............................................................................................................10 Habitat Loss ...........................................................................................................11 Indirect Impacts .................................................................................................................12 Displacement and Avoidance ................................................................................12 Fragmentation ........................................................................................................12 Cumulative Impacts ...............................................................................................13 Section 3. Avoidance and Minimization ........................................................................................14 Risk Analysis .....................................................................................................................14 Risk Analysis Assessment .................................................................................................15 Key Native Wildlife and Habitat Areas ............................................................................16 Siting Recommendations ...................................................................................................19 Pre-Construction Surveys ..................................................................................................20 Post-Construction Surveys .................................................................................................22 Section 4. Offsetting Unavoidable Disturbance.............................................................................23 Determining Offset Acreages ............................................................................................24 Impacts to Grasslands ............................................................................................24 Impacts to Woodlands............................................................................................26 Offset Ratios for Grasslands and Woodlands ........................................................27 Impacts to Wetlands ...............................................................................................28 Section 5. Offset Delivery Toolbox ...................................................................................31 Offsets for Grasslands ............................................................................................31 Offsets for Woodlands ...........................................................................................34 Offsets for Wetlands ..............................................................................................37 Appendix A: Species of Conservation Concern ................................................................39 Appendix B: Development of North Dakota Key Native Wildlife and Habitat Areas ......43 Key Native Wildlife and Habitat Areas Map .........................................................52 Appendix C: Supplemental Maps for Wind Energy Siting ...............................................53 Appendix D: Determining Offset Acreage Examples .......................................................63 Appendix E. Wildlife Surveys ...........................................................................................73 Appendix F: Literature Cited .............................................................................................78 Appendix G: Supplemental Peer-reviewed Journal Articles .............................................85 Appendix H: Definitions ....................................................................................................87 Appendix I: Acronyms .......................................................................................................89 The North Dakota Wind and Wildlife Collaboration The North Dakota Wind and Wildlife Collaboration (NDWWC) is a group of representatives from the wind and utility industries, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (Department) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This group worked in collaboration with representatives of the United States Geological Survey, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Audubon Dakota, and the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust. The collaboration was initiated to develop guidance for wind energy development in North Dakota. Contacts Greg Link, Chief, Conservation and Communications Division North Dakota Game and Fish Department 100 North Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: 701-328-6331 Email: [email protected] Steve Dyke, Conservation Supervisor North Dakota Game and Fish Department 100 North Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501 Phone: 701-328-6347 Email: [email protected] Name, Title Agency/Company Address Phone: Email: 1 SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Introduction The Great Plains offer incredible potential for wind energy and North Dakota is no exception (Figure 1). It is estimated that North Dakota has a potential capacity for wind generation anywhere from 394,519 MW up to 742,276 MW (depending on hub height), with only 2,996 MW currently installed (Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; AWEA Market Report; 2017; AWEA March 14, 2018). Figure 1. U.S. Wind Power Resource at 80 Meter Hub Height (NREL). With an increased focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy resources considered to be less harmful to the environment are becoming more important. However, without appropriate planning, solutions intended to decrease greenhouse gas emissions can turn into new challenges. Wind energy has a larger spatial footprint than other energy resources and, as the demand for energy continues to grow, that footprint could result in an increased loss of habitat, which may lead to additional listings under the Endangered Species Act, ecosystem 2 collapse, and a loss in biodiversity. This poses a great risk to North Dakota, which harbors large, contiguous stands of native prairie, which is one of the most endangered ecosystems globally. Maintaining a healthy balance between developing our energy resources and conserving wildlife and habitat is key if we hope to preserve our current rich natural heritage and appreciation of outdoor values while still promoting responsible development of North Dakota’s natural resources. North Dakota is a wildlife rich state that has many resident and migratory species which depend upon the grasslands, wetlands, and the sparse woodlands the state provides. Over the last century, urban expansion, conversion of native habitats to cropland, and energy development have greatly altered the landscape. As a result, many species have suffered as their habitats have been fragmented, degraded, or even lost. In 2007, there were 7 threatened or endangered species in North Dakota (including one plant). In 2018, that number has increased to 12, with 11 more currently under review for listing.. As managing for listed species is far more restrictive, difficult, and expensive than preventing listings, it is vital that we maintain the key habitat resources needed to sustain healthy populations on the landscape. In 2015, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) was approved. The SWAP was reviewed by a group of officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies, and a public review process was conducted with input from a wide array of conservation groups, academics, NGO’s, farm groups, and members of the public. The SWAP serves as North Dakota’s comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy for the next 10 years and is the principle document for safeguarding fish and wildlife species in North Dakota. The SWAP identified 115 Species of Conservation Priority that represent rare, declining, or unique species in North Dakota. The ultimate goal of the