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DRAFT Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy for the Palen Solar

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DRAFT Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy for the Palen Solar Appendix V Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy DRAFT Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy for the Palen Solar Photovoltaic Project Prepared for Palen Solar III, LLC Prepared by: Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. 415 West 17th Street, Suite 200 Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 August 21, 2017 Draft Pre-Decisional Document - Privileged and Confidential - Not For Distribution Palen Solar Photovoltaic Project Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ABPP Avian and Bat Protection Plan AGS Almasol Generating Station AICc corrected Akaike Information Criteria APLIC Avian Power Line Interaction Committee APM Applicant Proposed Measure BBCS Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy BBI Bloom Biological Inc. BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act BLM Bureau of Land Management BUC Bird Use Count CDFG California Department of Fish and Game CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CEC California Energy Commission DFA Development Focus Area EIS Environmental Impact Statement ESA Endangered Species Act FG Fish and Game GPS Global Positioning System km Kilometer M Meter MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act MN Mist Net MW megawatts NEPA National Environmental Policy Act PA/FEIS Plan Amendment/Final EIS POD Plan of Development PSEGS Palen Solar Electric Generating System PSH Palen Solar Holdings PSPP Palen Solar Power Project PV Photovoltaic ROD Record of Decision ROW Right of Way SBC Small Bird Count Supplemental Environmental Impact SEIS Statement SPUT Special Purpose Utility Permit TAG Technical Advisory Group USFWS US Fish and Wildlife Service WEST Inc. i August 2017 Palen Solar Photovoltaic Project Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Project Background and Description ............................................................................ 1 1.2 BBCS Purpose............................................................................................................ 5 1.3 Regulatory Setting ...................................................................................................... 5 National Environmental Policy Act ...................................................................................... 6 Endangered Species Act .................................................................................................... 6 Migratory Bird Treaty Act .................................................................................................... 6 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act ................................................................................ 7 BLM Sensitive Species ....................................................................................................... 7 California Endangered Species Act .................................................................................... 7 California Fish and Game Code .......................................................................................... 7 California Environmental Quality Act .................................................................................. 8 1.4 Personnel Roles and Responsibilities .............................................................................. 8 2.0 PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONSERVATION MEASURES ...............................................11 2.1 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................11 2.2 Special Status Species ....................................................................................................13 2.3 Pre-project Surveying Data ..............................................................................................16 2.3.1 Bird Use Count Surveys .........................................................................................19 2.3.1.1 Results ...............................................................................................................19 2.3.1.2 Conclusions .......................................................................................................20 2.3.2 Small Bird Count Surveys .........................................................................................22 2.3.1.2 Results ...............................................................................................................22 2.3.1.3 Conclusions .....................................................................................................29 2.3.3 Mist-Net Surveys ...................................................................................................29 2.3.3.1 Results ...............................................................................................................29 2.3.3.2 Conclusions .......................................................................................................30 2.3.4 Sensitive Species Observations .............................................................................32 2.3.5 Winter 2013 Golden Eagle Surveys .......................................................................34 2.3.5.1 Results ...............................................................................................................34 2.3.6 2012 and 2013 Regional Desert Surveys ...............................................................34 2.3.6.1 Conclusion .........................................................................................................35 2.3.7 Eagle Nest Surveys ...............................................................................................35 2.3.7.1 Results ...............................................................................................................35 2.3.7.2 Regional Golden Eagle Nest Surveys ................................................................36 2.3.7.3 Conclusions .......................................................................................................40 WEST Inc. ii August 2017 Palen Solar Photovoltaic Project Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy 2.3.8 Golden Eagle Prey Abundance Surveys ................................................................40 2.3.8.1 Results ...............................................................................................................40 2.3.8.2 Conclusions .......................................................................................................40 2.3.9 Burrowing Owl Surveys ..........................................................................................41 2.3.9.1 Results ...............................................................................................................41 2.3.9.2 Conclusions .......................................................................................................41 2.3.10 Agricultural Pond Surveys ......................................................................................41 2.3.10.1 Results .......................................................................................................42 2.3.10.2 Conclusions ................................................................................................43 2.3.11 Nocturnal Migration Radar Surveys ........................................................................43 2.3.11.1 Results .......................................................................................................43 2.3.11.2 Conclusions ................................................................................................43 2.3.12 Acoustic Bat Surveys and Bat Roost Surveys ........................................................44 2.3.12.1 Results .......................................................................................................44 2.3.12.1 Conclusions ................................................................................................46 3.0 IMPACTS TO BIRDS AND BATS ........................................................................................49 3.1 Specific Risk Factors .................................................................................................49 3.1.1 Habitat Loss ...........................................................................................................49 3.1.2 Noise .....................................................................................................................49 3.1.3 Lighting ..................................................................................................................49 3.1.4 Direct Mortality .......................................................................................................50 3.2 Potential Impacts to Threatened and Endangered Species ........................................53 3.3 Summary of Potential Risks to Bird and Bat Species .................................................56 4.0 CONSERVATION MEASURES .....................................................................................58 4.1 Project Design ...........................................................................................................58 4.1.1 Utility Poles and Lines ............................................................................................58 4.1.2 Lighting .....................................................................................................................59 4.2 General Avoidance Measures and Management Practices ........................................59 4.3 Other Avian-Specific Measures ..................................................................................60 5.0
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