DOCSLIB.ORG

Bird and Bat Movement Patterns and Mortality Montezuma Hills Wind

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bird and Bat Movement Patterns and Mortality Montezuma Hills Wind Energy Research and Development Division FINAL PROJECT REPORT BIRD AND BAT MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND MORTALITY AT THE MONTEZUMA HILLS WIND RESOURCE AREA Prepared for: California Energy Commission Prepared by: H. T. Harvey & Associates JUNE 2013 CEC‐500‐2013‐015 Prepared by: Primary Author(s): Dave S. Johnston Judd A. Howell Scott B. Terrill Nellie Thorngate Jim Castle Jeff P. Smith H. T. Harvey & Associates 983 University Ave, Building D Los Gatos, California 95032 http://www.harveyecology.com Todd J. Mabee Jonathan H. Plissner Nathan A. Schwab Peter M. Sanzenbacher Corey M. Grinnell ABR, Inc. P.O. Box 249 Forest Grove, Oregon 97116 http://www.abrinc.com Contract Number: PIR-08-027 Prepared for: California Energy Commission John Mathias, Joseph O’Hagan Contract Manager Laurie ten Hope Deputy Director RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION Robert P. Oglesby Executive Director DISCLAIMER This report was prepared as the result of work sponsored by the California Energy Commission. It does not necessarily represent the views of the Energy Commission, its employees or the State of California. The Energy Commission, the State of California, its employees, contractors and subcontractors make no warranty, express or implied, and assume no legal liability for the information in this report; nor does any party represent that the uses of this information will not infringe upon privately owned rights. This report has not been approved or disapproved by the California Energy Commission nor has the California Energy Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information in this report. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors thank the California Energy Commission for funding this study; PIER staff for making the process easy, especially John Mathias and Linda Spiegel; and Joanie Stewart, Renee Culver and Tom Kelley at NextEra Energy, Andy Linehan (dearly missed), Stewart Webster, Jerry Roppe, and Keith Warner at Iberdrola Renewables, and John Opris at enXco for all aspects of their assistance. The H. T. Harvey authors also thank its tireless field crew for the endless walking over difficult terrain, especially Rob Shields, who was injured in the line of duty; Samantha Moturi for database support and management; and Mark Lagarde for GIS support. The ABR authors also thank Delee Spiesschaert and Susan Cooper for logistical support; Mike Davis, Melinda Malek, and Cris Hein for help with field work; Bill Hepburn for help with engineering the acoustic monitoring system; Pam Odom for report preparation; and Rich Blaha for figure preparation and GIS support. The authors also thank Dr. Shannon Bros from San Jose State University and David Zajanc from H. T. Harvey for statistical guidance and direction. Finally, the authors expressly thank their Professional Advisory Committee, including Dick Anderson, Renee Culver, Jim Estep, Bronwyn Hogan, and William Rainey for their thoughtful comments and oversight during the study. i PREFACE The California Energy Commission Energy Research and Development Division supports public interest energy research and development that will help improve the quality of life in California by bringing environmentally safe, affordable, and reliable energy services and products to the marketplace. The Energy Research and Development Division conducts public interest research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects to benefit California. The Energy Research and Development Division strives to conduct the most promising public interest energy research by partnering with RD&D entities, including individuals, businesses, utilities, and public or private research institutions. Energy Research and Development Division funding efforts are focused on the following RD&D program areas: • Buildings End‐Use Energy Efficiency • Energy Innovations Small Grants • Energy‐Related Environmental Research • Energy Systems Integration • Environmentally Preferred Advanced Generation • Industrial/Agricultural/Water End‐Use Energy Efficiency • Renewable Energy Technologies • Transportation Bird and Bat Movement Patterns and Mortality at the Montezuma Hills Wind Resource Area is the final report for the Evaluating the Effectiveness of Avian Interaction Mitigating Measures and Processes Project, Agreement Number PIR‐08‐026 conducted by H. T. Harvey & Associates. The information from this project contributes to PIER’s Energy‐Related Environmental Research Program. For more information about the Energy Research and Development Division, please visit the Energy Commission’s website at www.energy.ca.gov/research/ or contact the Energy Commission at 916‐327‐1551. ii ABSTRACT Birds and bats have become important factors in the siting and permitting of wind‐energy facilities. Identifying methods to avoid, minimize, and mitigate bird and bat fatalities should help streamline wind energy permitting and reduce potential impacts to bird and bat resources. In this study, the authors conducted nighttime surveys to investigate the effectiveness of using horizontal/vertical radar, full‐spectrum acoustic monitoring and night vision to determine nocturnal flight directions, passage rates, and flight altitudes of birds and bats at the Montezuma Hills Wind Resource Area in Northern California. Following nighttime surveys, daily carcass searches were conducted to assess fatality rates as a function of movement patterns in the wind resource area. In addition, the study explored relationships between bird and bat fatalities, relevant activity indices, and the meteorological, landscape, and vegetation features of the study area. Although average nocturnal passage rates ranged from 326—454 targets per kilometer per hour, a high rate in the western United States, only 2–6 percent of the total passed through at altitudes less than the 125 meters above ground level, the height where birds and bats are at risk of collision with wind turbines. Six nocturnal‐migrant bird and 53 bat fatalities were observed during the two 40‐day surveys. Carcass‐detection ratios ranged from 0.20–0.50. Carcass‐removal rate analysis indicated that 45 percent of small bird and 39 percent of bat carcasses disappeared within 24 hours, suggesting that a majority of small bird and bat fatalities would be missed by the weekly surveys that are commonly conducted. The total number of nocturnal migrant bird fatalities was quite low relative to the passage rate, indicating that this wind resource area is relatively benign with respect to migrating birds. Overall, the three detection methods (radar, night‐vision, and acoustic) helped to provide a comprehensive and detailed view of the species inhabiting the night skies over the study area. In particular, this study identified that using altitude‐specific radar in the high‐risk zone can be a useful tool for monitoring fatality risk for birds in this wind resource area. Keywords: Wind energy wildlife impacts, Montezuma Hills, hoary bats, Mexican free‐tailed bats, migrant passage rates, migrant passage altitudes, bat fatalities, bird fatalities, carcass removal trials, spatial relationships of wind turbine fatalities Please use the following citation for this report: Johnston, Dave S., Judd A. Howell, Scott B. Terrill, Nellie Thorngate, Jim Castle, Jeff P. Smith (H. T. Harvey & Associates), Todd J. Mabee, Jonathan H. Plissner, Nathan A. Schwab, Peter M. Sanzenbacher, and Corey M. Grinnell (ABR, Inc.). 2013. Bird and Bat Movement Patterns and Mortality at the Montezuma Hills Wind Resource Area. California Energy Commission. Publication Number: CEC‐500‐2013‐015. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... i PREFACE ................................................................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................................. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................. viii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Purpose .................................................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 2 Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................................................... 2 Benefits to California ............................................................................................................................. 4 CHAPTER 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Project Objectives ....................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mexican Free-Tailed Bat Tadarida Brasiliensis
    General Info MEXICAN FREE-TAILED BAT Also known as the Brazilian free- TADARIDA BRASILIENSIS tailed bat, it’s native to America especially Southern California. They move and migrate in huge numbers, only to a few locations. They are vulnerable to destroying habitats in spite of their species being low in abundance. They are in declining population in California which makes it a species of concern in the state. Fun Fact Area Where The They have the fastest This Bats Live: horizontal bats live year round speed of any in the areas of animal south west Unites reaching top States. ground speed of 160 km/h. Physical Features Nutrition On average they grow to 9 cm in They are insectivores and length and weight about 12.3 g. The they hunt their prey using average wingspan is 23 cm, their tail echolocation. Their diet accounts for most of their length. consists of moths, beetles, Their ears are close to their muzzle dragonflies, true bugs, and and eyes which are wide and set apart ants. Their pollination of which helps them find prey using sugarcane and their echolocation. Their wings are consumption of insects elongated with pointed tips, which that damage that sugar make them quick for straight flight canes are the reason some patterns. Their fur can be from dark alcohol companies have brown to gray. the bats as their icon in http://www.batcon.org/resources/media-education/bats- magazine/bat_article/656 Nicholas Roman Biology 12 Dr. Joanna their labels. .
    [Show full text]
  • Summary of Delta Dredged Material Placement Sites
    Summary of Delta Dredged Material Placement Sites Capacity Overall Map Dredge Material Placement Active Types of Material Years in Remaining Capacity ID Site (Yes/No) Owner/Operator Accepted Service (CY) (CY) Notes 1 S1 2 S4 3 S7 4 S9 5 S11 Port of Sacramento S12 (Department of 6 1,710,000 3, 5 South Island Prospect Island Interior Bureau of Land Management?) 7 S13 S14 8 USACE N/A 3 Grand Island Placement Site S16 9 USACE 3,000,000 3 Rio Vista Placement Site DWR, Mega S19 10 Sands, Port of 20,000,000 3 Decker Island Placement Site Sacramento S20 Port of Sacramento 11 1,000,000 3, 5 Augusta Pit Placement Site (DWR?) S31 12 Port of Sacramento Placement Port of Sacramento Site Reclamation S32 13 Districts 999 and (six segments) 900 S35 DOW Chemical 14 Montezuma Hills Placement 890,000 3 Company Site 15 SX Sacramento Muni 1 Capacity Overall Map Dredge Material Placement Active Types of Material Years in Remaining Capacity ID Site (Yes/No) Owner/Operator Accepted Service (CY) (CY) Notes Utility District Sherman Lake (Sherman 16 USACE 3,000,000 3 Island?) 17 Montezuma Wetlands Project Montezuma LLC Montezuma Wetlands 18 Montezuma LLC Rehandling Site Expanded Scour Pond Dredge material 19 Placement Site (also called Yes DWR according to WDR #R5- 250,000 1, 2, 3,4 Sherman Island?) 2004-0061 Port of Stockton McCormack Pit Placement maintenance material 20 Site (also called Sherman Yes DWR only 250,000 3,4 Island?) WDR R5-2003-0145 Proposed Iron House Levy repair and 21 Jersey Island Placement Site Restoration 3 Sanitation District maintenance
    [Show full text]
  • Tadarida Fulminans – Malagasy Free-Tailed Bat
    Tadarida fulminans – Malagasy Free-tailed Bat T. fulminans are recognised (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). The three large Tadarida species are easily distinguished from other large Molossid species by their unwrinkled upper lips (Monadjem et al. 2010). Assessment Rationale Although the species has a very restricted range within the assessment region, being recorded only from the Pafuri region of Kruger National Park, it is widespread (although patchily distributed) elsewhere in Zimbabwe and East Africa. Because it occurs exclusively in a protected area, and there are no plausible threats within the assessment region or throughout its range, it does not qualify for Vulnerable D2. Its population size is unknown but is Ara Monadjem assumed to be stable inside Kruger National Park. Thus we list this species as Least Concern. Regional Red List status (2016) Least Concern Regional population effects: It has a high wing loading National Red List status (2004) Not Evaluated (Monadjem et al. 2010), and thus we assume dispersal and rescue effects are possible. Reasons for change Non-genuine change: New information Distribution Global Red List status (2016) Least Concern This species ranges through East Africa, southern Africa TOPS listing (NEMBA) (2007) None and a few localities on the island of Madagascar CITES listing None (Monadjem et al. 2016). It has been recorded from a number of regions in eastern and southeastern Africa, Endemic Edge of range along the border of Kenya and Uganda, as far south as Zimbabwe, central and northern Mozambique, southern The high-flying molossid Malagasy Free-tailed Malawi, the very northern reaches of South Africa, with an Bat (Tadarida fulminans) is unique amongst isolated record in northeast Zambia (Monadjem et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Florida's Bats: Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat1
    WEC379 Florida’s Bats: Brazilian Free-tailed Bat1 Holly K. Ober, Terry J. Doonan, and Emily H. Evans2 The Brazilian free-tailed bat (Figure 1) is found throughout Florida and is the state’s most common bat. With a wingspan of 12 inches (31 cm), it is a medium-sized bat. Fur color varies from dark brown to gray-brown. Brazilian free-tailed bats have long tails and wrinkled cheeks. Figure 2. Brazilian free-tailed bats can be found in every county throughout Florida. Figure 1. Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). Credits: Emily Evans Credits: Merlin Tuttle, Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation http://www. merlintuttle.com/ In Florida, these bats roost (sleep during the day) primarily in man-made structures. They have been found roosting in Found throughout the southern United States, the species attics and sheds, under bridges (e.g., highway overpasses), has been seen throughout the entire state of Florida with under barrel roof tiles, and in bat houses. Less commonly the exception of the Florida Keys (Figure 2). They are they can be found roosting in palm trees. highly gregarious, living in large congregations. 1. This document is WEC379, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 2016. Reviewed October 2019. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. 2. Holly K. Ober, associate professor and wildlife Extension specialist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; Terry Doonan, mammal conservation coordinator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and Emily Evans, mammal conservation biologist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.
    [Show full text]
  • Solano 4 Wind Project EIR 8 References Executive
    Solano 4 Wind Project EIR July 2019 8 References Executive Summary No references are cited in this chapter. Chapter 1, “Introduction” No references are cited in this chapter. Chapter 2, “Project Description” California Energy Commission. 2018 (August). Operational Wind Projects, Solano Wind Resource Area, 2018. Map scale 1:24,000. Available: https://www.energy.ca.gov/maps/renewable/wind/WindResourceArea_Solano.pdf. Accessed March 27, 2019. CEC. See California Energy Commission. Solano County. 1987 (May). Solano County Wind Turbine Siting Plan and Environmental Impact Report. Department of Environmental Management, Fairfield, CA. U.S. Geological Survey. 2019 (January). U.S. Wind Turbine Database. Available: https://eerscmap.usgs.gov/uswtdb/viewer/#14.02/38.16164/-121.79729. Accessed February 9, 2019. USGS. See U.S. Geological Survey. Chapter 3, “Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures” Section 3.1, “Aesthetics” Black & Veatch. 2019 (January 3). Solano Wind Energy Project, Wind Project Shadow Flicker Assessment. California Department of Transportation 2019. Scenic Highway Mapping System. Available: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/16_livability/scenic_highways/. Accessed March 18, 2019. Federal Aviation Administration. 2018 (August 17). Obstruction Marking and Lighting, including Changes 1 and 2. Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L. Chapter 13, “Marking and Lighting Wind Turbines.” Federal Highway Administration. 2015 (January). Guidelines for the Visual Impact Assessment of Highway Projects. FHWA-HEP-15-029. Washington, DC. Page 8-1 Solano 4 Wind Project EIR July 2019 National Research Council. 2007. Environmental Impacts of Wind-Energy Projects. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. NRC. See National Research Council. Sacramento Municipal Utility District. 2007 (September). Draft Environmental Impact Report for the SMUD Solano Wind Project Phase 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Environmental Assessment for the Shiloh Iii Wind Plant Project Habitat Conservation Plan
    DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE SHILOH III WIND PLANT PROJECT HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN P REPARED BY: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2800 Cottage Way, W-2650 Sacramento, CA 95825 Contact: Mike Thomas, Chief Habitat Conservation Planning Branch W ITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM: ICF International 630 K Street, Suite 400 Sacramento, CA 95814 Contact: Brad Schafer 916.737.3000 February 2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Draft Environmental Assessment for the Shiloh III Wind Plant Project Habitat Conservation Plan. February. (ICF 00263.09). Sacramento, CA. With technical assistance from ICF International, Sacramento, CA. Contents Chapter 1 Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................... 1‐1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................ 1‐1 1.2 Species Covered by the HCP ...................................................................................................... 1‐2 1.3 Proposed Action Addressed in this EA ....................................................................................... 1‐2 1.4 Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action .......................................................................... 1‐2 Chapter 2 Proposed Action and Alternatives .................................................................................. 2‐1 2.1 Alternative 1: Proposed Action .................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Biology and Ecology of Bat Cave, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
    R.B. Pape – Biology and ecology of Bat Cave, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, v. XX, no. X, p. 000–000. DOI: 10.4311/2012LSC0266 BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF BAT CAVE, GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA ROBERT B. PAPE Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, [email protected] Abstract: A study of the biology and ecology of Bat Cave, Grand Canyon National Park, was conducted during a series of four expeditions to the cave between 1994 and 2001. A total of 27 taxa, including 5 vertebrate and 22 macro-invertebrate species, were identified as elements of the ecology of the cave. Bat Cave is the type locality for Eschatomoxys pholeter Thomas and Pape (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and an undescribed genus of tineid moth, both of which were discovered during this study. Bat Cave has the most species-rich macro-invertebrate ecology currently known in a cave in the park. INTRODUCTION Cave. A review of cave-invertebrate studies in the park, which included 9 reports addressing 16 caves, was prepared This paper documents the results of a biological and by Wynne et al. (2007). Their compilation resulted in a list ecological analysis of Bat Cave on the Colorado River of approximately 37 species of cave macro-invertebrates within Grand Canyon National Park conducted during currently known from caves there. Wynne and others have four expeditions to the cave between 1994 and 2001. The recently performed invertebrate surveys in caves in the study focused on the macro-invertebrate elements present Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument, and have in the cave and did not include any microbiological already encountered several undescribed cave-inhabiting sampling, identification, or analysis.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum Vita Kenneth T
    CURRICULUM VITA KENNETH T. WILKINS Personal Faculty office: Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798-7388 (254) 710-2911, FAX: (254) 710-2969 Administrative office: Graduate School, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798-7264 (254) 710-3588, FAX: (254) 710-3870 e-mail: [email protected] Education B.S., Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, 1974 M.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, 1977 Ph.D., Zoology, University of Florida, 1982 Professional Experience Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Baylor Graduate School; Professor (tenured), Depts. of Biology and Geology, and in Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, June 2006-present. Courses taught: Mammalogy, Comparative Chordate Anatomy, Vertebrate Biology, Vertebrate Paleontology, Graduate Seminars in Biology, Graduate Proseminars in Interdisciplinary Scholarship. Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Baylor Graduate School; Professor (tenured) and Interim Graduate Program Director (Biology), Depts. of Biology and Geology, and in Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, September 2003-May 2006. Courses taught: Mammalogy, Comparative Chordate Anatomy, Vertebrate Natural History, Vertebrate Paleontology, Graduate Seminars in Biology, Graduate Proseminars in Interdisciplinary Teaching and Interdisciplinary Scholarship. Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Baylor Graduate School; Professor (tenured), Depts. of Biology and Geology, and in Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, September 2000-2003. Courses taught: Mammalogy (taught in Waco and at Chapala Ecology Station in Mexico), Comparative Chordate Anatomy, Vertebrate Natural History, Vertebrate Paleontology, Graduate Seminars in Biology, Graduate Proseminars in Interdisciplinary Teaching and Interdisciplinary Scholarship. Associate Dean of the Graduate School; Professor (tenured), Depts. of Biology and Geology, and in Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, June 1998-2000.
    [Show full text]
  • Cultural Resources Inventory Report and Addendum
    APPENDIX E1 CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY REPORT This page intentionally left blank CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED MONTEZUMA II WIND PROJECT, SOLANO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA P REPARED FOR: NextEra Energy Montezuma II Wind, LLC 700 Universe Boulevard, MS FEW/JB Juno Beach, FL 33408 Contact: Cliff Graham 561.304.5372 P REPARED BY: ICF International 630 K Street, Suite 400 Sacramento, CA 95814 Contact: Andrea Nardin 916.737.3000 August 2010 ICF International. 2010. Cultural Resources Inventory Report for the Proposed Montezuma II Wind Project, Solano County, California. August. (ICF 00336.10). Sacramento, CA. Prepared for NextEra Energy Montezuma II Wind, LLC, Juno Beach, FL. Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 1 Project Description ................................................................................................................................. 1 Area of Impact ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Regulatory Setting .................................................................................................................................. 3 Environmental Setting ............................................................................................................................ 4 Cultural Setting ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • (Tadarida Brasiliensis) Colony by Night Herons
    PREDATION AT AN URBAN FREE-TAILED BAT (TADARIDA BRASILIENSIS) COLONY BY NIGHT HERONS Authors: McSweeny, Timothy, and Brooks, Daniel M. Source: The Southwestern Naturalist, 64(1) : 60-63 Published By: Southwestern Association of Naturalists URL: https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-64-1-60 BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Complete website, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/terms-of-use. Usage of BioOne Complete content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non - commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Downloaded From: https://bioone.org/journals/The-Southwestern-Naturalist on 21 Feb 2020 Terms of Use: https://bioone.org/terms-of-use Access provided by Southwestern Association of Naturalists THE SOUTHWESTERN NATURALIST 64(1): 60–63 PREDATION AT AN URBAN FREE-TAILED BAT (TADARIDA BRASILIENSIS) COLONY BY NIGHT HERONS TIMOTHY MCSWEENY* AND DANIEL M. BROOKS Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030-1799 *Correspondent: [email protected] ABSTRACT—Harris County, Texas, is home to both species of North American night herons, black-crowned (Nycticorax nycticorax) and yellow-crowned (Nycticorax violacea).
    [Show full text]
  • Suisun City General Plan
    B IOLOGICAL R ESOURCES B ACKGROUND R EPORT Biological Resources In This Background Report Page Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3 Environmental Setting ............................................................................................................... 3 Habitat Types ......................................................................................................................... 3 Sensitive Biological Resources ................................................................................................ 9 Sensitive Habitats ................................................................................................................. 10 Regulatory Setting ................................................................................................................... 40 Federal Plans, Policies, Regulations, and Laws ...................................................................... 41 State Plans, Policies, Regulations, and Laws ......................................................................... 43 Regional and Local Plans, Policies, Regulations, and Ordinances .......................................... 44 General Plan Issues and Opportunities ..................................................................................... 46 References ............................................................................................................................... 47 P AGE BIO‐ 1 C ITY OF
    [Show full text]
  • Amendment Final Environmental Impact Report Montezuma Wind Plant Project (U-06-06) January 2010
    Amendment Final Environmental Impact Report Montezuma Wind Plant Project (U-06-06) January 2010 Department of Resource Management 675 Texas Street, Suite 5500 Fairfield, CA 94533 Planning Services Division Michael Yankovich Phone: (707) 784-6765 / Fax: (707) 784-4805 Planning Program Manager January 14, 2010 Dear Interested Agency: Subject: Notice of Montezuma Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Report Amendment The County of Solano Department of Resource Management published the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Montezuma Wind Project in February of 2007. An amendment to the FEIR has been prepared, dated January 2010, and is attached. The amendment describes and analyzes the potential impacts resulting from minor changes to the project description, environment and setting, and/or new information being received, generally described as follows: Modifications to wind turbine layout option #1 (Siemens). Elimination of PG&E reconductoring project from EIR (project near completion). Slight increased size (0.07 acre) of one of two substation options, and increased main transformer size from 40 MVA to 60 MVA. Increased project area from 1,458 to 1,466 acres. New and/or updated reports: blade throw, shadow flicker, low frequency/infrasound noise, and avian mortality. Update and resolution of Travis AFB radar issue related to the Project. Update to Air Quality section of EIR regarding greenhouse gases and global warming. Update to Biological Resources section of EIR regarding California Tiger Salamander and regulations for Bald and Golden Eagles. Other updates regarding County adoption of 2008 General Plan, plans underway for County adoption of updated development standards for wind turbine generators, and recently completed and planned wind energy projects in the vicinity of Montezuma Wind.
    [Show full text]