Sol Orchard Solar Project Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration

Appendix B: Biological Resources Evaluation

Michael Brandman Associates H:\Client (PN-JN)\2799\27990032\IS-MND\27990032 IS MND Sol Orchard Final 10-02-2012.doc SOL ORCHARD LLC EL CENTRO SOLAR FARM

Biological Resources Evaluation Technical Report El Centro,

July, 2012 Revised August, 2012

Prepared for:

Sol Orchard LLC 2435 Marshall Road Imperial, CA 92251

Prepared by: Barrett's Biological Surveys Certified as performed in accordance with established biological practices by:

Marie S. Barrett, Biologist 2035 Forrester Road El Centro, Ca 92243 760.352.4159

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary

1.0 Introduction 5 1.1 Location 5 1.2 Project Description 5 1.2.1 Facility Description 5 1.2.2 Construction Work Force and Schedule 6 1.2.3 Operations Work Force and Schedule 6 1.2.4 Site Construction and Operations Environmental Protection Measures 6 1.3 Applicable Environmental Regulations 6 1.3.1 State of CA 6 1.3.2 Federal 7 2.0 Biological Survey Methodologies 8 2.1 Field Surveys 8 2.1.1 General Biological Survey 8 Table 1: Field Survey Schedule 8 2.1.2 Focused Burrowing Owl Surveys 9 2.1.3 Jurisdictional Delineation 10 2.2 Literature Review 10 3.0 Existing Conditions 10 3.1 Topology and Soils 10 3.2 Vegetation 11 3.2.1 Agriculture 11 3.2.2 Ruderal Vegetation 11 3.3 Wildlife 11 3.3.1 Invertebrates 11 3.3.2 Amphibians 11 3.3.3 Reptiles 11 3.3.4 Birds 12 3.3.5 Mammals 12 3.3.6 Fish 12 3.4 Sensitive Biological Resources 12 3.4.1 Special Status Plant Species 12 3.4.1.1 Federal Listed Species 13 3.4.1.2 State Listed Species 13 3.4.2 Special Status Wildlife Species 13 3.4.2.1 Federal Listed Species 13 3.4.2.2 State Listed Species 14 3.4.2.3 State Species of Special Concern and Fully Protected Species 14 Table 2: Biological Resources 15 Table 3: Summary of Biological Resources 16 3.4.3 Riparian Habitat or Sensitive Natural Communities 18

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3.4.4 Jurisdictional Waters 18 3.4.5 Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors 18 3.4.6 California Desert Conservation Area 18 4.0 Proposed Project Impact 19 4.1 Impacts to Special Status Species 19 4.1.1 Special Status and Priority 19 4.1.2 Sensitive Wildlife 19 4.1.2.1 Burrowing Owl 19 4.1.2.2 Nesting Raptors 20 4.1.2.3 Migratory Birds and Other Sensitive Non-migratory Species 20 4.2 Impact to Riparian Habitat or Sensitive Natural Communities Table 4: Summary of Jurisdictional Features 18 4.3 Impact to Jurisdictional Waters 21 4.4 Impact to Wildlife Movement and Activities 22 4.5 Impact to Airports 22 4.6 CEQA Impacts 22 Table 5: Expected Impacts 22 5.0 Recommended Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation Measures 22 5.1 Sensitive Wildlife 22 5.1.1 Burrowing owl 22 5.1.2 Mountain Plover, Long Billed Curlew, Short Billed Dowitcher 24 5.1.3 Nesting Raptors 24 5.1.4 Other Species 24 5.1.5 Migratory Birds, Other Sensitive and Non-migratory Species 24 6.0 Works Referenced 24

Appendices Appendix A Sensitive Species Appendix B Photographs Appendix C Species Found on Site and Vicinity Appendix D Burrowing Owl Mitigation Plan Appendix E Qualifications Appendix F Jurisdictional Delineation Report

Figures Figure 1 Regional Location/ Project Vicinity Maps Figure 2 Biological Resources Map Figure 3 Communities Map

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Executive Summary

Sol Orchard LLC is proposing to build a solar farm to service Imperial Irrigation District electricity customers in Imperial County.

The project facilities will be constructed on Imperial Irrigation District land leased by Sol Orchard LLC and is located within the city limits and sphere of influence of the City of El Centro, CA.

General biological surveys, a focused burrowing owl survey and a preliminary jurisdictional delineation were conducted in the winter/spring 2012 within the proposed sites. The approximately 131 acres of t