Kahuku Wind Power Habitat Conservation Plan Applicant Kahuku Wind Power LLC. c/o First Wind 33 Lono Avenue Suite 380 Kahului, HI 96732 Tel: (808) 873-0111 Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 201 Merchant Street, Suite 2310 Honolulu, HI 96813 Tel: (808) 548-7922 March 2010 Kahuku Wind Power Habitat Conservation Plan Applicant Kahuku Wind Power LLC. c/o First Wind 33 Lono Avenue Suite 380 Kahului, HI 96732 Tel: (808) 873-0111 Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 201 Merchant Street, Suite 2310 Honolulu, HI 96813 Tel: (808) 548-7922 March 2010 KAHUKU WIND POWER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN ii KAHUKU WIND POWER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT OVERVIEW ............................................................................. 1 1.1 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Applicant Background ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Regulatory Context ......................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544) ........................................................... 4 1.3.2 National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) ........................................... 4 1.3.3 Chapter 195D, Hawai‗i Revised Statutes ...................................................................... 4 1.3.4 Chapter 343, Hawai‗i Revised Statutes ........................................................................ 6 1.3.5 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712) ............................................................. 6 1.3.6 National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470-470b, 470c-470n) .............................. 7 1.4 Project Description .......................................................................................................... 7 1.4.1 Project History ......................................................................................................... 7 1.4.2 Project Design and Components ................................................................................. 8 1.4.3 Purpose and Need for Kahuku Wind Power Project ........................................................ 9 1.5 List of Preparers ............................................................................................................10 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN .................................................................11 2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................11 2.2 Scope and Term ............................................................................................................11 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING .................................................................................................12 3.1 Location, Vicinity, & Climate ............................................................................................12 3.2 Topography and Geology ................................................................................................12 3.3 Soils ............................................................................................................................13 3.4 Hydrology, Drainage, and Water Resources .......................................................................14 3.4.1 Surface water .........................................................................................................14 3.4.2 Flooding .................................................................................................................16 3.4.3 Groundwater ..........................................................................................................16 3.5 Environmental Contaminants...........................................................................................16 3.6 Land Use Designations ...................................................................................................16 3.7 Flora ............................................................................................................................17 3.7.1 Flora Within the Project Area ....................................................................................17 3.7.2 Flora at Off-site Microwave Tower Locations ...............................................................20 3.8 Wildlife .........................................................................................................................20 3.8.1 Wildlife Within and Around the Project Area ................................................................20 3.8.2 Non-Listed Wildlife Species .......................................................................................23 3.8.2.1 Herons and Egrets ............................................................................................25 3.8.2.2 Seabirds ..........................................................................................................25 3.8.2.3 Other Birds ......................................................................................................26 3.8.2.4 Mammals .........................................................................................................28 3.8.3 Wildlife at Off-site Microwave Tower Locations ............................................................28 3.8.4 Listed Wildlife Species ..............................................................................................28 3.8.4.1 Newell's Shearwater ..........................................................................................29 3.8.4.2 Hawaiian Petrel ................................................................................................31 3.8.4.3 Hawaiian Duck..................................................................................................32 3.8.4.4 Hawaiian Stilt ...................................................................................................34 3.8.4.5 Hawaiian Coot ..................................................................................................35 3.8.4.6 Hawaiian Moorhen ............................................................................................36 3.8.4.7 Hawaiian Short-eared Owl..................................................................................38 3.8.4.8 Hawaiian Hoary Bat ...........................................................................................39 i KAHUKU WIND POWER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN 4.0 BIOLOGICAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES .................................................................................42 5.0 ALTERNATIVES..................................................................................................................43 5.1 No-Action (―No Build‖) Alternative ...................................................................................43 5.2 Alternative Project Locations ...........................................................................................43 5.3 Alternative Site Layouts ..................................................................................................44 5.4 Avoidance and Minimization Measures ..............................................................................44 5.4.1 USFWS Guidelines ...................................................................................................45 6.0 POTENTIAL IMPACTS .........................................................................................................49 6.1 Impacts to Birds ............................................................................................................49 6.2 Impacts to Bats .............................................................................................................50 6.3 Estimating Project-related Impacts ..................................................................................50 6.3.1 Take Levels ............................................................................................................51 6.3.2 Estimating Indirect Take ..........................................................................................52 6.3.3 Seabirds (Petrels and Shearwaters) ...........................................................................54 6.3.3.1 Newell's Shearwater ..........................................................................................54 6.3.3.2 Hawaiian Petrel ................................................................................................57 6.3.4 Hawaiian Waterbirds ................................................................................................59 6.3.4.1 Hawaiian Duck Hybrids ......................................................................................59 6.3.4.2 Pure Hawaiian Ducks .........................................................................................62 6.3.4.3 Hawaiian Stilt ...................................................................................................62 6.3.4.4 Hawaiian Coot ..................................................................................................64 6.3.4.5 Hawaiian Moorhen ............................................................................................66 6.3.5 Hawaiian Short-eared Owl ........................................................................................68 6.3.6 Hawaiian Hoary Bat .................................................................................................71