Fowler Ridge Wind Farm, Benton County, Indiana Indiana Bat Habitat Conservation Plan Prepared by: Fowler Ridge Wind Farm LLC Fowler Ridge II Wind Farm LLC Fowler Ridge III Wind Farm LLC Fowler Ridge IV Wind Farm LLC In consultation with: Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Bloomington, Indiana November 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Overview and Background .......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose and Need ...................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Organization ............................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................... 2 1.4.1 Federal ................................................................................................................... 2 1.4.1.1 Endangered Species Act ............................................................................... 2 1.4.1.2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) .................................................... 4 1.4.1.3 National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) .................................................... 5 1.4.1.4 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) ................................................................. 5 1.4.1.5 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) ........................................... 5 1.4.2 State ....................................................................................................................... 6 1.4.2.1 Indiana Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act ..................... 6 1.5 Permit Duration .......................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Project Area ................................................................................................................ 7 1.7 Covered Species ........................................................................................................ 8 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND COVERED ACTIVITIES .............................................. 9 2.1 Project Description ..................................................................................................... 9 2.1.1 Project Components ............................................................................................... 9 2.1.2 Construction of Phase IV .......................................................................................10 2.1.2.1 Road and Pad Construction .........................................................................11 2.1.2.2 Generation Tie-in Line Construction .............................................................11 2.1.2.3 Foundation Construction for Turbine Towers, Meteorological Towers, and Transformers .........................................................................................11 2.1.2.4 Underground Electrical and Communications Cables ...................................11 2.1.2.5 Turbine Tower Erection ................................................................................12 2.1.2.6 Nacelle and Rotor Installation.......................................................................12 2.1.2.7 Turbine Commissioning ................................................................................12 2.1.2.8 Final Road Preparation, Erosion Control, and Reclamation ..........................12 2.1.3 Operations and Maintenance .................................................................................13 2.1.4 Decommissioning ..................................................................................................13 2.1.4.1 Decommissioning Process ...........................................................................14 2.1.4.2 Site Restoration............................................................................................15 2.2 Covered Activities ......................................................................................................15 2.2.1 Operation of the Project .........................................................................................16 2.2.2 Mitigation Measures ...............................................................................................16 Page ii 3.0 AFFECTED SPECIES, ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING, AND BASELINE .......................17 3.1 Environmental Setting ...............................................................................................17 3.2 Covered Species .......................................................................................................18 3.2.1 Indiana Bat ............................................................................................................18 3.2.1.1 Life History and Characteristics ....................................................................18 3.2.1.2 Habitat Requirements ..................................................................................19 3.2.1.3 Demographics ..............................................................................................22 3.2.1.4 Range and Distribution .................................................................................23 3.2.1.5 Dispersal and Migration ................................................................................25 3.2.1.6 Species Status and Occurrence ...................................................................27 4.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT................................................................................................29 4.1 Project Effects ...........................................................................................................30 4.1.1 Direct Effects .........................................................................................................30 4.1.1.1 Direct Effects of Mitigation ............................................................................30 4.1.1.2 Direct Effects of Operation ...........................................................................31 4.1.2 Indirect Effects .......................................................................................................47 4.1.2.1 Indirect Effects of Mitigation .........................................................................47 4.1.2.2 Indirect Effects of Operation .........................................................................47 4.2 Impacts of the Taking ................................................................................................48 5.0 CONSERVATION PLAN................................................................................................50 5.1 Biological Goals and Objectives ................................................................................50 5.2 Measures to Minimize Take .......................................................................................52 5.2.1 Minimization through Project Design and Planning ................................................52 5.2.2 Minimization through Project Operations ................................................................52 5.3 Measures to Mitigate the Impact of the Taking ..........................................................55 5.3.1 Measures for Mitigation of Summer Habitat ...........................................................56 5.3.1.1 Mitigation Bank Option .................................................................................59 5.3.2 Measures for Mitigation of Winter Habitat ..............................................................59 5.4 Monitoring and Adaptive Management ......................................................................62 5.4.1 Take Limit Compliance Monitoring .........................................................................63 5.4.1.1 Monitoring Phases and Schedule .................................................................63 5.4.1.2 Sample Size and Search Interval .................................................................64 5.4.1.3 Search Area .................................................................................................66 5.4.1.4 Data Collection .............................................................................................67 5.4.1.5 Bias Correction ............................................................................................68 5.4.1.6 Statistical Methods for Bat Mortality Estimation ............................................70 5.4.1.7 Disposition of Data and Reporting ................................................................71 5.4.2 Adaptive Management for Take Compliance..........................................................73 5.4.2.1 Adaptive Management Simulation to Ensure Take Compliance ...................78 Page iii 5.4.3 Mitigation Monitoring ..............................................................................................83 5.4.3.1 Summer Habitat Mitigation Monitoring ..........................................................83 5.4.3.2 Winter Habitat Mitigation Monitoring .............................................................84 5.4.4 Mitigation Reporting ...............................................................................................85 5.4.5 Adaptive Management for Mitigation ......................................................................86 5.4.5.1 Adaptive Management for Summer