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Potentially <br />Significant <br />Impact <br />Potentially <br />Significant <br />Unless <br />Mitigation <br />incorporated <br />less than <br />Significant <br />Impact No impact <br />a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat <br />modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or 0 X • • <br />special status species in local, or regional plafis, policies, or regulations, or <br />by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife <br />Service? , <br />Comment: A technical Memorandum, dated Mav 10.2012. was nreoared <br />by Environmental Science Associates (ESA) to evaluate potential impacts <br />to avian species resulting from construction of the wind turbine. The study <br />concluded that bird specfes at highest risk in the area are populations of <br />California clapper rails and California black rails. Any risk to these <br />nrioiifafinfio \A//™II IIH Kn iia to tho ri!tStonir,'o frohi tho h'dhltcif pppyiaUUilo WULJIU )Jo yItidUy ftiyUU&UiUU^ IU Ule UloldilV^y ilUJU uIc fJdUlldi <br />area and the rails' ground-dvMing behavior and relatively little time spent <br />In flight, Bird fatalities are relatively infrequent events jat wind farms and <br />therefore a single wind turbine poses little risk. Higher bird fatalities occur <br />at altitudes greater than 400 feet. Based pri comparison of available data, <br />if lc ocfimoforl fhofho ii'irKiiic ini/vnli^ ropi iIt !«• fl' HCO kjivJ >-jAottvci hcii" u i9. fc»o.nuiaiy,u uidi ii .oiiidi} IUIVIMP yyvu.iu i.ypuii in mru osdin& p"r <br />year. At that rate, it would take 6.5 years of continuous operation to result <br />in the death of one bird. F'lease see the Technical Memorandum for <br />additional information. <br />The proposed wind turbine was reviewed by the California Department of <br />Fish and Game. In a letter from ScOtt Wilson, Acting Regional Manager of <br />u.i" D.p.y ustiud ncyiuiii &vVfeJidi i MI uy puuii IF i vdvUisp wpj" rv.yujTifnynvow;.|.yr <br />. inclusion in ,this document. The following mitigation measures are <br />' therefore included: <br />Mitigation Measure • <br />#1a. If construction must be scheduled to occur during the moratory <br />anri fanfrn* nActln/i eAaeAh flii'Ali'tnh -Ai'iiti tis4 *16 fAih. oiru diiQ raptor neMing season ^i^pruary io inrouyn AUyUSi 10. Tor <br />most birds), a qualified wildlife biologist, familiar with the species and <br />habitats in the Project area, will be retained to conduct pre- <br />construction surveys for raptors and nesting birds within 300 feet of <br />construction activities. The surveys shall be conducted one week <br />before initiation of construction. If ho active nests are detected <br />during surveys, activities may proceed. If active nests are detected <br />then the applicant should consult with the Lead Agency and DFG on <br />appropriate buffers. <br />#1 b. To reduce impacts to raptors^ the applicant shall minimize small <br />mammal habitat from occurring beneath the wind swept area of the <br />turbine. <br />#1c. To reduce impacts to avian species from electrocution, all <br />electrical wires shall be placed underground or follow minimization <br />methods established by Avian Power Line Interaction Committee. <br />#1 d. If a state or federally listed species is killed during Project <br />operations without the appropriate Incidental Take Permit (ITP) under <br />the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) or the federal <br />Phriannarpri RfioriA<5 AWf fhiA fefcziil hiilf/sili irWhoi <br />J <br />ui(UMIlyoi wu ypoyii?.a lily a|jp!iv«ci(|v oiictM MdljivUi |,ui uiiic <br />operations immediately^ The applicant must consult with the United <br />States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and/or California <br />Department of Fish and Game (DFG), <br />#1e. If a carcass is found that is federally threatened, endangered or <br />protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the information <br />ejijilj U/i fottAffOri Uii,a nii'iliflDfl hlAiontct fn 1 ICCU\/Q- wf 1 4u7 9llnM MB l v|JUriV!u Py d ^UdllTfuu wtviOyial lO UOrVVyi vlTtvv Or LqW <br />Enforcement. Renewable Energy Officer at (650) 876-9078 within five <br />davs of its discovery M.Htw VI 1 V**.' '••MrWWrfiVl JT» <br />#1 f. If a carcass of a species listed pursuant to CESA or Fish and <br />OarTI© vOu.y vvyljQ.n »r 11 PS OI^COV6r9CK j Urtj $11311 DQ InllTiOQl^wiy- <br />notified at (707) 944-5500. <br />#1g. If a species Is Injured as a result of Project operations, the <br />applicant shall immediately take It to a dFG approved wildlife <br />rahahllitfltiinni /vr fh/ ci i/>K ae Qiilnlkiik* K)ofiira ivii,9uj,iijiciiiuii.,ui v^wfiUflf.y ouwu d« ou.ip/nu.r vrooi> rcdiure <br />Center, at (510) 881-6747; or Ohlone Humane Center, at (510) 797- <br />9449. Permittee shall bear any costs associated with the care and <br />treatment of such injured species. <br />#1h, A posfcconstruction monitoring plan shall be amoved by DFG <br />and implemented within one month of initial turbine operation.