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Biological Resources <br />350: Frank H. Ogawa. Plaza <br />Suite 300 <br />Oakland, CA 94612 <br />510,839,5066 phone <br />510.839.5325 fax <br />v»wW;esassoG.cprn; <br />technical memorandum <br />date May 10,2012 <br />to Louis Rigaud, Halus Power Systems <br />from Chiis Rogers <br />subject Potential Impacts to Avian Species Resulting from Construction of a Single Wind Turbine at Halus <br />Power Systems in San Leandro, CA <br />Summary <br />The construction of a single wind turbine at Halus Power Systeriis in San Leandro, California, poses a low <br />potential risk to birds and bats, and is low relative to other causes of mortality, including habitat loss, nest <br />predation by invasive species (e.g., red foxes, feral cats), and collision with other structures (e.g.;, buildings, <br />transmission lines). The nearby Roberts Landing Shoreline Marshlands Enhancement area supports resident <br />populations of the federally-endangered California clapper rail (Rallus longirostrtis obsoletus) and wintering <br />populations of the state-endangered California black rail (Laierallus jamaicensis coturmculus), so even a low risk <br />of collision resulting in the loss of one breeding individual could impact the population. The turbine's location <br />create a limited biological risk. If the City of San Leandro issues a Variance for the proposed project, this <br />discretionary action triggers environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), The <br />level of CEQA review is at the discretion of the City of San Leandro (i.e. Notice of.Exemption, Negative <br />Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, etc.). <br />The following findings are the results of our review of available, comparable and relevant studies of the impacts <br />of single small wind turbines: <br />1, The construction of a single turbine poses a low risk to birds and bats and is particularly low <br />when compared to other causes of mortality including habitat loss, nest predation by invasive <br />species (e.g. red foxes, feral cats) and collision with other structures (e.g. buildings, transmission <br />2. The proposed single, small turbine is 80 feet in height with an additional maximum height of 100 <br />feet at the full vertical extension of the blades. The relatively low height along with a relatively <br />slow blade rotation (45 rpm) serves to minimize the risk to birds and bats particularly when <br />compared to the larger, more typical turbines in commercial use today. Specifically, the risk to <br />bats is not likely to be significant given the low height of the proposed turbine. <br />3. Environmental guidance for small wind projects is lacking at both a federal and state level and <br />no California or San Francisco Bay guidelines for small wind projects have been identified. The <br />Initial Study Checklist <br />Halus Power Systems Wind Turbine <br />Attachment 7