Exhibit A Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Written ... · perching opportunities. ... each...
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Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐1 March 2016 ICF 00630.15 Exhibit A Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Written Findings of Significant Effects In accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091, the following findings and supporting facts address each significant environmental effect that has been changed (including adoption of mitigation measures) to avoid or substantially reduce the magnitude of the effect, as identified in the Final PEIR (which evaluated the project at a general, programmatic level in 2014), together with the Environmental Checklist and supporting documentation for the Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project. The findings described below are organized by resource issue, in the same order as the effects are discussed in the Environmental Checklist. No findings are required regarding project alternatives, as these were previously made when the East County Board of Zoning Adjustments certified the Final PEIR. The findings reference the final PEIR (part of the record upon which the East County Board of Zoning Adjustments [EBZA] bases its decision) and mitigation measures in support of the findings. For some specific resource mitigation measures, the section and page number in the PEIR where the full text of the mitigation measure is described is noted in the finding. Introduction The project area is located in the Altamont Hills of eastern Alameda County near the San Joaquin County line, approximately 56 miles east of San Francisco. The Altamont Hills are at the geographical interface between the coastal mountains and the Central Valley. Existing predominant uses of the area are windfarms and cattle grazing. The project area is in the central portion of the APWRA and lies north and south of I‐580. The Sand Hill Wind Project area is comprised of eight land parcels grouped in three distinct areas: four west parcels, two northeast parcels, and two southeast parcels, all clustered within 1–3 miles of each other. The parcels total approximately 875 acres on Sand Hill Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Ogin, Inc., proposes to repower an existing wind energy facility in the AWPRA program area to replace outdated and inefficient wind turbines with fewer and more efficient turbines. The proposed project would decommission and remove the existing wind turbines on the wind energy facility site, install new and fewer turbines, and make improvements to related infrastructure. Proposed project area ingress/egress would be via Altamont Pass Road, North Midway Road, Grant Line Road, and Mountain House Road. Existing site entrances would be used. The proposed project would install up to 24 new 1.5 to 3.0 MW turbines and related infrastructure with a resulting capacity between 33 MW and 72 MW. The specific equipment chosen for the current project would depend on final micrositing. However, the proponent is considering range of turbines; each would have a nameplate capacity of up to 3.0 MW, a rotor diameter of 90–125 meters (295– 410 feet), towers up to 100 meters (382 feet), and a maximum turbine height of 151 meters (495 feet). For example, the Goldwind GW121 2.5 MW turbine, has a 121‐meter (397–foot) rotor diameter, 90‐meter (295‐foot) hub height, and turns at 13.5 rpm. The tubular steel towers would have internal ladders to the nacelle, the color of towers and rotors would be neutral and nonreflective (e.g., dull white or light gray), and nacelles would be completely enclosed to minimize perching opportunities.
Transcript of Exhibit A Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project Written ... · perching opportunities. ... each...
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐1
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Exhibit A Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project
Written Findings of Significant Effects
InaccordancewithStateCEQAGuidelinesSections15091,thefollowingfindingsandsupportingfactsaddresseachsignificantenvironmentaleffectthathasbeenchanged(includingadoptionofmitigationmeasures)toavoidorsubstantiallyreducethemagnitudeoftheeffect,asidentifiedintheFinalPEIR(whichevaluatedtheprojectatageneral,programmaticlevelin2014),togetherwiththeEnvironmentalChecklistandsupportingdocumentationfortheSandHillWindRepoweringProject.Thefindingsdescribedbelowareorganizedbyresourceissue,inthesameorderastheeffectsarediscussedintheEnvironmentalChecklist. Nofindingsarerequiredregardingprojectalternatives,asthesewerepreviouslymadewhentheEastCountyBoardofZoningAdjustmentscertifiedtheFinalPEIR.ThefindingsreferencethefinalPEIR(partoftherecorduponwhichtheEastCountyBoardofZoningAdjustments[EBZA]basesitsdecision)andmitigationmeasuresinsupportofthefindings.Forsomespecificresourcemitigationmeasures,thesectionandpagenumberinthePEIRwherethefulltextofthemitigationmeasureisdescribedisnotedinthefinding.
Introduction TheprojectareaislocatedintheAltamontHillsofeasternAlamedaCountyneartheSanJoaquinCountyline,approximately56mileseastofSanFrancisco.TheAltamontHillsareatthegeographicalinterfacebetweenthecoastalmountainsandtheCentralValley.Existingpredominantusesoftheareaarewindfarmsandcattlegrazing.TheprojectareaisinthecentralportionoftheAPWRAandliesnorthandsouthofI‐580.
TheSandHillWindProjectareaiscomprisedofeightlandparcelsgroupedinthreedistinctareas:fourwestparcels,twonortheastparcels,andtwosoutheastparcels,allclusteredwithin1–3milesofeachother.Theparcelstotalapproximately875acresonSandHillWindLLC,asubsidiaryofOgin,Inc.,proposestorepoweranexistingwindenergyfacilityintheAWPRAprogramareatoreplaceoutdatedandinefficientwindturbineswithfewerandmoreefficientturbines.Theproposedprojectwoulddecommissionandremovetheexistingwindturbinesonthewindenergyfacilitysite,installnewandfewerturbines,andmakeimprovementstorelatedinfrastructure.Proposedprojectareaingress/egresswouldbeviaAltamontPassRoad,NorthMidwayRoad,GrantLineRoad,andMountainHouseRoad.Existingsiteentranceswouldbeused.
Theproposedprojectwouldinstallupto24new1.5to3.0MWturbinesandrelatedinfrastructurewitharesultingcapacitybetween33MWand72MW.Thespecificequipmentchosenforthecurrentprojectwoulddependonfinalmicrositing.However,theproponentisconsideringrangeofturbines;eachwouldhaveanameplatecapacityofupto3.0MW,arotordiameterof90–125meters(295–410feet),towersupto100meters(382feet),andamaximumturbineheightof151meters(495feet).Forexample,theGoldwindGW1212.5MWturbine,hasa121‐meter(397–foot)rotordiameter,90‐meter(295‐foot)hubheight,andturnsat13.5rpm.Thetubularsteeltowerswouldhaveinternalladderstothenacelle,thecoloroftowersandrotorswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray),andnacelleswouldbecompletelyenclosedtominimizeperchingopportunities.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐2
March 2016ICF 00630.15
TheEnvironmentalChecklistwaspreparedinresponsetoaconditionalusepermitapplicationtoauthorizetherepoweringoftheformerSeawestPowerResourceswindturbinesintheprojectarea.Theleaseagreementsandturbineassetsandinfrastructurewereacquiredin2012byOgin,Inc.(formerlyknownasFloDesignWindTurbineCorporation)fromAESSeawest.Ogin,Inc.ownsSHWind,aswellasForebayWind,LLC.SHWind,haswindenergyeasementscoveringallofthepropertiesassociatedwiththeproject.ForebayWind,LLC,ownstheexistinggenerationassetsandoperatesthembyasubeasementthroughSandHillWind,LLC.SeawestPowerResources(orAES),whichpreviouslyownedthewindturbinesnowheldbytheApplicant,heldfivepermitsontheeightpropertiesfortheoperationof433windturbineswithareportednameplategeneratingcapacity,asof2005,ofroughly25.4MW.Thesepermitsexpiredbetween2002and2004,andwererenewedin2005alongwith26otherCUPsforotherwind‐energycompanies,withspecificconditionsthatweredirectedtowardsreducingavianmortalityandestablishingarepoweringprogramasaresultoflitigation(hereafterreferredtoasthe2007SettlementAgreement).Amongotherrequirements,theconditionsofthe2007SettlementAgreementrequiredtheremovalofindividualturbinesdefinedasuniquelyorespeciallyhazardoustobirds,establishedaScientificReviewCommitteefortheAPWRA,andinstitutedaMonitoringTeamtoevaluateprogressonreducingavianmortality.
Record of Proceedings and Custodian of Record Therecorduponwhichallfindingsanddeterminationsrelatedtotheapprovaloftheprojectarebasedcomprisestheitemslistedbelow.
ThePEIR,theEnvironmentalChecklist,andalldocumentsreferencedinorrelieduponbythePEIRandEnvironmentalChecklist.
Allinformation(includingwrittenevidenceandtestimony)providedbyCountystafftotheEBZArelatingtothePEIR,theapprovals,andtheproject.
Allinformation(includingwrittenevidenceandtestimony)presentedtotheEBZAbytheenvironmentalconsultantswhopreparedthePEIRorincorporatedintoreportspresentedtotheEBZA.
Allinformation(includingwrittenevidenceandtestimony)presentedtotheCountyfromotherpublicagenciesrelatedtotheprojectorthePEIR.
Allapplications,letters,testimony,andpresentationsrelatingtotheproject.
Allinformation(includingwrittenevidenceandtestimony)presentedatanyCountyhearingrelatedtotheprojectandthePEIR.
AllCounty‐adoptedorCounty‐preparedlanduseplans,ordinances,includingwithoutlimitationgeneralplans,specificplans,andordinances,togetherwithenvironmentalreviewdocuments,findings,mitigationmonitoringprograms,andotherdocumentsrelevanttolandusewithinthearea.
TheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgramfortheproject.
AllotherdocumentscomposingtherecordpursuanttoPublicResourcesCodeSection21167.6(e).
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐3
March 2016ICF 00630.15
ThecustodianofthedocumentsandothermaterialsthatconstitutetherecordoftheproceedingsuponwhichtheCounty’sdecisionsarebasedisSandraRivera,AssistantPlanningDirector,orherdesignee.Suchdocumentsandothermaterialarelocatedat224WintonAvenue,Room111,Hayward,California94544.
Consideration and Certification of the PEIR InaccordancewithCEQA,theEBZApreviouslycertified,inNovember2014,thatthePEIRhasbeencompletedincompliancewithCEQA.TheEBZAhasindependentlyreviewedtherecordandthePEIRpriortocertifyingthePEIRandapprovingtheproject.Bythesefindings,theEBZAconfirms,ratifies,andadoptsthefindingsandconclusionsofthePEIRandtheEnvironmentalChecklistassupplementedandmodifiedbythesefindings.ThePEIR,theEnvironmentalChecklistandthesefindingsrepresenttheindependentjudgmentandanalysisoftheCountyandtheEBZA.TheEBZArecognizesthatthePEIRandtheEnvironmentalChecklistmaycontainclericalerrors.TheEBZAreviewedtheentiretyofthePEIRandbasesitsdeterminationonthesubstanceoftheinformationitcontains.TheEBZAcertifiesthatthePEIRandtheEnvironmentalChecklistareadequatetosupporttheapprovaloftheactionthatisthesubjectoftheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAfindingsareattached.
TheEBZAcertifiesthatthePEIRandtheEnvironmentalChecklistareadequatetosupportapprovaloftheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjectdescribedinthestaffreport,eachcomponentandphaseoftheprojectdescribedinthePEIR,anyvariantoftheprojectdescribedinthePEIR,anyminormodificationstotheprojectorvariantsoftheprojectdescribedinthePEIR,andthecomponentsoftheproject.
Absence of Significant New Information TheEBZArecognizesthattheEnvironmentalChecklistincorporatesinformationobtainedandproducedaftertheFinalPEIRwascompleted,andthattheEnvironmentalChecklistcontainsadditions,clarifications,andmodifications.Mostnotably,theEnvironmentalChecklist issupplementedbyattachmentsthatevaluateanddescribeactivitiesrelatedtoandnecessaryforimplementationoftheproposedproject.
TheEBZAhasreviewedandconsideredtheFinalPEIRandthissubsequentinformation.TheEnvironmentalChecklist,includingthesupportingdocumentation,doesnotaddsignificantnewinformationtothePEIRthatwouldrequirerecirculationofthePEIRunderCEQA.ThenewinformationaddedtothePEIRdoesnotinvolveanewsignificantenvironmentalimpact,asubstantialincreaseintheseverityofanenvironmentalimpact,orafeasiblemitigationmeasureoralternativeconsiderablydifferentfromotherspreviouslyanalyzedthattheprojectsponsordeclinestoadoptandthatwouldclearlylessenthesignificantenvironmentalimpactsoftheproject.NoinformationindicatesthatthePEIRwasinadequateorconclusoryorthatthepublicwasdeprivedofameaningfulopportunitytoreviewandcommentonthePEIR.Thus,recirculationofthePEIRisnotrequired.TheEBZAfindsthattheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectpresentedintheEnvironmentalChecklist,sincetheFinalPEIRwascirculatedforpublicreviewandcommentdonotindividuallyorcollectivelyconstitutesignificantnewinformationwithinthemeaningofPublicResourcesCodeSection21092.1orSection15088.5oftheStateCEQAGuidelines.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐4
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Severability Ifanyterm,provision,orportionoftheseFindingsortheapplicationoftheseFindingstoaparticularsituationisheldbyacourtofcompetentjurisdictiontobeinvalid,voidorunenforceable,theremainingprovisionsoftheseFindings,ortheirapplicationtootheractionsrelatedtotheproject,shallcontinueinfullforceandeffectunlessamendedormodifiedbytheCounty.
Findings and Recommendations Regarding Significant and Unavoidable Impacts
Air Quality
ImpactAQ‐2:Violateanyairqualitystandardorcontributesubstantiallytoanexistingorprojectedairqualityviolation
PotentialImpact:ConstructionoftheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldoccuroveraperiodof6‐9months.Itisestimatedthattherewouldbe180workdaysthatwouldinvolvetheuseofheavyconstructionequipment(seeSandHillWindRepowerProjectDescriptionTable2‐7,DecommissioningandConstructionEquipmentRequirements).AsdescribedinPEIRSection3.3,AirQuality,itisexpectedthatthemajorityofequipmentandmaterial‐relatedtrucktripswouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracyandthattheconstructionworker‐relatedcommutetripswouldoccurentirelywithintheSFBAAB.Theportionoftheequipment,material,andaggregatehaultripsthatwouldoriginateatthePortofStocktonandinthecityofTracywouldbegeneratedintheSJVAB,whichisunderSJVAPCD’sjurisdiction.Therefore,theheavy‐dutytrucktripexhaustemissionsthatwouldbegeneratedintheSJVABhavebeenquantifiedandcomparedtoSJVAPCD’sannualsignificancethresholds(PEIRTable3.3‐7).
Duringconstruction,theproject’smaximumdailyunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofNOxareexpectedtoexceedBAAQMD’ssignificancethreshold,evenwithmitigation,resultinginasignificantimpact.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedintheDraftPEIRatpages3.3‐25through3.3‐27,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AQ‐2a:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingapplicableBAAQMDBasicConstructionMitigationMeasures
AQ‐2b:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingmeasuresbasedonBAAQMD’sAdditionalConstructionMitigationMeasures
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2a,andAQ‐2bwillreducetheproject’sconstruction‐relatedemissionsbutwillnotmitigatethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel,asthereisnofeasiblewaytoavoidthesignificantimpact.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐5
March 2016ICF 00630.15
AQ‐2a:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingapplicableBAAQMDBasicConstructionMitigationMeasures
Theprojectproponentswillrequireallcontractorstocomplywiththefollowingrequirementsforallareaswithactiveconstructionactivities. Allexposedsurfaces(e.g.,parkingareas,stagingareas,soilpiles,gradedareas,andunpaved
accessroads)willbewateredasneededtomaintaindustcontrolonsite—approximatelytwotimesperday.
Allhaultruckstransportingsoil,sand,orotherloosematerialoffsitewillbecovered. Allvisiblemudordirttrack‐outontoadjacentpublicroadswillberemovedusingwet
powervacuumstreetsweepersatleastonceperday.Theuseofdrypowersweepingisprohibited.
Allvehiclespeedsonunpavedroadswillbelimitedto15mph. Allroadways,driveways,andsidewalkstobepavedwillbecompletedassoonaspossible.
Buildingpadswillbelaidassoonaspossibleaftergradingunlessseedingorsoilbindersareused.
Idlingtimeswillbeminimizedeitherbyshuttingequipmentoffwhennotinuseorreducingthemaximumidlingtimeto5minutes(asrequiredbytheCaliforniaairbornetoxicscontrolmeasureTitle13,Section2485ofCaliforniaCodeofRegulations[CCR]).Clearsignagewillbeprovidedforconstructionworkersatallaccesspoints.
Allconstructionequipmentwillbemaintainedandproperlytunedinaccordancewithmanufacturer’sspecifications.Allequipmentwillbecheckedbyacertifiedvisibleemissionsevaluator.
Postapubliclyvisiblesignwiththetelephonenumberandpersontocontactattheleadagencyregardingdustcomplaints.Thispersonwillrespondandtakecorrectiveactionwithin48hours.Theairdistrict’sphonenumberwillalsobevisibletoensurecompliancewithapplicableregulations.
AQ‐2b:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingmeasuresbasedonBAAQMD’sAdditionalConstructionMitigationMeasures
Theprojectproponentswillrequireallcontractorstocomplywiththefollowingrequirementsforallareaswithactiveconstructionactivities. Duringconstructionactivities,allexposedsurfaceswillbewateredatafrequencyadequate
tomeetandmaintainfugitivedustcontrolrequirementsofallrelevantairqualitymanagemententities.
Allexcavation,grading,and/ordemolitionactivitieswillbesuspendedwhenaveragewindspeedsexceed20mph,asmeasuredattheLivermoreMunicipalAirport.
Windbreaks(e.g.,trees,fences)willbeinstalledonthewindwardside(s)ofactivelydisturbedareasofconstruction.Windbreaksshouldhaveatmaximum50%airporosity.
Vegetativegroundcover(e.g.,fast‐germinatingnativegrassseed)willbeplantedindisturbedareasassoonaspossibleandwateredappropriatelyuntilvegetationisestablished.
Iffeasibleandpracticable,thesimultaneousoccurrenceofexcavation,grading,andground‐disturbingconstructionactivitiesonthesameareaatanyonetimewillbelimited.
Alltrucksandequipment,includingtheirtires,willbewashedoffpriortoleavingthesite.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐6
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Siteaccessestoadistanceof100feetfromthepavedroadwillbetreatedwitha6to12inchcompactedlayerofwoodchips,mulch,orgravel.
Sandbagsorothererosioncontrolmeasureswillbeinstalledtopreventsiltrunofftopublicroadwaysfromsiteswithaslopegreaterthan1%.
Theidlingtimeofdieselpoweredconstructionequipmentwillbeminimizedto2minutes. Theprojectwilldevelopaplandemonstratingthattheoffroadequipment(morethan50
horsepower)tobeusedintheconstructionproject(i.e.,owned,leased,andsubcontractorvehicles)wouldachieveaprojectwidefleet‐average20%NOXreductionand45%PMreductioncomparedtothemostrecentARBfleetaverage.Acceptableoptionsforreducingemissionsincludetheuseoflatemodelengines,low‐emissiondieselproducts,alternativefuels,engineretrofittechnology,after‐treatmentproducts,add‐ondevicessuchasparticulatefilters,and/orotheroptionsassuchbecomeavailable.
UselowVOC(i.e.,ROG)coatingsbeyondthelocalrequirements(i.e.,Regulation8,Rule3:ArchitecturalCoatings).
Allconstructionequipment,dieseltrucks,andgeneratorswillbeequippedwithBACTforemissionreductionsofNOXandPM.
AllcontractorswilluseequipmentthatmeetsARB’smostrecentcertificationstandardforoffroadheavydutydieselengines.
RemainingImpacts:Remainingimpactsrelatedtotheprojectconstructionactivities’contributiontotheconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionswillbesignificantandunavoidable.
OverridingConsiderations:AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfindsthatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheapprovedprojectthatoverridetheremainingsignificantandunavoidableimpactsonairquality.Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasuresorchangestotheprojectthatwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactAQ‐3:Resultinacumulativelyconsiderablenetincreaseofanycriteriapollutantforwhichtheprojectregionisanonattainmentareaforanapplicablefederalorstateambientairqualitystandard(includingreleasingemissionsthatexceedquantitativethresholdsforozoneprecursors)
PotentialImpact:OperationoftheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldnotresultinnewpermanentstationarysourcesofcriteriapollutants,norwoulditincreasecriteriapollutantemissionsfromanyexistingstationarysources.Duringconstruction,theproject’smaximumdailyunmitigatedexhaustemissionsofNOxareexpectedtoexceedBAAQMD’sproject‐leveldailymassthresholdsindicatedinTable3.3‐5oftheDraftPEIR.Noadditionalairemissionsmodelingwaspreparedfortheproposedprojecttoshowthattheemissionslevelsforthespecificprojectwouldnotexceedthestandards;therefore,thePEIRmitigationmeasuresarerequiredandtheproposedprojectisconsideredtohavethesignificantandunavoidableimpactasidentifiedinthePEIR.
BecauseconstructionemissionsofNOXundertheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectaregreaterthantheBAAQMDthresholdsafterimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2b,constructionimpactsaresignificantandunavoidable.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐7
March 2016ICF 00630.15
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedintheDraftPEIRatpages3.3‐25through3.3‐27,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AQ‐2a:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingapplicableBAAQMDBasicConstructionMitigationMeasures
AQ‐2b:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingmeasuresbasedonBAAQMD’sAdditionalConstructionMitigationMeasures
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2a,andAQ‐2bwillreducetheproject’sconstruction‐relatedemissionsbutwillnotmitigatethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel,asthereisnofeasiblewaytoavoidthesignificantimpact.
RemainingImpacts:Remainingimpactsrelatedtotheprojectconstructionactivities’contributiontocumulativeconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionswillbesignificantandunavoidable.
OverridingConsiderations:AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfindsthatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheapprovedprojectthatoverridetheremainingsignificantandunavoidableimpactsonairquality.Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasures,orchangestotheprojectthatwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
Biological Resources
ImpactBIO‐11:Avianmortalityresultingfrominteractionwithwindenergyfacilities
PotentialImpact:Theoperationofwindenergyfacilitieshasbeenshowntocauseavianfatalitiesthroughcollisionswithwindturbinesandpowerlinesandthroughelectrocutiononpowerlines.Althoughrepoweringisintendedtoreducefatalities,enoughuncertaintyremainsinlightofproject‐andsite‐specificdatatowarrantaconservativeapproachintheimpactanalysis.Accordingly,thecontinuedorincreasedlossofbirds(includingspecial‐statusspecies)atarateexceedingthebaselineratewouldbeasignificantadverseimpact.AsitingprocesswasconductedfortheSandHillWindRepoweringProjecttochoosespecificturbinesitesbasedonavianspeciesflightpatterns,aswellasinrecognitionofterrestrialspecies,wetlandecologies,windconditions(orresources)andtopography,safetysetbackrequirementsandotherfactors.MoredetailedsitinganalysisinaccordancewithBIO‐11aandfortheprojectAPPisongoingandmaycontinueuntilthebuildingpermitapplicationissubmitted.However,thereisalsoevidencethattheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldresultincontinuedavianmortalityinconflictwithspecificlawsandregulations(e.g.,ESA,CESA,MBTA)thatarenotbasedonmortalityrates,asdescribedinDeterminationofSignificanceonpages3.4‐58and3.4‐59oftheFinalPEIR,andwiththeobjectivesofthe2007SettlementAgreementthatboundthewindenergyoperatorsandtheCountytoprovidestrategiesandmeasurestoconserveavianspeciesofconcernandtheirhabitats.Thisconflictisconsideredasignificantimpactonprotectedandspecial‐statusavianspecies,andadoptingaconservativeexpectationthatsomelevelofavianmortalitywillcontinueevenwiththeimplementationofeveryfeasiblemitigationmeasureandconservationstrategy,thiswouldbeasignificantandunavoidableimpact.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐8
March 2016ICF 00630.15
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐11a:Prepareaproject‐specificavianprotectionplan
BIO‐11b:Siteturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbirds
BIO‐11c:Useturbinedesignsthatreduceavianimpacts
BIO‐11d:Incorporateavian‐safepracticesintodesignofturbine‐relatedinfrastructure
BIO‐11e:Retrofitexistinginfrastructuretominimizerisktoraptors
BIO‐11f:Discouragepreyforraptors
BIO‐11g:Implementpostconstructionavianfatalitymonitoringforallrepoweringprojectsandimplementadaptivemanagementmeasuresasnecessary
BIO‐11h:Compensateforthelossofraptorsandotheravianspecies,includinggoldeneagles,bycontributingtoconservationefforts
BIO‐11i:Implementanavianadaptivemanagementprogram
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐11a,BIO‐11b,BIO‐11c,BIO‐11d,BIO‐11e,BIO‐11f,BIO‐11g,BIO‐11h,andBIO‐11iwillreducetherateofavianmortalityassociatedwiththeprojectbutwillnotmitigatethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel,asthereisnofeasiblewaytoavoidthesignificantimpact.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactionspriortoandduringoperations.
BIO‐11a:Prepareaproject‐specificavianprotectionplan
Allprojectproponentswillprepareaproject‐specificAPPtospecifymeasuresandprotocolsconsistentwiththeprogram‐levelmitigationmeasuresthataddressavianmortality.Theproject‐specificAPPswillinclude,ataminimum,thefollowingcomponents. Informationandmethodsusedtositeturbinestominimizerisk. Documentationthatappropriateturbinedesignsarebeingused. Documentationthatavian‐safepracticesarebeingimplementedonprojectinfrastructure. Methodsusedtodiscouragepreyforraptors. Adetaileddescriptionofthepostconstructionavianfatalitymonitoringmethodstobeused
(consistentwiththeminimumrequirementsoutlinedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11g). Methodsusedtocompensateforthelossofraptors(consistentwiththerequirementsof
MitigationMeasureBIO‐11h).Eachprojectapplicantwillprepareandsubmitadraftproject‐specificAPPtotheCounty.ThedraftAPPwillbereviewedbytheTACforconsistencyandtheinclusionofappropriate
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐9
March 2016ICF 00630.15
mitigationmeasuresthatareconsistentwiththePEIRandrecommendedforapprovalbytheCounty.EachprojectapplicantmusthaveanapprovedFinalAPPpriortocommercialoperation.
BIO‐11b:Siteturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbirds
Micro‐sitingofturbines—usinganalysesoflandscapefeaturesandlocation‐specificbirduseandbehaviordatatoidentifylocationswithreducedcollisionrisk—mayresultinreducedfatalities(Smallwoodetal.2009).Allprojectproponentswillconductasitingprocessandprepareasitinganalysistoselectturbinelocationstominimizepotentialimpactsonbirdandbatspecies.Proponentswillutilizeexistingdataaswellascollectnewsite‐specificdataaspartofthesitinganalysis.
ProjectproponentswillutilizecurrentlyavailableguidelinessuchastheAlamedaCountySRCguidelinesforsitingwindturbines(AlamedaCountySRC2010)and/orothercurrentlyavailableresearchorguidelinestoconductsitinganalysis.Additionally,projectproponentswillusetheresultsofprevioussitingeffortstoinformtheanalysisandsitingmethodsasappropriatesuchthatthescienceofsitingcontinuestobeadvanced.Allprojectproponentswillcollectfielddatathatidentifyorconfirmthebehavior,utilization,anddistributionpatternsofaffectedavianandbatspeciespriortotheinstallationofturbines.Projectproponentswillcollectandutilizeavailableexistinginformation,includingbutnotnecessarilylimitedto:sitingreportsandmonitoringdatafrompreviouslyinstalledprojects;publisheduseandabundancestudiesandreports;andtopographicfeaturesknowntoincreasecollisionrisk(trees,riparianareas,waterbodies,andwetlands).
Projectproponentswillalsocollectandutilizeadditionalfielddataasnecessarytoinformthesitinganalysisforgoldeneagle.AsrequiredinMitigationMeasureBIO‐8a,surveyswillbeconductedtolocategoldeneaglenestswithin2milesofproposedprojectareas.Sitingofturbineswithin2milesofanactiveoralternativegoldeneaglenestoractivegoldeneagleterritorywillbebasedonasite‐specificanalysisofriskbasedontheestimatedeagleterritories,conductedinconsultationwithUSFWS.
MitigationMeasureBIO‐11c:Useturbinedesignsthatreduceavianimpacts
Useofturbineswithcertaincharacteristicsisbelievedtoreducethecollisionriskforavianspecies.Projectproponentswillimplementthedesign‐relatedmeasureslistedbelow. Turbinedesignswillbeselectedthathavebeenshownorthataresuspectedtoreduceavian
fatalities,basedontheheight,color,configuration,orotherfeaturesoftheturbines. Turbinedesignwilllimitoreliminateperchingopportunities.Designswillincludeatubular
towerwithinternalladders;externalcatwalks,railings,orladderswillbeprohibited. Turbinedesignwilllimitoreliminatenestingorroostingopportunities.Openingson
turbineswillbecoveredtopreventcavity‐nestingspeciesfromnestingintheturbines. LightingwillbeinstalledonthefewestnumberofturbinesallowedbyFAAregulations,and
allpilotwarninglightswillfiresynchronously.Turbinelightingwillemployonlyredordualred‐and‐whitestrobe,strobe‐like,orflashinglights(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2012).Alllightingonturbineswillbeoperatedattheminimumallowableintensity,flashingfrequency,andquantityallowedbyFAA(Gehringetal.2009;U.S.FishandWildlifeService2012).DurationbetweenflasheswillbethelongestallowablebytheFAA.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐10
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐11d:Incorporateavian‐safepracticesintodesignofturbine‐relatedinfrastructure
Allprojectproponentswillapplythefollowingmeasureswhendesigningandsitingturbine‐relatedinfrastructure.Thesemeasureswillreducetheriskofbirdelectrocutionandcollision. Permanentmeteorologicalstationswillavoiduseofguywires.Ifitisnotpossibletoavoid
usingguywires,thewireswillbeatleast4/0gaugetoensurevisibilityandwillbefittedwithbirddeterrentdevices.
AllpermanentmeteorologicaltowerswillbeunlitunlesslightingisrequiredbyFAA.Iflightingisrequired,itwillbeoperatedattheminimumallowableintensity,flashingfrequency,andquantityallowedbyFAA.
Totheextentpossible,allpowerlineswillbeplacedunderground.However,linesmaybeplacedabovegroundimmediatelypriortoenteringthesubstation.Allabovegroundlineswillbefittedwithbirdflightdivertersorvisibilityenhancementdevices(e.g.,spiraldampingdevices).Whenlinescannotbeplacedunderground,appropriateavianprotectiondesignsmustbeemployed.Asaminimumrequirement,thecollectionsystemwillconformwiththemostcurrenteditionoftheAvianPowerLineInteractionCommitteeguidelinestopreventelectrocutions.
Lightingwillbefocuseddownwardandminimizedtolimitskywardillumination.Sodiumvaporlampsandspotlightswillnotbeusedatanyfacility(e.g.,laydownareas,substations)exceptwhenemergencymaintenanceisneeded.Lightingatcollectionfacilities,includingsubstations,willbeminimizedusingdowncastlightingandmotion‐detectiondevices.Theuseofhigh‐intensitylighting;steady‐burningorbrightlightssuchassodiumvapor,quartz,orhalogen;orotherbrightspotlightswillbeminimized.Wherelightingisrequireditwillbedesignedfortheminimumintensityrequiredforsafeoperationofthefacility.Greenorbluelightingwillbeusedinplaceofredorwhitelighting.
BIO‐11e:Retrofitexistinginfrastructuretominimizerisktoraptors
Anyexistingpowerlinesinaspecificprojectareathatareownedbythewindprojectoperatorandthatareassociatedwithelectrocutionofaneagleorotherraptorwillberetrofittedwithin30daystomakethemraptor‐safeaccordingtoAvianPowerLineInteractionCommitteeguidelines.Allotherexistingstructurestoremaininaprojectareaduringrepoweringwillberetrofitted,asfeasible,accordingtospecificationsofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11cpriortorepoweredturbineoperation.
BIO‐11f:Discouragepreyforraptors
Allprojectproponentswillapplythefollowingmeasureswhendesigningandsitingturbine‐relatedinfrastructure.Thesemeasuresareintendedtominimizeopportunitiesforfossorialmammalstobecomeestablishedandtherebycreateapreybasethatcouldbecomeanattractantforraptors.
Rodenticidewillnotbeutilizedontheprojectsitetoavoidtheriskofraptorsscavengingtheremainsofpoisonedanimals.
Boulders(rocksmorethan12inchesindiameter)excavatedduringprojectconstructionmaybeplacedinabovegroundpilesintheprojectareasolongastheyaremorethan500meters(1,640feet)fromanyturbine.Existingrockpilescreatedduringconstructionoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbineswillalsobemovedatleast500meters(1,640feet)fromturbines.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐11
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Gravelwillbeplacedaroundeachtowerfoundationtodiscouragesmallmammalsfromburrowingnearturbines.
BIO‐11g:Implementpostconstructionavianfatalitymonitoringforallrepoweringprojects
Apostconstructionmonitoringprogramwillbeconductedateachrepoweringprojectforaminimumof3yearsbeginningonthecommercialoperationdate(COD)oftheproject.Monitoringmaycontinuebeyond3yearsifconstructioniscompletedinphases.Moreover,iftheresultsofthefirst3yearsindicatethatbaselinefatalityrates(i.e.,nonrepoweredfatalityrates)areexceeded,monitoringwillbeextendeduntiltheaverageannualfatalityratehasdroppedbelowbaselinefatalityratesfor2years,andtoassesstheeffectivenessofadaptivemanagementmeasuresspecifiedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11i.Anadditional2yearsofmonitoringwillbeimplementedatyear10(i.e.,thetenthanniversaryoftheCOD).ProjectproponentswillprovideaccesstoqualifiedthirdpartiesauthorizedbytheCountytoconductanyadditionalmonitoringaftertheinitial3‐yearmonitoringperiodhasexpiredandbeforeandaftertheadditional2‐yearmonitoringperiod,providedthatsuchadditionalmonitoringutilizesscientificallyvalidmonitoringprotocols.
Atechnicaladvisorycommittee(TAC)willbeformedtooverseethemonitoringprogramandtoadvisetheCountyonadaptivemanagementmeasuresthatmaybenecessaryiffatalityratessubstantiallyexceedthosepredictedfortheproject(asdescribedbelowinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11i).TheTACwillhaveastandingmeeting,whichwillbeopentothepublic,every6monthstoreviewmonitoringreportsproducedbyoperatorsintheprogramarea.Inthesemeetings,theTACwilldiscussanyissuesraisedbythemonitoringreportsandrecommendtotheCountynextstepstoaddressissues,includingschedulingadditionalmeetings,ifnecessary.
TheTACwillcompriserepresentativesfromtheCounty(includingoneormoretechnicalconsultants,suchasabiostatistician,anavianbiologist,andabatbiologist),andwildlifeagencies(CDFW,USFWS).AdditionalTACmembersmayalsobeconsidered(e.g.,arepresentativefromAudubon,alandownerintheprogramarea,arepresentativeoftheoperators)atthediscretionoftheCounty.TheTACwillbeavoluntaryandadvisorygroupthatwillprovideguidancetotheCountyPlanningDepartment.Tomaintaintransparencywiththepublic,allTACmeetingswillbeopentothepublic,andnoticeofmeetingswillbegiventointerestedparties.
TheTACwillhavethreeprimaryadvisoryroles:(1)toreviewandadviseonprojectplanningdocuments(i.e.,project‐specificAPPs)toensurethatproject‐specificmitigationmeasuresandcompensatorymitigationmeasuresdescribedinthisPEIRareappropriatelyandconsistentlyapplied,(2)toreviewandadviseonmonitoringdocuments(protocolsandreporting)forconsistencywiththemitigationmeasures,and(3)toreviewandadviseonimplementationoftheadaptivemanagementplans.
ShouldfatalitymonitoringrevealthatimpactsexceedthebaselinethresholdsestablishedinthisPEIR,theTACwilladvisetheCountyonrequiringimplementationofadaptivemanagementmeasuresasdescribedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11i.TheCountywillhavethedecision‐makingauthority,asitistheorganizationissuingtheCUPs.However,theTACwillcollaborativelyinformthedecisionsoftheCounty.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐12
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Operatorsarerequiredtoprovideforavianusesurveystobeconductedwithintheprojectareaboundariesforaminimumof30minutesduration.SurveyorswillbequalifiedandtrainedandsubjecttoapprovalbytheCounty.
Carcasssurveyswillbeconductedateveryturbineforprojectswith20orfewerturbines.Forprojectswithmorethan20turbines,suchsurveyswillberequiredataminimumof20turbines,andasampleoftheremainingturbinesmaybeselectedforcarcasssearches.Theoperatorwillberequiredtodemonstratethatthesamplingschemeandsamplesizearestatisticallyrigorousanddefensible.Wheresubstantialvariationinterrain,landcovertype,management,orotherfactorsmaycontributetosignificantvariationinfatalityrates,thesamplingschemewillbestratifiedtoaccountforsuchvariation.Thesurveyprotocolforsetsandsubsetsofturbines,aswellasproposedsamplingschemesthatdonotentailasearchofallturbines,mustbeapprovedbytheCountyinconsultationwiththeTACpriortothestartofsurveys.
Thesearchintervalwillnotexceed14daysfortheminimumof20turbinestobesurveyed;however,thesearchintervalfortheadditionalturbines(i.e.,thoseexceedingthe20‐turbineminimum)thataretobeincludedinthesamplingschememaybeextendedupto28daysorlongerifrecommendedbytheTAC.
Theestimationofdetectionprobabilityisarapidlyadvancingfield.Carcassplacementtrials,broadlydefined,willbeconductedtoestimatedetectionprobabilityduringeachyearofmonitoring.Samplesizeswillbelargeenoughtopotentiallydetectsignificantvariationbyseason,carcasssize,andhabitattype.
OperatorswillberequiredtosubmitcopiesofallrawdataformstotheCountyannually,willsupplyrawdatainareadilyaccessibledigitalformattobespecifiedbytheCounty,andwillpreparerawdataforinclusionasappendicesintheannualreports.TheintentistoallowtheCountytoconductindependentanalysesandmeta‐analysesofdataacrosstheAPWRA,andtosupplythesedatatotheregulatoryagenciesifrequested.
AnnualreportssubmittedtotheCountywillprovideasynthesisofallinformationcollectedtodate.Eachreportwillprovideanintroduction;descriptionsofthestudyarea,methods,andresults;adiscussionoftheresults;andanysuitablerecommendations.Reportswillproviderawcountsoffatalities,adjustedfatalityrates,andestimatesofproject‐widefatalitiesonbothaperMWandperturbinebasis.
BIO‐11h:Compensateforthelossofraptorsandotheravianspecies,includinggoldeneagles,bycontributingtoconservationefforts
Discussion
Severaloptionstocompensateforimpactsonraptorsarecurrentlyavailable.Somearetargetedtobenefitcertainspecies,buttheymayalsohavebenefitsforotherraptorandnon‐raptorspecies.Forexample,USFWS’sECPGuidelinescurrentlyoutlineacompensatorymitigationstrategyforgoldeneaglesusingtheretrofitofhigh‐riskpowerpoles(polesknownorsuspectedtoelectrocuteandkilleagles).Thegoalofthisstrategyistoeliminatehazardsforgoldeneagles.However,becausethepolesarealsodangerousforotherlargeraptors(e.g.,red‐tailedhawk,Swainson’shawk),retrofittingthemcanbenefitsuchspeciesaswellaseagles.
Similarly,althoughtheretrofittingofelectricalpolesmayhavebenefitsforlargeraptors,suchanapproachmayprovideminimalbenefitsforsmallerraptorssuchasAmericankestreland
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐13
March 2016ICF 00630.15
burrowingowl.Consequently,additionalmeasureswouldberequiredcomponentsofanoverallmitigationpackagetocompensateforimpactsonraptorsingeneral.
TheSecretaryoftheInteriorissuedOrder3330onOctober31,2013,outlininganewapproachtomitigationpoliciesandpracticesoftheDepartmentoftheInterior.Thisapproachrecognizesthatcertainstrategiesaimedatsomespecies(e.g.,raptors)canprovidesubstantialbenefittoothers(e.g.,non‐raptors)andtotheecologicallandscapeasawhole.Thelandscape‐scaleapproachtomitigationandconservationeffortsisnowcentraltotheDepartment’smitigationstrategy.AlthoughtheOrderwasintendedforusebyfederalagenciesandassuchisnotdirectlyapplicabletotheCounty,itisevidentthatsuchanapproachwouldlikelyhavethegreatestmitigationbenefits,especiallywhenconsideringongoingandlong‐termimpactsfromwindenergyprojects.
Withtheseconsiderationsinmind,theCountyhasoutlinedseveraloptionsthatarecurrentlyavailabletocompensateforimpactsonraptorsandotheravianspecies.Theoptionsdiscussedbelowarecurrentlyconsideredacceptableapproachestocompensationforimpactsonraptorsandotherspecies.Althoughnoteveryoptionisappropriateforallspecies,itishopedthatastimeproceeds,amorecomprehensivelandscape‐levelapproachtomitigationwillbeadoptedtobenefitabroadersuiteofspeciesthanmightbenefitfrommorespecies‐specificmeasures.TheCountyrecognizesthatthescienceofraptorconservationandtheunderstandingofwind‐wildlifeimpactsarecontinuingtoevolveandthatthesuiteofavailablecompensationoptionsmayconsequentlychangeoverthelifeoftheproposedprojects.
ConservationMeasures
Topromotetheconservationofraptorsandotheravianspecies,projectproponentswillcompensateforraptorfatalitiesestimatedwithintheirprojectareas.Mitigationwillbeprovidedin10‐yearincrements,withthefirstincrementbasedontheestimates(raptors/MW/year)providedinthisPEIRfortheVascoWindsProject(Table3.4‐10)ortheproject‐specificEIRforfutureprojects.TheVascoWindsfatalityrateswereselectedbecausetheVascoturbinesarethemostsimilartothoselikelytobeproposedforfuturerepoweringprojectsandconsequentlyrepresentthebestavailablefatalityestimates.Eachprojectproponentwillconductpostconstructionfatalitymonitoringforatleast3yearsbeginningatprojectstartup(dateofcommercialoperation)andagainfor2yearsatyear10,asrequiredunderMitigationMeasureBIO‐11g,toestimatetheaveragenumberofraptorstakeneachyearbyeachindividualproject.Theprojectproponentwillcompensateforthisnumberofraptorsinsubsequent10‐yearincrementsforthelifeoftheproject(i.e.,three10‐yearincrements)asoutlinedbelow.MitigationMeasureBIO‐11galsorequiresadditionalfatalitymonitoringatyear10oftheproject.Theresultsofthefirst3yearsofmonitoringand/orthemonitoringatyear10mayleadtorevisionsoftheestimatedaveragenumberofraptorstaken,andmitigationprovidedmaybeadjustedaccordinglyonaone‐timebasiswithineachofthefirsttwo10‐yearincrements,basedontheresultsofthemonitoringrequiredbyMitigationMeasureBIO‐11g,inconsultationwiththeTAC.
Priortothestartofoperations,projectproponentswillsubmitforCountyapprovalanavianconservationstrategy,aspartoftheproject‐specificAPPoutlinedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11a,outliningtheestimatednumberofraptorfatalitiesbasedonthenumberandtypeofturbinesbeingconstructed,andthetypeortypesofcompensationoptionstobeimplemented.Projectproponentswillusetheavianconservationstrategytocraftanappropriatestrategy
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐14
March 2016ICF 00630.15
usingabalancedmixoftheoptionspresentedbelow,aswellasconsideringnewoptionssuggestedbythegrowingbodyofknowledgeduringthecourseoftheprojectlifespan,assupportedbyaResourceEquivalencyAnalysis(REA)(seeexampleinAppendixC)orsimilartypeofcompensationassessmentacceptabletotheCountythatdemonstratestheefficacyofproposedmitigationforimpactsonraptors.
TheCountyPlanningDirector,inconsultationwiththeTAC,willconsider,basedontheREA,whethertheproposedavianconservationstrategyisadequate,includingconsiderationofwhethereachavianmitigationplanincorporatesalandscape‐scaleapproachsuchthattheconservationeffortsachievethegreatestpossiblebenefits.Compensationmeasuresasdetailedinanapprovedavianconservationstrategymustbeimplementedwithin1yearofthedateofcommercialoperations.AvianconservationstrategieswillbereviewedandmayberevisedbytheCountyevery10years,andonaone‐timebasisineachofthetwo10‐yearincrementsbasedonthemonitoringrequiredbyMitigationMeasureBIO‐11g. Retrofittinghigh‐riskelectricalinfrastructure.USFWS’sECPGuidelinesoutlinea
compensatorymitigationstrategyusingtheretrofitofhigh‐riskpowerpoles(polesknownorsuspectedtoelectrocuteandkilleagles).USFWShasdevelopedanREA(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2013a)asatooltoestimatethecompensatorymitigation(numberofretrofits)requiredforthetakeofeagles.TheREAtakesintoaccountthecurrentunderstandingofeaglelifehistoryfactors,theeffectivenessofretrofittingpoles,theexpectedannualtake,andthetimingofimplementationofthepoleretrofits.Theprojectproponentsmayneedtocontractwithautilityorathird‐partymitigationaccount(suchastheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation)toretrofitthenumberofpolesneededasdemonstratedbyaproject‐specificREA.Ifcontractingdirectly,theprojectproponentwillconsultwithutilitycompaniestoensurethathigh‐riskpoleshavebeenidentifiedforretrofitting.Proponentswillagreeinwritingtopaytheutilityowner/operatortoretrofittherequirednumberofpowerpolesandmaintaintheretrofitsfor10yearsandwillprovidetheCountywithdocumentationoftheretrofitagreement.Thefirstretrofitswillbebasedontheestimatednumberofeaglefatalitiesasdescribedaboveinthismeasureorasdevelopedintheproject‐specificEIRforfutureprojects.Subsequentnumbersofretrofitsrequiredforadditional10‐yeardurationswillbebasedontheresultsofproject‐specificfatalitymonitoringasoutlinedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11g.Iffewereaglefatalitiesareidentifiedthroughthemonitoring,thenumberoffuturerequiredretrofitsmaybereducedthroughaproject‐specificREA.Althoughretrofittingpoleshasnotbeenidentifiedasappropriatemitigationforotherlargeraptors,theywouldlikelybenefitfromsuchefforts,asthey(particularlyred‐tailedandSwainson’shawks)constitutethelargestnon‐eaglegrouptosufferelectrocutiononpowerlines(AvianPowerLineInteractionCommittee2006).
MeasuresoutlinedinanapprovedEagleConservationPlanandBirdandBatConservationStrategy.ProjectproponentsmayelecttoapplyforprogrammaticeagletakepermitsfromUSFWS.TheprogrammaticeagletakepermitprocesscurrentlyinvolvespreparationofanECPandaBirdandBatConservationStrategy(BBCS).TheECPspecifiesavoidanceandminimizationmeasures,advancedconservationpractices,andcompensatorymitigationforeagles—conditionsthatmeetUSFWS’scriteriaforissuanceofapermit.TheBBCSoutlinesmeasuresbeingimplementedbytheapplicanttoavoidandminimizeimpactsonmigratorybirds,includingraptors.Ifprogrammaticeagletakepermitsareobtainedbyprojectproponents,thosepermitterms,includingthemeasuresoutlinedintheapproved
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐15
March 2016ICF 00630.15
ECPandBBCS,mayconstituteanappropriateconservationmeasureforestimatedtakeofgoldeneaglesandotherraptors,providedsuchtermsaredeemedbytheCountytobecomparabletoormoreprotectiveofraptorsthantheotheroptionslistedherein.
Contributetoraptorconservationefforts.Projectproponentswillcontributefunds,intheamountof$580/raptorfatality,in10‐yearincrementstolocaland/orregionalconservationeffortsdesignedtoprotect,recover,andmanagelandsforraptors,ortoconductresearchinvolvingmethodstoreduceraptorfatalitiesorincreaseraptorproductivity.The$580amountisbasedontheaveragecosttorehabilitateoneraptorattheCaliforniaRaptorCenter,affiliatedwiththeUCDavisSchoolofVeterinaryMedicine,whichreceivesmorethan200injuredorillraptorsannually(Stedmanpers.comm.).Ten‐yearinstallmentsaremoreadvantageousthanmorefrequentinstallmentsforplanningandbudgetingpurposes.Thefundswillbecontributedtoanentityorentitiesengagedintheseactivities,suchastheEastBayRegionalParkDistrictandtheLivermoreAreaRegionalParkDistrict.Conservationeffortsmayincludeconstructingandinstallingnestboxesandperches,conductinganawarenesscampaigntoreducetheuseofrodenticide,andconductingresearchtobenefitraptors.ThespecificconservationefforttobepursuedwillbesubmittedtotheCountyforapprovalaspartoftheavianconservationstrategyreviewprocess.ThedonationreceiptwillbeprovidedtotheCountyasevidenceofpayment.
Thefirstcontributionsforanygivenprojectwillbebasedontheestimatednumberofraptorfatalitiesasdescribedaboveinthismeasureorasdevelopedintheproject‐specificEIRforfutureprojects.Fundsforsubsequent10‐yearinstallmentswillbeprovidedonthebasisoftheaverageannualraptorfatalityratesdeterminedthroughpostconstructionmonitoringefforts,allowingforaone‐timeadjustmentwithineach10‐yearincrementaftertheresultsofthemonitoringeffortsareavailable.Iffewerraptorfatalitiesaredetectedthroughthemonitoringeffort,thesecondinstallmentamountmaybereducedtoaccountforthedifferencebetweenthefirstestimatednumbersandthemonitoringresults.
Contributetoregionalconservationofraptorhabitat.ProjectproponentsmayaddressregionalconservationofraptorhabitatbyfundingtheacquisitionofconservationeasementswithintheAPWRAoronlandsinthesameeco‐regionoutsidetheAPWRA,subjecttoCountyapproval,forthepurposeoflong‐termregionalconservationofraptorhabitat.Landsproposedforconservationmustbewell‐managedgrazinglandssimilartothoseonwhichtheprojectshavebeendeveloped.Projectproponentswillfundtheregionalconservationandimprovementoflands(throughhabitatenhancement,leadabatementactivities,eliminationofrodenticides,and/orothermeasures)usinganumberofacresequivalenttotheconservationbenefitoftheraptorrecoveryandconservationeffortsdescribedabove,orasdeterminedthroughaproject‐specificREA(seeexampleREAinAppendixC).Theconservationlandsmustbeprovidedforcompensationofaminimumof10yearsofraptorfatalities,as10‐yearincrementswillminimizethetransactioncostsassociatedwiththeidentificationandconservationoflands,therebyincreasingoverallcosteffectiveness.Theconservationeasementswillbeheldbyanorganizationwhosemissionistopurchaseand/orotherwiseconservelands,suchasTheTrustforPublicLands,TheNatureConservancy,CaliforniaRangelandTrust,ortheEastBayRegionalParksDistrict.TheprojectproponentswillobtainapprovalfromtheCountyregardingtheamountofconservedlands,anyenhancementsproposedtoincreaseraptorhabitatvalue,andtheentityholdingthelandsand/orconservationeasement.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐16
March 2016ICF 00630.15
OtherConservationMeasuresIdentifiedintheFuture.Asnotedabove,additionalconservationmeasuresforraptorsmaybecomeavailableinthefuture.ConservationmeasuresforraptorsarecurrentlybeingdevelopedbyUSFWSandnongovernmentalorganizations(e.g.,AmericanWindWildlifeInstitute)—forexample,activitiesservingtoreducesuchfatalitieselsewhere,andenhancingforagingandnestinghabitat.Additionaloptionsforconservationcouldincludepurchasingcreditsatanapprovedmitigationbank,creditsfortheretirementofwindfarmsthatareparticularlydangeroustobirdsorbats,thecurtailmentofpreyeliminationprograms,andhunter‐educationprogramsthatremovesourcesofleadfromtheenvironment.Underthisoption,theprojectproponentmaymakealternativeproposalstotheCountyforconservationmeasures—basedonanREAorsimilarcompensationassessment—thattheCountymayacceptasmitigationiftheyaredeemedbytheCountytobecomparabletoormoreprotectiveofraptorspeciesthantheotheroptionsdescribedherein.
BIO‐11i:Implementanavianadaptivemanagementprogram
IffatalitymonitoringdescribedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11gresultsinanestimatethatexceedsthepreconstructionbaselinefatalityestimates(i.e.,estimatesatthenonrepoweredturbinesasdescribedinthisPEIR)foranyfocalspeciesorspeciesgroup(i.e.,individualfocalspecies,allfocalspecies,allraptors,allnon‐raptors,allbirdscombined),projectproponentswillprepareaproject‐specificadaptivemanagementplanwithin2monthsfollowingtheavailabilityofthefatalitymonitoringresults.Theseplanswillbeusedtoadjustoperationandmitigationtotheresultsofmonitoring,newtechnology,andnewresearchtoensurethatthebestavailablescienceisusedtominimizeimpactstobelowbaseline.Project‐specificadaptivemanagementplanswillbereviewedbytheTAC,revisedbyprojectproponentsasnecessary,andapprovedbytheCounty.TheTACwilltakecurrentresearchandthemosteffectiveimpactreductionstrategiesintoaccountwhenreviewingadaptivemanagementplansandsuggestingmeasurestoreduceimpacts.Theproject‐specificadaptivemanagementplanswillbeimplementedwithin2monthsofapprovalbytheCounty.Theplanswillincludeasteppedapproachwherebyanadaptivemeasureormeasuresareimplemented,theresultsaremonitoredforsuccessorfailureforayear,andadditionaladaptivemeasuresareaddedasnecessary,followedbyanotheryearofmonitoring,untilthesuccesscriteriaareachieved(i.e.,estimatedfatalitiesarebelowthebaseline).Projectproponentsshouldusethebestmeasuresavailablewhentheplanispreparedinconsiderationofthespecificadaptivemanagementneeds.Forexample,ifonlyonethresholdisexceeded,suchasgoldeneaglefatalities,theplanandmeasuresusedwilltargetthatspecies.AssetforthinotheragreementsintheAPWRA,projectproponentsmayalsofocusadaptivemanagementmeasuresonindividualormultipleturbinesifthoseturbinesareshowntocauseasignificantlydisproportionatenumberoffatalities.
Ingeneral,thefollowingtypesofmeasureswillbeconsideredbytheTAC,intheordertheyarepresentedbelow;however,theTACmayrecommendanyoftheseorothermeasuresthatareshowntobesuccessfulinreducingtheimpact.
ADMM‐1:VisualModifications.Theprojectproponentcouldpaintapatternonaproportionoftheturbineblades.TheproportionandthepatternofthebladestobepaintedwillbedeterminedbytheCountyinconsultationwiththeTAC.USFWSrecommendstestingmeasurestoreducemotionsmear—theblurringofturbinebladesduetorapidrotationthatrendersthemlessvisibleandhencemoreperiloustobirdsinflight.Suggestedtechniquesincludepaintingbladeswithstaggeredstripesorpaintingonebladeblack.Theprojectproponentwillconduct
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐17
March 2016ICF 00630.15
fatalitystudiesonacontrollednumberofpaintedandunpaintedturbines.TheprojectproponentwillcoordinatewiththeTACtodeterminethelocationofthepaintedturbines,buttheintentistoimplementthismeasureinareasthatappeartobecontributingmosttothehighnumberoffatalitiesdetected.
ADMM‐2:Anti‐PerchingMeasures.TheCountywillconsultwiththeTACregardingtheuseofanti‐perchingmeasurestodiscouragebirduseofthearea.TheTACwillusethemostrecentresearchandinformationavailabletodetermine,onacase‐by–casebasis,ifanti‐perchingmeasureswillbeaneffectivestrategytoreduceimpacts.Ifdeterminedtobefeasible,anti‐perchingdeviceswillbeinstalledonartificialstructures,excludingutilitypoles,within1mileofprojectfacilities(withlandownerpermission)todiscouragebirduseofthearea.
ADMM‐3:PreyReduction.Theprojectproponentwillimplementapreyreductionprogramaroundthemosthazardousturbines.Examplesofpreyreductionmeasuresmayincludechangesingrazingpracticestomakethearealessdesirableforpreyspecies,activereductionthroughdirectremovalofpreyspecies,orothermeasuresprovidedtheyareconsistentwithmanagementgoalsforthreatenedandendangeredspecies.
ADMM‐4:ImplementationofExperimentalTechnologies.Projectproponentscandeployexperimentaltechnologiesattheirfacilitiestotesttheirefficacyinreducingturbine‐relatedfatalities.Examplesmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,visualdeterrents,noisedeterrents,andactiveradarsystems.
ADMM‐5:TurbineCurtailment.Ifpostconstructionmonitoringindicatespatternsofturbine‐causedfatalities—suchasseasonalspikesinfatalities,topographicorotherenvironmentalfeaturesassociatedwithhighnumbersoffatalities,orotherfactorsthatcanpotentiallybemanipulatedandthatsuggestthatcurtailmentofaspecificturbine’soperationwouldresultinreducingfutureavianfatalities—theprojectoperatorcancurtailoperationsoftheoffendingturbineorturbines.CurtailmentrestrictionswouldbedevelopedincoordinationwiththeTACandbasedoncurrentlyavailablefatalitydata,usedata,andresearch.
ADMM‐6:Cut‐inSpeedStudy.Changesincut‐inspeedcouldbeconductedtoseeifchangingcut‐inspeedsfrom3meterspersecondto5meterspersecond(forexample)wouldsignificantlyreduceavianfatalities.TheproponentwillcoordinatewiththeTACindeterminingthefeasibilityofthemeasurefortheparticularspeciesaffectedaswellastheamountofthechangeinthecut‐inspeed.
ADMM‐7:Real‐TimeTurbineCurtailment.Theprojectproponentcanemployareal‐timeturbinecurtailmentprogramdesignedinconsultationwiththeTAC.Theintentwouldbetodeployabiologisttomonitoronsiteconditionsandissueacurtailmentorderwhenraptorsarenearoperatingturbines.Alternatively,radar,video,orothermonitoringmeasurescouldbedeployedinplaceofabiologicalmonitorifthereisevidencetoindicatethatsuchasystemwouldbeaseffectiveandmoreefficientthanuseofahumanmonitor.
RemainingImpacts:Remainingimpactsrelatedtotheprojectimpactsonavianmortalitywillbesignificantandunavoidable.
OverridingConsiderations:AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfindsthatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheapprovedprojectthatoverridetheremainingsignificantandunavoidableimpactsonbiological
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐18
March 2016ICF 00630.15
resources.Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasures,orchangestotheprojectthatwouldreducethisimpacttoalessthansignificantlevel.
ImpactBIO‐14:Turbine‐relatedfatalitiesofspecial‐statusandotherbats
PotentialImpact:ResidentandmigratorybatsflyinginandthroughtheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareamaybekilledbycollisionwithwindturbinebladesorotherinteractionwiththewindturbinegenerators.Extrapolatingfromexistingfatalitydataandfromtrendsobservedatotherwindenergyfacilitieswherefourth‐generationturbinesareinoperation,itappearslikelythatfatalitieswouldoccurpredominantlyinthelatesummertomid‐fallmigrationperiod;thatfatalitieswouldconsistmostlyofmigratorybats,particularlyMexicanfree‐tailedbatandhoarybat;thatfatalitieswouldoccursporadicallyatothertimesofyear;andthatfatalitiesofoneormoreotherspecieswouldoccurinsmallernumbers.Despitethehighlevelofuncertaintyinestimatesofbatfatalityrates,allavailabledatasuggestthatrepoweringwouldresultinasubstantialincreaseinbatfatalities.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐14a:Siteandselectturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbats
BIO‐14b:Implementpostconstructionbatfatalitymonitoringprogramforallrepoweringprojects
BIO‐14c:Prepareandpublishannualmonitoringreportsonthefindingsofbatuseoftheprojectareaandfatalitymonitoringresults
BIO‐14d:Developandimplementabatadaptivemanagementplan
BIO‐14e:Compensateforexpensesincurredbyrehabilitatinginjuredbats
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐14a,BIO‐14b,BIO‐14c,BIO‐14d,andBIO‐14ewillreducetherateofbatmortalityassociatedwiththeprojectbutwillnotmitigatethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel,asthereisnofeasiblewaytoavoidthesignificantimpact.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐14a:Siteandselectturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbats
Allprojectproponentswillusethebestinformationavailabletositeturbinesandtoselectfromturbinemodelsinsuchamannerastoreducebatcollisionrisk.Thesitingandselectionprocesswilltakeintoaccountbatuseoftheareaandlandscapefeaturesknowntoincreasecollisionrisk(trees,edgehabitats,riparianareas,waterbodies,andwetlands).Measuresincludebutarenotlimitedtositingturbinesthegreatestdistancefeasibleupto500meters(1,640)feetfromstillorflowingbodiesofwater,riparianhabitat,knownroosts,andtreestands(CaliforniaBatWorkingGroup2006:6).
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐19
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Togeneratesite‐specific“bestinformation”toinformturbinesitingandoperationdecisions,abathabitatassessmentandroostsurveywillbeconductedintheprojectareatoidentifyandmaphabitatofpotentialsignificancetobats,suchaspotentialroostsites(treesandshrubs,significantrockformations,artificialstructures)andwatersources.TurbinesitingdecisionswillincorporaterelevantbatusesurveydataandbatfatalityrecordspublishedbyotherprojectsintheAPWRA.RoostsurveyswillbecarriedoutaccordingtothemethodsdescribedinMitigationMeasure‐BIO‐12a.
BIO‐14b:Implementpostconstructionbatfatalitymonitoringprogramforallrepoweringprojects
Ascientificallydefensible,postconstructionbatfatalitymonitoringprogramwillbeimplementedtoestimateactualbatfatalitiesanddetermineifadditionalmitigationisrequired.Bat‐specificmodificationstothe3‐yearpostconstructionmonitoringprogramdescribedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11g,developedinaccordancewithCEC2007andwithappropriaterecommendationsfromCaliforniaBatWorkingGroupguidelines(2006),willbeimplemented.
InadditiontotherequirementsoutlinedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐11g,thefollowingtwobat‐specificrequirementswillbeadded. IncludeontheTACatleastonebiologistwithsignificantexpertiseinbatresearchandwind
energyimpactsonbats. Conductbatacousticsurveysconcurrentlywithfatalitymonitoringintheprojectareato
estimatenightly,seasonal,orannualvariationsinrelativeactivityandspeciesusepatterns,andtocontributetothebodyofknowledgeonseasonalbatmovementsandrelationshipsbetweenbatactivity,environmentalvariables,andturbinefatality.Shouldemergingresearchsupporttheapproach,thesedatamaybeusedtogeneratesite‐specificpredictivemodelstoincreasetheprecisionandeffectivenessofmitigationmeasures(e.g.,theseason‐specific,multivariatemodelsdescribedbyWellerandBaldwin2011:11).Acousticbatsurveyswillbedesignedanddataanalysisconductedbyqualifiedbiologistswithsignificantexperienceinacousticbatsurveytechniques.Methodswillbeinformedbythelatestavailableguidelines(CaliforniaEnergyCommissionguidelines,2007);CaliforniaBatWorkingGroupguidelines,2006),exceptwherebestavailablesciencesupportstechnologicalormethodologicalupdates.High‐quality,sensitiveacousticequipmentwillbeusedtoproducedataofsufficientqualitytogeneratespeciesidentifications.Surveydesignandmethodswillbescientificallydefensibleandwillinclude,ataminimum,thefollowingelements.
Acousticdetectorswillbeinstalledatmultiplestationstoadequatelysamplerangeofhabitatsintheprojectareaforbothresidentandmigratorybats.Thenumberofdetectorarraysinstalledperprojectsitewillincorporateemergingresearchonthedensityofdetectorsrequiredtoadequatelymeetsamplinggoalsandinformmitigationapproaches(WellerandBaldwin2011:10).
AcousticdetectorarrayswillsamplemultipleairspaceheightsincludingasclosetotherepoweredrotorsweptareaaspossibleVerticalstructuresusedformountingmaybepreexistingormaybeinstalledfortheproject(e.g.,temporaryorpermanentmeteorologicaltowers).
SurveyswillbeconductedsuchthatdataarecollectedcontinuouslyfromearlyJulytoearlyNovembertocovertheactivitytransitionfrommaternitytomigrationseasonand
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐20
March 2016ICF 00630.15
determineifthereiselevatedactivityduringmigration.Surveyseasonmaybeadjustedtomoreaccuratelyreflectthefullextentofthelocalmigrationseasonand/orseason(s)ofgreatestlocalbatfatalityrisk,ifscientificallysounddatasupportdoingso.
Anticipatedadaptivemanagementgoals,suchasdeterminingjustifiabletimeframestoreducerequiredperiodsofcut‐inspeedadjustments,willbereviewedwiththeTACandincorporatedindesigningtheacousticmonitoringanddataanalysisprogram.
Modificationstothefatalitysearchprotocolwillbeimplementedtoobtainbetterinformationonthenumberandtimingofbatfatalities(e.g.,Johnstonetal.2013:85).Modificationswillincludedecreasesinthetransectwidthandsearchintervalforaperiodoftimecoincidingwithhighlevelsofbatmortality,i.e.,thefallmigrationseason(roughlyAugusttoearlyNovember,orasappropriateintheviewoftheTAC).Thenatureofbat‐specifictransectdistanceandsearchintervalswillbedeterminedinconsultationwiththeTACandwillbeguidedbyscientificallysoundandpertinentdataonratesofbatcarcassdetectionatwindenergyfacilities(e.g.,Johnstonetal.2013:54–55)andsite‐specificdatafromAPWRArepoweringprojectfatalitymonitoringprogramsasthesedatabecomeavailable.
OthermethodstoachievethegoalsofthebatfatalitymonitoringprogramwhileavoidingprohibitivecostsmaybeconsideredsubjecttoapprovalbytheTAC,ifthesemethodshavebeenpeerreviewedandevidenceindicatesthemethodsareeffective.Forexample,ifprojectproponentswishtohavetheoptionofalteringsearchmethodologytoanewlydevelopedmethod,suchassearchingonlyroadsandpads(Goodetal.2011:73),astatisticallyrobustfieldstudytoindextheresultsofthemethodologyagainststandardsearchmethodswillbeconductedconcurrentlytoensuresite‐specific,long‐termvalidityofthenewmethods.
Finally,detectionprobabilitytrialswillutilizebatcarcassestodevelopbat‐specificdetectionprobabilities.Careshouldbetakentoavoidintroducingnoveldiseasereservoirs;suchavoidancewillentailusingonsitefatalitiesorusingcarcassesobtainedfromwithinareasonablyanticipatedflightdistanceforthatspecies.
BIO‐14c:Prepareandpublishannualmonitoringreportsonthefindingsofbatuseoftheprojectareaandfatalitymonitoringresults
Annualreportsofbatuseresultsandfatalitymonitoringwillbeproducedwithin3monthsoftheendofthelastdayoffatalitymonitoring.Special‐statusbatspeciesrecordswillbereportedtoCNDDB.
BIO‐14d:Developandimplementabatadaptivemanagementplan
InconcertwithMitigationMeasureBIO‐14b,allprojectproponentswilldevelopadaptivemanagementplanstoensureappropriate,feasible,andcurrentincorporationofemerginginformation.Thegoalsoftheadaptivemanagementplansaretoensurethatthebestavailablescienceandemergingtechnologiesareusedtoassessimpactsonbats,andthatimpactsareminimizedtothegreatestextentpossiblewhilemaximizingenergyproduction.
Theproject‐specificadaptivemanagementplanswillbeusedtoadjustoperationandmitigationtoincorporatetheresultsofprojectareamonitoringandnewtechnologyandresearchresultswhensufficientevidenceexiststosupportthesenewapproaches.TheseplanswillbereviewedbytheTACandapprovedbytheCounty.Alladaptivemanagementmeasureswillbeimplementedwithinareasonabletimeframe,sufficienttoallowthemeasurestotakeeffectin
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐21
March 2016ICF 00630.15
thefirstfallmigrationseasonfollowingtheyearofmonitoringinwhichtheadaptivemanagementthresholdwascrossed.ADMMsmaybemodifiedbytheCountyinconsultationwiththeTACtotakeintoaccountcurrentresearch,site‐specificdata,andthemosteffectiveimpactreductionstrategies.ADMMswillincludeascientificallydefensible,controlledresearchcomponentandminimumpost‐implementationmonitoringtimetoevaluatetheeffectivenessandvalidityofthemeasures.Theminimummonitoringtimewillconsistofthreesequentialfallseasonsofthebat‐specificmortalitymonitoringprogramcoveringthe3–4monthsoftheyearinwhichthehighestbatmortalityhasbeenobserved:likelyAugust–November.Thestartandenddatesofthe3–4monthsofbat‐specificmortalitymonitoringperiodwillbebasedonexistingfatalitydataandinconsultationwiththeTAC.
Determiningafatalitythresholdtotriggeradaptivemanagementisnotstraightforward,asinsufficientinformationexistsonthestatusandvitalityofthepopulationsofmigratorybatspeciessubjecttomortalityintheAPWRA.ThelowestimateofanticipatedbatfatalityratesisfromtheVascoWindsprojectintheAPWRA.Applyingthisrateprogrammaticallywouldresultinanestimateof21,000batskilledoverthe30‐yearlifeoftheprogram.ThehighestimateisfromtheMontezumaHillsWindResourceArea.Applyingthisrateprogrammaticallywouldresultinanestimateof49,050batskilledoverthe30‐yearlifeoftheprogram.Batsareslowtoreproduce,andturbinesmaybemorelikelytokilladultbatsthanjuveniles,suggestingthataconservativeapproachiswarranted.Accordingly,aninitialadaptivemanagementthresholdwillbeestablishedusingthelowfatalityestimates,or1.679fatalities/MW/year,toensurethatthemostconservativetriggerforimplementationofadaptivemanagementmeasuresisadopted.
Ifpostconstructionfatalitymonitoringresultsinapointestimateforthebatfatalityratethatexceedsthe1.679fatalities/MW/yearthresholdbyastatisticallysignificantamount,then,inconsultationwiththeTAC,ADMM‐7andADMM‐8(describedbelow)forbatswillbeimplemented.
Itisimportanttonotethatneitherthehighnorthelowestimatespeakstotheabilityofbatpopulationstowithstandtheassociatedlevelsoftake.TheinitialfatalityratethresholdtriggeringadaptivemanagementmaybemodifiedbytheTACifappropriateandifsuchadaptationissupportedbythebestavailablescience.
TheTACmaydirectimplementationofadaptivemanagementmeasuresforotherappropriatereasons,suchasanunexpectedlyandmarkedlyhighfatalityrateobservedforanybatspecies,orspecial‐statusspeciesbeingkilledinunexpectedlyhighnumbers.
ADMMsforbatsmaybeimplementedusingasteppedapproachuntilnecessaryfatalityreductionsarereached,andmonitoringmethodsmustberevisedasneededtoensureaccuratemeasurementoftheeffectivenessoftheADMMs.AdditionalADMMsforbatsshouldbedevelopedasnewtechnologiesorsciencesupportsdoingso.
ADMM‐7:SeasonalTurbineCut‐inSpeedIncrease.Cut‐inspeedincreasesofferthemostpromisingandimmediatelyavailableapproachtoreducingbatfatalitiesatfourth‐generationwindturbines.Reductionsinfatalities(53–87%)wereobservedwhenincreasingmodernturbinecut‐inspeedto5.0–6.5m/s(Arnettetal.2009:3;Goodetal.2012:iii).Whileimplementingthismeasureimmediatelyuponaproject’scommencementwouldlikelyreducebatfatalities,thatassumptionisnotyetsupportedbyconclusivedata.Moreover,withoutestablishingbaselinefatalityatrepoweredprojects,therewouldbenowaytodeterminethe
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐22
March 2016ICF 00630.15
effectivenessoftheapproachorwhetherthecostsofincreasedcut‐inspeeds(andconsequentpowergenerationreductions)wereprovidingfatalityreductions.
Cut‐inspeedincreaseswillbeimplementedasoutlinedbelow,witheffectivenessassessedannually. Theprojectproponentwillincreasecut‐inspeedto5.0m/sfromsunsettosunriseduring
peakmigrationseason(generallyAugust–October).Ifthisisineffective,theprojectproponentwillincreaseturbinecut‐inspeedbyannualincrementsof0.5m/suntiltargetfatalityreductionsareachieved.
Theprojectproponentmayrefinesite‐specificmigrationstartdatesonthebasisofpre‐andpostconstructionacousticsurveysandongoingreviewofdatesoffatalityoccurrencesformigratorybatsintheAPWRA.
Theprojectproponentmayrequestashorterseasonofrequiredcut‐inspeedincreaseswithsubstantialevidencethatsimilarlevelsofmortalityreductioncouldbeachieved.ShouldresourceagenciesandtheTACfindthereissufficientsupportforashorterperiod(aslowas8weeks),evidenceinsupportofthisshorterperiodwillbedocumentedforthepublicrecordandtheshorterperiodmaybeimplemented.
Theprojectproponentmayrequestshorternightlyperiodsofcut‐inspeedincreaseswithsubstantialevidencefromdefensibleonsite,long‐termpostconstructionacousticsurveysindicatingpredictablenightlytimeframeswhentargetspeciesappearnottobeactive.Targetspeciesareheredefinedasmigratorybatsoranyotherspeciesappearingrepeatedlyinthefatalityrecords.
Theprojectproponentmayrequestexceptionstocut‐inspeedincreasesforparticularweathereventsorwindpatternsifsubstantialevidenceisavailablefromonsiteacousticorothermonitoringtosupportsuchexceptions(i.e.,allavailableliteratureandonsitesurveysindicatethatbatactivityceasesduringspecificweathereventsorotherpredictableconditions).
Intheabsenceofdefensiblesite‐specificdata,mandatorycut‐inspeedincreaseswillcommenceonAugust1andcontinuethroughOctober31,andwillbeineffectfromsunsettosunrise.
ADMM‐8:EmergingTechnologyasMitigation.Theprojectproponentmayrequest,withconsultationandapprovalfromagencies,replacementoraugmentationofcut‐inspeedincreaseswithdevelopingtechnologyoranothermitigationapproachthathasbeenproventoachievesimilarbatfatalityreductions.
Theprojectproponentmayalsorequestthesecondtierofadaptivemanagementtobetheadoptionofapromisingbutnotfullyproventechnologyormitigationmethod.TheserequestsaresubjecttoreviewandapprovalbytheTACandmustincludeacontrolledresearchcomponentdesignedbyaqualifiedprincipalinvestigatorsothattheeffectivenessofthemethodmaybeaccuratelyassessed.
Someexamplesofsuchemergingtechnologiesandresearchareasthatcouldbeincorporatedinadaptivemanagementplansarelistedbelow. Theuseofacousticdeterrents(Arnettetal.2013:1). Theuseofaltitude‐specificradar,nightvisionand/orothertechnologyallowingbatuse
monitoringandassessmentofat‐riskbatbehavior(Johnstonetal.2013:90‐91)ifresearchintheseareasadvancessufficientlytoalloweffectiveapplicationofthesetechnologies.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐23
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Applicationofemergingpeer‐reviewedstudiesonbatbiology(suchasstudiesdocumentingmigratorycorridorsorbatbehaviorinrelationtoturbines)thatsupportspecificmitigationmethods.
BIO‐14e:Compensateforexpensesincurredbyrehabilitatinginjuredbats
Thecostofreasonable,licensedrehabilitationeffortsforanyinjuredbatstakentowildlifecarefacilitiesfromtheprogramareawillbeassumedinfullbyprojectproponents.
RemainingImpacts:Remainingimpactsrelatedtotheprojectimpactsonbatmortalitywillbesignificantandunavoidable.
OverridingConsiderations:AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfindsthatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheapprovedprojectthatoverridetheremainingsignificantandunavoidableimpactsonbiologicalresources.Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasures,orchangestotheprojectthatwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
ImpactBIO‐19:Potentialimpactonthemovementofanynativeresidentormigratorywildlifespeciesorestablishednativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridors,andtheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites
PotentialImpact:ConstructionactivitiesassociatedwiththeSandHillWindRepoweringProjectandfencingofworkareasmaytemporarilyimpedewildlifemovementthroughtheworkareaorcauseanimalstotravellongerdistancestoavoidtheworkarea.Thiscouldresultinhigherenergyexpenditureandincreasedsusceptibilitytopredationforsomespeciesandisapotentiallysignificantimpact.Becausetheconstructionperiodforindividualprojectsintheproposedprojectwouldbe9months,itwouldlikelyencompassthemovement/migrationperiodforsomespecies(e.g.,Californiatigersalamandermovementto/frombreedingponds).Inparticular,smalleranimals,whoseenergyexpenditurestotravelaroundoravoidtheareawouldbegreaterthanforlargeranimals,couldbemoreseverelyaffected.Theoperationofwindturbinesafterrepoweringwouldadverselyaffectraptors,otherbirds,andbatsmigratingthroughandwinteringintheprojectareabecausetheycouldbeinjuredorkillediftheyflythroughtherotorplaneofoperatingwindturbines.Thiswouldbeasignificantandunavoidableimpact.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecial‐statuswildlifespecies
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐24
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐5a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusamphibians
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
BIO‐7a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusreptiles
BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusnestingbirds
BIO‐8b:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonwesternburrowingowl
BIO‐10a:ImplementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
BIO‐11b:Siteturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbirds
BIO‐11c:Useturbinedesignsthatreduceavianimpacts
BIO‐11d:Incorporateavian‐safepracticesintodesignofturbine‐relatedinfrastructure
BIO‐11e:Retrofitexistinginfrastructuretominimizerisktoraptors
BIO‐11i:Implementanavianadaptivemanagementprogram
BIO‐12a:Conductbatroostsurveys
BIO‐12b:Avoidremovingordisturbingbatroosts
BIO‐14a:Siteandselectturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbats
BIO‐14d:Developandimplementabatadaptivemanagementplan
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐4a,BIO‐5a,BIO‐5c,BIO‐7a,BIO‐8a,BIO‐8b,BIO‐10a,BIO‐11b,BIO‐11c,BIO‐11d,BIO‐11e,BIO‐11i,BIO‐12a,BIO‐12b,BIO‐14a,andBIO‐14dwillreducetheproject’simpactsonnativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridors,andtheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites,butwillnotmitigatethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel,asthereisnofeasiblewaytoavoidthesignificantimpact.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐25
March 2016ICF 00630.15
ProjectproponentswillensurethatthefollowingBMPs,inaccordancewithpracticesestablishedintheEACCS,willbeincorporatedintoindividualprojectdesignandconstructiondocuments. Employeesandcontractorsperformingdecommissioningandreclamationactivitieswill
receiveenvironmentalsensitivitytraining.Trainingwillincludereviewofenvironmentallaws,mitigationmeasures,permitconditions,andotherrequirementsthatmustbefollowedbyallpersonneltoreduceoravoideffectsonspecial‐statusspeciesduringconstructionactivities.
Environmentaltailboardtrainingswilltakeplaceonanas‐neededbasisinthefield.Thesetrainingswillincludeabriefreviewofthebiologyofthecoveredspeciesandguidelinesthatmustbefollowedbyallpersonneltoreduceoravoidnegativeeffectsonthesespeciesduringdecommissioningandreclamationactivities.Directors,managers,superintendents,andthecrewleaderswillberesponsibleforensuringthatcrewmemberscomplywiththeguidelines.
Vehiclesandequipmentwillbeparkedonpavement,existingroads,andpreviouslydisturbedareastotheextentpracticable.
Offroadvehicletravelwillbeavoided. Materialwillbestockpiledonlyinareasthatdonotsupportspecial‐statusspeciesor
sensitivehabitats. Gradingwillberestrictedtotheminimumareanecessary. Priortoground‐disturbingactivitiesinsensitivehabitats,projectconstructionboundaries
andaccessareaswillbeflaggedandtemporarilyfencedduringconstructiontoreducethepotentialforvehiclesandequipmenttostrayintoadjacenthabitats.
Vehiclesorequipmentwillnotberefueledwithin100feetofawetland,stream,orotherwaterwayunlessabermedandlinedrefuelingarea(i.e.,acreatedbermmadeofsandbagsorotherremovablematerial)isconstructed.
Erosioncontrolmeasureswillbeimplementedtoreducesedimentationinnearbyaquatichabitatwhenactivitiesarethesourceofpotentialerosion.Plasticmonofilamentnetting(erosioncontrolmatting)orsimilarmaterialcontainingnettingwillnotbeusedattheproject.Acceptablesubstitutesincludecoconutcoirmattingortackifiedhydroseedingcompounds.
Significantearthmoving‐activitieswillnotbeconductedinriparianareaswithin24hoursofpredictedstormsoraftermajorstorms(definedas1‐inchofrainormore).
Thefollowingwillnotbeallowedatornearworksitesforprojectactivities:trashdumping,firearms,openfires(suchasbarbecues)notrequiredbytheactivity,hunting,andpets(exceptforsafetyinremotelocations).
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
Allprojectproponentswillretainaqualifiedbiologist(asdeterminedbyAlamedaCounty)toconductperiodicmonitoringofdecommissioning,repowering,andreclamationactivitiesthatoccuradjacenttosensitivebiologicalresources(e.g.,special‐statusspecies,sensitivevegetationcommunities,wetlands).MonitoringwilloccurduringinitialgrounddisturbancewheresensitivebiologicalresourcesarepresentandweeklythereafterorasdeterminedbytheCountyincoordinationwithaqualifiedbiologist.Thebiologistwillassistthecrew,asneeded,tocomplywithallprojectimplementationrestrictionsandguidelines.Inaddition,thebiologistwillbe
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐26
March 2016ICF 00630.15
responsibleforensuringthattheprojectproponentoritscontractorsmaintainexclusionareasadjacenttosensitivebiologicalresources,andfordocumentingcompliancewithallbiologicalresources–relatedmitigationmeasures.
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecial‐statuswildlifespecies
Nomorethan3yearspriortoground‐disturbingrepoweringactivities,aqualifiedbiologist(asdeterminedbyAlamedaCounty)willconductfieldsurveyswithindecommissioning,repowering,andrestorationworkareasandtheirimmediatesurroundingstodeterminethepresenceofhabitatforspecial‐statuswildlifespecies.TheprojectproponentwillsubmitareportdocumentingthesurveyresultstoAlamedaCountyforreviewpriortoconductinganyrepoweringactivities.Thereportwillincludethelocationanddescriptionofallproposedworkareas,thelocationanddescriptionofallsuitablehabitatforspecial‐statuswildlifespecies,andthelocationanddescriptionofothersensitivehabitats(e.g.,vernalpools,wetlands,riparianareas).Additionally,thereportwilloutlinewhereadditionalspecies‐and/orhabitat‐specificmitigationmeasuresarerequired.Thisreportmayprovidethebasisforanyapplicablepermitapplicationswhereincidentaltakemayoccur.
BIO‐4a:Implementmeasurestoavoidorprotecthabitatforvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle
IfitisdeterminedthroughpreconstructionsurveysconductedpursuanttoMitigationMeasureBIO‐3athatelderberryshrubsarepresentwithinproposedworkareasorwithin100feetoftheseareas,thefollowingmeasureswillbeimplementedtoensurethattheproposedprojectdoesnothaveasignificantimpactonvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle. Avoidremovalofelderberryshrubs. Elderberryshrubs/clusterswithin100feetoftheconstructionareathatwillnotbe
removedwillbeprotectedduringconstruction.Aqualifiedbiologist(i.e.,withelderberry/VELBexperience)willmarktheelderberryshrubsandclustersthatwillbeprotectedduringconstruction.Orangeconstructionbarrierfencingwillbeplacedattheedgeofthebufferareas.ThebufferareadistanceswillbeproposedbythebiologistandapprovedbyUSFWS.Noconstructionactivitieswillbepermittedwithinthebufferzoneotherthanthoseactivitiesnecessarytoerectthefencing.Signswillbepostedevery50feet(15.2meters)alongtheperimeterofthebufferareafencing.Thesignswillcontainthefollowinginformation:Thisareaishabitatofthevalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle,athreatenedspecies,andmustnotbedisturbed.ThisspeciesisprotectedbytheEndangeredSpeciesActof1973,asamended.Violatorsaresubjecttoprosecution,fines,andimprisonment.
Bufferareafencesaroundelderberryshrubswillbeinspectedweeklybyaqualifiedbiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesandmonthlyafterground‐disturbingactivitiesuntilprojectconstructioniscompleteoruntilthefencesareremoved,asapprovedbythebiologicalmonitorandtheresidentengineer.Thebiologicalmonitorwillberesponsibleforensuringthatthecontractormaintainsthebufferareafencesaroundelderberryshrubsthroughoutconstruction.BiologicalinspectionreportswillbeprovidedtotheprojectproponentandUSFWS.
BIO‐5a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusamphibians
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐27
March 2016ICF 00630.15
AllprojectproponentswillensurethatBMPsandotherappropriatemeasures,inaccordancewithmeasuresdevelopedfortheEACCS,beincorporatedintotheappropriatedesignandconstructiondocuments.ImplementationofsomeofthesemeasureswillrequirethattheprojectproponentobtainincidentaltakepermitsfromUSFWS(Californiared‐leggedfrogandCaliforniatigersalamander)andfromCDFW(Californiatigersalamanderonly)beforeconstructionbegins.Additionalconservationmeasuresorconditionsofapprovalmayberequiredinapplicableprojectpermits(e.g.,ESAorCESAincidentaltakeauthorization).TheapplicantwillcomplywiththeStateofCaliforniaStateWaterResourcesControlBoardNPDESconstructiongeneralrequirementsforstormwater.
Ground‐disturbingactivitieswillbelimitedtodryweatherbetweenApril15andOctober31.Noground‐disturbingworkwilloccurduringwetweather.Wetweatherisdefinedaswhentherehasbeen0.25inchofrainina24‐hourperiod.GrounddisturbingactivitieshaltedduetowetweathermayresumewhenprecipitationceasesandtheNationalWeatherService72‐hourweatherforecastindicatesa30%orlesschanceofprecipitation.Noground‐disturbingworkwilloccurduringadry‐outperiodof48hoursaftertheabovereferencedwetweather.
Whereapplicable,barrierfencingwillbeinstalledaroundtheworksitetopreventamphibiansfromenteringtheworkarea.Barrierfencingwillberemovedwithin72hoursofcompletionofwork.
Beforeconstructionbegins,aqualifiedbiologistwilllocateappropriaterelocationareasandpreparearelocationplanforspecial‐statusamphibiansthatmayneedtobemovedduringconstruction.TheproponentwillsubmitthisplantoUSFWSandCDFWforapprovalaminimumof2weekspriortothestartofconstruction.
Aqualifiedbiologistwillconductpreconstructionsurveysimmediatelypriortoground‐disturbingactivities(includingequipmentstaging,vegetationremoval,grading).Thebiologistwillsurveytheworkareaandallsuitablehabitatswithin300feetoftheworkarea.Ifindividuals(includingadults,juveniles,larvae,oreggs)arefound,workwillnotbeginuntilUSFWSand/orCDFWiscontactedtodetermineifmovingtheselife‐stagesisappropriate.Ifrelocationisdeemednecessary,itwillbeconductedinaccordancewiththerelocationplan.IncidentaltakepermitsarerequiredforrelocationofCaliforniatigersalamander(USFWSandCDFW)andCaliforniared‐leggedfrog(USFWS).Relocationofwesternspadefootandfoothillyellow‐leggedfrogrequiresaletterfromCDFWauthorizingthisactivity.
Nomonofilamentplasticwillbeusedforerosioncontrol. Allprojectactivitywillterminate30minutesbeforesunsetandwillnotresumeuntil30
minutesaftersunriseduringthemigration/activeseasonfromNovember1toJune15.SunriseandsunsettimesareestablishedbytheU.S.NavalObservatoryAstronomicalApplicationsDepartmentforthegeographicareawheretheprojectislocated.
Vehicleswillnotexceedaspeedlimitof15mphonunpavedroadswithinnaturallandcovertypes,orduringoffroadtravel.
Trenchesorholesmorethan6inchesdeepwillbeprovidedwithoneormoreescaperampsconstructedofearthfillorwoodenplanksandwillbeinspectedbyaqualifiedbiologistpriortobeingfilled.Anysuchfeaturesthatareleftopenovernightwillbesearchedeachdaypriortoconstructionactivitiestoensurenocoveredspeciesaretrapped.Workwillnotcontinueuntiltrappedanimalshavemovedoutofopentrenches.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐28
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Workcrewsortheonsitebiologicalmonitorwillinspectopentrenches,pits,andunderconstructionequipmentandmaterialleftonsiteinthemorningandeveningtolookforamphibiansthatmayhavebecometrappedorareseekingrefuge.
Ifspecial‐statusamphibiansarefoundintheworkareaduringconstructionandcannotordonotmoveoffsiteontheirown,aqualifiedbiologistwhoisUSFWSand/orCDFW‐approvedunderabiologicalopinionand/orincidentaltakepermitforthespecificproject,willtrapandmovespecial‐statusamphibiansinaccordancewiththerelocationplan.Relocationofwesternspadefootandfoothillyellow‐leggedfrogrequiresaletterpermitfromCDFWauthorizingthisactivity.
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
Within30dayspriortoanygrounddisturbance,aqualifiedbiologistwillprepareaGrasslandRestorationPlanincoordinationwithCDFWandsubjecttoCDFWapproval,toensurethattemporarilydisturbedannualgrasslandsandareasplannedfortheremovalofpermanentroadsandturbinepadareasarerestoredtopreprojectconditions.TheGrasslandRestorationPlanwillincludebutnotbelimitedtothefollowingmeasures. Gravelwillberemovedfromareasproposedforgrasslandrestoration. Tothemaximumextentfeasible,topsoilwillbesalvagedfromwithinonsiteworkareas
priortoconstruction.Importedfillsoilswillbelimitedtoweed‐freetopsoilsimilarintexture,chemicalcomposition,andpHtosoilsfoundattherestorationsite.
Whereappropriate,restorationareaswillbeseeded(hydroseedingisacceptable)toensureerosioncontrol.Seedmixeswillbetailoredtocloselymatchthatofreferencesite(s)withintheprogramareaandshouldincludenativeornaturalized,noninvasivespeciessourcedwithintheprojectareaorfromthenearestavailablelocation.
Reclaimedroadswillberestoredinsuchawayastopermanentlypreventvehiculartravel.Theplanwillincludearequirementtomonitorrestorationareasannually(betweenMarchandOctober)forupto3yearsfollowingtheyearofrestoration.Therestorationwillbeconsideredsuccessfulwhenthepercentcoverforrestoredareasis70%absolutecoveroftheplanted/seededspeciescomparedtothepercentabsolutecoverofnearbyreferencesites.Nomorethan5%relativecoverofthevegetationintherestorationareaswillconsistofinvasiveplantspeciesratedas“high”inCal‐IPC’sCaliforniaInvasivePlantInventoryDatabase(http://www.cal‐ipc.org).Remedialmeasuresprescribedintheplanwillincludesupplementalseeding,weedcontrol,andotheractionsasdeterminednecessarytoachievethelong‐termsuccesscriteria.Monitoringmaybeextendedifnecessarytoachievethesuccesscriteriaorifdroughtconditionsprecluderestorationsuccess.Otherperformancestandardsmayalsoberequiredastheyrelatetospecial‐statusspecieshabitat;thesewillbeidentifiedincoordinationwithCDFWandincludedintheplan.TheprojectproponentwillprovideevidencethatCDFWhasreviewedandapprovedtheGrasslandRestorationPlan.Additionally,theprojectproponentwillprovideannualmonitoringreportstotheCountybyJanuary31ofeachyear,summarizingthemonitoringresultsandanyremedialmeasuresimplemented(ifanyarenecessary)duringthepreviousyear.
BIO‐7a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusreptiles
WheresuitablehabitatforBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,orSanJoaquincoachwhipisidentifiedinproposedworkareas,allprojectproponentswillensurethatBMPs
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐29
March 2016ICF 00630.15
andotherappropriatemeasures,inaccordancewithmeasuresdevelopedfortheEACCS,beincorporatedintotheappropriatedesignandconstructiondocuments.ImplementationofsomeofthesemeasureswillrequirethattheprojectproponentobtainincidentaltakepermitsfromUSFWSandCDFW(Alamedawhipsnake)beforeconstructionbegins.Additionalconservationmeasuresorconditionsofapprovalmayberequiredinapplicableprojectpermits(i.e.,ESAincidentaltakepermit). Aqualifiedbiologistwillconductpreconstructionsurveysimmediatelypriortoground‐
disturbingactivities(e.g.,equipmentstaging,vegetationremoval,grading)associatedwiththeprogram.IfanyBlainville’shornedlizards,Alamedawhipsnakes,orSanJoaquincoachwhipsarefound,workwillnotbeginuntiltheyaremovedoutoftheworkareatoaUSFWS‐and/orCDFW‐approvedrelocationsite.IncidentaltakepermitsfromUSFWSandCDFWarerequiredforrelocationofAlamedawhipsnake.RelocationofBlainville’shornedlizardandSanJoaquincoachwhiprequiresaletterfromCDFWauthorizingthisactivity.
Nomonofilamentplasticwillbeusedforerosioncontrol. Whereapplicable,barrierfencingwillbeusedtoexcludeBlainville’shornedlizard,Alameda
whipsnake,andSanJoaquincoachwhip.Barrierfencingwillberemovedwithin72hoursofcompletionofwork.
Workcrewsoranonsitebiologicalmonitorwillinspectopentrenchesandpitsandunderconstructionequipmentandmaterialsleftonsiteforspecial‐statusreptileseachmorningandeveningduringconstruction.
Grounddisturbanceinsuitablehabitatwillbeminimized. Vegetationwithintheproposedworkareawillberemovedpriortograding.Priorto
clearingandgrubbingoperations,aqualifiedbiologistwillclearlymarkvegetationwithintheworkareathatwillbeavoided.Vegetationoutsidetheworkareawillnotberemoved.Wherepossiblehandtools(e.g.,trimmer,chainsaw)willbeusedtotrimorremovevegetation.Allvegetationremovalwillbemonitoredbythequalifiedbiologisttominimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusreptiles.
Ifspecial‐statusreptilesarefoundintheworkareaduringconstructionandcannotordonotmoveoffsiteontheirown,aqualifiedbiologistwhoisUSFWS‐and/orCDFW‐approvedunderanincidentaltakepermitforthespecificprojectwilltrapandmovetheanimal(s)toaUSFWSand/orCDFW‐approvedrelocationarea.IncidentaltakepermitsfromUSFWSandCDFWarerequiredforrelocationofAlamedawhipsnake.RelocationofBlainville’shornedlizardandSanJoaquincoachwhiprequiresaletterfromCDFWauthorizingthisactivity.
BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusnestingbirds
Wheresuitablehabitatispresentforraptorswithin1mile(within2milesforgoldeneagles)andfortree/shrub‐andground‐nestingmigratorybirds(non‐raptors)within50feetofproposedworkareas,thefollowingmeasureswillbeimplementedtoensurethattheproposedprojectdoesnothaveasignificantimpactonnestingspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirds. Removesuitablenestinghabitat(shrubsandtrees)duringthenon‐breedingseason
(typicallySeptember1–January31)fornestingbirds. Totheextentfeasible,avoidconstructionactivitiesinornearsuitableoroccupiednesting
habitatduringthebreedingseasonofbirds(generallyFebruary1–August31). Ifconstructionactivities(includingvegetationremoval,clearing,andgrading)willoccur
duringthenestingseasonformigratorybirds,aqualifiedbiologistwillconduct
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐30
March 2016ICF 00630.15
preconstructionnestingbirdsurveyswithin7dayspriortoconstructionactivities.Theconstructionareaanda1‐milebufferwillbesurveyedfortree‐nestingraptors(exceptforgoldeneagles),anda50‐footbufferwillbesurveyedforallotherbirdspecies.
Surveystolocateeaglenestswithin2milesofconstructionwillbeconductedduringthebreedingseasonpriortoconstruction.A1‐mileno‐disturbancebufferwillbeimplementedforconstructionactivitiestoprotectnestingeaglesfromdisturbance.ThroughcoordinationwithUSFWS,theno‐disturbancebuffermaybereducedto0.5mileifconstructionactivitiesarenotwithinline‐of‐sightofthenest.
Ifanactivenest(otherthangoldeneagle)isidentifiednearaproposedworkareaandworkcannotbeconductedoutsidethenestingseason(February1–August31),ano‐activityzonewillbeestablishedaroundthenestbyaqualifiedbiologistincoordinationwithUSFWSand/orCDFW.Fencingand/orflaggingwillbeusedtodelineatetheno‐activityzone.Tominimizethepotentialtoaffectthereproductivesuccessofthenestingpair,theextentoftheno‐activityzonewillbebasedonthedistanceoftheactivitytothenest,thetypeandextentoftheproposedactivity,thedurationandtimingoftheactivity,thesensitivityandhabituationofthespecies,andthedissimilarityoftheproposedactivitytobackgroundactivities.Theno‐activityzonewillbelargeenoughtoavoidnestabandonmentandwillbebetween50feetand1milefromthenest,orasotherwiserequiredbyUSFWSand/orCDFW.
BIO‐8b:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonwesternburrowingowl
Wheresuitablehabitatforwesternburrowingowlisinorwithin500feetofproposedworkareas,thefollowingmeasureswillbeimplementedtoavoidorminimizepotentialadverseimpactsonburrowingowls. Tothemaximumextentfeasible(e.g.,wheretheconstructionfootprintcanbemodified),
constructionactivitieswithin500feetofactiveburrowingowlburrowswillbeavoidedduringthenestingseason(February1–August31).
Aqualifiedbiologistwillconductpreconstructiontakeavoidancesurveysforburrowingowlnolessthan14dayspriortoandwithin24hoursofinitiatingground‐disturbingactivities.Thesurveyareawillencompasstheworkareaanda500‐footbufferaroundthisarea.
Ifanactiveburrowisidentifiednearaproposedworkareaandworkcannotbeconductedoutsidethenestingseason(February1–August31),ano‐activityzonewillbeestablishedbyaqualifiedbiologistincoordinationwithCDFW.Theno‐activityzonewillbelargeenoughtoavoidnestabandonmentandwillextendaminimumof250feetaroundtheburrow.
Ifburrowingowlsarepresentatthesiteduringthenon‐breedingseason(September1–January31),aqualifiedbiologistwillestablishano‐activityzonethatextendsaminimumof150feetaroundtheburrow.
Ifthedesignatedno‐activityzoneforeitherbreedingornon‐breedingburrowingowlscannotbeestablished,awildlifebiologistexperiencedinburrowingowlbehaviorwillevaluatesite‐specificconditionsand,incoordinationwithCDFW,recommendasmallerbuffer(ifpossible)and/orothermeasurethatstillminimizesdisturbanceoftheowls(whileallowingreproductivesuccessduringthebreedingseason).Thesite‐specificbuffer(and/orothermeasure)willconsiderthetypeandextentoftheproposedactivityoccurringneartheoccupiedburrow,thedurationandtimingoftheactivity,thesensitivityandhabituationoftheowls,andthedissimilarityoftheproposedactivitytobackgroundactivities.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐31
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Ifburrowingowlsarepresentinthedirectdisturbanceareaandcannotbeavoidedduringthenon‐breedingseason(generallySeptember1throughJanuary31),burrowingowlsmaybeexcludedfromburrowsthroughtheinstallationofone‐waydoorsatburrowentrances.Aburrowingowlexclusionplan,preparedbytheprojectproponent,mustbeapprovedbyCDFWpriortoexclusionofowls.One‐waydoors(e.g.,modifieddryerventsorotherCDFW‐approvedmethod)willbeleftinplaceforaminimumof1weekandmonitoreddailytoensurethattheowl(s)havelefttheburrow(s).Excavationoftheburrowwillbeconductedusinghandtools.Duringexcavationoftheburrow,asectionofflexibleplasticpipe(atleast3inchesindiameter)willbeinsertedintotheburrowtunneltomaintainanescaperouteforanyanimalsthatmaybeinsidetheburrow.Owlswillbeexcludedfromtheirburrowsasalastresortandonlyifotheravoidanceandminimizationmeasurescannotbeimplemented.
Avoiddestructionofunoccupiedburrowsoutsidetheworkareaandplacevisiblemarkersnearburrowstoensurethattheyarenotcollapsed.
Conductongoingsurveillanceoftheprojectsiteforburrowingowlsduringprojectactivities.Ifadditionalowlsareobservedusingburrowswithin500feetofconstruction,theonsitebiologicalmonitorwilldetermine,incoordinationwithCDFW,iftheowl(s)areorwouldbeaffectedbyconstructionactivitiesandifadditionalexclusionzonesarerequired.
BIO‐10a:ImplementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
WheresuitablehabitatispresentforSanJoaquinfitfoxandAmericanbadgerinandadjacenttoproposedworkareas,thefollowingmeasures,consistentwithmeasuresdevelopedintheEACCS,willbeimplementedtoensurethatproposedprojectsdonothaveasignificantimpactonSanJoaquinkitfoxorAmericanbadger.ImplementationofsomeofthesemeasureswillrequirethattheprojectproponentobtainincidentaltakepermitsfromUSFWSandCDFW(SanJoaquinkitfox)beforeconstructionbegins.ImplementationofstateandfederalrequirementscontainedinsuchauthorizationmayconstitutecompliancewithcorrespondingmeasuresinthisPEIR.
Tothemaximumextentfeasible,suitabledensforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadgerwillbeavoided.
Allprojectproponentswillretainqualifiedapprovedbiologists(asdeterminedbyUSFWS)toconductapreconstructionsurveyforpotentialSanJoaquinkitfoxdens(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2011).ResumesofbiologistswillbesubmittedtoUSFWSforreviewandapprovalpriortothestartofthesurvey.
PreconstructionsurveysforAmericanbadgerswillbeconductedinconjunctionwithSanJoaquinkitfoxpreconstructionsurveys.
AsdescribedinU.S.FishandWildlifeService2011,thepreconstructionsurveywillbeconductednolessthan14daysandnomorethan30daysbeforethebeginningofgrounddisturbance,oranyactivitylikelytoaffectSanJoaquinkitfox.ThebiologistswillconductdensearchesbysystematicallywalkingtransectsthroughtheprojectareaandabufferareatobedeterminedincoordinationwithUSFWSandCDFW.Transectdistanceshouldbebasedontheheightofvegetationsuchthat100%visualcoverageoftheprojectareaisachieved.Ifapotentialorknowndenisfoundduringthesurvey,thebiologistwillmeasurethesizeoftheden,evaluatetheshapeofthedenentrances,andnotetracks,scat,preyremains,andrecentexcavationsatthedensite.Thebiologistswillalsodeterminethestatusofthedensandmapthefeatures.Denswillbeclassifiedinone
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐32
March 2016ICF 00630.15
ofthefollowingfourdenstatuscategoriesdefinedbyUSFWS(U.S.FishandWildlifeService2011).
o Potentialden:Anysubterraneanholewithinthespecies’rangethathasentrancesofappropriatedimensionsandforwhichavailableevidenceissufficienttoconcludethatitisbeingusedorhasbeenusedbyakitfox.Potentialdensinclude(1)anysuitablesubterraneanhole;or(2)anydenorburrowofanotherspecies(e.g.,coyote,badger,redfox,groundsquirrel)thatotherwisehasappropriatecharacteristicsforkitfoxuse;oranartificialstructurethatotherwisehasappropriatecharacteristicsforkitfoxuse.
o Knownden:AnyexistingnaturaldenorartificialstructurethatisusedorhasbeenusedatanytimeinthepastbyaSanJoaquinkitfox.Evidenceofusemayincludehistoricalrecords;pastorcurrentradiotelemetryorspotlightingdata;kitfoxsignsuchastracks,scat,and/orpreyremains;orotherreasonableproofthatagivendenisbeingorhasbeenusedbyakitfox(USFWSdiscouragesuseofthetermsactiveandinactivewhenreferringtoanykitfoxdenbecauseagreatpercentageofoccupieddensshownoevidenceofuse,andbecausekitfoxeschangedensoften,withtheresultthatthestatusofagivendenmaychangefrequentlyandabruptly).
o Knownnatalorpuppingden:Anydenthatisused,orhasbeenusedatanytimeinthepast,bykitfoxestowhelpand/orreartheirpups.Natal/puppingdensmaybelargerwithmorenumerousentrancesthandensoccupiedexclusivelybyadults.Thesedenstypicallyhavemorekitfoxtracks,scat,andpreyremainsinthevicinityoftheden,andmayhaveabroaderapronofmatteddirtorvegetationatoneormoreentrances.Anatalden,definedasadeninwhichkitfoxpupsareactuallywhelpedbutnotnecessarilyreared,isamorerestrictiveversionofthepuppingden.Inpractice,however,itisdifficulttodistinguishbetweenthetwo;therefore,forpurposesofthisdefinitioneithertermapplies.
o Knownatypicalden:AnyartificialstructurethathasbeenorisbeingoccupiedbyaSanJoaquinkitfox.Atypicaldensmayincludepipes,culverts,anddiggingsbeneathconcreteslabsandbuildings.
WrittenresultsofthesurveyincludingthelocationsofanypotentialorknownSanJoaquinkitfoxdenswillbesubmittedtoUSFWSwithin5daysfollowingcompletionofthesurveyandpriortothestartofgrounddisturbanceorconstructionactivities. Afterpreconstructiondensearchesandbeforethecommencementofrepoweringactivities,
exclusionzoneswillbeestablishedasmeasuredinaradiusoutwardfromtheentranceorclusterofentrancesofeachden.Repoweringactivitieswillbeprohibitedorgreatlyrestrictedwithintheseexclusionzones.Onlyessentialvehicularoperationonexistingroadsandfoottrafficwillbepermitted.Allotherrepoweringactivities,vehicleoperation,materialandequipmentstorage,andothersurface‐disturbingactivitieswillbeprohibitedintheexclusionzones.Barrierfencingwillberemovedwithin72hoursofcompletionofwork.Exclusionzoneswillbeestablishedusingthefollowingparameters.o Potentialandatypicaldens:Atotaloffourorfiveflaggedstakeswillbeplaced50feet
fromthedenentrancetoidentifythedenlocation.o Knownden:Orangeconstructionbarrierfencingwillbeinstalledbetweentheworkarea
andtheknowndensiteataminimumdistanceof100feetfromtheden.Thefencingwillbemaintaineduntilconstruction‐relateddisturbanceshaveceased.Atthattime,allfencingwillberemovedtoavoidattractingsubsequentattentiontotheden.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐33
March 2016ICF 00630.15
o Natal/puppingden:USFWSwillbecontactedimmediatelyifanatalorpuppingdenisdiscoveredinorwithin200feetoftheworkarea.
AnyoccupiedorpotentiallyoccupiedbadgerdenwillbeavoidedbyestablishinganexclusionzoneconsistentwithaSanJoaquinkitfoxpotentialburrow(i.e.,fourorfiveflaggedstakeswillbeplaced50feetfromthedenentrance).
Incaseswhereavoidanceisnotareasonablealternative,limiteddestructionofpotentialSanJoaquinkitfoxdensmaybeallowedasfollows.o Natal/puppingdens:Natalorpuppingdensthatareoccupiedwillnotbedestroyeduntil
theadultsandpupshavevacatedthedensandthenonlyafterconsultationwithUSFWS.Removalofnatal/puppingdensrequiresincidentaltakeauthorizationfromUSFWSandCDFW.
o Knowndens:Knowndenswithinthefootprintoftheactivitymustbemonitoredfor3dayswithtrackingmediumoraninfraredcameratodeterminecurrentuse.Ifnokitfoxactivityisobservedduringthisperiod,thedenshouldbedestroyedimmediatelytoprecludesubsequentuse.Ifkitfoxactivityisobservedduringthisperiod,thedenwillbemonitoredforatleast5consecutivedaysfromthetimeofobservationtoallowanyresidentanimaltomovetoanotherdenduringitsnormalactivity.Useofthedencanbediscouragedbypartiallypluggingitsentrance(s)withsoilinsuchamannerthatanyresidentanimalcanescapeeasily.Onlywhenthedenisdeterminedtobeunoccupiedwillthedenbeexcavatedunderthedirectionofabiologist.Ifthefoxisstillpresentafter5ormoreconsecutivedaysofmonitoring,thedenmaybeexcavatedwhen,inthejudgmentofthebiologist,itistemporarilyvacant,suchasduringthefox’snormalforagingactivities.RemovalofknowndensrequiresincidentaltakeauthorizationfromUSFWSandCDFW.
o Potentialdens:Ifincidentaltakepermitshavebeenreceived(fromUSFWSandCDFW),potentialdenscanberemoved(preferablybyhandexcavation)bybiologistorunderthesupervisionofabiologistwithoutmonitoring,unlessotherrestrictionswereissuedwiththeincidentaltakepermits.Ifnotakeauthorizationshavebeenissued,thepotentialdenswillbemonitoredasiftheyareknowndens.Ifanydenwasconsideredapotentialdenbutwaslaterdeterminedduringmonitoringordestructiontobecurrentlyorpreviouslyusedbykitfoxes(e.g.,kitfoxsignisfoundinside),thenallconstructionactivitieswillceaseandUSFWSandCDFWwillbenotifiedimmediately.
Nighttimeworkwillbeminimizedtotheextentpossible.Thevehicularspeedlimitwillbereducedto10milesperhourduringnighttimework.
Pipes,culverts,andsimilarmaterialsgreaterthan4inchesindiameterwillbestoredsoastopreventwildlifespeciesfromusingtheseastemporaryrefuges,andthesematerialswillbeinspectedeachmorningforthepresenceofanimalspriortobeingmoved.
Arepresentativeappointedbytheprojectproponentwillbethecontactforanyemployeeorcontractorwhomightinadvertentlykillorinjureakitfoxorwhofindsadead,injured,orentrappedkitfox.Therepresentativewillbeidentifiedduringenvironmentalsensitivitytraining(MitigationMeasureBIO‐1b)andhis/hernameandphonenumberwillbeprovidedtoUSFWSandCDFW.Uponsuchincidentorfinding,therepresentativewillimmediatelycontactUSFWSandCDFW.
TheSacramentoUSFWSofficeandCDFWwillbenotifiedinwritingwithin3workingdaysoftheaccidentaldeathorinjuryofaSanJoaquinkitfoxduringproject‐relatedactivities.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐34
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Notificationmustincludethedate,time,andlocationoftheincident,andanyotherpertinentinformation.
BIO‐11b:Siteturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbirds
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.
BIO‐11c:Useturbinedesignsthatreduceavianimpacts
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.
BIO‐11d:Incorporateavian‐safepracticesintodesignofturbine‐relatedinfrastructure
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11d,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.
BIO‐11e:Retrofitexistinginfrastructuretominimizerisktoraptors
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.
BIO‐11i:Implementanavianadaptivemanagementprogram
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11i,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.
BIO‐12a:Conductbatroostsurveys
Priortodevelopmentofanyrepoweringproject,aqualifiedbatbiologistwillconductaroosthabitatassessmenttoidentifypotentialcolonialroostsitesofspecial‐statusandcommonbatspecieswithin750feetoftheconstructionarea.Ifsuitableroostsitesaretoberemovedorotherwiseaffectedbytheproposedproject,thebatbiologistwillconducttargetedroostsurveysofallidentifiedsitesthatwouldbeaffected.Becausebatactivityishighlyvariable(bothspatiallyandtemporally)acrossthelandscapeandmaymoveunpredictablyamongseveralroosts,severalseparatesurveyvisitsmayberequired.Surveyswillberepeatedatdifferenttimesofyearifdeemednecessarybythebatbiologisttodeterminethepresenceofseasonallyactiveroosts(hibernacula,migratorystopovers,maternityroosts).Appropriatefieldmethodswillbeemployedtodeterminethespecies,type,andvulnerabilityoftheroosttoconstructiondisturbance.Methodswillfollowbestpracticesforroostsurveyssuchthatspeciesarenotdisturbedandadequatetemporalandspatialcoverageisprovidedtoincreaselikelihoodofdetection.
Roostsurveysmayconsistofbothdaylightsurveysforsignsofbatuseandevening/nightvisit(s)toconductemergencesurveysorevaluatethestatusofnightroosts.Surveytimingshouldbeadequatetoaccountforindividualbatsorspeciesthatmightnotemergeuntilwellafterdark.
Methodsandapproachesfordeterminingroostoccupancystatusshouldincludeacombinationofthefollowingcomponentsasthebiologistdeemsnecessaryfortheparticularroostsite. Passiveand/oractiveacousticmonitoringtoassistwithspeciesidentification.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐35
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Guanotrapstodetermineactivitystatus. Night‐visionequipment. Passiveinfraredcameratraps.Atthecompletionoftheroostsurveys,areportwillbeprepareddocumentingareassurveyed,methods,results,andmappingofhigh‐qualityhabitatorconfirmedroostlocations.
BIO‐12b:Avoidremovingordisturbingbatroosts Activebatroostswillnotbedisturbed,andwillbeprovidedaminimumbufferof500feet
wherepreexistingdisturbanceismoderateor750feetwherepreexistingdisturbanceisminimal.ConfirmationofbufferdistancesanddeterminationoftheneedforabiologicalmonitorforactivematernityroostsorhibernaculawillbeobtainedinconsultationwithCDFW.Ataminimum,whenanactivematernityroostorhibernaculumispresentwithin750feetofaconstructionsite,aqualifiedbiologistwillconductaninitialassessmentoftheroostresponsetoconstructionactivitiesandwillrecommendbufferexpansioniftherearesignsofdisturbancefromtheroost.
Structures(naturalorartificial)showingevidenceofsignificantbatusewithinthepastyearwillbeleftinplaceashabitatwhereverfeasible.Shouldsuchastructureneedtoberemovedordisturbed,CDFWwillbeconsultedtodetermineappropriatebuffers,timingandmethods,andcompensatorymitigationforthelossoftheroost.
Allprojectproponentswillprovideenvironmentalawarenesstrainingtoconstructionpersonnel,establishbuffers,andinitiateconsultationwithCDFWifneeded.
Artificialnightlightingwithin500feetofanyroostwillbeshieldedandangledsuchthatbatsmayenterandexittheroostwithoutartificialilluminationandtheroostdoesnotreceiveartificialexposuretovisualpredators.
Treeandvegetationremovalwillbeconductedoutsidethematernityseason(April1–September15)toavoiddisturbanceofmaternitygroupsoffoliage‐roostingbats.
Ifamaternityroostorhibernaculumispresentwithin500feetoftheconstructionsitewherepreexistingdisturbanceismoderateorwithin750feetwherepreexistingdisturbanceisminimal,aqualifiedbiologicalmonitorwillbeonsiteduringgroundbreakingactivities.
BIO‐14a:Siteandselectturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbats
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐14a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐14above.
BIO‐14d:Developandimplementabatadaptivemanagementplan
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐14d,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐14above.
RemainingImpacts:Remainingimpactsrelatedtotheprojectimpactsonthemovementofanynativeresidentormigratorywildlifespeciesorestablishednativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridors,andtheuseofnativewildlifenurserysiteswillbesignificantandunavoidable.
OverridingConsiderations:AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfindsthatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheapprovedprojectthatoverridetheremainingsignificantandunavoidableimpactsonbiological
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐36
March 2016ICF 00630.15
resources.Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasures,orchangestotheprojectthatwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
Findings and Recommendations Regarding Significant Impacts that are Mitigated to a Less‐Than‐Significant Level
Aesthetics
ImpactAES‐1:Temporaryvisualimpactscausedbyconstructionactivities
PotentialImpact:ConstructionassociatedwiththeSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldcreatetemporarychangesinviewsofandfromtheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectarea.Constructionisexpectedtolast6–9months,andconstructionactivitieswouldcreateviewsofheavyequipmentandassociatedvehicles(seeSection1.4,ProjectConstruction,oftheEnvironmentalChecklist),andstorageareaswithintheviewshedofresidents,businesses,recreationareas,state‐designatedscenichighways(I‐580),andAlamedaCounty–designatedscenicroutes.Inaddition,high‐voltagelightingusedfornighttimeconstructionwouldnegativelyaffectnighttimeviewsofandfromtheworkareaandcouldbeanuisancetonearbyresidents,whoareconsideredtohavehighvisualsensitivity.Motoristsalongstate‐designatedscenichighwaysandCounty‐designatedscenicroutes,nearbyresidences,recreationistsusingtherecreationareasandtrails,andemployeesofnearbybusinesseswouldbetheprincipalviewergroups.Constructionimpactswouldbetemporaryandshort‐term,anddecommissioningandconstructionactivitieswouldoccurinamannerconsistentwithAlamedaCountyrequirementsforworkdaysandhours.However,thehighlysensitiveviewersintheproposedprojectarea(residentsandrecreationists)couldperceivetheseimpactsassignificant.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinthePEIRatpage3.1‐13,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AES‐1:Limitconstructiontodaylighthours.
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureAES‐1willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithtemporaryvisualimpactsduringconstructionwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
AES‐1:Limitconstructiontodaylighthours.
Majorconstructionactivitieswillnotbeundertakenbetweensunsetandsunriseoronweekends.Constructionactivityisspecificallyprohibitedfromusinghigh‐wattagelightingsourcestoilluminateworksitesaftersunsetandbeforesunrise,withtheexceptionofnighttimedeliveriesundertheapprovedtransportationcontrolplanorotherconstructionactivitiesthatrequirenighttimeworkforsafetyconsiderations.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐37
March 2016ICF 00630.15
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithtemporaryvisualimpactsduringconstructionwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactAES‐2:Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista
PotentialImpact:Anumberofscenicvistasareavailablefromlocalroadwaysneartheprojectarea.Inaddition,scenicvistasexistfromlocalrecreationaltrailsandresidencesandbusinessesonhillsidesintheprogramarea.Theseareasconsistofwideopenviewsoftherolling,grass‐covered,rurallandscapedottedwithexistingturbines.Thehubheightoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesrangesfrom18to55meters(approximately59to180feet)andthird‐generationrangefrom41to68meters(approximately134to223feet).Theproposedfourth‐generationtowersinstalledunderrepoweringactivitieswouldbe80–96meters(262–315feet)tall.Therefore,theproposedfourth‐generationtowerswouldbe28–62meters(92–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbines.Viewsoftheproposedturbinesmaybemoreorlessprevalentdependingonaviewer’slocationwithinthelandscapeandiftheviewerhasmoredirectviewsoftheturbinesorviewsthatarepartiallyorfullyscreenedbytopography.
Althoughthenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration.
Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7inChapter3.1ofthePEIRshowexistingviewsoftheprogramareaandsimulatedviewswithbuildoutoftheprogramunderbothalternatives.Thenew,less‐clutteredconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.Placementofnewturbinesonundevelopedportionsoftheprogramareawouldintroducelargestructureswherenonepresentlyexist,alteringtheundevelopedcharacteroftheseparcels.
TherearealsoscenicvistasfromTeslaRoad,whichisanAlamedaCounty–designatedscenicroutenearthesouthernboundaryoftheprogramareawherenoturbinescurrentlyexist.Installingturbinesinthesescenicvistaareaswouldconstituteasignificantimpactonviewsfromlocalroadways(includingTeslaRoad),recreationaltrails,andresidencesandbusinesseslocatedonhillsides.Policies170and215oftheEastCountyAreaPlanrequiretheCounty,respectively,toprotectnearbyexistingusesfromthevisualimpacts(amongothereffects)ofwindfarms’constructionandoperation,andtomaintainandenhancescenicvaluesintheseareasthroughreviewofdevelopmentanduseofconservationpolicies(seeSection3.1,RegulatorySetting).
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.1.3ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways
AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAES‐2bandAES‐2cwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithadverseeffectonascenicvistawill
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐38
March 2016ICF 00630.15
bemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways
Projectsiteswillbecleanedofallderelictequipment,windturbinecomponentsnotrequiredfortheproject,andlitteranddebrisfromoldturbinesandpastturbineoperations.Suchlitteranddebrismayincludederelictturbines,obsoleteanemometers,unusedelectricalpoles,andbrokenturbineblades.Inaddition,abandonedroadsthatarenolongerinuseonsuchparcelswillberestoredandhydroseededtoreclaimthesitesandremovetheirvisualtracesfromtheviewscape,exceptincaseswheretheresourceagencies(USFWSandCDFW)recommendthatthefeaturesbeleftinplaceforresourceprotection.Allparcelswithnewturbineswillbemaintainedinsuchamannerthroughthelifeofprojectoperationsanduntiltheparcelsarereclaimedinaccordancewiththeapprovedreclamationplan.
AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials
Surpluspartsandmaterialsthatarekeptonsitewillbemaintainedinaneatandorderlyfashionandscreenedfromview.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbyusingaweatherproofcamouflagematerialthatcanbedrapedoversurpluspartsandmaterialsstockpiles.Drapingmaterialswillbechangedouttoaccommodateforseasonalvariationssothatsurplusmaterialsarecamouflagedinaneffectivemannerwhengrassesarebothgreenandbrown.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithscenicvistaswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactAES‐3:Substantiallydamagescenicresources,includingbutnotlimitedtotrees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingsalongascenichighway.
PotentialImpact:I‐580fromtheSanJoaquinCountylinetoSR205,a0.4‐mile‐longsegment,isastate‐designatedscenichighway.Althoughmotoristsareconsideredmoderatelysensitive,itwouldbeasignificantimpacttolocateturbinesaroundthisdesignatedscenichighwaywherenoturbinescurrentlyexist.Inaddition,thereareseveralCounty‐designatedscenicroutesintheprogramarea.ThenewSandHillWindRepoweringProjectturbineswouldbelocatedadjacenttoonestate‐designatedscenicroute,I‐580.TurbineswouldbevisiblefromI‐580aswellasseveralCounty‐designatedscenicroutes,AltamontPassRoad,GrantLineRoad,andMountainHouseRoad.Thenewturbineswouldbelocatedinanareawithexistingturbines.Motoristsontheseroadsareaccustomedtoseeingwindturbinesalongtheroute,sotheywouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Additionally,wherethereareexistingturbines,althoughthenew,moreefficientturbineswouldbe28–62meters(92–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration(asillustratedinFigures3.1‐3to3.1‐7ofthePEIRandFigures3.1‐2to3.1‐6oftheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectEnvironmentalChecklist).However,thehighlysensitiveviewersintheproposedprojectarea(residentsandrecreationists)couldperceivetheseimpactsassignificant.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinthePEIRatpage3.1‐16,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways
AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐39
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureAES‐2bandAES‐2cwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithdamagetoscenicresourcesalongscenichighwayswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.
AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithdamagetoscenicresourcesalongscenichighwayswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactAES‐4:Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings
PotentialImpact:Theproposedprojectwouldprimarilybevisibletorecreationists,arearesidents,motorists,andemployeesofareabusinesses.Stringsofturbines,pluspowerlines,transformers,accessroads,andsubstationsarethemostvisuallydistinctartificialfeaturethroughoutmostoftheprogramarea.AccordingtoPolicy170oftheECAP,AlamedaCountyisobligatedtoprotectnearbyexistingusesfrompotentialvisualandotherimpactsgeneratedbytheconstructionandoperationofwindfarmfacilities(seeRegulatorySettingsectionofPEIRSection3.1.3).OfparticularvisualconcernistheareasouthofPattersonPassRoad,whichiscurrentlyundevelopedwithwindfarmfacilities.TheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareaisnorthofPattersonPassRoad;therefore,theproposedprojectwouldplacenoturbinesinthesouthernportionoftheprogramarea,southofPattersonPassRoad.However,thepotentialexistsforviewerstoperceivetheproposedprojectasdegradingtheprojectarea’sexistingvisualcharacterorquality.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.1.3ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways
AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAES‐2bandAES‐2cwillreduceimpactsassociatedwithsubstantialdamagetoscenicresourcesalongascenichighway,butwillnotreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.
AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐40
March 2016ICF 00630.15
RemainingImpacts:Remainingimpactsrelatedtodegradationoftheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundingswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactAES‐5:Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea
PotentialImpact:Bladerotationcouldcauseshadowflickerthatcouldbeavisualintrusiontoviewersandcouldbeespeciallydisruptivetoresidentswhowouldbeexposedtotheseconditionsforlongperiodsoftime.AsshowninTable2‐2ofthePEIR,AlamedaCountyhasdevelopedsetbackrequirementsforsitingturbinesinrelationtocertaintypesoflanduses,andturbineswouldnotbeallowedtobelocatedwithinthesesetbackdistances.However,thesesetbacksmaynotbesufficienttopreventshadowflickerwiththenew,tallerturbines.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.1.3ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AES‐5:Analyzeshadowflickerdistanceandmitigateeffectsorincorporatechangesintoprojectdesigntoaddressshadowflicker
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureAES‐5willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithnewsourcesofsubstantiallightandglarewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
AES‐5:Analyzeshadowflickerdistanceandmitigateeffectsorincorporatechangesintoprojectdesigntoaddressshadowflicker
Whereshadowflickercouldresultfromtheinstallationofwindturbinesproposednearresidences(i.e.,within500meters[1,640feet]inagenerallyeastorwestdirectiontoaccountforseasonalvariations),theprojectapplicantwillprepareagraphicmodelandstudytoevaluateshadowflickerimpactsonnearbyresidences.Noshadowflickerinexcessof30minutesinagivendayor30hoursinagivenyearwillbepermitted.IfitisdeterminedthatexistingsetbackrequirementsasestablishedbytheCountyarenotsufficienttopreventshadowflickerimpactsonresidences,AlamedaCountywillrequireanincreaseintherequiredsetbackdistancestoensurethatresidencesarenotaffected.Ifanyresidenceisaffectedbyshadowflickerwithinthe30‐minute/30‐hourthresholds,theapplicantwillimplementmeasurestominimizetheeffect,suchasrelocatingtheturbine;providingopaquewindowcoverings,windowawnings,landscapebuffers,oracombinationofthesefeaturestoreduceflickertoacceptablelimitsfortheaffectedreceptor;orshuttingdowntheturbineduringtheperiodshadowflickerwouldoccur.Suchmeasuresmaybeundertakeninconsultationwithowneroftheaffectedresidence.Iftheshadowflickerstudyindicatesthatanygiventurbinewouldresultinshadowflickerexceedingthe30‐minute/30‐hourthresholdsandthepropertyownerisnotamenabletowindowcoverings,windowawnings,orlandscapingandtheturbinecannotbeshutdownduringtheperiodofshadowflicker,thentheturbinewillberelocatedtoreducetheeffecttoacceptablelimits.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithnewsourcesoflightorglarewillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactAES‐6:Consistencywithstateandlocalpolicies
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐41
March 2016ICF 00630.15
PotentialImpact:Theturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray)soastoblendwiththesurroundings.TheCaliforniaAqueductTrailborderstheprojectarea(Arnaudo&Castilloproperties,eastofMountainHouseRoad),asshownonFigure3.1‐1.Anotherplannedtrail,theSanJoaquinCountytoShadowCliffsTrail,alsoshownonFigure3.1‐1,wouldborderthewestsideofthesouthernmostprojectparcels(thetwoGriffithparcels),alongMidwayRoad.AlthoughnovisualsimulationisprovidedspecificallyfortheviewofturbinesfromMidwayRoad,theymayclearlyberecognizedascomparabletothesimulatedviewsprovidedinFigures3.1‐3and3.1‐4oftheEnvironmentalChecklist.However,theproposedprojectwouldstillintroducelarge,visuallyobtrusiveturbineswithinexistingscenicviewshedsinproximitytosensitiveviewersandresidences.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.1.3ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways
AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials
AES‐5:Analyzeshadowflickerdistanceandmitigateeffectsorincorporatechangesintoprojectdesigntoaddressshadowflicker
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐5willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithnewsourcesofsubstantiallightandglarewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.
AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.
AES‐5:Analyzeshadowflickerdistanceandmitigateeffectsorincorporatechangesintoprojectdesigntoaddressshadowflicker
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐5,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐5above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithconsistencywithstateandlocalpoliceswillbelessthansignificant.
Air Quality
ImpactAQ‐4:Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations
PotentialImpact:Constructionactivitieswouldgenerateairpollutantemissions,includingequipmentexhaustemissionsandsuspendedandinhalablePM.However,constructionactivitieswouldoccuroverarelativelyshortperiodofapproximately6‐9months,andassociatedemissionswouldbespatiallydispersedovertheapproximately1,000‐acreprojectarea.Theclosestsensitive
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐42
March 2016ICF 00630.15
receptortotheprojectareaisaresidencelocatedapproximately900feetfromthenearestproposedwindturbine(seeFigure3.1‐7oftheEnvironmentalChecklist).
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.3.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
AQ‐2a:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingapplicableBAAQMDBasicConstructionMitigationMeasures
AQ‐2b:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingmeasuresbasedonBAAQMD’sAdditionalConstructionMitigationMeasures
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththeexposureofsensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrationswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
AQ‐2a:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingapplicableBAAQMDBasicConstructionMitigationMeasures
Theprojectproponentswillrequireallcontractorstocomplywiththefollowingrequirementsforallareaswithactiveconstructionactivities. Allexposedsurfaces(e.g.,parkingareas,stagingareas,soilpiles,gradedareas,andunpaved
accessroads)willbewateredasneededtomaintaindustcontrolonsite—approximatelytwotimesperday.
Allhaultruckstransportingsoil,sand,orotherloosematerialoffsitewillbecovered. Allvisiblemudordirttrack‐outontoadjacentpublicroadswillberemovedusingwetpower
vacuumstreetsweepersatleastonceperday.Theuseofdrypowersweepingisprohibited. Allvehiclespeedsonunpavedroadswillbelimitedto15mph. Allroadways,driveways,andsidewalkstobepavedwillbecompletedassoonaspossible.
Buildingpadswillbelaidassoonaspossibleaftergradingunlessseedingorsoilbindersareused.
Idlingtimeswillbeminimizedeitherbyshuttingequipmentoffwhennotinuseorreducingthemaximumidlingtimeto5minutes(asrequiredbytheCaliforniaairbornetoxicscontrolmeasureTitle13,Section2485ofCaliforniaCodeofRegulations[CCR]).Clearsignagewillbeprovidedforconstructionworkersatallaccesspoints.
Allconstructionequipmentwillbemaintainedandproperlytunedinaccordancewithmanufacturer’sspecifications.Allequipmentwillbecheckedbyacertifiedvisibleemissionsevaluator.
Postapubliclyvisiblesignwiththetelephonenumberandpersontocontactattheleadagencyregardingdustcomplaints.Thispersonwillrespondandtakecorrectiveactionwithin48hours.Theairdistrict’sphonenumberwillalsobevisibletoensurecompliancewithapplicableregulations.
AQ‐2b:Reduceconstruction‐relatedairpollutantemissionsbyimplementingmeasuresbasedonBAAQMD’sAdditionalConstructionMitigationMeasures
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐43
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Theprojectproponentswillrequireallcontractorstocomplywiththefollowingrequirementsforallareaswithactiveconstructionactivities.• Duringconstructionactivities,allexposedsurfaceswillbewateredatafrequencyadequateto
meetandmaintainfugitivedustcontrolrequirementsofallrelevantairqualitymanagemententities.
• Allexcavation,grading,and/ordemolitionactivitieswillbesuspendedwhenaveragewindspeedsexceed20mph,asmeasuredattheLivermoreMunicipalAirport.
• Windbreaks(e.g.,trees,fences)willbeinstalledonthewindwardside(s)ofactivelydisturbedareasofconstruction.Windbreaksshouldhaveatmaximum50%airporosity.
• Vegetativegroundcover(e.g.,fast‐germinatingnativegrassseed)willbeplantedindisturbedareasassoonaspossibleandwateredappropriatelyuntilvegetationisestablished.
• Iffeasibleandpracticable,thesimultaneousoccurrenceofexcavation,grading,andground‐disturbingconstructionactivitiesonthesameareaatanyonetimewillbelimited.
• Constructionvehiclesandmachinery,includingtheirtires,willbecleanedpriortoleavingtheconstructionareatoremovevegetationandsoil.Cleaningstationswillbeestablishedattheperimeteroftheconstructionarea.
• Siteaccessestoadistanceof100feetfromthepavedroadwillbetreatedwitha6to12inchcompactedlayerofwoodchips,mulch,orgravel.
• Sandbagsorothererosioncontrolmeasureswillbeinstalledtopreventsiltrunofftopublicroadwaysfromsiteswithaslopegreaterthan1%.
• Theidlingtimeofdieselpoweredconstructionequipmentwillbeminimizedto2minutes.• Theprojectwilldevelopaplandemonstratingthattheoffroadequipment(morethan50
horsepower)tobeusedintheconstructionproject(i.e.,owned,leased,andsubcontractorvehicles)wouldachieveaprojectwidefleet‐average20%NOXreductionand45%PMreductioncomparedtothemostrecentARBfleetaverage.Acceptableoptionsforreducingemissionsincludetheuseoflatemodelengines,low‐emissiondieselproducts,alternativefuels,engineretrofittechnology,after‐treatmentproducts,add‐ondevicessuchasparticulatefilters,and/orotheroptionsassuchbecomeavailable.
• UselowVOC(i.e.,ROG)coatingsbeyondthelocalrequirements(i.e.,Regulation8,Rule3:ArchitecturalCoatings).
• Allconstructionequipment,dieseltrucks,andgeneratorswillbeequippedwithBACTforemissionreductionsofNOXandPM.
• AllcontractorswilluseequipmentthatmeetsARB’smostrecentcertificationstandardforoffroadheavydutydieselengines.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithexposureofsensitivereceptorstopollutantconcentrationswillbelessthansignificant.
Biological Resources
ImpactBIO‐1:Potentialforground‐disturbingactivitiestoresultinadverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsorhabitatoccupiedbyspecial‐statusplants
PotentialImpact:Ground‐disturbingactivitiesassociatedwiththeSandHillWindRepoweringProjectcouldresultinadverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsortheirhabitat.Directeffectsincludethoseeffectswhereplantsmayberemoved,damaged,orcrushed(seedlings)byground‐disturbingactivities,themovementorparkingofvehicles,and/ortheplacementofequipmentandsupplies.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐44
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Grounddisturbancecankillordamagematureindividualsoreliminatetheirhabitat.Excavationalterssoilpropertiesandmaycreateconditionsunsuitableforthegrowthofsomespeciesorfavortheirreplacementbyotherspecies.Therootsofshrubsandotherperennialspeciesaresusceptibletodamagefromsoilcompactionbyequipmentorconstructionmaterials.Possibleindirecteffectsonplantscouldresultfromerosionthatdegradeshabitatoraccidentalignitionofafirethatdamagesorkillsindividuals.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1a:Conductsurveystodeterminethepresenceorabsenceofspecial‐statusplantspecies
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1c:Avoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspeciesbyestablishingactivityexclusionzones
BIO‐1d:Compensateforimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspecies
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1a,BIO‐1b,BIO‐1c,BIO‐1d,andBIO‐1ewillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforground‐disturbingactivitiestoresultinadverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsorhabitatoccupiedbyspecial‐statusplantswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1a:Conductsurveystodeterminethepresenceorabsenceofspecial‐statusplantspecies
Projectproponentswillconductsurveysforthespecial‐statusplantspecieswithinandadjacenttoallprojectsites.Allsurveyswillbeconductedbyqualifiedbiologistsinaccordancewiththeappropriateprotocols.
Special‐statusplantsurveyswillbeconductedinaccordancewithProtocolsforSurveyingandEvaluatingImpactstoSpecialStatusNativePlantPopulationsandNaturalCommunities(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2009)duringtheseasonthatspecial‐statusplantspecieswouldbeevidentandidentifiable—i.e.,duringtheirbloomingseason.Nomorethan3yearspriortoground‐disturbingrepoweringactivitiesandduringtheappropriateidentificationperiodsforspecial‐statusplants(Table3.4‐4),aqualifiedbiologist(asdeterminedbyAlamedaCounty)willconductfieldsurveyswithindecommissioningworkareas,proposedconstructionareas,andtheimmediatelyadjacentareastodeterminethepresenceofhabitatforspecial‐statusplantspecies.TheprojectproponentwillsubmitareportdocumentingthesurveyresultstoAlamedaCountyforreviewandapprovalpriortoconductinganyrepoweringactivities.Thereportwillincludethelocationand
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐45
March 2016ICF 00630.15
descriptionofallproposedworkareas,thelocationanddescriptionofallsuitablehabitatforspecial‐statusplantspecies,andthelocationanddescriptionofothersensitivehabitats(e.g.,vernalpools,wetlands,riparianareas).Additionally,thereportwilloutlinewhereadditionalspeciesand/orhabitat‐specificmitigationmeasuresarerequired.Thisreportwillprovidethebasisforanyapplicablepermitapplicationswhereincidentaltakeoflistedspeciesmayoccur.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐1c:Avoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspeciesbyestablishingactivityexclusionzones
Wheresurveysdeterminethataspecial‐statusplantspeciesispresentinoradjacenttoaprojectarea,directandindirectimpactsoftheprojectonthespecieswillbeavoidedthroughtheestablishmentofactivityexclusionzones,withinwhichnoground‐disturbingactivitieswilltakeplace,includingconstructionofnewfacilities,constructionstaging,orothertemporaryworkareas.Activityexclusionzonesforspecial‐statusplantspecieswillbeestablishedaroundeachoccupiedhabitatsite,theboundariesofwhichwillbeclearlymarkedwithstandardorangeplasticconstructionexclusionfencingoritsequivalent.Theestablishmentofactivityexclusionzoneswillnotberequiredifnoconstruction‐relateddisturbanceswilloccurwithin250feetoftheoccupiedhabitat.ThesizeofactivityexclusionzonesmaybereducedthroughconsultationwithaqualifiedbiologistandwithconcurrencefromCDFWbasedonsite‐specificconditions.
BIO‐1d:Compensateforimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspecies
Allprojectproponentswillavoidorminimizetemporaryandpermanentimpactsonspecial‐statusplantsthatoccuronprojectsitesandwillcompensateforimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspecies.Althoughallimpactsonlarge‐floweredfiddleneck,diamond‐petaledCaliforniapoppy,andcaper‐fruitedtropidocarpumwillbeavoided,impactsonotherspecial‐statusplantspecieswillbeavoidedtotheextentfeasible,andanyunavoidableimpactswillbeaddressedthroughcompensatorymitigation.
Whereavoidanceofimpactsonaspecial‐statusplantspeciesisinfeasible,lossofindividualsoroccupiedhabitatofaspecial‐statusplantspeciesoccurrencewillbecompensatedforthroughtheacquisition,protection,andsubsequentmanagementinperpetuityofotherexistingoccurrencesata2:1ratio(occurrencesimpacted:occurrencespreserved).TheprojectproponentwillprovidedetailedinformationtotheCountyandCDFWonthelocationofthepreservedoccurrences,qualityofthepreservedhabitat,feasibilityofprotectingandmanagingtheareasin‐perpetuity,responsibilityparties,andotherpertinentinformation.Ifsuitableoccurrencesofaspecial‐statusplantspeciesarenotavailableforpreservation,thentheprojectwillberedesignedtoremovefeaturesthatwouldresultinimpactsonthatspecies.
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐46
March 2016ICF 00630.15
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithspecial‐statusplantswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐2:Adverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsandnaturalcommunitiesresultingfromtheintroductionandspreadofinvasiveplantspecies
PotentialImpact:Constructionactivitieshavethepotentialtofacilitatetheintroductionandspreadofinvasivenonnativeplantspeciesbyremovingvegetationanddisturbingsoils.Invasivespeciescompetewithnativespeciesforresourcesandcanalternaturalcommunitiesbyinfluencingfireregimes,hydrology(e.g.,sedimentationanderosion),lightavailability,nutrientcycling,andsoilchemistry.Invasivespeciesalsohavethepotentialtoharmhumanhealthandtheeconomybyadverselyaffectingnaturalecosystems,recreation,agriculturallands,anddevelopedareas.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐2:Preventintroduction,spread,andestablishmentofinvasiveplantspecies
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐2,BIO‐5c,andWQ‐1willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialfortheintroductionandspreadofinvasiveplantspeciestoresultinadverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsorhabitatoccupiedbyspecial‐statusplantswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐2:Preventintroduction,spread,andestablishmentofinvasiveplantspecies
Toavoidandminimizetheintroductionandspreadofinvasivenonnativeplantspecies,allprojectproponentswillimplementthefollowingBMPs.
Constructionvehiclesandmachinerywillbecleanedpriortoenteringtheconstructionarea.Cleaningstationswillbeestablishedattheperimeteroftheconstructionareaalongallconstructionroutesorimmediatelyoffsite.
Vehicleswillbewashedonlyatapprovedareas.Nowashingofvehicleswilloccuratjobsites.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐47
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Todiscouragetheintroductionandestablishmentofinvasiveplantspecies,seedmixturesandstrawusedwithinnaturalvegetationwillbeeitherricestraworweed‐freestraw,asallowedbystateandfederalregulationofstormwaterrunoff.
Inaddition,theprojectproponentswillprepareandimplementerosionandsedimentcontrolplanstocontrolshort‐termandlong‐termerosionandsedimentationeffectsandtorestoresoilsandvegetationinareasaffectedbyconstructionactivities(MitigationMeasuresBIO‐1bandWQ‐1).Priortoinitiatinganyconstructionactivitiesthatwillresultintemporaryimpactsonnaturalcommunities,arestorationandmonitoringplanwillbedevelopedfortemporarilyaffectedhabitatsineachprojectarea(MitigationMeasureBIO‐5c).RestorationandmonitoringplanswillbesubmittedtotheCountyandCDFWforapproval.Theseplanswillincludemethodsforrestoringsoilconditionsandrevegetatingdisturbedareas,seedmixes,monitoringandmaintenanceschedules,adaptivemanagementstrategies,reportingrequirements,andsuccesscriteria.Followingcompletionofprojectconstruction,theprojectproponentswillimplementtherevegetationplanstorestoreareasdisturbedbyprojectactivitiestoaconditionofequalorgreaterhabitatfunctionthanoccurredpriortothedisturbance.
MitigationMeasureBIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
ProjectcontractorswillobtaincoverageundertheGeneralConstructionPermitbeforetheonsetofanyconstructionactivities,becauseallprojectswillentaildisturbanceof1acreormore.ASWPPPwillbedevelopedbyaqualifiedengineerorerosioncontrolspecialistinaccordancewiththeappropriateBoard’srequirementsforNPDEScomplianceandimplementedpriortotheissuanceofanygradingpermitbeforeconstruction.TheSWPPPwillbekeptonsiteduringconstructionactivityandwillbemadeavailableuponrequesttorepresentativesoftheRegionalWaterBoards.
ComplianceandcoveragewiththeStormWaterManagementProgramandGeneralConstructionPermitwillrequirecontrolsofpollutantdischargesthatutilizeBMPsandtechnologytoreduceerosionandsedimentstomeetwaterqualitystandards.BMPsmayconsistofawidevarietyofmeasurestakentoreducepollutantsinstormwaterandothernonpoint‐sourcerunoff.Measuresrangefromsourcecontrol,suchasreducedsurfacedisturbance,tothetreatmentofpollutedrunoff,suchasdetentionbasins.
BMPstobeimplementedaspartoftheStormWaterManagementProgramandGeneralConstructionPermit(andSWPPP)mayincludethefollowingpractices.
Temporaryerosioncontrolmeasures(suchassiltfences,stakedstrawbales/wattles,silt/sedimentbasinsandtraps,checkdams,geofabric,sandbagdikes,andtemporaryrevegetationorothergroundcover)willbeemployedtocontrolerosionfromdisturbedareas.
Useadrydetentionbasin(whichistypicallydryexceptafteramajorrainstorm,whenitwilltemporarilyfillwithstormwater),designedtodecreaserunoffduringstormevents,preventflooding,andallowforoff‐peakdischarge.Basinfeatureswillincludemaintenanceschedulesfortheperiodicremovalofsediments,excessivevegetation,anddebristhatmayclogbasininletsandoutlets.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐48
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Coverorapplynontoxicsoilstabilizerstoinactiveconstructionareas(previouslygradedareasinactivefor10daysormore)thatcouldcontributesedimenttowaterways.
Encloseandcoverexposedstockpilesofdirtorotherloose,granularconstructionmaterialsthatcouldcontributesedimenttowaterways.
Ensurethatnoearthororganicmaterialwillbedepositedorplacedwhereitmaybedirectlycarriedintoastream,marsh,slough,lagoon,orbodyofstandingwater.
Prohibitthefollowingtypesofmaterialsfrombeingrinsedorwashedintothestreets,shoulderareas,orgutters:concrete,solventsandadhesives,thinners,paints,fuels,sawdust,dirt,gasoline,asphaltandconcretesawslurry,andheavilychlorinatedwater.
Ensurethatgrassorothervegetativecoverwillbeestablishedontheconstructionsiteassoonaspossibleafterdisturbance.
ThecontractorwillselectacombinationofBMPs(consistentwithSectionAoftheConstructionGeneralPermit)thatisexpectedtominimizerunoffandremovecontaminantsfromstormwaterdischarges.ThefinalselectionofBMPswillbesubjecttoapprovalbytheSanFranciscoBayRegionalWaterBoardandtheCentralValleyWaterBoard.
ThecontractorwillverifythatanNOIhasbeenfiledwiththeStateWaterBoardandthataSWPPPhasbeendevelopedbeforeallowingconstructiontobegin.Thecontractorwillperforminspectionsoftheconstructionarea,toverifythattheBMPsspecifiedintheSWPPPareproperlyimplementedandmaintained.ThecontractorwillnotifytheappropriateRegionalWaterBoardimmediatelyifthereisanoncomplianceissueandwillrequirecompliance.Ifnecessary,thecontractorortheiragentwillrequirethatadditionalBMPsbedesignedandimplementedifthoseoriginallyconstructeddonotachievetheidentifiedperformancestandard.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththepotentialfortheintroductionofinvasiveplantspeciestoresultinadverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsorhabitatoccupiedbyspecial‐statusplantswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐5:PotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforCaliforniatigersalamander,westernspadefoot,Californiared‐leggedfrog,andfoothillyellow‐leggedfrog
PotentialImpact:ConstructionactivitiesintheprojectareacouldresultindirecteffectsonCaliforniatigersalamander,westernspadefoot,Californiared‐leggedfrog,andfoothillyellow‐leggedfrog(collectivelyreferredtoasspecial‐statusamphibians)ortheirhabitats(seasonalwetland,freshwatermarsh,mixedwillowriparianscrub,ponds,drainages,andsurroundinguplandareas).ThemajorityofconstructionactivitieswouldtakeplaceonsuitableuplandgrasslanddispersalandaestivationhabitatforCaliforniatigersalamander,westernspadefoot,andCaliforniared‐leggedfrog.Aquatichabitatsforspecials‐statusamphibianswouldgenerallybeavoided;however,directimpactsonhabitatandimpactsonwaterqualitycouldresultfromroadconstructionorwideningactivities.
Constructionactivitiessuchasexcavation,grading,orstockpilingofsoil,couldfill,removeorotherwisealtersuitablehabitatforspecial‐statusamphibiansorresultininjuryormortalityofindividualamphibians.Potentialdirectimpactsincludemortalityorinjurybyequipment,entrapmentinopentrenchesorotherprojectfacilities,andremovalordisturbanceofuplandhabitatthatresultsindamageoreliminationofsuitableaestivationburrows.Specificactivitiesthat
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐49
March 2016ICF 00630.15
mayaffectthesespeciescouldincludeinstallationofpowercollectionandcommunicationsystems,turbineconstruction,roadinfrastructureconstruction/maintenanceandupgrades,meteorologicaltowerinstallationandremoval,temporarystagingareaset‐up,andreclamationactivities.Special‐statusamphibianscouldbeinjuredorkilledifvehiclesorconstructionequipmentaredriventhroughoccupiedhabitat,orifgasoline,oil,orothercontaminantsenterhabitat.Changesinhydrologyorsedimentationofhabitatfromerosionassociatedwithprojectconstructioncouldalterthesuitabilityoftheirhabitatorcausemortality.
Operationandmaintenanceactivitiesmayalsoresultinimpactsonspecial‐statusamphibiansortheirhabitats.Travelonmaintenanceroadsduringtherainyseasonorwhenamphibiansaredispersingcouldresultinmortalityofindividuals.Roadandfirebreakmaintenancecouldresultindegradationofhabitatorinjuryormortalityofspecial‐statusamphibians.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
BIO‐5a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusamphibians
BIO‐5b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐5a,BIO‐5b,andBIO‐5cwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforCaliforniatigersalamander,westernspadefoot,Californiared‐leggedfrog,andfoothillyellow‐leggedfrogwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐50
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐3a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐5a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusamphibians
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐5b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians
Whereimpactsonaquaticanduplandhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibianscannotbeavoidedorminimized,compensatorymitigationwillbeundertakeninaccordancewithmitigationratiosandrequirementsdevelopedundertheEACCS(AppendixC).Intheeventthattakeauthorizationisrequired,compensatorymitigationwillbeundertakeninaccordancewiththetermsoftheauthorizationinconsultationwithUSFWSand/orCDFW.
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
RemainingImpacts:AnyremainingimpactassociatedwithpotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforCaliforniatigersalamander,westernspadefoot,Californiared‐leggedfrog,andfoothillyellow‐leggedfrogwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐6:Potentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforwesternpondturtle
PotentialImpact:ConstructionactivitiesintheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareacouldresultindirecteffectsonwesternpondturtleoritshabitats(ponds,reservoirs,drainages,andsurroundingriparianandgrasslandareas).Becausethemajorityofconstructionactivitieswouldtakeplaceongrasslandhabitatalongridgelines,suitableaquatichabitatwouldgenerallybeavoided;however,directimpactsonhabitatandimpactsonwaterqualitycouldresultfromroadconstructionorwideningactivities.
Aquaticandupland(overwintering,nesting)habitatforwesternpondturtlemayberemovedortemporarilydisturbedbyconstructionactivities.Potentialdirectimpactsincludemortalityorinjurybyequipment,entrapmentinopentrenchesorotherprojectfacilities,andremovalordisturbanceofaquaticoruplandnestinghabitat.Westernpondturtlescouldalsobeinjuredorkilledifgasoline,oil,orothercontaminantsenterhabitat.LossofindividualsintheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareacoulddiminishthelocalpopulationandlowerreproductivepotential,contributingtothefurtherdeclineofthespecies.Thelossofuplandnestingsitesoreggswouldalsodecreasethelocalpopulation.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐51
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
BIO‐6:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforwesternpondturtleandmonitorconstructionactivitiesifturtlesareobserved
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,andBIO‐6willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforwesternpondturtlewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐3a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐6:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforwesternpondturtleandmonitorconstructionactivitiesifturtlesareobserved
IfitisdeterminedthroughpreconstructionsurveysconductedpursuanttoMitigationMeasureBIO‐3athatsuitableaquaticoruplandhabitatforwesternpondturtleispresentwithinproposedworkareas,thefollowingmeasures,consistentwithmeasuresdevelopedfortheEACCS,willbeimplementedtoensurethattheproposedprojectdoesnothaveasignificantimpactonwesternpondturtle.
Oneweekbeforeandwithin24hoursofbeginningworkinsuitableaquatichabitat,aqualifiedbiologist(onewhoisfamiliarwithdifferentspeciesofturtles)willconductsurveysforwesternpondturtle.Thesurveysshouldbetimedtocoincidewiththetimeofdayandyearwhenturtlesaremostlikelytobeactive(duringthecoolerpartofthedaybetween8a.m.and12p.m.duringspringandsummer).Priortoconductingthesurveys,thebiologistshouldlocatethemicrohabitatsforturtlebasking(logs,rocks,brushthickets)anddeterminealocationtoquietlyobserveturtles.Eachsurveyshouldincludea30‐minutewaittimeafterarrivingonsitetoallowstartledturtlestoreturntoopenbaskingareas.The
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐52
March 2016ICF 00630.15
surveyshouldconsistofaminimum15‐minuteobservationperiodforeachareawhereturtlescouldbeobserved.
Ifwesternpondturtlesareobservedduringeithersurvey,abiologicalmonitorwillbepresentduringconstructionactivitiesintheaquatichabitatwheretheturtlewasobserved.Thebiologicalmonitoralsowillbemindfulofsuitablenestingandoverwinteringareasinproximitytosuitableaquatichabitatandwillperiodicallyinspecttheseareasfornestsandturtles.
Ifoneormorewesternpondturtlesarefoundintheworkareaduringconstructionandcannotordonotmoveoffsiteontheirown,aqualifiedbiologistwillremoveandrelocatetheturtletoappropriateaquatichabitatoutsideandawayfromtheconstructionarea.RelocationofwesternpondturtlerequiresaletterfromCDFWauthorizingthisactivity.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithpotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforwesternpondturtlewillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐7:PotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,andSanJoaquincoachwhip
PotentialImpact:ConstructionactivitiesintheprojectareacouldresultindirecteffectsonBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,andSanJoaquincoachwhiportheirhabitats(grassland,chaparral,oakwoodland,andscrub).Itisanticipatedthatthemajorityofconstructionactivitieswouldtakeplaceongrasslandhabitatalongridgelinesandthatlossofchaparral,oakwoodland,andscrubhabitatwouldbeminimal.Potentialdirectimpactsincludemortalityorinjurybyequipment,entrapmentinopentrenchesorotherprojectfacilities,andremovalordisturbanceofhabitat.Operationandmaintenanceactivities,suchasroadandfirebreakmaintenance,mayalsoresultininjuryormortalityofindividuals.Lossofindividualsintheprojectareacoulddiminishthelocalpopulationsofthesespeciesandlowerreproductivepotential,contributingtothefurtherdeclineofthesespecies.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
BIO‐7a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusreptiles
BIO‐7b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusreptiles
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐53
March 2016ICF 00630.15
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐5c,BIO‐7a,andBIO‐7bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,andSanJoaquincoachwhipwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐3a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐7a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusreptiles
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐7a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐7b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusreptiles
Whereimpactsonhabitatforspecial‐statusreptilescannotbeavoidedorminimized,compensatorymitigationwillbeundertakeninaccordancewithmitigationratiosandrequirementsdevelopedundertheEACCS(AppendixC).IntheeventthatincidentaltakepermitsarerequiredforAlamedawhipsnake,compensatorymitigationwillbeundertakeninaccordancewiththetermsofpermitsinconsultationwithUSFWSandCDFW.
RemainingImpacts:AnyremainingimpactassociatedwithpotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,andSanJoaquincoachwhipwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐8:Potentialconstruction‐relateddisturbanceormortalityofspecial‐statusandnon‐special‐statusmigratorybirds
PotentialImpact:Constructionactivitiesduringthenestingseason(generallyFebruary1–August31)ofwhite‐tailedkite,baldeagle,northernharrier,Swainson’shawk,goldeneagle,westernburrowingowl,loggerheadshrike,andtricoloredblackbirdcouldresultindirecteffectsonthesespecies,aswellasonnon–special‐statusmigratorybirds,iftheyarenestingintheprojectarea.Suitablenestinghabitatmaybepresentinnearlyalllandcovertypesintheprojectarea.Removalofgrassland,burrows,wetlandandmarshvegetation,andtreesorshrubswithactivenestsandconstructiondisturbanceduringthebreedingseasonmayresultinnestabandonmentandsubsequentlossofeggsoryoung.Exclusionofburrowingowlsfromtheirburrowsduringthenon‐
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐54
March 2016ICF 00630.15
nestingseasonaspartofeffortstoavoidorminimizesomeformsofdirecttakecouldresultinharmofburrowingowls.Suchlossescouldaffectthelocalpopulationofspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirds.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusnestingbirds
BIO‐8b:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonwesternburrowingowl
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐5c,BIO‐8a,andBIO‐8bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialconstruction‐relateddisturbanceormortalityofspecialstatusandnon‐special‐statusmigratorybirdswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐3a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐55
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusnestingbirds
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐8a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐8b:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonwesternburrowingowl
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐8b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithconstruction‐relateddisturbanceormortalityofspecialstatusandnon‐special‐statusmigratorybirdswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐9:Permanentandtemporarylossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowlandforaginghabitatfortricoloredblackbirdandotherspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirds
PotentialImpact:ImplementationoftheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldresultinthetemporaryandpermanentlossofgrasslandthatprovidessuitableforaginghabitatforburrowingowlandanumberofotherspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusmigratorybirds.BecauseofthelimiteduseoftheproposedprojectareabySwainson’shawksforforaging,nocompensationisproposedforthelossofforaginghabitatforSwainson’shawk.Thelossofgrasslandforaginghabitatforspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirdswouldbecompensatedthroughimplementationofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5b(forspecial‐statusamphibians)and/orthroughthestandardizedmitigationratiosfornonlistedspeciesdevelopedfortheEACCS(AppendixCofthePEIR).
CDFWhasdeterminedthatcompensationisrequiredforpermanentlossofoccupiedburrowingowlhabitat(i.e.,whereburrowingowlshavebeendocumentedtooccupyburrowsinthepreceding3years).
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐5b:Compensateforthelossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
BIO‐9:Compensateforthepermanentlossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowl
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐5b,BIO‐5c,andBIO‐9willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforpermanentandtemporarylossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowlandforaginghabitatfortricoloredblackbirdandotherspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirdswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐5b:Compensateforthelossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐5above.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐56
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐9:Compensateforthepermanentlossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowl
Ifconstructionactivitieswouldresultintheremovalofoccupiedburrowingowlhabitat(determinedduringpreconstructionsurveysdescribedinMitigationMeasureBIO‐8a),thishabitatlosswillbemitigatedbypermanentlyprotectingmitigationlandthroughaconservationeasementorbyimplementingalternativemitigationdeterminedthroughconsultationwithCDFWasdescribedinitsStaffReportonBurrowingOwlMitigation(CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame2012:11–13).TheprojectproponentwillworkwithCDFWtodevelopthecompensationplan,whichwillbesubjecttoCountyreviewandapproval.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithpermanentandtemporarylossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowlandforaginghabitatfortricoloredblackbirdandotherspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirdswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐10:PotentialinjuryormortalityofandlossofhabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
PotentialImpact:ConstructionactivitiesintheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareacouldresultindirecteffectsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadgerortheirgrasslandhabitat.Inadditiontothepermanentandtemporaryremovalofhabitat,otherpotentialdirectimpactsincludemortalityorinjuryofindividualsfromconstructionvehiclesorheavyequipment,directmortalityorinjuryofindividualsfromdencollapseandsubsequentsuffocation,temporarydisturbancefromnoiseandhumanpresenceassociatedwithconstructionactivities,andharassmentofindividualsbyconstructionpersonnel.Additionally,exposedpipes,largeexcavatedholes,ortrenchesthatareleftopenafterconstructionhasfinishedforthedaycouldentrapSanJoaquinkitfoxesorAmericanbadgers.Operationandmaintenanceactivities,suchasroadandfirebreakmaintenance,mayalsoresultininjuryormortalityofindividuals.Lossofindividualsintheproposedprojectareacoulddiminishthelocalpopulationsofthesespeciesandreducereproductivepotential,contributingtothefurtherdeclineofthesespecies.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
BIO‐10a:ImplementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐57
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐10b:CompensateforlossofsuitablehabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐5c,BIO‐10a,andBIO‐10bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforinjuryormortalityofandlossofhabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadgerwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐3a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐10a:ImplementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐10a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐10b:CompensateforlossofsuitablehabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐10b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐9above.
RemainingImpacts:AnyremainingimpactassociatedwithpotentialinjuryormortalityofandlossofhabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadgerwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐12:Potentialmortalityordisturbanceofbatsfromroostremovalordisturbance
PotentialImpact:Severalspeciesofbothcommon(Myotisspp.)andspecial‐status(westernredbat,pallidbat,Townsend’sbig‐earedbat)batsareknowntooccurorcouldoccurinoraroundtheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectarea,andcouldusetheareaforforaging,dispersal,andmigration.Batsmayuserockoutcrops,trees,buildings,bridges,andotherstructuresintheproposedprojectareaasmaternityormigratorystopoverroosts.Permanentwaterbodiesandstocktanksinandadjacenttotheproposedprojectareaprovidesourcesoffreshwaterforbothresidentandmigratorybats.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐58
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Constructionanddecommissioningofturbinescouldresultindisturbanceorlossofactivebatrooststhroughincreasedtraffic,noise,lighting,andhumanaccess.Removalordisturbanceoftrees,rockoutcrops,debrispiles,outbuildings,orotherartificialstructurescouldresultinremovalofroosthabitatandmortalityofbatsusingthestructureasaroost.Severalspeciesofbataresensitivetodisturbanceandmayabandonflightlessyoung,ortheymaysimplynotreturntotheroostoncedisturbed,resultinginthelossofthatroostashabitatforthelocalpopulation.Becausesomebatsroostcolonially,removalofspecial‐statusspecies’rooststructuresinaroost‐limitedhabitatcouldresultinthelossofasignificantportionofthelocalbatpopulation.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies
BIO‐12a:Conductbatroostsurveys
BIO‐12b:Avoidremovingordisturbingbatroosts
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐3a,BIO‐12a,andBIO‐12bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialformortalityordisturbanceofbatsfromroostremovalordisturbancewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecial‐statuswildlifespecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐3a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐12a:Conductbatroostsurveys
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐12a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐12b:Avoidremovingordisturbingbatroosts
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐12a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithpotentialmortalityordisturbanceofbatsfromroostremovalordisturbancewillbelessthansignificant.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐59
March 2016ICF 00630.15
ImpactBIO‐15:Potentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonalkalimeadow
PotentialImpact:Roadinfrastructureupgradeswouldincludegrading,widening,andregravellingofexistingroadsandconstructionofnewroadstoaccommodatedecommissionandrepoweringactivities.Culvertswouldbeupgradedforexistingroads,andnewculvertswouldbeinstalledfornewroads.Directeffectswouldconsistoffillofalkalimeadowatlocationswhereroadscrossingthehabitatwouldbewidened.Indirecteffectscouldinvolvealteredhydrologyorrunoffofsedimentandothersubstancesduringroadconstructionactivities.Someeffects,suchasthoseduetorunoff,wouldbeavoidedandminimizedthroughimplementationoferosioncontrolBMPsandpostconstructionreclamation.Installationofnewandupgradedculvertswouldmaintainexistinghydrology.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐15:Compensateforthelossofalkalimeadowhabitat
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureBIO‐15willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonalkalimeadowwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐15:Compensateforthelossofalkalimeadowhabitat
Ifalkalimeadowhabitatisfilledordisturbedaspartofarepoweringproject,theprojectproponentwillcompensateforthelossofthishabitattoensurenonetlossofhabitatfunctionsandvalues.Compensationratioswillbebasedonsite‐specificinformationanddeterminedthroughcoordinationwithstateandfederalagencies(CDFW,USFWS,USACE).Unlessspecifiedotherwisebyaresourceagency,thecompensationwillbeataminimum1:1ratio(1acrerestoredorcreatedforevery1acrefilled)andmaybeacombinationofonsiterestoration/creation,offsiterestoration,andmitigationcredits.Arestorationandmonitoringplanwillbedevelopedandimplemented.Theplanwilldescribehowalkalimeadowhabitatwillbecreatedandmonitored.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonalkalimeadowwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐16:Potentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonriparianhabitat
PotentialImpact:Roadinfrastructureupgradeswouldincludegrading,widening,andregravellingofexistingroadsandconstructionofnewroadstoaccommodatedecommissionandrepoweringactivities.Culvertswouldbeupgradedforexistingroads,andnewculvertswouldbeinstalledfornewroads.Lossofriparianhabitatasaresultofdirectfillwouldbeasubstantialadverseeffectonasensitivenaturalcommunity.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐60
March 2016ICF 00630.15
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐16:Compensateforthelossofriparianhabitat
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureBIO‐16willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonriparianhabitatwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐16:Compensateforthelossofriparianhabitat
Ifriparianhabitatisfilledorremovedaspartofaproject,theprojectproponentwillcompensateforthelossofriparianhabitattoensurenonetlossofhabitatfunctionsandvalues.Compensationratioswillbebasedonsite‐specificinformationanddeterminedthroughcoordinationwithstateandfederalagencies(CDFW,USFWS,USACE).Thecompensationwillbeataminimum1:1ratio(1acrerestoredorcreatedforevery1acrefilled)andmaybeacombinationofonsiterestoration/creation,offsiterestoration,andmitigationcredits.Arestorationandmonitoringplanwillbedevelopedandimplemented.Theplanwilldescribehowriparianhabitatwillbecreatedandmonitored.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonriparianhabitatwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐18:Potentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonwetlands
PotentialImpact:Roadinfrastructureupgradeswouldincludegrading,widening,andregravellingoftheexistingroadsandconstructionofnewroads.Culvertswouldbeupgradedforexistingroads,andnewculvertswouldbeinstalledfornewroads.Directeffectswouldincludefillofwetlandsatlocationswhereroadscrossingthehabitatwouldbewidened.Indirecteffectscouldincludealteredhydrologyorrunoffofsedimentandothersubstancesduringroadconstructionactivities.Someeffects,suchasthoseduetorunoff,wouldbeavoidedandminimizedthroughtheimplementationoferosioncontrolBMPsandpostconstructionreclamation.Installationofnewandupgradedculvertswouldmaintainexistinghydrology.Thelossofwetlandsasaresultofdirectfillwouldbeasubstantialadverseeffectonasensitivenaturalcommunity.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐18:Compensateforthelossofwetlands
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureBIO‐18willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructure
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐61
March 2016ICF 00630.15
upgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonwetlandswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐18:Compensateforthelossofwetlands
Ifwetlandsarefilledordisturbedaspartofaproject,theprojectproponentwillcompensateforthelosstoensurenonetlossofhabitatfunctionsandvalues.Compensationratioswillbebasedonsite‐specificinformationanddeterminedthroughcoordinationwithstateandfederalagencies(CDFW,USFWS,USACE).Thecompensationwillbeataminimum1:1ratio(1acrerestoredorcreatedforevery1acrefilled)andmaybeacombinationofonsiterestoration/creation,offsiterestoration,andmitigationcredits.Arestorationandmonitoringplanwillbedevelopedandimplemented.Theplanwilldescribehowwetlandswillbecreatedandmonitored.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonwetlandswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactBIO‐20:Conflictwithlocalplansorpolicies
PotentialImpact:TheECAPencouragesthepreservationofareasknowntosupportspecial‐statusspecies,nonetlossofriparianandseasonalwetlands,andprotectionofexistingriparianwoodlandhabitat.Additionally,theECAPhasseveralpoliciesrelatedtowindfarms,includingestablishingamitigationprogramtominimizetheimpactsofwindturbineoperationsonbirdpopulations.Lossofspecial‐statusspeciesandtheirhabitat,lossofalkalimeadow,lossofriparianhabitat,andlossofexistingwetlandsasaresultofimplementingtheprogramwouldbeinconflictwiththesepolicies.
ThemitigationmeasuresfortheimpactsofwindturbineoperationsonbirdpopulationsfromtheproposedprogramareconsistentwiththeestablishmentofamitigationprogramrecommendedbytheECAP.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.4.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
BIO‐1a:Conductsurveystodeterminethepresenceorabsenceofspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
BIO‐1c:Avoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspeciesbyestablishingactivityexclusionzones
BIO‐1d:Compensateforimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspecies
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
BIO‐3a:Implementmeasurestoavoid,minimize,andmitigateimpactsonvernalpoolbranchiopodsandcurved‐footedhygrotusdivingbeetle
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐62
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐4a:Implementmeasurestoavoidorprotecthabitatforvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle
BIO‐4b:Compensatefordirectandindirecteffectsonvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle
BIO‐5a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusamphibians
BIO‐5b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
BIO‐7a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusreptiles
BIO‐7b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusreptiles
BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon‐special‐statusnestingbirds
BIO‐8b:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonwesternburrowingowl
BIO‐9:Compensateforthepermanentlossofforaginghabitatforwesternburrowingowl
BIO‐10a:ImplementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
BIO‐10b:CompensateforlossofsuitablehabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
BIO‐15:Compensateforthelossofalkalimeadowhabitat
BIO‐16:Compensateforthelossofriparianhabitat
BIO‐18:Compensateforthelossofwetlands
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1a,BIO‐1b,BIO‐1c,BIO‐1d,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐4a,BIO‐4b,BIO‐5a,BIO‐5b,BIO‐5c,BIO‐7a,BIO‐7b,BIO‐8a,BIO‐8b,BIO‐9,BIO‐10a,BIO‐10b,BIO‐15,BIO‐16,andBIO‐18willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithconflictwithlocalplansorpolicieswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
BIO‐1a:Conductsurveystodeterminethepresenceorabsenceofspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐1above.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐63
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐1c:Avoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspeciesbyestablishingactivityexclusionzones
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐1above.
BIO‐1d:Compensateforimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspecies
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1d,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐1above.
BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐1e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐3a:Implementmeasurestoavoid,minimize,andmitigateimpactsonvernalpoolbranchiopodsandcurved‐footedhygrotusdivingbeetle
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐3a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐4a:Implementmeasurestoavoidorprotecthabitatforvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐4a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐4b:Compensatefordirectandindirecteffectsonvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle
IfelderberryshrubscannotbeavoidedandprotectedasoutlinedinMitigationMeasure4a,theprojectproponentwillobtainanincidentaltakepermitfromUSFWS.
IfelderberryshrubscannotbeavoidedandprotectedasoutlinedinMitigationMeasure4a,theproject
BIO‐5a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusamphibians
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐5b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐5above.
BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐5c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐7a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusreptiles
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐64
March 2016ICF 00630.15
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐7a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐7b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusreptiles
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐7b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐7above.
BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon‐special‐statusnestingbirds
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐8a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐191above.
BIO‐8b:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonwesternburrowingowl
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐8b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐9:Compensateforthepermanentlossofforaginghabitatforwesternburrowingowl
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐9,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐9above.
BIO‐10a:ImplementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐10a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐19above.
BIO‐10b:CompensateforlossofsuitablehabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐10b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐9above.
BIO‐15:Compensateforthelossofalkalimeadowhabitat
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐15,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐15above.
BIO‐16:Compensateforthelossofriparianhabitat
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐16,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐16above.
BIO‐18:Compensateforthelossofwetlands
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐18,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐18above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithconflictwithlocalplansorpolicieswillbelessthansignificant.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐65
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Cultural Resources
ImpactCUL‐2:Causeasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresource
PotentialImpact:ArchaeologicalresourcesarepresentwithintheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectarea.Giventhelargesizeoftheprojectarea,themoderatetohighsensitivityforburiedsites,thereisapossibilityofencounteringanddamagingpreviouslyunrecordedarchaeologicalresourcesduringground‐disturbingactivities.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.5.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
CUL‐2a:Conductapreconstructionculturalfieldsurveyandculturalresourcesinventoryandevaluation
CUL‐2b:Developatreatmentplanforanyidentifiedsignificantculturalresources
CUL‐2c:Conductworkerawarenesstrainingforarchaeologicalresourcespriortoconstruction
CUL‐2d:Stopworkifculturalresourcesareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresCUL‐2a,CUL‐2b,CUL‐2c,andCUL‐2dwillensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtocauseasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresourcewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
CUL‐2a:Conductapreconstructionculturalfieldsurveyandculturalresourcesinventoryandevaluation
AlamedaCountywillrequireapplicantstoretainqualifiedpersonneltoconductanarchaeologicalfieldsurveyoftheprogramareatodeterminewhethersignificantresourcesexistwithintheprogramarea.Theinventoryandevaluationwillincludethedocumentationandresultoftheseefforts,theevaluationofanyculturalresourcesidentifiedduringthesurvey,andculturalresourcesmonitoring,ifthesurveyidentifiesthatitisnecessary.
CUL‐2b:Developatreatmentplanforanyidentifiedsignificantculturalresources
Ifanysignificantresourcesareidentifiedthroughthepreconstructionsurvey,atreatmentplanthatcouldincludesiteavoidance,capping,ordatarecoverywillbedevelopedandimplemented.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐66
March 2016ICF 00630.15
CUL‐2c:Conductworkerawarenesstrainingforarchaeologicalresourcespriortoconstruction
Priortotheinitiationofanysitepreparationand/orthestartofconstruction,theprojectapplicantwillensurethatallconstructionworkersreceivetrainingoverseenbyaqualifiedprofessionalarchaeologistwhoisexperiencedinteachingnonspecialists,toensurethatforepersonsandfieldsupervisorscanrecognizearchaeologicalresources(e.g.,areasofshellfishremains,chippedstoneorgroundstone,historicdebris,buildingfoundations,humanbone)intheeventthatanyarediscoveredduringconstruction.
CUL‐2d:Stopworkifculturalresourcesareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities
Theprojectapplicantwillensurethatconstructionspecificationsincludeastop‐workorderifprehistoricorhistoric‐eraculturalresourcesareunearthedduringground‐disturbingactivities.Ifsuchresourcesareencountered,theprojectapplicantwillimmediatelyhaltallactivitywithin100feetofthefinduntilaqualifiedarchaeologistcanassessthesignificanceofthefind.Prehistoricmaterialsmightincludeobsidianandchertflaked‐stonetools(e.g.,projectilepoints,knives,scrapers)ortool‐makingdebris;culturallydarkenedsoil(“midden”)containingheat‐affectedrocksandartifacts;stonemillingequipment(e.g.,mortars,pestles,handstones,ormillingslabs);andbattered‐stonetools,suchashammerstonesandpittedstones.Historic‐periodmaterialsmightincludestone,concrete,oradobefootingsandwalls;filledwellsorprivies;anddepositsofmetal,glass,and/orceramicrefuse.Ifthefindisdeterminedtobepotentiallysignificant,thearchaeologist,inconsultationwiththeNativeAmericanrepresentative(ifappropriate),willdevelopatreatmentplanthatcouldincludesiteavoidance,capping,ordatarecovery.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresourcewillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactCUL‐3:Disturbanyhumanremains,includingthoseinterredoutsideofformalcemeteries
PotentialImpact:AlthoughthereisnoindicationthattheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareahasbeenusedforhumanburials,becauseprehistoricsitesareknowntobepresentintheproposedprojectarea,thepossibilitycannotbediscountedentirely.Althoughthepossibilityisunlikely,humanremainscouldbediscoveredduringground‐disturbingactivities.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.5.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
CUL‐3:Stopworkifhumanremainsareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureCUL‐3willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtodisturbhumanremainswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐67
March 2016ICF 00630.15
CUL‐3:Stopworkifhumanremainsareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities
Theprojectapplicantwillensuretheconstructionspecificationsincludeastop‐workorderifhumanremainsarediscoveredduringconstructionordemolition.Therewillbenofurtherexcavationordisturbanceofthesitewithina100‐footradiusofthelocationofsuchdiscovery,oranynearbyareareasonablysuspectedtooverlieadjacentremains.TheAlamedaCountyCoronerwillbenotifiedandwillmakeadeterminationastowhethertheremainsareNativeAmerican.IftheCoronerdeterminesthattheremainsarenotsubjecttohisauthority,hewillnotifytheNativeAmericanHeritageCommission,whowillattempttoidentifydescendantsofthedeceasedNativeAmerican.Ifnosatisfactoryagreementcanbereachedastothedispositionoftheremainspursuanttothisstatelaw,thenthelandownerwillre‐interthehumanremainsanditemsassociatedwithNativeAmericanburialsonthepropertyinalocationnotsubjecttofurthersubsurfacedisturbance.AfinalreportwillbesubmittedtoAlamedaCounty.Thisreportwillcontainadescriptionofthemitigationprogramanditsresults,includingadescriptionofthemonitoringandtestingresourcesanalysismethodologyandconclusionsandadescriptionofthedisposition/curationoftheresources.
RemainingImpacts::Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithdisturbanceofhumanremainswillbelessthansignificant.
Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological Resources
ImpactGEO‐1:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefault
PotentialImpact:Placementofaturbineorpowercollectionsystemonornearafaultcouldresultindamageordestructionoftheturbine.Ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.Twoactivefaults,twoofwhicharezonedundertheAlquist‐PrioloAct,arepresentintheprogramarea.Inaddition,athird,theMidwayfault,thoughdesignatedonlyaspotentiallyactive,alsooccursintheprogramarea.
AportionoftheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareaoverliesasegmentoftheMidwayFaultzonedesignatedasLateQuaternaryFaultDisplacement(duringpast700,000years).AsdiscussedunderImpactGEO‐1a‐1andGEO‐1a‐2ofthePEIR,ifaturbinewereconstructedonornearafault,ruptureofthatfaultcoulddamageaturbineorcauseharmtopersonnelonthesite.Theturbinecouldbedamagedorcollapseandpossiblyinjurepersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldbelocatedonornearafaulttracethatrupturesandcausesdamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinthePEIRinSection3.6,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐68
March 2016ICF 00630.15
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefaultwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
Priortoconstructionactivitiesatanysite,theprojectproponentwillretainageotechnicalfirmwithlocalexpertiseingeotechnicalinvestigationanddesigntoprepareasite‐specificgeotechnicalreport.ThisreportwillbepreparedbyalicensedgeotechnicalengineerorengineeringgeologistandwillbesubmittedtotheCountybuildingdepartmentaspartoftheapprovalprocess.Thisreportwillbebasedondatacollectedfromsubsurfaceexploration,laboratorytestingofsamples,andsurfacemappingandwilladdressthefollowingissues.
Potentialforsurfacefaultruptureandturbinesitelocation:ThegeotechnicalreportwillinvestigatetheGreenville,CorralHollow‐Carnegie,andtheMidwayfaults(asappropriatetothelocation)anddeterminewhethertheyposeariskofsurfacerupture.Turbinefoundationsandpowercollectionsystemswillbesitedaccordingtorecommendationsinthisreport.
Stronggroundshaking:Thegeotechnicalreportwillanalyzethepotentialforstronggroundshakinginprojectareaandprovideturbinefoundationdesignrecommendations,aswellasrecommendationsforpowercollectionsystems.
Slopefailure:Thegeotechnicalreportwillinvestigatethepotentialforslopefailure(bothseismicallyandnonseismicallyinduced)anddevelopsite‐specificturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemplansengineeredfortheterrain,rockandsoiltypes,andotherconditionspresentattheprogramareainordertoprovidelong‐termstability.
Expansivesoils:Thegeotechnicalreportwillassessthesoiltypesintheprogramareaanddeterminethebestengineeringdesignstoaccommodatethesoilconditions.
Unstablecutorfillslopes:Thegeotechnicalreportwilladdressgeologichazardsrelatedtothepotentialforgradingtocreateunstablecutorfillslopesandmakesite‐specificrecommendationsrelatedtodesignandengineering.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththeexposureofpeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffectswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactGEO‐2:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshaking
PotentialImpact:Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencestronggroundshakingcouldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationswerenotproperlydesignedtowithstandtheappropriate
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐69
March 2016ICF 00630.15
levelofgroundshaking,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowers.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramareaisinaseismicallyactivearea,withthepotentialformoderatelystronggroundshakingfromsourcessuchastheGreenvillefaultandtheCalaverasfault.BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCode.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailduringstronggroundshakingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.6.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshakingwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactGEO‐1above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththeexposureofpeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffectswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactGEO‐3:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefaction
PotentialImpact:Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperienceseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,suchaslandsliding,liquefaction,lateralspread,anddifferentialsettlement,couldexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedfortheearthquake‐inducedgroundfailureconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramareaisknowntobesusceptibletoearthquake‐inducedlandslidingandthesouthwesternportionoftheprogramareaisinastate‐designatedearthquake‐inducedlandslidehazardzone.Inaddition,althoughthepotentialforliquefactionislikelylowbecauseofthedepthto
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐70
March 2016ICF 00630.15
groundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.
BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCode.Nonetheless,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedgroundfailureissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.6.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefactionwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactGEO‐1above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththeexposureofpeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffectswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactGEO‐4:Exposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding
PotentialImpact:Constructionofturbinesorpowercollectionsystemsinareaswithpotentialtoexperiencenonseismic‐relatedlandslidingcausedbyheavyprecipitationcouldalsoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects.Ifturbinefoundationsorpowercollectionsystemswerenotproperlydesignedandsitedforthelandslidingconditionspresentattheprogramarea,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowersorcollectionsystem.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.
Theprogramareaisinsteep,hillyterraininanareaknowntobesusceptibletolandsliding.BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCode.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedlandslidingissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandslidingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐71
March 2016ICF 00630.15
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.6.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandslidingwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactGEO‐1above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththeexposureofpeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding,willbelessthansignificant.
ImpactGEO‐6:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty
PotentialImpact:Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.Themetrologicaltowerandundergroundsystemswouldbesubjecttothesameexpansionandcontraction.
Expansivesoilsoccurinmuchoftheprogramarea,particularlyintheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.6.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithbeinglocatedonexpansivesoil,includingriskstolifeandproperty,asaresultoflandslidingwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐72
March 2016ICF 00630.15
GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactGEO‐1above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithbeinglocatedonexpansivesoilwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactGEO‐7:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature
PotentialImpact:IffossilsarepresentintheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensiveanddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.
Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.SubstantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.6.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
GEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities
GEO‐7b:Educateconstructionpersonnelinrecognizingfossilmaterial
GEO‐7c:Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresGEO‐7a,GEO‐7b,andGEO‐7cwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithdirectlyorindirectlydestroyingauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeaturewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
GEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities
TheapplicantwillretainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistasdefinedbytheSVP’sStandardProceduresfortheAssessmentandMitigationofAdverseImpactstoPaleontologicalResources(2010)tomonitoractivitieswiththepotentialtodisturbsensitivepaleontologicalresources.Datagatheredduringdetailedprojectdesignwillbeusedtodeterminetheactivitiesthatwillrequirethepresenceofamonitor.Ingeneral,theseactivitiesincludeanyground‐disturbingactivitiesinvolvingexcavationdeeperthan3feetinareaswithhighpotentialtocontain
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐73
March 2016ICF 00630.15
sensitivepaleontologicalresources.Recoveredfossilswillbepreparedsothattheycanbeproperlydocumented.Recoveredfossilswillthenbecuratedatafacilitythatwillproperlyhouseandlabelthem,maintaintheassociationbetweenthefossilsandfielddataaboutthefossils’provenance,andmaketheinformationavailabletothescientificcommunity.
GEO‐7b:Educateconstructionpersonnelinrecognizingfossilmaterial
Theapplicantwillensurethatallconstructionpersonnelreceivetrainingprovidedbyaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistexperiencedinteachingnon‐specialiststoensurethattheycanrecognizefossilmaterialsintheeventanyarediscoveredduringconstruction.
GEO‐7c:Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction
Ifsubstantialfossilremains(particularlyvertebrateremains)arediscoveredduringearthdisturbingactivities,activitieswithin100feetofthefindwillstopimmediatelyuntilastate‐registeredprofessionalgeologistorqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistcanassessthenatureandimportanceofthefindandaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistcanrecommendappropriatetreatment.Treatmentmayincludepreparationandrecoveryoffossilmaterialssothattheycanbehousedinanappropriatemuseumoruniversitycollectionandmayalsoincludepreparationofareportforpublicationdescribingthefinds.Theapplicantwillberesponsibleforensuringthatrecommendationsregardingtreatmentandreportingareimplemented.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithdestructionofpaleontologicalresourceswillbelessthansignificant.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
ImpactGHG‐2:Conflictwithanapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegases
PotentialImpact:TheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectcouldconflictwithcertainGHGreductiongoalssetforthinAB32,includingthe39RecommendedActionsidentifiedbyARBinitsClimateChangeScopingPlan(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2008b).Ofthe39measuresidentified,thosethatwouldbeconsideredtobeapplicabletotheproposedprojectwouldprimarilybethoseactionsrelatedtotransportation,theRenewablesPortfolioStandard,andhighglobalwarmingpotentialgases.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedinSection3.7.2ofthePEIR,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
GHG‐2a:Implementbestavailablecontroltechnologyforheavy‐dutyvehicles
GHG‐2b:InstalllowSF6leakratecircuitbreakersandmonitoring
GHG‐2c:Requirenewconstructiontousebuildingmaterialscontainingrecycledcontent
GHG‐2d:Complywithconstructionanddemolitiondebrismanagementordinance
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐74
March 2016ICF 00630.15
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresGHG‐2a,GHG‐2b,GHG‐2c,andGHG‐2dwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithaconflictwithanapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegaseswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
GHG‐2a:Implementbestavailablecontroltechnologyforheavy‐dutyvehicles
Theapplicantwillrequireexistingtrucks/trailerstoberetrofittedwiththebestavailabletechnologyand/orARB‐approvedtechnologyconsistentwiththeARBTruckandBusRegulation(CaliforniaAirResourcesBoard2011).TheARBTruckandBusRegulationappliestoalldiesel‐fueledtrucksandbuseswithagrossvehicleweightrating(GVWR)greaterthan14,000pounds.
StartingJanuary1,2015,theapplicantmustreplacelightertrucks(GVWRof14,001to26,000pounds)withenginesthatare20yearsorolderwithnewertrucks.TheApplicanthastheoptiontoinstallaPMfilterretrofitonalightertruckby2014tomakethetruckexemptfromreplacementuntilJanuary1,2020,andanylightertruckequippedwithaPMfilterretrofitpriortoJuly2011wouldreceivecredittowardthecompliancerequirementsforaheaviertruckorbusinthesamefleet.
StartingJanuary1,2012,theapplicantisrequiredtomeettheenginemodelyearscheduleshownbelowforheaviertrucks(GVWRgreaterthan26,000pounds).Tocomplywiththeschedule,theapplicantwillinstallthebestavailablePMfilteron1996modelyearandnewerenginesandwouldreplacethevehicle8yearslater.TheApplicantwillreplacetruckswith1995modelyearandolderenginesstartingin2015.Replacementswith2010modelyearornewerenginesmeetsthefinalrequirements,buttheapplicantcouldalsoreplacetruckswithusedtrucksthatwouldhaveafuturecompliancedateontheschedule.Forexample,areplacementwitha2007modelyearenginecompliesuntil2023.By2023alltrucksandbusesmusthave2010modelyearengineswithfewexceptions.
EngineModelYearScheduleforHeavierTrucks
EngineYear RequirementfromJanuary1
Pre‐1994 Norequirementsuntil2015,then2010engine
1994–1995 Norequirementsuntil2016,then2010engine
1996–1999 PMfilterfrom2012to2020,then2010engine
2000–2004 PMfilterfrom2013to2021,then2010engine
2005–2006 PMfilterfrom2014to2022,then2010engine
2007–2009 Norequirementsuntil2023,then2010engine
2010 Meetsfinalrequirements
Inaddition,theapplicantcouldcomplywithaphase‐inoptionthatwouldallowtheapplicanttodecidewhichvehiclestoretrofitorreplace,regardlessofenginemodelyear.TheapplicantmustreportinformationaboutallheaviertrucksstartingJanuary31,2012,tousethisoption.
TheApplicantcouldcomplybydemonstratingthattruckshavemetthepercentagerequirementeachyearasshowninthetablebelow.Forexample,by2012theapplicant’sfleetwouldneedtohavePMfilterson30%oftheheaviertrucksinthefleet.Thisoptioncounts2007modelyearandnewerenginesoriginallyequippedwithPMfilterstowardcomplianceandwouldreducethe
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐75
March 2016ICF 00630.15
overallnumberofretrofitPMfiltersneeded.AnyenginewithaPMfilterregardlessofmodelyearwouldbecompliantuntilatleast2020.BeginningJanuary1,2020,allheaviertruckswouldneedtomeettherequirementsspecifiedintheComplianceScheduleforHeavierTrucks.
Phase‐InOptionforHeavierTrucks
ComplianceDate VehicleswithPMFilters
1‐Jan‐12 30%
1‐Jan‐13 60%
1‐Jan‐14 90%
1‐Jan‐15 90%
1‐Jan‐16 100%
GHG‐2b:InstalllowSF6leakratecircuitbreakersandmonitoring
TheapplicantwillensurethatanynewcircuitbreakerinstalledatasubstationhasaguaranteedSF6leakrateof0.5%byvolumeorless.TheapplicantwillprovideAlamedaCountywithdocumentationofcompliance,suchasspecificationsheets,priortoinstallationofthecircuitbreaker.Inaddition,theapplicantwillmonitortheSF6‐containingcircuitbreakersatthesubstationconsistentwithScopingPlanMeasureH‐6forthedetectionandrepairofleaks.
GHG‐2c:Requirenewconstructiontousebuildingmaterialscontainingrecycledcontent
Theapplicantwillrequiretheconstructionofallnewsubstationandotherpermanentbuildingstoincorporatematerialsforwhichthesumofpost‐consumerrecycledcontentplusone‐halfofthepost‐industrialcontentconstitutesatleast10%ofthetotalvalueofthematerialsintheproject.
GHG‐2d:Complywithconstructionanddemolitiondebrismanagementordinance
TheapplicantwillcomplywiththeCounty’srevisedGreenBuildingOrdinanceregardingconstructionanddemolitiondebrisasfollows:(1)100%ofinertwasteand50%wood/vegetative/scrapmetalnotincludingAlternativeDailyCover(ADC)andunsalvageablematerialwillbeputtootherbeneficialusesatlandfills,and(2)100%ofinertmaterials(concreteandasphalt)willberecycledorputtobeneficialreuse.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithconflictwithapplicableplan,policy,orregulationadoptedforthepurposeofreducingtheemissionsofgreenhousegaseswillbelessthansignificant.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
ImpactHAZ‐4:Locationonahazardousmaterialssite,creatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironment
PotentialImpact:ItisnotknownifhazardousmaterialssitesarepresentwithintheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectarea.However,thepotentialfortheexistenceofhazardousmaterialsisgenerallylow.LandusesintheAPWRAincludeagriculture,grazing,ridingandhikingtrails,andwindfarms.Someoftheselandusesinvolvetheuseofpotentiallyhazardousmaterials(e.g.,
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐76
March 2016ICF 00630.15
fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionofindividualwindprojects,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.
AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheUnifiedHazardousWasteandHazardousMaterialsManagementRegulatoryProgram.Therefore,futurerepoweringprojectswouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.8.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
HAZ‐4:PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithlocatingonahazardousmaterialssitecreatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
HAZ‐4:PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary
Priortoconstruction,theprojectproponentwillconductaPhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentinconformancewiththeAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterialsStandardPracticeE1527‐05.Allenvironmentalinvestigation,sampling,andremediationactivitiesassociatedwithpropertiesintheprojectareawillbeconductedunderaworkplanapprovedbytheregulatoryoversightagencyandwillbeconductedbytheappropriateenvironmentalprofessionalconsistentwithPhaseIsiteassessmentrequirementsasdetailedbelow.Theresultsofanyinvestigationand/orremediationactivitiesconductedintheprojectareawillbeincludedintheproject‐levelEIR.
APhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentshould,ataminimum,includethecomponentslistedbelow.
Anonsitevisittoidentifycurrentconditions(e.g.,vegetativedieback,chemicalspillresidue,presenceofabove‐orundergroundstoragetanks).
Anevaluationofpossiblerisksposedbyneighboringproperties.
Interviewswithpersonsknowledgeableaboutthesite’shistory(e.g.,currentorpreviouspropertyowners,propertymanagers).
Anexaminationoflocalplanningfilestocheckpriorlandusesandanypermitsgranted.
Filesearcheswithappropriateagencies(e.g.,StateWaterResourcesControlBoard,firedepartment,Countyhealthdepartment)havingoversightauthorityrelativetowaterqualityandgroundwaterandsoilcontamination.
Examinationofhistoricalaerialphotographyofthesiteandadjacentproperties.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐77
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Areviewofcurrentandhistorictopographicmapsofthesitetodeterminedrainagepatterns.
Anexaminationofchain‐of‐titleforenvironmentalliensand/oractivityandlanduselimitations.
IfthePhaseIenvironmentalsiteassessmentindicateslikelysitecontamination,aPhaseIIenvironmentalsiteassessmentwillbeperformed(alsobyanenvironmentalprofessional).
APhaseIIenvironmentalsiteassessmentwouldcomprisethefollowing.
Collectionoforiginalsurfaceand/orsubsurfacesamplesofsoil,groundwater,andbuildingmaterialstoanalyzeforquantitiesofvariouscontaminants.
Ananalysistodeterminetheverticalandhorizontalextentofcontamination(iftheevidencefromsamplingshowscontamination).
IfcontaminationisuncoveredaspartofPhaseIorIIenvironmentalsiteassessments,remediationwillberequired.Ifmaterialssuchasasbestos‐containingmaterials,lead‐basedpaint,orPCB‐containingequipmentareidentified,thesematerialswillbeproperlymanagedanddisposedofpriortoorduringthedemolitionprocess.
AnycontaminatedsoilidentifiedonaprojectsitemustbeproperlydisposedofinaccordancewithDTSCregulationsineffectatthetime.
HazardouswastesgeneratedbytheproposedprojectwillbemanagedinaccordancewiththeCaliforniaHazardousWasteControlLaw(HSC,Division20,Chapter6.5)andtheHazardousWasteControlRegulation(Title22,CCR,Division4.5).
If,duringconstruction/demolitionofstructures,soilorgroundwatercontaminationissuspected,theconstruction/demolitionactivitieswillceaseandappropriatehealthandsafetyprocedureswillbeimplemented,includingtheuseofappropriatepersonalprotectiveequipment(e.g.,respiratoryprotection,protectiveclothing,helmets,goggles).
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithlocationonahazardousmaterialssitecreatingasignificanthazardtothepublicortheenvironmentwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactHAZ‐7:Impairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan
PotentialImpact:ExistingvehiculartrafficisassociatedwithoperationsandmaintenanceofprojectfacilitiesandisnotanticipatedtochangeundertheSandHillWindRepoweringProject.Accordingly,operationoftheproposedprojectwouldhavenoimpact.Duringconstruction,therewouldbeanincreaseinvehiculartraffictransportingworkcrews,equipment,andmaterials.
AsspecifiedinPEIRSection3.15,Transportation/Traffic,aTrafficControlPlan(TCP)wouldbepreparedforeachproposedrepoweringprojecttoreducehazardsthatcouldresultfromtheincreasedtrucktraffic,andtoensurethattrafficflowonlocalpublicroadsandhighwaysarenotadverselyaffected.Thisplanwouldincorporatemeasuressuchasinformationalsigns,trafficcones,andflashinglightstoidentifyanynecessarychangesintemporarylandconfiguration.Flaggerswithtwo‐wayradioswouldbeusedtocontrolconstructiontrafficandreducethepotentialforaccidentsalongroads.Speedlimitswouldbesetcommensuratewithroadtype,trafficvolume,vehicletype,andsite‐specificconditionsasnecessarytoensuresafeandefficienttrafficflow.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐78
March 2016ICF 00630.15
ProjectsproposedwithintheunincorporatedareaofthecountyarereviewedbytheAlamedaCountyFireDepartmentduringthebuildingpermitprocesstoensurethattheyareconsistentwithadoptedemergencyresponseplansandemergencyevacuationplans.Consequently,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.
Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towers,andothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldtakeplaceatanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)regulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprogramarea.Accordingly,decommissioningactivitieswouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.
MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.8.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldimpairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplanwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
Priortostartingconstruction‐relatedactivities,theApplicantshallprepareandimplementaTrafficControlPlan(TCP)thatwillreduceoreliminateimpactsassociatedwiththeproposedprogram.TheTCPshalladheretoAlamedaCountyandCaltransrequirements,andmustbesubmittedforreviewandapprovaloftheCountyPublicWorksDepartmentpriortoimplementation.TheTCPshallincludethefollowingelements.TheCountyandCaltransmayrequireadditionalelementstobeidentifiedduringtheirreviewandapprovaloftheTCP.
Scheduleconstructionhourstominimizeconcentrationsofconstructionworkerscommutingto/fromtheprojectsiteduringtypicalpeakcommutehours(7a.m.to9a.m.and4p.m.to6p.m.).
Limittruckaccesstotheprojectsiteduringtypicalpeakcommutehours(7a.m.to9a.m.and4p.m.to6p.m.).
Requirethatwrittennotificationbeprovidedtocontractorsregardingappropriatehaulroutestoandfromtheprogramarea,aswellastheweightandspeedlimitsonlocalcountyroadsusedtoaccesstheprogramarea.
Provideaccessforemergencyvehiclestoandthroughtheprogramareaatalltimes.
Whenlane/roadclosuresoccurduringdeliveryofoversizedloads,provideadvancenoticetolocalfire,police,andemergencyserviceproviderstoensurethatalternativeevacuationandemergencyroutesaredesignatedtomaintainserviceresponsetimes.
Provideadequateonsiteparkingforconstructiontrucksandworkervehicles.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐79
March 2016ICF 00630.15
Requiresuitablepublicsafetymeasuresintheprogramareaandattheentranceroads,includingfences,barriers,lights,flagging,guards,andsigns,togiveadequatewarningtothepublicoftheconstructionandofanydangerousconditionsthatcouldbeencounteredasaresultthereof.
Completeroadrepairsonlocalpublicroadsasneededduringconstructiontopreventexcessivedeterioration.Thisworkmayincludeconstructionoftemporaryroadwayshoulderstosupportanynecessarydetourlanes.
Repairorrestoretheroadright‐of‐waytoitsoriginalconditionorbetteruponcompletionofthework.
Coordinateprogram‐relatedconstructionactivities,includingschedule,trucktraffic,haulroutes,andthedeliveryofoversizedoroverweightmaterials,withAlamedaCounty,Caltrans,andaffectedcitiestoidentifyandminimizeoverlapwithotherareaconstructionprojects.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithinterferencewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplanwillbelessthansignificant.
Hydrology and Water Quality
ImpactWQ‐1:Violateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirements
PotentialImpact:Construction‐relatedearth‐disturbingactivitiesassociatedwiththeSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldintroducethepotentialforincreasederosionandsedimentation,withsubsequenteffectsondrainageandwaterquality.Duringconstruction,trenchingandotherconstructionactivitiescreateareasofbaresoilthatcanbeexposedtoerosiveforcesforlongperiodsoftime.Baresoilsaremuchmorelikelytoerodethanvegetatedareasbecauseofthelackofdispersion,infiltration,andretentionpropertiescreatedbycoveringvegetation.Constructionactivitiesinvolvingsoildisturbance,excavation,cutting/filling,stockpiling,andgradingcouldresultinincreasederosionandsedimentationtosurfacewaters,ifproperBMPsarenotused.
WhileexistingactivitiesattheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareamayalreadyresultinthereleaseofsediment,theextentofearthdisturbanceresultingfromconstructionoftheprojectisanticipatedtoresultinanewandintensifiedpotentialforthereleaseofsedimentsduetostagingareasandturbineconstructionsites.Ifprecautionsarenottakentocontainorcapturesedimentation,earth‐disturbingconstructionactivitiescouldresultinsubstantialsedimentationinstormwaterrunoffandresultinasignificantimpactonexistingsurfacewaterquality.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.9.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldviolateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirementswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐80
March 2016ICF 00630.15
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐2above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithviolationofanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirementswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactWQ‐3:Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerthatwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationonsiteoroffsite
PotentialImpact:TheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldnotconstructanyturbineswithinexistingdrainageareasandtheprojectfootprintswouldbedesignedtonotcauseanydownstreamerosionduringthestormseason.Inaddition,theproposedprojectwouldberequiredtoadheretotheNPDESConstructionGeneralPermit.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.9.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldsubstantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerthatwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationonsiteoroffsitewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐2above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithsubstantiallyalteringtheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerthatwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationonsiteoroffsitewillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactWQ‐4:Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerthatwouldresultinfloodingonsiteoroffsite
PotentialImpact:Althoughroadimprovementswouldresultinaroughly30%increaseintheextentofgraveledsurfaces(whichcanresultinincreasedrunoff)fromtheextentofexistinggraveledroads,thesoilsunderlyingtheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareaarepredominantlyhighrunoffsoils(i.e.,HydrologicSoilGroupD)(SoilConservationService1966,1977).CompactedgravelroadshaverunoffpotentialsimilartothatofHydrologicSoilGroupDsoils.Consequently,theexpandedgraveledroadswouldnotresultinanetincreaseinrunoffpotentialthanpresentlyexistsinthenativesoilswherethenewgravelwouldbeplaced.Accordingly,becausethererunoffwouldnotincreaseasaresultofthewidenedgravelroads,therewouldnotbeanincreaseinfloodingonsiteoroffsite.Inaddition,asdescribedinthePEIR(Section3.9,HydrologyandWaterQuality)all
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐81
March 2016ICF 00630.15
projectsconductedundertheAPWRArepoweringprogramwouldberequiredtoadheretotheNPDESstormwaterConstructionGeneralPermit,whichrequiresthatpostconstructionrunoffmanagementmeasuresbeimplementedintheeventthattheproject’sSWPPPdeterminesthataprojectcouldcauseanincreaseinpeakrunoffflowsfromtheprojectarea.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.9.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldsubstantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerthatwouldresultinfloodingonsiteoroffsitewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐2above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithsubstantialalterationoftheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerthatwouldresultinfloodingonsiteoroffsitewillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactWQ‐5:Createorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff
PotentialImpact:TheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareadoesnotcurrentlyhaveexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagefacilitiesandbuildoutoftheproposedprojectwouldnotexceedcapacitiesorincreasetherateofpollutedrunoff.However,constructioncouldgeneratepollutedrunoffassoilwouldbestripped,bareareaswouldbeexposed,andstormwatercouldcausesedimentation.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.9.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldcreateorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoffwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐82
March 2016ICF 00630.15
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐2above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldcreateorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoffwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactWQ‐6:Otherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterquality
PotentialImpact:TheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareadoesnotcurrentlyhaveanysubstantialwaterqualityissuesordrainagesthatcouldcarryasubstantialamountofpollutedrunofftoreceivingwaters.Inaddition,projectoperationisnotanticipatedtoresultinasubstantialamountofadditionalrunoffthatcouldaffectwaterquality.However,constructioncouldgeneratepollutedrunoffassoilwouldbestripped,bareareaswouldbeexposed,andstormwatercouldcausesedimentation..
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.9.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldotherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterqualitywillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐2above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldotherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterqualitywillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactWQ‐10:Contributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow
PotentialImpact:Becausetheproposedprogramareaisinrollinghillsandfarfromtheocean,thelikelihoodofaseicheortsunamioccurringisconsideredminimal.Inaddition,amudflowisalsohighlyunlikely,butcouldbepossibleinrollinghillsifproperBMPsarenotusedduringtheconstructionprocess.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.9.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐83
March 2016ICF 00630.15
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldcontributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflowwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐2above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldcontributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflowwillbelessthansignificant.
Noise
ImpactNOI‐1:Exposureofresidencestonoisefromnewwindturbines
PotentialImpact:Theprojectwouldremovethemajorityoftheexisting433turbinesintheprojectareaandinstallupto24larger,modern1.5to3.0megawatt(MW)turbines.Basedonmapsandinformationsubmittedbytheapplicant,therewouldbeseveralresidenceswithin2,000feetofthenearestwindturbines(seeEnvironmentalChecklistFigure3.1‐7).Thisinformation,alongwithnoisemeasurements,wereusedtoprepareanoisestudy,includedasAttachment2toSIT‐1SitingMemooftheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectEnvironmentalChecklist,inFebruary2016.
AsdiscussedinSection3.11.2ofthePEIR,therearenodocumentedinstancesofwindturbinescausingexceedanceofnoisestandardsintheexistingCUPs.Inaddition,proposedmodernturbineshaveseveralcharacteristicsthatreduceaerodynamicsoundlevelsandmakeforquieteroperationsthantheexistingturbines.Themodernturbineshaverelativelylowrotationalspeedsandpitchcontrolontherotors,bothofwhichreducesoundlevels.
ThenoisepredictionresultsinTable3.11‐5however,indicatethatresidenceslocatedwithinabout1,500feetofagroupofturbinescouldbeexposedtonoisethatexceeds55dBA(Ldn)orincreasesinnoisegreaterthan5dB.Nonewturbinesareanticipatedtobelocatedwithin1,000feetofexistingresidences.BecauseofthepossibilitythatdailyLdnvaluecausedbywindturbinescouldincreasebymorethan5dBatlocationswherenoisecurrentlyexceeds55dBA(Ldn)orexposeresidencestonoiseinexcessof55dBA(Ldn)wherenoiseiscurrentlylessthan55dBA(Ldn)thisimpactisconsideredtobesignificant.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinthePEIRinSection3.11.2,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
NOI‐1:Performproject‐specificnoisestudiesandimplementmeasurestocomplywithCountynoisestandards
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureNOI‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldcontributeexposureofresidencestonoisefrom
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐84
March 2016ICF 00630.15
newwindturbineswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
NOI‐1:Performproject‐specificnoisestudiesandimplementmeasurestocomplywithCountynoisestandards
Theapplicantforanyproposedrepoweringprojectwillretainaqualifiedacousticconsultanttoprepareareportthatevaluatesnoiseimpactsassociatedwithoperationoftheproposedwindturbines.Thisevaluationwillincludeanoisemonitoringsurveytoquantifyexistingnoiseconditionsatnoisesensitivereceptorslocatedwithin2,000feetofanyproposedturbinelocation.ThissurveywillincludemeasurementofthedailyA‐weightedLdnvaluesovera1‐weekperiodandconcurrentloggingofwindspeedsatthenearestmeteorologicalstation.Thestudywillincludeasite‐specificevaluationofpredictedoperationalnoiselevelsatnearbynoisesensitiveuses.Ifoperationoftheprojectispredictedtoresultinnoiseinexcessof55dBA(Ldn)wherenoiseiscurrentlylessthan55dBA(Ldn)orresultina5dBincreasewherenoiseiscurrentlygreaterthan55dBA(Ldn),theapplicantwillmodifytheproject,includingselectingnewspecificinstallationsiteswithintheprogramarea,toensurethattheseperformancestandardswillnotbeexceeded.
Methodsthatcanbeusedtoensurecompliancewiththeseperformancestandardsincludebutnotlimitedtoincreasingthedistancebetweenproposedturbinesandnoisesensitiveusesandtheuseofalternativeturbineoperationalmodestoreducenoise.Uponcompletionoftheevaluation,theprojectapplicantwillsubmitareporttotheCountydemonstratinghowtheprojectwillcomplywiththeseperformancestandards.AfterreviewandapprovalofthereportbyCountystaff,theapplicantwillincorporatemeasuresasnecessaryintotheprojecttoensurecompliancewiththeseperformancestandards.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldcontributetoexposureofresidencestonoisefromnewwindturbineswillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactNOI‐2:Exposureofresidencestonoiseduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstruction
PotentialImpact:Inanumberofinstances,thereareresidenceslocated600to800feetofwhereturbineconstructionactivitiescouldoccur.TheresultsofnoisemodelingindicatethatconstructionactivitiescouldresultinnoisethatexceedsAlamedaCountynoiseordinancestandardsduringnonexempthours.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinthePEIRinSection3.11.2,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
NOI‐2:Employnoise‐reducingpracticesduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstruction
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureNOI‐2willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldcontributeexposureofresidencestonoiseduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstructionwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐85
March 2016ICF 00630.15
NOI‐2:Employnoise‐reducingpracticesduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstruction
Projectapplicantswillemploynoise‐reducingconstructionpracticessothatconstructionnoisedoesnotexceedAlamedaCountynoiseordinancestandards.Measurestolimitnoisemayincludethefollowing:
Prohibitnoise‐generatingactivitiesbefore7a.m.andafter7p.m.onanydayexceptSaturdayorSunday,andbefore8a.m.andafter5p.m.onSaturdayorSunday.
Locateequipmentasfaraspracticalfromnoisesensitiveuses.
Requirethatallconstructionequipmentpoweredbygasolineordieselengineshavesound‐controldevicesthatareatleastaseffectiveasthoseoriginallyprovidedbythemanufacturerandthatallequipmentbeoperatedandmaintainedtominimizenoisegeneration.
Usenoise‐reducingenclosuresaroundnoise‐generatingequipmentwherepracticable.
ImplementothermeasureswithdemonstratedpracticabilityinreducingequipmentnoiseuponpriorapprovalbytheCounty.
Innocasewilltheapplicantbeallowedtousegasolineordieselengineswithoutmuffledexhausts.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldcontributetoexposureofresidencestonoiseduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstructionwillbelessthansignificant.
Transportation/Traffic
ImpactTRA‐1:Conflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinance,orpolicyestablishingmeasuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystem,takingintoaccountallmodesoftransportation,includingmasstransitandnon‐motorizedtravelandrelevantcomponentsofthecirculationsystem,including,butnotlimitedto,intersections,streets,highwaysandfreeways,pedestrianandbicyclepaths,andmasstransitorconflictwithanapplicablecongestionmanagementprogram,including,butnotlimitedto,level‐of‐servicestandardsandtraveldemandmeasuresorotherstandardsestablishedbythecountycongestionmanagementagencyfordesignatedroadsorhighways
PotentialImpact:Constructiontrafficcouldcauseasubstantialtrafficincreaseonthelocalcountyroadsthatprovidedirectaccesstotheprojectconstructionsites—e.g.,VascoRoad,AltamontPassRoad,PattersonPassRoad,DyerRoad,andFlynnRoad—astheseroadsgenerallyhavelowtrafficvolumes.Theincreaseinconstructiontripswouldrangefrom2to8percentofADTandfrom5to18percentofpeakhourvolumesonAltamontPassRoadandPattersonPassRoad.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinthePEIRinSection3.15.2,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐86
March 2016ICF 00630.15
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldconflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinance,orpolicyestablishingmeasuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystemwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactHAZ‐7above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldconflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinance,orpolicyestablishingmeasuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystemwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactTRA‐4:Substantiallyincreasehazardsbecauseofadesignfeature(e.g.,sharpcurvesordangerousintersections)orincompatibleuses(e.g.,farmequipment)duetoconstruction‐generatedtraffic
PotentialImpact:Thepresenceoflarge,slow‐movingconstruction‐relatedvehiclesandequipmentamongthegeneral‐purposetrafficonroadwaysthatprovideaccesstotheprojectareacouldcauseotherdriverstoactimpatientlyandcreatetrafficsafetyhazards.Inaddition,theslow‐movingtrucksenteringorexitingtheproposedprojectareafrompublicroadscouldposeatraffichazardtoothervehiclesandincreasethepotentialforturningmovementcollisionsattheprojectareaentranceintersection.Heavytrucktrafficdeliveringequipmentandmaterialstotheprojectareacouldresultinroadwearanddamagethatresultinadrivingsafetyhazard.Thedegreetowhichthislatterimpactwouldoccurdependsontheexistingroadwaydesign(pavementtypeandthickness)andexistingconditionoftheroad.FreewayssuchasI‐580aredesignedtoaccommodateamixofvehicletypes,includingheavytrucks,andtheconstructionvehicleimpactsareexpectedtobenegligibleonthoseroads.However,countyroadsarenotdesignedandconstructedtothesamestandardsastheinterstatehighwaysandcouldbedamagedbyconstructiontraffic.
ConstructionassociatedwiththeSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldrequirethedeliveryofequipmentandmaterials,suchaswindturbines,thatcouldcausetheconstructiontruckstoexceedroadwayloadorsizelimits.Totransportthisequipment,theprojectapplicantmustobtainspecialpermitsfromCaltransDistrict4andotherrelevantjurisdictionsincludingAlamedaCountytomoveoversizedoroverweightmaterials.Inaddition,theapplicantmustensureproperroutesarefollowed;propertimeisscheduledforthedelivery;andproperescorts,includingadvancedwarningandtrailingvehiclesaswellaslawenforcementcontrolareavailable,ifnecessary.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinthePEIRinSection3.15.2,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldsubstantiallyincreasehazardsbecauseofadesignfeatureorincompatibleusesduetoconstruction‐generatedtrafficwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐87
March 2016ICF 00630.15
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactHAZ‐7above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldsubstantiallyincreasehazardsbecauseofadesignfeatureorincompatibleusesduetoconstruction‐generatedtrafficwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactTRA‐5:Resultininadequateemergencyaccessduetoconstruction‐generatedtraffic
PotentialImpact:Slow‐movingconstructiontruckscoulddelayorobstructthemovementofemergencyvehiclesonprogramareahaulroutesusedtoaccesstheprojectarea.Inaddition,lane/roadclosuresoccurringduringdeliveryofoversizedloadscouldimpairroadwaycapacityandincreasetheresponsetimeforemergencyvehiclestravelingthroughtheclosurearea.Therefore,constructionwouldhavethepotentialtosignificantlyaffectemergencyvehicleaccess.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinthePEIRinSection3.15.2,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldresultininadequateemergencyaccessduetoconstruction‐generatedtrafficwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactHAZ‐7above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldresultininadequateemergencyaccessduetoconstruction‐generatedtrafficwillbelessthansignificant.
ImpactTRA‐6:Conflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilities
PotentialImpact:Duringconstruction,slow‐movingoversizedtruckscouldpotentiallydisruptthemovementofbicyclestravelingontheshouldersalongAltamontPassRoad,PattersonPassRoad,andFlynnRoadintheprogramareaandincreasethesafetyconcernsforanybicyclistswhousetheroutes.TheseroadwaysarenottheCountyclassifiedbikeways,butareusedasrecreationalandinter‐regionalaccessroutes.Inaddition,lane/roadclosuresoccurringduringdeliveryofoversizedloadsneartheworksiteaccesspointscouldtemporarilydisruptthebicycleaccessontheroads.Therefore,constructionwouldhavethepotentialtosignificantlyaffectbicycleaccess.
MitigationMeasure:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinthePEIRinSection3.15.2,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐88
March 2016ICF 00630.15
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthefollowing.
EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldconflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilitieswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.
TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan
ForthetextofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactHAZ‐7above.
RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldconflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilitieswillbelessthansignificant.
Findings for Cumulative Impacts StateCEQAGuidelinesSection15130requirestheconsiderationofcumulativeimpactsinanEIRwhenaproject’sincrementaleffectsarecumulativelyconsiderable.Cumulativelyconsiderable“meansthattheincrementaleffectsofanindividualprojectaresignificantwhenviewedinconnectionwiththeeffectsofpastprojectstheeffectsofothercurrentprojectsandtheeffectsofprobablefutureprojects.”(CEQAGuidelinesSection15065(a)(3).)Inidentifyingprojectsthatmaycontributetocumulativeimpacts,theStateCEQAGuidelinesallowtheuseofalistofpast,present,andreasonablyanticipatedfutureprojects,producingrelatedorcumulativeimpacts,includingthosethatareoutsideofthecontroloftheleadagency.TheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProject’scumulativecontributiontovariousimpactswasconsideredinconjunctionwithotherproposedandapprovedprojects,assetforthinChapter5ofthePEIR.
BasedonanalysisinthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountymakesthefollowingfindingswithrespecttotheproject’scumulativelyconsiderablecontributiontopotentialcumulativeimpacts.
Cumulatively Considerable Contributions to Potentially Significant Impacts that Cannot Mitigated to a Less‐Than‐Significant Level
Aesthetics
BasedonthediscussioninthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthattheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProject’scontributionstocumulativeimpactsonvisualcharacteranddaytime/nighttimeviewswillbereducedbutnotrenderedlessthanconsiderablebyAlamedaCountyPolicyECAP105,togetherwithMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐5,andthatthereforetheproposedproject’scontributionstocumulativeimpactsaresignificantandunavoidable.Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasuresthatcanreducetheseimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfinds
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐89
March 2016ICF 00630.15
thatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheprojectthatoverridethesecumulativelyconsiderableimpacts.
Air Quality
ConstructionemissionsofROGandNOXfortheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectaregreaterthantheBAAQMDthresholdsafterimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAQ‐1andAQ‐2,(seePEIRTable3.3‐11),andthereforetheproject’scontributionstocumulativeconstructionimpactsaresignificantandunavoidable.Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasuresthatcanreducetheseimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfindsthatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheprojectthatoverridethesecumulativelyconsiderableimpacts.
Transportation/Traffic
Constructionofmultiplerepoweringprojectssimultaneouslyintheprogramareaandotherdevelopmentandinfrastructureprojectsinthevicinityoftheprojectareacouldpotentiallyresultincumulativeconstructiontrafficimpactsonfreewaysandcountyroadwaysusedforincommonforhaulroutesandworkeraccesstotheprojectsites.Thecumulativeconstructionimpactsontrafficoperation,safetyhazards,emergencyaccess,andbicyclefacilitieswouldbesimilartotheimpactsdiscussedinSection3.15.2andareconsideredtobesignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureTRA‐1wouldreducetheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProject’scumulativecontributiontothesignificantimpact.However,becausetheconstructionactivitiesandassociatedtrafficfromtheSandHillRepoweringProjectintheprogramareaareexpectedtoresultinasignificantandunavoidabletrafficimpact,anyproposedrepoweringprojectswiththeconstructionactivitiestakingplaceconcurrentlywithconstructionoftheSandHillRepoweringProjectthatsharecommonaccesswouldcontributetoasignificantandunavoidablecumulativeimpactontrafficoperation,safetyhazards,emergencyaccess,andbicyclefacilitiesontheroadwayandbicyclefacilitiesinthevicinityoftheSandHillRepoweringProjectarea.
Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasuresthatcanreducetheseimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfindsthatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheprojectthatoverridethesecumulativelyconsiderableimpacts.
Contributions to Cumulative Impacts that Can be Mitigated to a Less‐Than‐Significant Level
Cultural Resources
Simultaneousconstructionofmultiplerepoweringprojectsintheprogramareaandotherdevelopmentandinfrastructureprojectsinthevicinityoftheprogramareacouldpotentiallyresultinsignificantimpactsonhistoricresources,archaeologicalresources,andhumanremains,shouldtheybepresentwithintheprogramareaorthevicinityoftheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectarea.BasedonthediscussioninthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,implementationofthemitigationmeasuresidentifiedinthePEIRwillensurethattheproposedprogram’s
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐90
March 2016ICF 00630.15
contributionswouldnotbesuchthattheywouldresultinorcontributetoacumulativeimpact.Thecontributionsarethereforelessthansignificant.
Geology, Soils, Mineral Resources, and Paleontological Resources
Constructioninaseismicallyactiveregionputspeopleandstructuresatriskfromarangeofearthquake‐relatedeffects,particularlyseismicgroundshakingandlandslidingintheprogramarea.BasedonthediscussioninthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,variousmechanismsareinplacetoreduceseismic‐relatedrisk,includingmitigationmeasuresidentifiedinthePEIRandproject‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandseismicdesignstandardspromulgatedbythecountybuildingcodes.TheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldnotcontributeconsiderablytotheexistingcumulativeimpactrelatedtoseismichazards.Thegeographicscopeofpotentialcumulativeeffectswithrespecttopaleontologicalresourcesisusuallylimitedtoareaswithinthephysicalfootprintofaproposedproject.WiththeimplementationofthemitigationmeasurespresentedinthePEIR,theproposedprogramcouldhavealess‐than‐significantcontributiontothecumulativeimpactonpaleontologicalresources.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
TheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProject,aswellasothercontributingprojects,wouldberequiredtoadheretoregulationsthatgovernhazardousmaterialsstorageandhandling,waterqualityBMPs,FAAregulationsrelatedtoairspace,andfirepreventionandmanagement.BasedonthediscussioninthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,thesemeasureswouldensurethatimpactsrelatedtoexposuretohazardousmaterialswouldbeminimizedand/oravoided.Therefore,theSandHillWindRepoweringProject’sincremental,less‐than‐significantimpactsintheseareaswouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderable.
Hydrology and Water Quality
BasedonthediscussioninthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,includingcompliancewithNPDESrequirementsandthemitigationmeasuresforhydrologyandwaterquality,impactsassociatedwithimplementationoftheproposedprojectwouldbelessthansignificant.OtherprojectsinthesamewatershedswouldalsoberequiredtocomplywithNPDESrequirements,ensuringthatsignificantimpactswouldnotoccur.
Noise
TheanalysisinthePEIRandtheinformationintheentirerecordbeforetheCountyindicatesthatthereispotentialfortheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjecttoresultinnoisethatexceedsCountynoisestandardswhichwouldresultinsignificantcumulativeoperationalnoiseimpacts.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureNOI‐1,however,wouldensurecompliancewithCountynoisestandardsandwouldavoidsignificantcumulativeoperationalnoiseimpacts.
Constructionofmultiplerepoweringprojectssimultaneouslyintheprogramareacouldpotentiallyresultinacumulativeconstructionnoiseimpactatresidenceslocatedneartheconstructionactivities.However,theimpactwouldbetemporaryandlocalizedandimplementationofMitigationMeasureNOI‐2wouldreducecumulativeimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐91
March 2016ICF 00630.15
BasedonthediscussioninthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthattheproposedprogram’scontributionstocumulativenoiseimpactsonresidencesintheareawouldbelessthansignificant.
No Contribution to a Cumulative Impact
BasedonthediscussioninChapter5ofthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthattheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwillnothaveacumulativelyconsiderablecontributiontothefollowingimpactareas.
Agriculturalandforestryresources.
Greenhousegases(theprogramwouldresultinalong‐termnetreductionofapproximately96,049metrictonsofCO2eperyear).
Landuseandplanning.
Populationandhousing.
Publicservices.
Recreation.
Utilitiesandservicesystems.
Findings and Recommendations Regarding Significant Irreversible Changes
CEQASection21100(b)(2)(B)requiresthatanEIRidentifyanysignificanteffectontheenvironmentthatwouldbeirreversibleiftheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwereimplemented.Section15126.2(c)oftheStateCEQAGuidelinescharacterizesirreversibleenvironmentalchangesasthoseinvolvingalargecommitmentofnonrenewableresourcesorirreversibledamageresultingfromenvironmentalaccidents.TheStateCEQAGuidelinesdescribethreedistinctcategoriesofsignificantirreversiblechanges:changesinlandusethatwouldcommitfuturegenerationstospecificuses,irreversiblechangesfromenvironmentalactions,andconsumptionofnonrenewableresources.Theprogram’ssignificantandirreversiblechangesarediscussedinSection5.3ofthePEIR.
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthattheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldnotresultinanysignificantirreversibleeffectontheenvironment.
Explanation:Theprojectareaiscurrentlydevelopedasawindfarm,withcoexistinggrazingactivitiesthatwouldcontinue.TheEastCountyAreaPlandesignatestheentireprogramareaasLargeParcelAgriculture,whichcarriesazoningdesignationofAgriculture.Chapter17.06.040oftheAlamedaCountyCodeofOrdinancesindicatesthatprivatelyownedwindfacilitiesareaconditionallypermitteduseonnon‐primefarmlandwithintheAgriculturezoningdistrict.Theproposedprojectwouldnotcommitfuturegenerationsto,orintroduce,changesinlandusethatwouldvaryfromtheexistingconditions.
Theproposedprojectwillresultintheremovalofexistingfoundationsandtheconstructionandrepoweringofexistingwindfarmsonapproximately50,000acres(thetotalareawithintheAPWRA)
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐92
March 2016ICF 00630.15
inunincorporatedeasternAlamedaCounty.Theseactivitiesarenotexpectedtoalteroraffectthecoexistinggrazinguses,noraretheyexpectedtoresultinenvironmentalaccidentsthatwouldcauseirreversibledamage.Compliancewithrequiredplans,suchastheAltamontPassWindFarmsFireRequirements,willminimizethepotentialforaccidentsthatcouldresultinenvironmentaldamage.NoirreversiblechangestotheprojectareawouldoccurasaresultoftheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProject.
Constructionofarepoweredwindfarmwouldrequiretheconsumptionofnonrenewableresources,suchasfuelforconstructionvehiclesandequipment.However,suchusewouldbelimitedtotheshort‐termconstructionperiod.OperationandmaintenanceoftheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldnotincreasetheuseofnonrenewableresourcesrelativetoexistingconditions.Thetemporary,construction‐relatedincreasewouldnotresultinsignificantuseofnonrenewableresourcesandwouldnotcommitfuturegenerationstosimilaruses.Moreover,aprimaryobjectiveoftheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjectistoprovideaneconomicallyviablesourceofclean,renewableelectricitygenerationthatmeetsCalifornia’sgrowingdemandforpowerandfulfillsnumerousstateandnationalrenewableenergypolicies.Theintentistospecificallyreducenetconsumptionofnonrenewablesourcesofenergysuchascoal,naturalgas,andotherhydrocarbon‐basedfuels.
Findings and Recommendations Regarding Growth‐Inducing Impacts
Section15126.2(d)oftheStateCEQAGuidelinesstatesthatanEIRshoulddiscuss“…thewaysinwhichtheproposedprojectcouldfostereconomicorpopulationgrowth,ortheconstructionofadditionalhousing,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,inthesurroundingenvironment.”TheStateCEQAGuidelinesdonotprovidespecificcriteriaforevaluatinggrowthinducementandstatethatgrowthinanyareaisnot“necessarilybeneficial,detrimental,oroflittlesignificancetotheenvironment”(StateCEQAGuidelinesSection15126.2[d]).CEQAdoesnotrequireseparatemitigationforgrowthinducement,asitisassumedthattheseimpactsarealreadycapturedintheanalysisofenvironmentalimpacts.Furthermore,Section15126.2(d)oftheStateCEQAGuidelinesrequiresthatanEIR“discusstheways”aprojectcouldbegrowthinducingandto“discussthecharacteristicofsomeprojectswhichmayencourageandfacilitateotheractivitiesthatcouldsignificantlyaffecttheenvironment.”
Growthcanbeinducedinanumberofways,suchaseliminationofobstaclestogrowth,stimulationofeconomicactivitywithintheregion,andprecedent‐settingactionsuchastheprovisionofnewaccesstoanareaorachangeinarestrictivezoningorgeneralplanlandusedesignation.Ingeneral,aprojectcouldbeconsideredgrowth‐inducingifitdirectlyorindirectlyaffectstheabilityofagenciestoprovideneededpublicservices,orifitcanbedemonstratedthatthepotentialgrowthsignificantlyaffectstheenvironmentinsomeotherway.However,theStateCEQAGuidelinesdonotrequireapredictionorspeculationofwhere,when,andinwhatformsuchgrowthwouldoccur(StateCEQAGuidelines,Section15145).Theprogram’sgrowth‐inducingimpactsarediscussedinSection5.2ofthePEIR.
Findings:BasedonthePEIRandtheentirerecordbeforetheCounty,theCountyfindsthattheproposedprogramwouldnotinducegrowthforthefollowingreasons.
Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects
Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐93
March 2016ICF 00630.15
AlthoughtheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjectinvolvestheconstructionofnewwindturbines,therewouldbeacommensurateremovalofoldturbines.Consequently,itwouldnotsubstantiallychangetheinstalledelectricalgenerationcapacityoftheAPWRA.Therefore,theSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldnotbeexpectedtoindirectlyinducepopulationgrowththroughtheprovisionofsubstantialnewsuppliesofelectricalenergy.
Typically,thegrowth‐inducingpotentialofaprojectisconsideredsignificantifitfostersgrowthoraconcentrationofpopulationinadifferentlocationorinexcessofwhatisassumedinrelevantgeneralplansorlanduseplans,orprojectionsmadebyregionalplanningagencies,suchastheAssociationofBayAreaGovernments.AsdiscussedinPEIRSection3.12,PopulationandHousing,theSandHillWindRepoweringProjectdoesnotincludetheconstructionordemolitionofanyhousing,andsowouldnothaveadirectimpactonpopulationorhousinggrowth.Furthermore,thenatureofthefacilitiesissuchthattherewouldbenodirectcustomersandnoincentiveforotherresidencesorbusinessestolocatenearby.Productionofelectricityfromtheprojectfacilitiesisongoingandwouldnotcreateadditionalavailabilityofenergyresourcesbeyondthosealreadypermittedforthefacilities.
Decommissioningandconstructionactivitieswouldresultinashort‐termincreaseinconstruction‐relatedjobopportunitiesintheAlamedaCountyregion.However,constructionworkerscanbeexpectedtobedrawnfromtheexistingconstructionemploymentlaborforce.Thelimited,short‐termopportunitiesprovidedbydecommissioningandconstructionwouldbeunlikelytoresultintherelocationofconstructionworkerstotheprogramregion.Therefore,theemploymentopportunitiesprovidedbyconstructionarenotanticipatedtoinduceindirectgrowthintheregion.
