SCH Number 2011071049

Project Info

Title

EIR MDH 08-11; Rising Tree Wind Energy Project by Rising Tree Wind Farm LLC

Description

The proposed project involves the development of a wind energy production facility on an approx. 1,600-acre site. Project activities would occur on a smaller area within the 1,600 acre site and would include clearing, grubbing, and grading for roads, a laydown area, wind turbine pads, a substation, meteorological towers, and underground and overhead transmission and collection lines. The project is expected to result in impacts to 163 acres of desert tortoise (gopherus agassizii) and Mohave ground squirrel (Spermophilus mohavensis) habitat, and 7.64 acres of Bakersfield cactus (opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) habitat including temporary impacts to 91 acres; the Project will permanently remove 72 acres of desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel habitat, and 7.64 acres of Bakersfield cactus habitat. The project is also expected to result in incidental take of desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel, which are designated as threatened species, and Bakersfield cactus, which is designated as an endangered species, under the CESA. The ITP referenced above as issued by CDFW authorizes incidental take of species listed under CESA that may occur as a result of Project Implementation. CDFW is reissuing Amendment No. 3 to the ITP which increases the temporary impacts to desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel habitat by 25 additional acres, increases the permanent impacts to Bakersfield cactus habitat by 2.58 acres, increases the contribution to the Raven Management Plan, replaces figures to depict the as-built Project Area and Covered Species habitat impacts, and commensurately increases the cost estimates of acquisition, protection, and management of the Hm lands and performance security accordingly. The amendment also extends the timeline to complete compensatory mitigation obligations by 12 months.

14 documents in project