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.