exhibit a sand hill wind repowering project written ... · perching opportunities. ... each...

Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project A‐1

March 2016ICF 00630.15

Exhibit A Sand Hill Wind Repowering Project

Written Findings of Significant Effects

InaccordancewithStateCEQAGuidelinesSections15091,thefollowingfindingsandsupportingfactsaddresseachsignificantenvironmentaleffectthathasbeenchanged(includingadoptionofmitigationmeasures)toavoidorsubstantiallyreducethemagnitudeoftheeffect,asidentifiedintheFinalPEIR(whichevaluatedtheprojectatageneral,programmaticlevelin2014),togetherwiththeEnvironmentalChecklistandsupportingdocumentationfortheSandHillWindRepoweringProject.Thefindingsdescribedbelowareorganizedbyresourceissue,inthesameorderastheeffectsarediscussedintheEnvironmentalChecklist. Nofindingsarerequiredregardingprojectalternatives,asthesewerepreviouslymadewhentheEastCountyBoardofZoningAdjustmentscertifiedtheFinalPEIR.ThefindingsreferencethefinalPEIR(partoftherecorduponwhichtheEastCountyBoardofZoningAdjustments[EBZA]basesitsdecision)andmitigationmeasuresinsupportofthefindings.Forsomespecificresourcemitigationmeasures,thesectionandpagenumberinthePEIRwherethefulltextofthemitigationmeasureisdescribedisnotedinthefinding.

Introduction TheprojectareaislocatedintheAltamontHillsofeasternAlamedaCountyneartheSanJoaquinCountyline,approximately56mileseastofSanFrancisco.TheAltamontHillsareatthegeographicalinterfacebetweenthecoastalmountainsandtheCentralValley.Existingpredominantusesoftheareaarewindfarmsandcattlegrazing.TheprojectareaisinthecentralportionoftheAPWRAandliesnorthandsouthofI‐580.

TheSandHillWindProjectareaiscomprisedofeightlandparcelsgroupedinthreedistinctareas:fourwestparcels,twonortheastparcels,andtwosoutheastparcels,allclusteredwithin1–3milesofeachother.Theparcelstotalapproximately875acresonSandHillWindLLC,asubsidiaryofOgin,Inc.,proposestorepoweranexistingwindenergyfacilityintheAWPRAprogramareatoreplaceoutdatedandinefficientwindturbineswithfewerandmoreefficientturbines.Theproposedprojectwoulddecommissionandremovetheexistingwindturbinesonthewindenergyfacilitysite,installnewandfewerturbines,andmakeimprovementstorelatedinfrastructure.Proposedprojectareaingress/egresswouldbeviaAltamontPassRoad,NorthMidwayRoad,GrantLineRoad,andMountainHouseRoad.Existingsiteentranceswouldbeused.

Theproposedprojectwouldinstallupto24new1.5to3.0MWturbinesandrelatedinfrastructurewitharesultingcapacitybetween33MWand72MW.Thespecificequipmentchosenforthecurrentprojectwoulddependonfinalmicrositing.However,theproponentisconsideringrangeofturbines;eachwouldhaveanameplatecapacityofupto3.0MW,arotordiameterof90–125meters(295–410feet),towersupto100meters(382feet),andamaximumturbineheightof151meters(495feet).Forexample,theGoldwindGW1212.5MWturbine,hasa121‐meter(397–foot)rotordiameter,90‐meter(295‐foot)hubheight,andturnsat13.5rpm.Thetubularsteeltowerswouldhaveinternalladderstothenacelle,thecoloroftowersandrotorswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray),andnacelleswouldbecompletelyenclosedtominimizeperchingopportunities.

Alameda County Community Development Agency Exhibit A—Findings of Significant Effects

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasures,discussedintheDraftPEIRatpages3.3‐25through3.3‐27,areherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.

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.

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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

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

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mitigationmeasuresthatareconsistentwiththePEIRandrecommendedforapprovalbytheCounty.EachprojectapplicantmusthaveanapprovedFinalAPPpriortocommercialoperation.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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OtherConservationMeasuresIdentifiedintheFuture.Asnotedabove,additionalconservationmeasuresforraptorsmaybecomeavailableinthefuture.ConservationmeasuresforraptorsarecurrentlybeingdevelopedbyUSFWSandnongovernmentalorganizations(e.g.,AmericanWindWildlifeInstitute)—forexample,activitiesservingtoreducesuchfatalitieselsewhere,andenhancingforagingandnestinghabitat.Additionaloptionsforconservationcouldincludepurchasingcreditsatanapprovedmitigationbank,creditsfortheretirementofwindfarmsthatareparticularlydangeroustobirdsorbats,thecurtailmentofpreyeliminationprograms,andhunter‐educationprogramsthatremovesourcesofleadfromtheenvironment.Underthisoption,theprojectproponentmaymakealternativeproposalstotheCountyforconservationmeasures—basedonanREAorsimilarcompensationassessment—thattheCountymayacceptasmitigationiftheyaredeemedbytheCountytobecomparabletoormoreprotectiveofraptorspeciesthantheotheroptionsdescribedherein.

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

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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

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resources.Therearenootherfeasiblemitigationmeasures,orchangestotheprojectthatwouldreducethisimpacttoalessthansignificantlevel.

ImpactBIO‐14:Turbine‐relatedfatalitiesofspecial‐statusandotherbats

PotentialImpact:ResidentandmigratorybatsflyinginandthroughtheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareamaybekilledbycollisionwithwindturbinebladesorotherinteractionwiththewindturbinegenerators.Extrapolatingfromexistingfatalitydataandfromtrendsobservedatotherwindenergyfacilitieswherefourth‐generationturbinesareinoperation,itappearslikelythatfatalitieswouldoccurpredominantlyinthelatesummertomid‐fallmigrationperiod;thatfatalitieswouldconsistmostlyofmigratorybats,particularlyMexicanfree‐tailedbatandhoarybat;thatfatalitieswouldoccursporadicallyatothertimesofyear;andthatfatalitiesofoneormoreotherspecieswouldoccurinsmallernumbers.Despitethehighlevelofuncertaintyinestimatesofbatfatalityrates,allavailabledatasuggestthatrepoweringwouldresultinasubstantialincreaseinbatfatalities.

BIO‐14a:Siteandselectturbinestominimizepotentialmortalityofbats

BIO‐14b:Implementpostconstructionbatfatalitymonitoringprogramforallrepoweringprojects

BIO‐14c:Prepareandpublishannualmonitoringreportsonthefindingsofbatuseoftheprojectareaandfatalitymonitoringresults

BIO‐14d:Developandimplementabatadaptivemanagementplan

BIO‐14e:Compensateforexpensesincurredbyrehabilitatinginjuredbats

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐14a,BIO‐14b,BIO‐14c,BIO‐14d,andBIO‐14ewillreducetherateofbatmortalityassociatedwiththeprojectbutwillnotmitigatethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel,asthereisnofeasiblewaytoavoidthesignificantimpact.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

Allprojectproponentswillusethebestinformationavailabletositeturbinesandtoselectfromturbinemodelsinsuchamannerastoreducebatcollisionrisk.Thesitingandselectionprocesswilltakeintoaccountbatuseoftheareaandlandscapefeaturesknowntoincreasecollisionrisk(trees,edgehabitats,riparianareas,waterbodies,andwetlands).Measuresincludebutarenotlimitedtositingturbinesthegreatestdistancefeasibleupto500meters(1,640)feetfromstillorflowingbodiesofwater,riparianhabitat,knownroosts,andtreestands(CaliforniaBatWorkingGroup2006:6).

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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

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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.

InconcertwithMitigationMeasureBIO‐14b,allprojectproponentswilldevelopadaptivemanagementplanstoensureappropriate,feasible,andcurrentincorporationofemerginginformation.Thegoalsoftheadaptivemanagementplansaretoensurethatthebestavailablescienceandemergingtechnologiesareusedtoassessimpactsonbats,andthatimpactsareminimizedtothegreatestextentpossiblewhilemaximizingenergyproduction.

Theproject‐specificadaptivemanagementplanswillbeusedtoadjustoperationandmitigationtoincorporatetheresultsofprojectareamonitoringandnewtechnologyandresearchresultswhensufficientevidenceexiststosupportthesenewapproaches.TheseplanswillbereviewedbytheTACandapprovedbytheCounty.Alladaptivemanagementmeasureswillbeimplementedwithinareasonabletimeframe,sufficienttoallowthemeasurestotakeeffectin

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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

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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.

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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.

BIO‐1b:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusspecies

BIO‐1e:Retainabiologicalmonitorduringground‐disturbingactivitiesinenvironmentallysensitiveareas

BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecial‐statuswildlifespecies

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BIO‐5a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusamphibians

BIO‐5c:Restoredisturbedannualgrasslands

BIO‐7a:Implementbestmanagementpracticestoavoidandminimizeeffectsonspecial‐statusreptiles

BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusnestingbirds

BIO‐8b:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonwesternburrowingowl

BIO‐10a:ImplementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger

BIO‐12a:Conductbatroostsurveys

BIO‐12b:Avoidremovingordisturbingbatroosts

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.

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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).

Allprojectproponentswillretainaqualifiedbiologist(asdeterminedbyAlamedaCounty)toconductperiodicmonitoringofdecommissioning,repowering,andreclamationactivitiesthatoccuradjacenttosensitivebiologicalresources(e.g.,special‐statusspecies,sensitivevegetationcommunities,wetlands).MonitoringwilloccurduringinitialgrounddisturbancewheresensitivebiologicalresourcesarepresentandweeklythereafterorasdeterminedbytheCountyincoordinationwithaqualifiedbiologist.Thebiologistwillassistthecrew,asneeded,tocomplywithallprojectimplementationrestrictionsandguidelines.Inaddition,thebiologistwillbe

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responsibleforensuringthattheprojectproponentoritscontractorsmaintainexclusionareasadjacenttosensitivebiologicalresources,andfordocumentingcompliancewithallbiologicalresources–relatedmitigationmeasures.

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.

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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.

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Workcrewsortheonsitebiologicalmonitorwillinspectopentrenches,pits,andunderconstructionequipmentandmaterialleftonsiteinthemorningandeveningtolookforamphibiansthatmayhavebecometrappedorareseekingrefuge.

Ifspecial‐statusamphibiansarefoundintheworkareaduringconstructionandcannotordonotmoveoffsiteontheirown,aqualifiedbiologistwhoisUSFWSand/orCDFW‐approvedunderabiologicalopinionand/orincidentaltakepermitforthespecificproject,willtrapandmovespecial‐statusamphibiansinaccordancewiththerelocationplan.Relocationofwesternspadefootandfoothillyellow‐leggedfrogrequiresaletterpermitfromCDFWauthorizingthisactivity.

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.

WheresuitablehabitatforBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,orSanJoaquincoachwhipisidentifiedinproposedworkareas,allprojectproponentswillensurethatBMPs

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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Notificationmustincludethedate,time,andlocationoftheincident,andanyotherpertinentinformation.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11d,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11e,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐11i,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐11above.

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.

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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.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐14a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐14above.

RemainingImpacts:Remainingimpactsrelatedtotheprojectimpactsonthemovementofanynativeresidentormigratorywildlifespeciesorestablishednativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridors,andtheuseofnativewildlifenurserysiteswillbesignificantandunavoidable.

OverridingConsiderations:AsmorefullyexplainedintheStatementofOverridingConsiderationscontainedinExhibitCtotheResolutiontowhichtheseCEQAFindingsareattached,theCountyfindsthatthereareenvironmental,economic,orotherbenefitsoftheapprovedprojectthatoverridetheremainingsignificantandunavoidableimpactsonbiological

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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.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureAES‐1willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithtemporaryvisualimpactsduringconstructionwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

AES‐1:Limitconstructiontodaylighthours.

Majorconstructionactivitieswillnotbeundertakenbetweensunsetandsunriseoronweekends.Constructionactivityisspecificallyprohibitedfromusinghigh‐wattagelightingsourcestoilluminateworksitesaftersunsetandbeforesunrise,withtheexceptionofnighttimedeliveriesundertheapprovedtransportationcontrolplanorotherconstructionactivitiesthatrequirenighttimeworkforsafetyconsiderations.

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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).

AES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways

AES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAES‐2bandAES‐2cwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithadverseeffectonascenicvistawill

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bemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

Projectsiteswillbecleanedofallderelictequipment,windturbinecomponentsnotrequiredfortheproject,andlitteranddebrisfromoldturbinesandpastturbineoperations.Suchlitteranddebrismayincludederelictturbines,obsoleteanemometers,unusedelectricalpoles,andbrokenturbineblades.Inaddition,abandonedroadsthatarenolongerinuseonsuchparcelswillberestoredandhydroseededtoreclaimthesitesandremovetheirvisualtracesfromtheviewscape,exceptincaseswheretheresourceagencies(USFWSandCDFW)recommendthatthefeaturesbeleftinplaceforresourceprotection.Allparcelswithnewturbineswillbemaintainedinsuchamannerthroughthelifeofprojectoperationsanduntiltheparcelsarereclaimedinaccordancewiththeapprovedreclamationplan.

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.

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EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureAES‐2bandAES‐2cwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithdamagetoscenicresourcesalongscenichighwayswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.

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.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAES‐2bandAES‐2cwillreduceimpactsassociatedwithsubstantialdamagetoscenicresourcesalongascenichighway,butwillnotreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2b,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2c,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.

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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.

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

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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.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐5willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithnewsourcesofsubstantiallightandglarewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐2a,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐2above.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureAES‐5,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactAES‐5above.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithconsistencywithstateandlocalpoliceswillbelessthansignificant.

Air Quality

ImpactAQ‐4:Exposesensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrations

PotentialImpact:Constructionactivitieswouldgenerateairpollutantemissions,includingequipmentexhaustemissionsandsuspendedandinhalablePM.However,constructionactivitieswouldoccuroverarelativelyshortperiodofapproximately6‐9months,andassociatedemissionswouldbespatiallydispersedovertheapproximately1,000‐acreprojectarea.Theclosestsensitive

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receptortotheprojectareaisaresidencelocatedapproximately900feetfromthenearestproposedwindturbine(seeFigure3.1‐7oftheEnvironmentalChecklist).

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresAQ‐2aandAQ‐2bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththeexposureofsensitivereceptorstosubstantialpollutantconcentrationswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Theprojectapplicantwillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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.

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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.

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Grounddisturbancecankillordamagematureindividualsoreliminatetheirhabitat.Excavationalterssoilpropertiesandmaycreateconditionsunsuitableforthegrowthofsomespeciesorfavortheirreplacementbyotherspecies.Therootsofshrubsandotherperennialspeciesaresusceptibletodamagefromsoilcompactionbyequipmentorconstructionmaterials.Possibleindirecteffectsonplantscouldresultfromerosionthatdegradeshabitatoraccidentalignitionofafirethatdamagesorkillsindividuals.

BIO‐1a:Conductsurveystodeterminethepresenceorabsenceofspecial‐statusplantspecies

BIO‐1c:Avoidandminimizeimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspeciesbyestablishingactivityexclusionzones

BIO‐1d:Compensateforimpactsonspecial‐statusplantspecies

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

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descriptionofallproposedworkareas,thelocationanddescriptionofallsuitablehabitatforspecial‐statusplantspecies,andthelocationanddescriptionofothersensitivehabitats(e.g.,vernalpools,wetlands,riparianareas).Additionally,thereportwilloutlinewhereadditionalspeciesand/orhabitat‐specificmitigationmeasuresarerequired.Thisreportwillprovidethebasisforanyapplicablepermitapplicationswhereincidentaltakeoflistedspeciesmayoccur.

Wheresurveysdeterminethataspecial‐statusplantspeciesispresentinoradjacenttoaprojectarea,directandindirectimpactsoftheprojectonthespecieswillbeavoidedthroughtheestablishmentofactivityexclusionzones,withinwhichnoground‐disturbingactivitieswilltakeplace,includingconstructionofnewfacilities,constructionstaging,orothertemporaryworkareas.Activityexclusionzonesforspecial‐statusplantspecieswillbeestablishedaroundeachoccupiedhabitatsite,theboundariesofwhichwillbeclearlymarkedwithstandardorangeplasticconstructionexclusionfencingoritsequivalent.Theestablishmentofactivityexclusionzoneswillnotberequiredifnoconstruction‐relateddisturbanceswilloccurwithin250feetoftheoccupiedhabitat.ThesizeofactivityexclusionzonesmaybereducedthroughconsultationwithaqualifiedbiologistandwithconcurrencefromCDFWbasedonsite‐specificconditions.

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.

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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‐2:Preventintroduction,spread,andestablishmentofinvasiveplantspecies

WQ‐1:ComplywithNPDESrequirements

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐2,BIO‐5c,andWQ‐1willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialfortheintroductionandspreadofinvasiveplantspeciestoresultinadverseeffectsonspecial‐statusplantsorhabitatoccupiedbyspecial‐statusplantswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

BIO‐2:Preventintroduction,spread,andestablishmentofinvasiveplantspecies

Toavoidandminimizetheintroductionandspreadofinvasivenonnativeplantspecies,allprojectproponentswillimplementthefollowingBMPs.

Constructionvehiclesandmachinerywillbecleanedpriortoenteringtheconstructionarea.Cleaningstationswillbeestablishedattheperimeteroftheconstructionareaalongallconstructionroutesorimmediatelyoffsite.

Vehicleswillbewashedonlyatapprovedareas.Nowashingofvehicleswilloccuratjobsites.

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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

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.

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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

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mayaffectthesespeciescouldincludeinstallationofpowercollectionandcommunicationsystems,turbineconstruction,roadinfrastructureconstruction/maintenanceandupgrades,meteorologicaltowerinstallationandremoval,temporarystagingareaset‐up,andreclamationactivities.Special‐statusamphibianscouldbeinjuredorkilledifvehiclesorconstructionequipmentaredriventhroughoccupiedhabitat,orifgasoline,oil,orothercontaminantsenterhabitat.Changesinhydrologyorsedimentationofhabitatfromerosionassociatedwithprojectconstructioncouldalterthesuitabilityoftheirhabitatorcausemortality.

Operationandmaintenanceactivitiesmayalsoresultinimpactsonspecial‐statusamphibiansortheirhabitats.Travelonmaintenanceroadsduringtherainyseasonorwhenamphibiansaredispersingcouldresultinmortalityofindividuals.Roadandfirebreakmaintenancecouldresultindegradationofhabitatorinjuryormortalityofspecial‐statusamphibians.

BIO‐3a:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforhabitatforspecialstatuswildlifespecies

BIO‐5b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐5a,BIO‐5b,andBIO‐5cwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforCaliforniatigersalamander,westernspadefoot,Californiared‐leggedfrog,andfoothillyellow‐leggedfrogwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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Whereimpactsonaquaticanduplandhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibianscannotbeavoidedorminimized,compensatorymitigationwillbeundertakeninaccordancewithmitigationratiosandrequirementsdevelopedundertheEACCS(AppendixC).Intheeventthattakeauthorizationisrequired,compensatorymitigationwillbeundertakeninaccordancewiththetermsoftheauthorizationinconsultationwithUSFWSand/orCDFW.

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.

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BIO‐6:Conductpreconstructionsurveysforwesternpondturtleandmonitorconstructionactivitiesifturtlesareobserved

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,andBIO‐6willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforwesternpondturtlewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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

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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.

BIO‐7b:Compensateforlossofhabitatforspecial‐statusreptiles

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EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐5c,BIO‐7a,andBIO‐7bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialdisturbanceormortalityofandlossofsuitablehabitatforBlainville’shornedlizard,Alamedawhipsnake,andSanJoaquincoachwhipwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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‐

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nestingseasonaspartofeffortstoavoidorminimizesomeformsofdirecttakecouldresultinharmofburrowingowls.Suchlossescouldaffectthelocalpopulationofspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirds.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐5c,BIO‐8a,andBIO‐8bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialconstruction‐relateddisturbanceormortalityofspecialstatusandnon‐special‐statusmigratorybirdswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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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).

BIO‐5b:Compensateforthelossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians

BIO‐9:Compensateforthepermanentlossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowl

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐5b,BIO‐5c,andBIO‐9willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforpermanentandtemporarylossofoccupiedhabitatforwesternburrowingowlandforaginghabitatfortricoloredblackbirdandotherspecial‐statusandnon–special‐statusbirdswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

BIO‐5b:Compensateforthelossofhabitatforspecial‐statusamphibians

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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.

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BIO‐10b:CompensateforlossofsuitablehabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadger

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐1e,BIO‐3a,BIO‐5c,BIO‐10a,andBIO‐10bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforinjuryormortalityofandlossofhabitatforSanJoaquinkitfoxandAmericanbadgerwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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.

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Constructionanddecommissioningofturbinescouldresultindisturbanceorlossofactivebatrooststhroughincreasedtraffic,noise,lighting,andhumanaccess.Removalordisturbanceoftrees,rockoutcrops,debrispiles,outbuildings,orotherartificialstructurescouldresultinremovalofroosthabitatandmortalityofbatsusingthestructureasaroost.Severalspeciesofbataresensitivetodisturbanceandmayabandonflightlessyoung,ortheymaysimplynotreturntotheroostoncedisturbed,resultinginthelossofthatroostashabitatforthelocalpopulation.Becausesomebatsroostcolonially,removalofspecial‐statusspecies’rooststructuresinaroost‐limitedhabitatcouldresultinthelossofasignificantportionofthelocalbatpopulation.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresBIO‐1b,BIO‐3a,BIO‐12a,andBIO‐12bwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialformortalityordisturbanceofbatsfromroostremovalordisturbancewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithpotentialmortalityordisturbanceofbatsfromroostremovalordisturbancewillbelessthansignificant.

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ImpactBIO‐15:Potentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonalkalimeadow

PotentialImpact:Roadinfrastructureupgradeswouldincludegrading,widening,andregravellingofexistingroadsandconstructionofnewroadstoaccommodatedecommissionandrepoweringactivities.Culvertswouldbeupgradedforexistingroads,andnewculvertswouldbeinstalledfornewroads.Directeffectswouldconsistoffillofalkalimeadowatlocationswhereroadscrossingthehabitatwouldbewidened.Indirecteffectscouldinvolvealteredhydrologyorrunoffofsedimentandothersubstancesduringroadconstructionactivities.Someeffects,suchasthoseduetorunoff,wouldbeavoidedandminimizedthroughimplementationoferosioncontrolBMPsandpostconstructionreclamation.Installationofnewandupgradedculvertswouldmaintainexistinghydrology.

BIO‐15:Compensateforthelossofalkalimeadowhabitat

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureBIO‐15willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonalkalimeadowwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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.

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BIO‐16:Compensateforthelossofriparianhabitat

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureBIO‐16willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructureupgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonriparianhabitatwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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.

BIO‐18:Compensateforthelossofwetlands

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureBIO‐18willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwiththepotentialforroadinfrastructure

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upgradestoresultinadverseeffectsonwetlandswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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.

BIO‐1a:Conductsurveystodeterminethepresenceorabsenceofspecial‐statusspecies

BIO‐3a:Implementmeasurestoavoid,minimize,andmitigateimpactsonvernalpoolbranchiopodsandcurved‐footedhygrotusdivingbeetle

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BIO‐4b:Compensatefordirectandindirecteffectsonvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle

BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon‐special‐statusnestingbirds

BIO‐9:Compensateforthepermanentlossofforaginghabitatforwesternburrowingowl

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

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BIO‐3a:Implementmeasurestoavoid,minimize,andmitigateimpactsonvernalpoolbranchiopodsandcurved‐footedhygrotusdivingbeetle

BIO‐4b:Compensatefordirectandindirecteffectsonvalleyelderberrylonghornbeetle

IfelderberryshrubscannotbeavoidedandprotectedasoutlinedinMitigationMeasure4a,theprojectproponentwillobtainanincidentaltakepermitfromUSFWS.

IfelderberryshrubscannotbeavoidedandprotectedasoutlinedinMitigationMeasure4a,theproject

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BIO‐8a:Implementmeasurestoavoidandminimizepotentialimpactsonspecial‐statusandnon‐special‐statusnestingbirds

BIO‐9:Compensateforthepermanentlossofforaginghabitatforwesternburrowingowl

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureBIO‐9,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐9above.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithconflictwithlocalplansorpolicieswillbelessthansignificant.

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Cultural Resources

ImpactCUL‐2:Causeasubstantialadversechangeinthesignificanceofanarchaeologicalresource

PotentialImpact:ArchaeologicalresourcesarepresentwithintheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectarea.Giventhelargesizeoftheprojectarea,themoderatetohighsensitivityforburiedsites,thereisapossibilityofencounteringanddamagingpreviouslyunrecordedarchaeologicalresourcesduringground‐disturbingactivities.

CUL‐2a:Conductapreconstructionculturalfieldsurveyandculturalresourcesinventoryandevaluation

CUL‐2b:Developatreatmentplanforanyidentifiedsignificantculturalresources

CUL‐2c:Conductworkerawarenesstrainingforarchaeologicalresourcespriortoconstruction

CUL‐2d:Stopworkifculturalresourcesareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities

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.

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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.

CUL‐3:Stopworkifhumanremainsareencounteredduringground‐disturbingactivities

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureCUL‐3willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtodisturbhumanremainswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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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.

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GEO‐1:Conductsite‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigationandimplementdesignrecommendationsinsubsequentgeotechnicalreport

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofruptureofaknownearthquakefaultwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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

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levelofgroundshaking,theycouldfailandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbinetowers.Thisdamageorcollapsecouldcauseharmtopersonnelorpropertyintheimmediatearea.

Theprogramareaisinaseismicallyactivearea,withthepotentialformoderatelystronggroundshakingfromsourcessuchastheGreenvillefaultandtheCalaverasfault.BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCode.However,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedsafetyissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailduringstronggroundshakingandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.

MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.6.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofstrongseismicgroundshakingwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

ForthetextofMitigationMeasureGEO‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactGEO‐1above.

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

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groundwaterandtheageofthegeologicunitsintheprogramarea,theriskoflateralspreadanddifferentialsettlementisunknown.

BoththeStateofCaliforniaandAlamedaCountyhavestringentbuildingsafetyrequirements,andallconstructionwouldhavetocomplywiththeCaliforniaBuildingStandardsCode.Nonetheless,thismaynotaddressallseismic‐relatedgroundfailureissues.Iftheturbinefoundationandpowercollectionsystemdesignandconstructionwerenotbasedonrigorous,detailed,site‐specificgeotechnicalinvestigation,thefoundationorcollectionsystemcouldfailasaresultoflandsliding,lateralspread,ordifferentialsettlementandcausedamagetoorcollapseoftheturbineorcollectionsystem.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultofseismic‐relatedgroundfailure,includinglandslidingandliquefactionwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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.

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EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactswiththepotentialtoexposepeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandslidingwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwiththeexposureofpeopleorstructurestopotentialsubstantialadverseeffects,includingtheriskofloss,injury,ordeath,asaresultoflandsliding,willbelessthansignificant.

ImpactGEO‐6:Belocatedonexpansivesoil,creatingsubstantialriskstolifeorproperty

PotentialImpact:Turbinefoundationsbuiltonexpansivesoilswouldbesubjecttotheexpansionandcontractionofthesesoils,whichcouldcausedamagetostructuresifthesubsoil,drainage,andfoundationarenotproperlyengineered.Themetrologicaltowerandundergroundsystemswouldbesubjecttothesameexpansionandcontraction.

Expansivesoilsoccurinmuchoftheprogramarea,particularlyintheFontana‐Diablo‐Altamontsoilassociation.However,soilsamplingandtreatmentproceduresareaddressedbystateandlocalbuildingcodes.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureGEO‐1willensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithbeinglocatedonexpansivesoil,includingriskstolifeandproperty,asaresultoflandslidingwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithbeinglocatedonexpansivesoilwillbelessthansignificant.

ImpactGEO‐7:Directlyorindirectlydestroyauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeature

PotentialImpact:IffossilsarepresentintheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectarea,theycouldbedamagedbyduringearth‐disturbingactivitiesduringconstructionactivities,suchasexcavationforfoundations,placementoffills,trenchingforpowercollectionsystems,andgradingforroadsandstagingareas.Themoreextensiveanddeepertheearth‐disturbingactivity,thegreaterthepotentialfordamagetopaleontologicalresources.

Becausetheyaresedimentaryrocks,geologicunitswithpotentialtocontainpaleontologicalresourcesincludemostunitsintheprogramarea.Inparticular,theNerolyFormationandsomeunitsoftheGreatValleySequenceareknowntocontainvertebratefossils.SubstantialdamagetoordestructionofsignificantpaleontologicalresourcesasdefinedbytheSocietyofVertebratePaleontology(2010)wouldbeasignificantimpact.

GEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities

GEO‐7b:Educateconstructionpersonnelinrecognizingfossilmaterial

GEO‐7c:Stopworkifsubstantialfossilremainsareencounteredduringconstruction

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasuresGEO‐7a,GEO‐7b,andGEO‐7cwillensurethattheimpactsassociatedwithdirectlyorindirectlydestroyingauniquepaleontologicalresourceorsiteoruniquegeologicfeaturewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

GEO‐7a:Retainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologisttomonitorsignificantground‐disturbingactivities

TheapplicantwillretainaqualifiedprofessionalpaleontologistasdefinedbytheSVP’sStandardProceduresfortheAssessmentandMitigationofAdverseImpactstoPaleontologicalResources(2010)tomonitoractivitieswiththepotentialtodisturbsensitivepaleontologicalresources.Datagatheredduringdetailedprojectdesignwillbeusedtodeterminetheactivitiesthatwillrequirethepresenceofamonitor.Ingeneral,theseactivitiesincludeanyground‐disturbingactivitiesinvolvingexcavationdeeperthan3feetinareaswithhighpotentialtocontain

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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.

GHG‐2a:Implementbestavailablecontroltechnologyforheavy‐dutyvehicles

GHG‐2b:InstalllowSF6leakratecircuitbreakersandmonitoring

GHG‐2c:Requirenewconstructiontousebuildingmaterialscontainingrecycledcontent

GHG‐2d:Complywithconstructionanddemolitiondebrismanagementordinance

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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

2007–2009 Norequirementsuntil2023,then2010engine

2010 Meetsfinalrequirements

Inaddition,theapplicantcouldcomplywithaphase‐inoptionthatwouldallowtheapplicanttodecidewhichvehiclestoretrofitorreplace,regardlessofenginemodelyear.TheapplicantmustreportinformationaboutallheaviertrucksstartingJanuary31,2012,tousethisoption.

TheApplicantcouldcomplybydemonstratingthattruckshavemetthepercentagerequirementeachyearasshowninthetablebelow.Forexample,by2012theapplicant’sfleetwouldneedtohavePMfilterson30%oftheheaviertrucksinthefleet.Thisoptioncounts2007modelyearandnewerenginesoriginallyequippedwithPMfilterstowardcomplianceandwouldreducethe

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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.,

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fertilizer).Becausesoildisturbancewouldbeinvolvedinconstructionactivitiesforbothdecommissioningactivitiesandconstructionofindividualwindprojects,anycontaminatedsoilfoundcouldrepresentasignificantrisktohumanhealthandtheenvironment.

AllprojectsrequiringaCUPfromtheCountywouldbeboundbytheUnifiedHazardousWasteandHazardousMaterialsManagementRegulatoryProgram.Therefore,futurerepoweringprojectswouldrequireCountypermitapprovalofnewCUPs,andMitigationMeasureHAZ‐4wouldbecomeastandardconditionofapprovalfortheCUP.

HAZ‐4:PerformaPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentpriortoconstructionactivitiesandremediateifnecessary

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.

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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.

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ProjectsproposedwithintheunincorporatedareaofthecountyarereviewedbytheAlamedaCountyFireDepartmentduringthebuildingpermitprocesstoensurethattheyareconsistentwithadoptedemergencyresponseplansandemergencyevacuationplans.Consequently,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.

Finally,conveyanceofdecommissionedturbines,towers,andothercomponentsonpublicroadswouldtakeplaceatanirregular,infrequentrate,andwouldbesubjecttostandardCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans)regulations.Suchconveyancewouldnothinderemergencyaccesstotheprogramarea.Accordingly,decommissioningactivitieswouldnotconflictwithanyadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplan.

MitigationMeasures:Thefollowingmitigationmeasure,discussedinSection3.8.2ofthePEIR,isherebyadoptedandwillbeimplementedasprovidedintheMitigationMonitoringandReportingProgram.

TRA‐1:Developandimplementaconstructiontrafficcontrolplan

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldimpairimplementationoforphysicallyinterferewithanadoptedemergencyresponseplanoremergencyevacuationplanwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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.

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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.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldviolateanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirementswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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ForthetextofMitigationMeasureWQ‐1,pleaserefertothediscussionofImpactBIO‐2above.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithviolationofanywaterqualitystandardsorwastedischargerequirementswillbelessthansignificant.

ImpactWQ‐3:Substantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerthatwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationonsiteoroffsite

PotentialImpact:TheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectwouldnotconstructanyturbineswithinexistingdrainageareasandtheprojectfootprintswouldbedesignedtonotcauseanydownstreamerosionduringthestormseason.Inaddition,theproposedprojectwouldberequiredtoadheretotheNPDESConstructionGeneralPermit.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldsubstantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,inamannerthatwouldresultinsubstantialerosionorsiltationonsiteoroffsitewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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

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projectsconductedundertheAPWRArepoweringprogramwouldberequiredtoadheretotheNPDESstormwaterConstructionGeneralPermit,whichrequiresthatpostconstructionrunoffmanagementmeasuresbeimplementedintheeventthattheproject’sSWPPPdeterminesthataprojectcouldcauseanincreaseinpeakrunoffflowsfromtheprojectarea.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldsubstantiallyaltertheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerthatwouldresultinfloodingonsiteoroffsitewillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactassociatedwithsubstantialalterationoftheexistingdrainagepatternofthesiteorarea,includingthroughthealterationofthecourseofastreamorriver,orsubstantiallyincreasetherateoramountofsurfacerunoffinamannerthatwouldresultinfloodingonsiteoroffsitewillbelessthansignificant.

ImpactWQ‐5:Createorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoff

PotentialImpact:TheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareadoesnotcurrentlyhaveexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagefacilitiesandbuildoutoftheproposedprojectwouldnotexceedcapacitiesorincreasetherateofpollutedrunoff.However,constructioncouldgeneratepollutedrunoffassoilwouldbestripped,bareareaswouldbeexposed,andstormwatercouldcausesedimentation.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldcreateorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoffwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldcreateorcontributerunoffwaterthatwouldexceedthecapacityofexistingorplannedstormwaterdrainagesystemsorprovidesubstantialadditionalsourcesofpollutedrunoffwillbelessthansignificant.

ImpactWQ‐6:Otherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterquality

PotentialImpact:TheSandHillWindRepoweringProjectareadoesnotcurrentlyhaveanysubstantialwaterqualityissuesordrainagesthatcouldcarryasubstantialamountofpollutedrunofftoreceivingwaters.Inaddition,projectoperationisnotanticipatedtoresultinasubstantialamountofadditionalrunoffthatcouldaffectwaterquality.However,constructioncouldgeneratepollutedrunoffassoilwouldbestripped,bareareaswouldbeexposed,andstormwatercouldcausesedimentation..

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldotherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterqualitywillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldotherwisesubstantiallydegradewaterqualitywillbelessthansignificant.

ImpactWQ‐10:Contributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflow

PotentialImpact:Becausetheproposedprogramareaisinrollinghillsandfarfromtheocean,thelikelihoodofaseicheortsunamioccurringisconsideredminimal.Inaddition,amudflowisalsohighlyunlikely,butcouldbepossibleinrollinghillsifproperBMPsarenotusedduringtheconstructionprocess.

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EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureWQ‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldcontributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflowwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldcontributetoinundationbyseiche,tsunami,ormudflowwillbelessthansignificant.

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

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureNOI‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldcontributeexposureofresidencestonoisefrom

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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.

NOI‐2:Employnoise‐reducingpracticesduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstruction

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureNOI‐2willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldcontributeexposureofresidencestonoiseduringdecommissioningandnewturbineconstructionwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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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.

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EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldconflictwithanapplicableplan,ordinance,orpolicyestablishingmeasuresofeffectivenessfortheperformanceofthecirculationsystemwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldsubstantiallyincreasehazardsbecauseofadesignfeatureorincompatibleusesduetoconstruction‐generatedtrafficwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldsubstantiallyincreasehazardsbecauseofadesignfeatureorincompatibleusesduetoconstruction‐generatedtrafficwillbelessthansignificant.

ImpactTRA‐5:Resultininadequateemergencyaccessduetoconstruction‐generatedtraffic

PotentialImpact:Slow‐movingconstructiontruckscoulddelayorobstructthemovementofemergencyvehiclesonprogramareahaulroutesusedtoaccesstheprojectarea.Inaddition,lane/roadclosuresoccurringduringdeliveryofoversizedloadscouldimpairroadwaycapacityandincreasetheresponsetimeforemergencyvehiclestravelingthroughtheclosurearea.Therefore,constructionwouldhavethepotentialtosignificantlyaffectemergencyvehicleaccess.

EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldresultininadequateemergencyaccessduetoconstruction‐generatedtrafficwillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

RemainingImpacts:Anyremainingimpactthatwouldresultininadequateemergencyaccessduetoconstruction‐generatedtrafficwillbelessthansignificant.

ImpactTRA‐6:Conflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilities

PotentialImpact:Duringconstruction,slow‐movingoversizedtruckscouldpotentiallydisruptthemovementofbicyclestravelingontheshouldersalongAltamontPassRoad,PattersonPassRoad,andFlynnRoadintheprogramareaandincreasethesafetyconcernsforanybicyclistswhousetheroutes.TheseroadwaysarenottheCountyclassifiedbikeways,butareusedasrecreationalandinter‐regionalaccessroutes.Inaddition,lane/roadclosuresoccurringduringdeliveryofoversizedloadsneartheworksiteaccesspointscouldtemporarilydisruptthebicycleaccessontheroads.Therefore,constructionwouldhavethepotentialtosignificantlyaffectbicycleaccess.

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EffectsofMitigation:ImplementationofthemitigationsrecommendedbyMitigationMeasureTRA‐1willensurethatanyimpactsthatwouldconflictwithadoptedpolicies,plans,orprogramsregardingpublictransit,bicycleorpedestrianfacilities,orotherwisedecreasetheperformanceorsafetyofsuchfacilitieswillbemitigatedtoaless‐than‐significantlevel.Futureapplicantswillberequiredtoimplementthefollowingactions.

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

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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

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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.

TheanalysisinthePEIRandtheinformationintheentirerecordbeforetheCountyindicatesthatthereispotentialfortheproposedSandHillWindRepoweringProjecttoresultinnoisethatexceedsCountynoisestandardswhichwouldresultinsignificantcumulativeoperationalnoiseimpacts.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureNOI‐1,however,wouldensurecompliancewithCountynoisestandardsandwouldavoidsignificantcumulativeoperationalnoiseimpacts.

Constructionofmultiplerepoweringprojectssimultaneouslyintheprogramareacouldpotentiallyresultinacumulativeconstructionnoiseimpactatresidenceslocatedneartheconstructionactivities.However,theimpactwouldbetemporaryandlocalizedandimplementationofMitigationMeasureNOI‐2wouldreducecumulativeimpactstoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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