gemini solar project draft resource management plan...
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Gemini Solar Project Draft Resource
Management Plan Amendment and
Environmental Impact Statement
Public Meeting
What is the Gemini Solar Project?
In 2017, Solar Partners XI, LLC amended an existing application with the
BLM and requested authorization to construct, operate, maintain, and
decommission an approximately 690-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar
electric generating facility and associated generation tie-line and access
road facilities, on approximately 7,100 acres of public land administered
by the BLM. The project is located approximately 33 miles northeast of
Las Vegas, along Interstate-15, in close proximity to Apex Industrial Park
and south of the Moapa River Indian Reservation, in Clark County, Nevada
The project would include:
The PV Solar Array—including solar panels, internal energy collection
systems, and integrated battery storage
Infrastructure—including internal roadways, fire breaks, an
Operations and Maintenance facility, and drainage systems
Transmission Systems—up to three internal substations, gen-tie lines
to Crystal Substation, and upgrades to Crystal Substation
Environmental Documentation
The BLM has produced a Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment
and Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates the potential
environmental, social, and economic impacts of the proposed project. The
Resource Management Plan Amendment would be required to change
the visual resource management class to allow for the proposed solar
development.
The analysis in the Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and
Environmental Impact Statement will allow the BLM to make a decision
on whether or not to authorize the project and issue a right-of-way grant
required to construct the solar facility on these public lands.
Input must be submitted by September 5, 2019 Project Website: https://go.usa.gov/xntTQ
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Input Deadline September 5, 2019 Project Website: https://go.usa.gov/xntTQ
How to Submit Input
The purpose of today’s public meeting is to provide information and offer an opportunity
for the public and regulatory agencies to comment on the Draft Resource Management
Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement.
Email Fax Mail Online Comments
blm_nv_sndo_gemini
702-515-5023
Attn: Herman
Pinales
BLM Southern Nevada
District Office
Gemini Solar Project EIS
4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive
Comments can be submitted online
at: https:go.usa.gov/
xntTQ
How to Provide Effective Input
The most effective comments are developed using the following guidelines:
Be as specific as possible with your comments and refer to page number and paragraphs
in the Draft EIS
Back up your statements with explanations, facts, and references, as appropriate;
support statements with details
Submit comments if you find:
An error in the analysis that may affect the outcome
New information that would change the analysis and conclusions
Something that should be clarified
A substantially different alternative that meets the purpose and need
statement and has not been considered
Keep your comments focused on the specifics of the proposed project under
consideration
Schedule
Public Meeting Schedule - Suncoast
5 – 5:15 p.m. Open House Format*5:15 – 5:30 p.m. Presentation5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Open House Format*6:15 – 6:30 p.m. Repeat Presentation6:30 – 7 p.m. Open House Format*7– 8 p.m. Verbal Comments *Ask questions to BLM staff, visit various posters, provide individual input to court recorder
Gemini Solar ProjectDraft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA)
Timeline Overview
Protest Period
Public Comment
Period
Publish Notice
of Intent
Scoping Period
Draft RMP Amendment
and EIS Prepared
Final RMP Amendment
and EIS Prepared
Issue Record of Decision/
RMP Amendment
July 13 to August 27, 2018
45-day scoping period from
issuance of NOI
June 7 to September 5,
201990-day public
comment period
November to December 201930-day protest
period & 60-day Governor’s
Consistency Review
March 2020
We are here
• 33 miles northeast of Las Vegas along I-15, south of the Moapa River Indian Reservation, northeast of Apex Industrial Park and Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone
• Nearest community is Moapa – approximately 17 miles north along I-15
Project Location
GeminiSolar
The Strip
NVE Crystal Substation
• Approximately 44,000-acre application area
• Develop a photovoltaic solar facility on approximately 7,100 acres of land within a 44,000 acre application area
• 690 MW
• Integrated battery storage included
• One 230 kV and one 500 kV gen-tie to Crystal Substation
• 5.5 miles of new 230 kV line on existing towers to connect Crystal Substation to Harry Allen Substation
Project Overview
Alternative Development
• NEPA requires the development of alternatives that can meet the purpose and need of the Project, but considers the alternative uses of resources
• Additional development areas (B1, B2, F, and G*) were studied to develop alternatives
• Three action alternatives were carried forward in the EIS
Alternative Similarities
• Resource Management Plan Amendment
• Development of ~ 7,100 acres of BLM managed land
• Solar facility components* Please see alternative posters on display
Alternatives
Traditional Methods
• “Disk and roll” where vegetation is crushed and mixed into soil then compacted
• Required stormwater retention, application of tackifiers and herbicides
Mowing
• Mowing of vegetation instead of “disk and roll”
• Minimizes direct vegetation removal, maintains topsoil seed bank for future regrowth
• Mowed areas would be designed and constructed differently
Alternative Construction Methods
Alternative Differences Proposed Action All Mowing Hybrid – BLM Preferred Alternative
Methods All traditional methods All mowing Mowing 65%Traditional Methods 35%
Development Areas* A, B, C, D, and E A, B, B1, B2, C, D, E, and G A, B, B1, C, D, and E
Height of Panels 12 foot 15 foot 12-15 foot
Internal Roads 1 mile apart with perimeter road
¼ mile apart, no perimeter road
¼ to 1 mile apart, limited perimeter road to traditional areas
Tortoise Fencing Around entire project Only during construction then removed
Desert tortoise exclusion fencing would be removed around mowed development areas after construction
Drainage Berms and detention basin No berms, no detention No berms, no detention
* Please see alternative posters on display
Key Resource Constraints
• Designated Section 368 Energy Corridor
• Clark County proposed California Wash ACEC as part of the proposed public lands bill
• Recreation including OHV
• Visual resource management class amendment from III to IV
• High density of Mojave desert tortoise
• Threecorner milkvetch
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail Corridor
Proposed Action All Mowing Hybrid (BLM-Preferred)• Loss of 7,071 acres of habitat• Loss of ~220 desert tortoise• Connectivity impacts
• Loss of 176 acres of habitat• Remaining habitat altered • Tortoise reoccupy site with 34
translocated south of site• Reduces connectivity impacts
• Loss of 2,578 acres of habitat• Remaining habitat altered • Tortoise reoccupy 65% of site with
36 translocated south of site• Some connectivity impacts from
fencing
Proposed Mitigation Measure Summary• Biological Opinion with tortoise-specific protection terms• Qualified Biologist and Worker Environmental Awareness Program • Site Restoration Plan and Integrated Weed Management Plan• Dust Control and Air Quality Plan • Measures to avoid vehicle/wildlife collisions and to facilitate wildlife movement • Refinement of Project site to minimum size needed
Desert Tortoise
Proposed Action All Mowing Hybrid (BLM-Preferred)• Direct impacts on plants• Permanent loss of 718 acres
of habitat• Indirect impacts through
spread of invasive species
• Direct impacts on plants• Spread of invasive species; reduced
compared to Proposed Action • Mowing reduces impacts to soils
and seed bank
• Direct impacts on plants• Permanent loss of 718 acres of
habitat • Spread of invasive species; reduced
compared to Proposed Action
Proposed Mitigation Measure Summary • No disk and roll, only drive and crush in development areas
C, D, and E under the Hybrid Alternative to preserve soils and habitat
• Refinement of Project site to minimum size needed • Permits from Nevada Division of Forestry • Seed collection for restoration
• On-site biologist to monitor sensitive plant habitats• Removal of all Sahara mustard• Targeted herbicide treatment • Annual monitoring for threecorner milkvetch • Worker Environmental Awareness Program
Threecorner Milkvetch
Old Spanish National Historic TrailSetting • Congressionally Designated National Historic Trail Corridor through valley• Natural desert setting is important to the nature and purpose of the trail
Proposed Action All Mowing and Hybrid (BLM-Preferred)
• Long-term (100+ years) substantial interference with the nature, purpose, and primary uses of the Trail
• Substantial interference for life of Project; • Reduces effects by maintaining vegetation, hydrology, contours,
and wildlife that contribute to setting– Restoration of historic setting possible in 30 years for all areas (mowing) or a large portion (hybrid) of the area
Proposed Mitigation Measure Summary• Consult with Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) to determine eligibility• Prepare an Memorandum of Agreement with Nevada SHPO if segments are determined eligible• Develop a Historic Properties Treatment Plan to mitigate adverse effects under the National Historic Preservation Act• Trail Co-administrators and BLM are working to identify mitigation to the nature, purpose, and primary uses of the Trail• Incorporate design elements, color, and surface treatments to minimize visual contrast
Ways to Provide Input• Submit input by mail, email, fax, or in person with the provided input forms
• Input is due by September 5, 2019
• More information can be found at: https:go.usa.gov/xntTQ
• Submit via:• Online: https:go.usa.gov/xntTQ
• Email: [email protected]
• Fax: 702-515-5023, Attn: Herman Pinales
• Mail: BLM Southern Nevada District OfficeAttn Herman Pinales4701 N. Torrey Pines DriveLas Vegas, NV 89130
How to make a comment: At the meeting using the comment forms or
provide verbal comments. Email comments or mail in comments to the
addresses, or submit online