Maricopa Sun Solar Complex Project (Project) (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081 2014 060-04, Reissued Major Amendment No. 6 (ITP
10 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2010031034
Lead Agency
Kern County
Document Title
Maricopa Sun Solar Complex Project (Project) (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081 2014 060-04, Reissued Major Amendment No. 6 (ITP
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
12/15/2022
Document Description
The Project, as permitted by CDFW, involves the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a 3,856.1 acre photovoltaic solar facility and associated on-site distribution lines, as well as the permanent conservation of 5,692.6 acres of on-site and nearby off-site lands.
The Project will result in permanent impacts to 3,798.2 acres of San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni), and Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides) (collectively, Covered Species) habitat and temporary impacts to 81.9 acres of utility and railroad easements. The Project is expected to result in incidental take of San Joaquin kit fox and San Joaquin antelope squirrel, which are designated as threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and Tipton kangaroo rat, which is designated as an endangered species under CESA. The ITP as amended, authorizes incidental take of the Covered Species that may occur as a result of Project implementation. Major Amendment No. 6 extends the expiration date of the ITP by five years, clarifies that battery energy storage systems will be constructed within the original Project footprint, identifies existing HM lands as mitigation to be applied to the construction of the Bitterwater Switching Station, and adds the option to provide a performance security. Major Amendment No. 6 was reissued to correct administrative errors.
Contact Information
Name
Carrie Swanberg
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Sr. Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Contact Types
Responsible Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Taft
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Project is located on 3,856.1 acres of land located on the north and south sides of South Lake Road, east of Gardner Field Road and northeast of Copus Road and Schallock Road, approximately 5 miles west of the City of Taft in an unincorporated area of southwestern Kern County, California.
Notice of Determination
Approving Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Approving Agency Role
Responsible Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Kern
Final Environmental Document Available at
The EIR prepared by the lead agency for the Project is available to the general public at the office location listed above for the lead agency. CDFW’s administrative record of proceedings related to the incidental take permit is available to the public for review at CDFW’s regional office.
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
No
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
Yes
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
Yes
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
No
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
Attachments
Notice of Determination
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