Rising Tree Wind Farm (Minor Amendment No. 1 to California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2014-023-04 (ITP))

Rising Tree Wind Farm (Minor Amendment No. 1 to California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2014-023-04 (ITP))

This proposed Project involves the development of a wind energy production facility on an approximately 1,600 acre site. Project activities would occur on a smaller area within the 1,600-acre site and would include clearing, grubbing, and grading for roads, a laydown area, wind turbine pads, a substation, meteorological towers, and underground and overhead transmission and collection lines. The Project will result in impacts to 163 acres of desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and Mohave ground squirrel (Spermophilus mohavensis) habitat, and 7.64 acres of Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) habitat including temporary impacts to 91 acres; the Project will permanently remove 72 acres of desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel habitat, and 7.64 acres of Bakersfield cactus habitat. The Project is expected to result in incidental take of desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel, which are designated as threatened species, and Bakersfield cactus, which is designated as an endangered species, under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The ITP referenced above as issued by CDFW authorizes incidental take of species listed under CESA that may occur as a result of Project implementation. Minor Amendment No. 1 adjusts portions of the construction envelope to allow avoidance of unanticipated archaeological resources. The extent of habitat disturbance and other effects to desert tortoise, Mohave ground squirrel, and Bakersfield cactus are unchanged by Minor Amendment No. 1.

Mojave

Kern