Pelicans Jaw Hybrid Solar Project (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2023-055-04 (ITP))
6 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2022110558
Lead Agency
Kern County
Document Title
Pelicans Jaw Hybrid Solar Project (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2023-055-04 (ITP))
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
10/4/2024
Document Description
This proposed project involves the development, operation, and maintenance of a 500-megawatt (MW) solar facility. The Project would have the capacity to generate up to 500 MW of electricity through solar power derived from either fixed-tilt or tracker technology and up to 500 MW, or up to 4,000 megawatt-hours (MWh), of battery energy storage system (BESS) on approximately 3,260 acres.
The Project is expected to result in in incidental take of the State threatened San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), the State threatened Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), and the State endangered and fully-protected blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila) (collectively the Covered Species) which are protected under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The Project is expected to cause impacts to 3,069 acres of non-native grassland formerly in agricultural production which provides low to moderate suitable habitat for the Covered Species.
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. Incidental take of blunt-nosed leopard lizard may be authorized pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081.15 to allow CDFW to authorize the take of a fully protected species in subdivision (b) of section 5050 resulting from impacts attributable to the implementation of a solar photovoltaic project and any appurtenant infrastructure improvement, and any associated electric transmission project carrying electric power from a facility that is located in the State to a point of junction with any California-based balancing authority if the conditions set forth in Fish and Game Code section 2081.15, subdivisions (a-f) and section 2081, subdivisions (b) and (c) are met (See Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 783.4, and Senate Bill No. 147, stats. 2023).
The Permittee will permanently conserve 3,933 acres of high quality occupied Covered Species habitat that will include a monitoring program and an adaptive management plan, approved by CDFW to fully mitigate the impacts of the authorized take of the species.
Contact Information
Name
Jim Vang
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Sr. Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Contact Types
Responsible Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Kettleman, Lost Hills
Counties
Kern, Kings
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Project is located in northwestern Kern County, adjacent to the southern border of Kings County and west of the Kern River Channel. It is approximately 12 miles southeast of Kettleman City, approximately 8 miles north of the community of Lost Hills, approximately 2 miles east of the Interstate 5 (I-5), and approximately 2.5 miles west of the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. The Project site is generally bordered by Twisselman Road to the south, Lost Hills Road to the east, Kern and Kings County line to the north, and I-5 to the west.
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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