Westlands Solar Park Master Plan
Technical Biological Evaluation for a PEIR
Live Oak Associates conducted multiple spring and summer surveys for the planned development of large scale photo-voltaic solar energy projects within the approximately 21,000-acre Plan Area.
Surveys were conducted in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 for biotic habitats, the plants and animals occurring in those habitats, and significant habitat values that may be protected by state and federal law. Analyses included species-specific analyses for the western burrowing owl and Swainson’s hawk and a cumulative impact analysis for potential impacts to Swainson’s hawks. A programmatic biological evaluation technical report was completed for use in a PEIR. Since that time, Live Oak Associates has conducted a series of follow up surveys for the Swainson’s hawk and burrowing owls as various parcels are converted to utility scale solar.
Client
Westlands Solar Park
Location
Kings County, California
Dates
2010-Present
Project Description
Westlands Solar Park is one of the world’s largest solar power plants currently under construction in Kings County, California. The developers required multiple surveys for the planned development of large scale photo-voltaic solar energy projects within the approximately 21,000-acre Plan Area.