Rising Tree Wind Farm Project Notice of Preparation - County of Kern

MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
a. Does the project have the potential to degrade the
quality of the environment, substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or
wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, reduce the number or restrict the range
of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate
important examples of the major periods of
California history or prehistory?
b. Does the project have impacts that are individually
limited, but cumulatively considerable?
(“Cumulatively considerable” means that the
incremental effects of a project are considerable
when viewed in connection with the effects of past
projects, the effects of other current projects, and
the effects of probable future projects)?
c. Does the project have environmental effects which
will cause substantial adverse effects on human
beings, either directly or indirectly?
Discussion:
KERN COUNTY PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
RISING TREE WIND ENERGY PROJECT
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Unless
Mitigated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Biological surveys indicate the presence of a number of special status species on or near the Project
site including Desert Tortoise, golden eagle, California condor, and burrowing owl. Therefore, there
is the potential for adverse effects to these and other wildlife species. The EIR/EIS will address
Project-specific and cumulative impacts to plants and wildlife including avian species. Cultural
resource surveys also identified a number of culturally important site loci indicating a potential for
impacts to important examples of California prehistory. The EIR/EIS will address Project-specific
and cumulative impacts to cultural, historic, and paleontological resources.
(b) The Project is located in an area of extensive existing and proposed wind energy development.
Therefore, it has the potential to contribute to cumulative impacts to aesthetics, agricultural
resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emission,
hydrology, land use and planning, noise, public services, and transportation and traffic. The
EIR/EIS will evaluate the Project’s contribution to cumulative impacts in these and other areas as
further impacts are identified.
(c) Although there may be significant air quality impacts associated with the emissions from
construction equipment and dust disturbed during grading, the Project would displace energy
generated by fossil fueled generating facilities. Hence, over the life of the Project, air quality
impacts could be beneficial to the extent that fossil fuel use is reduced. However, the locations
where emissions would be reduced may be far from the Project location or Kern County since
electricity is generated in many locations and may be transported long distances. The potential
health impacts from Project-related and cumulative air quality impacts will be evaluated in the
EIR/EIS.
July 2011 50 Initial Study/Notice of Preparation