Bureau of Land Management's Decision Record and Environmental

The EA’s mitigation and permit approvals specifically require Ormat to avoid both identified
NRHP eligible sites as well as unevaluated sites. Further, an archaeological monitor approved
by the Nevada BLM to work on the Winnemucca and Battle Mountain Districts must be present
for each earth disturbing activity that may be proximate to an eligible or unevaluated
archaeological site.
9) The degree to which the action may adversely affect an endangered or threatened species or
its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the ESA of 1973.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP)
were contacted for information concerning special status species. The FWS (letter of September
12, 2008) and NNHP, in February 2008 provided a Sensitive Taxa Record Search for
endangered, threatened, candidate andlor at risk plant and animal taxa recorded within or near
the Jersey Valley Unit Area and the proposed transmission line corridor.
No threatened or endangered species were identified in the project area or power line corridor.
Both agencies did indicate that some candidate species may occur in the area. The FWS
identified concerns that the proposed project activities could potentially impact the greater sage
grouse and pygmy rabbit. The NNHP identified (either within the proposed Project areas or a 5
km buffer around the subject lands): Lahontan beardtongue (Penstemon palmeri var.
macranthus), windloving buckwheat (Eriogonum anemophilumn) and Reese River phacelia
(Phacelia glaberrimna). Habitat may also be available for the Sadas pyrg (Pyrgulopsis sadai) and
the Dixie Valley pyrg (Pyrgulopsis dixensis).
The proposed action is not expected to adversely affect any threatened or endangered species
because their habitats do not occur in the project area. Impacts to wildlife species (including
threatened, endangered and other sensitive status species) were analyzed in Chapter 3 of the EA.
In order for Ormat to protect or mitigate impacts to all wildlife, including sensitive species and
migratory birds, Ormat’ s Adopted Environmental Protection Measures and the mitigation
provided in the EA will require Ormat to:
• The proposed transmission line would also provide raptor protection in compliance with
the standards described in the “Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection on Power
Lines, The State of the Art in 2006.”
• An anti-perching device, (a cone, Kaddas Enterprises type KE1058 or equal) would be
installed on the top of each transmission line pole along the entirety of the transmission
line (see Figure 15 and Figure 16).
• All power poles will utilize BLM-approved raptor deterrents.
• Bird flight diverters will be attached to the transmission line conductors located
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