Bureau of Land Management's Decision Record and Environmental

Jersey Valley Geothermal Development Project
Environmental Assessment: NV063-EAO8-091
conducted during the nesting season and it is likely owls would have been observed if present
(GBE 2008). Northern portions of the transmission corridor appeared suitable for burrowing
owls. The more extensive sagebrush stands were evidence that these areas were not seasonally
saturated. None of the burrows observed showed any signs of burrowing owl activity and no
burrowing owls were observed during the field survey (GBE 2008).
Townsend’s big-eared bat andpallid bat
Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) is associated with areas containing caves
and cave analogs for roosting habitat. Townsend’s big-eared bat requires spacious cavern-like
structures for roosting during all stages of its lifecycle (Pierson et al. 1999).
The pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) breeds in arid deserts and grasslands, often near rocky
outcrops and water. It is present but less abundant in evergreen and mixed conifer woodland. The
bat will usually roost in a rock crevice or building, and less often in a cave, tree hollow, or mine.
There is a major bat maternity colony and hibernaculum located within Sections 27 and 34,
T.27N., R.40E. of the Jersey Valley Unit Area. The spring areas and associated vegetation
provide for foraging habitat. The desert shrub and sagebrush vegetation communities also
provide foraging habitat for the Townsend’s big-eared bat and the pallid bat (GBE 2008).
The transmission line corridor is located in potential foraging habitat for the Townsend’s
big-eared bat and the pallid bat in the Battle Mountain Range, near the Phoenix Mine. However,
no suitable roosting habitat occurs along the transmission line corridor (GBE 2008).
Ferruginous hawk
The ferruginous hawk is a nesting-summer resident of the planning area. A number of nests have
been recorded over the years. Juniper trees are the preferred nesting sites of the ferruginous
hawk, and nests are often constructed in juniper “stringers” which overlook large open areas on
alluvial fans. Prey consists primarily of ground squirrels in the spring and early summer and
jackrabbits in late summer and fall. Ferruginous hawks are more sensitive to nest disturbance
than most raptors (Stamm 2006). An active ferruginous hawk nest was found within the
transmission corridor in April 2009. Suitable foraging habitat for ferruginous hawks exists
throughout the Project vicinity.
Prairiefalcon
The Prairie Falcon has a body length of 15 — 20 inches, a 31/2 foot wingspan, and weighs 1 —
2 pounds. Prairie Falcons inhabit hills, canyons, and mountains of arid grasslands and shrub
steppes of southwestern Canada, western United States, Baja California, and northern Mexico.
An active prairie falcon nest was identified in 2000 within 1 mile of the proposed transmission
corridor. Suitable foraging habitat for prairie falcon exist throughout the Project vicinity.
Golden eagle
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