California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Energy Commission Complete Landmark Land Mitigation Deal for Ivanpah Solar Project

Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 654-9937

State Partners with Project Owners to Purchase Conservation Land

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) and the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS) owners have finalized a landmark agreement to purchase 7,000 acres of land under the state’s Advanced Mitigation Program (AMP) to satisfy the solar project’s land mitigation requirements. Ivanpah is the first renewable energy project to participate in the AMP since its inception in 2010.

“Getting meaningful wildlife conservation on the ground while meeting our state and national renewable energy goals is mission-critical for our department and for the people of California,” said CDFW Chief Deputy Director Kevin Hunting. “The Advanced Mitigation Program is an innovative approach to achieving these vital goals and is a shining example of what can be accomplished when government, industry and conservation partners work together.”

The AMP, established by Senate Bill 34, allows solar developers to coordinate directly with the state agencies to more efficiently purchase high-value conservation lands as mitigation for large-scale renewable energy projects. The AMP represents another effort by CDFW and other state agencies to streamline the permitting process in order to achieve Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.’s aggressive goal of 33 percent renewable energy for the state by 2020.

“This agreement is yet another achievement in meeting California’s clean energy goals,” said Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas. “The AMP offers a valuable tool to effectively balance our state’s need for clean, renewable energy with our continued commitment to protect sensitive and endangered species.”

“Working through the State’s Advanced Mitigation Program has proven to be an effective alternative for satisfying the Ivanpah project’s mitigation land requirements,” said Marc Sydnor, director of environmental affairs for BrightSource Energy. “We’ve also been able to achieve a project goal of ensuring that the land purchased is used for the highest possible purpose – to protect our state’s natural legacy.”

The AMP authorizes CDFW, in consultation with the Energy Commission, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to design and implement advanced mitigation actions, including the purchase of land and conservation easements to protect, restore and enhance the habitat of California Endangered Species Act-listed plants and animals. The land purchased as part of the program is pooled and can then be applied to qualifying renewable energy projects.

Through the AMP, energy developers have access to suitable, high-value conservations lands to satisfy their project’s mitigation requirements. The AMP provides a more efficient process for purchasing large plots and increases the amount of quality conservation land available for habitat protection.

“Ivanpah is one of the crown jewels in NRG’s solar portfolio, our single largest solar project and the world’s largest solar thermal plant once completed,” said Tom Doyle, president of NRG Solar. “Using innovative thermal technology, the power generated here at Ivanpah will produce enough clean power for more than 140,000 California homes and avoid the emission of 400,000 tons of carbon, helping us in the fight to arrest global climate change.”

The Ivanpah owners, collectively called Solar Partners, paid $6.2 million for the lands purchased to mitigate for the Ivanpah solar project that covers nearly 7,000 acres of desert tortoise habitat and 175 acres of state waters. They also paid an additional $5.2 million as an endowment to provide for the long-term maintenance and management of the lands. The lands are comprised of 163 separate parcels in the Chuckwalla Desert Wildlife Management Area (DWMA) in San Bernardino County, and the Fremont-Kramer DWMA and Superior-Cronese DWMA both in Riverside County. Purchased through a grant from the CDFW, by Mojave Desert Land Trust and Transition Habitat Conservancy, two land trusts hold title and will maintain the properties, while CDFW holds a conservation easement as outlined by SB 34. Solar Partners’ purchase of the mitigation land has reimbursed CDFW for all costs of acquisition and deposited an endowment for long-term maintenance and management of the properties.

For more information:

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/Climate_and_Energy/Renewable_Energy/Fee_Trust_Fund.aspx

http://ivanpahsolar.com/

CDFW Creates First Bighorn Sheep Herd in 25 Years

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), along with volunteers from around the state, has established a new herd of federally endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.

“This is the first reintroduction effort of a new herd of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep since 1988,” said Tom Stephenson, CDFW bighorn recovery program leader.

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Historically, Sierra bighorn were abundant throughout the Sierra Nevada; however, by the 1970s, only two herds remained. Disease spread by domestic sheep and unregulated commercial hunting are believed to have caused their demise.

“Many endangered species remain on the brink of extinction with poor prospects for recovery after they receive federal protection,” said Stephenson. “Through our conservation efforts, we have a unique opportunity to reach recovery goals for an alpine specialist that is native only to California.”

During the week of March 25, 2013 10 female and four male bighorn sheep were captured from two of the largest existing herds in the Sierra Nevada and reintroduced to the vacant herd unit of Olancha Peak at the southern end of the range in Inyo County.  Six additional females were moved to two small northern herds, Convict Creek and Mount Gibbs, for augmentation of those herds.

Following this recent effort, there are now 10 herds of Sierra bighorn between Owens Lake and Mono Lake. Three additional herds are needed to meet recovery goals. The population currently numbers around 500 animals and is up considerably from a low of just over 100 animals.

A video news story is available at http://youtu.be/5KOMCxxTL6U

Note: High-resolution photos and video are available for use at ftp://ftp.dfg.ca.gov/oceo

Media Contacts:
Tom Stephenson, CDFW Wildlife Supervisor, (760) 873-4305
Andrew Hughan, CDFW Communications, (916) 322-8944

Fish and Wildlife Extends Scoping Comment Period on Ballona Wetlands

Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 654-9937, jordan.traverso@wildlife.ca.gov

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has extended the scoping comment period for the Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project from March 1 to March 16. CDFW extended the period in response to many public requests.

For more information about the project, please go to http://santamonicabay.org/ballonarestoration.html.