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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRED21-0003 APPLICATION APPLICATION FORMS B〃枕e Cね職n砂D街a肋肋qfDeveldym捌t ftyices TIM SRELLENGS, DIRECTOR I PETE CALARCq ASSISTANT DIRECroR 7 Co皿ty Cc血書e富D正博 0富0Villc, CA 95少6§ 530. 552.370重冒e嶋叫o皿e 530. 538. 7785細勧CSi血He PROJECTINFORMATION Pi雨ec璃(g鮒U轡e〇億の APPLICANT’SNAME:(Ifapplicantisdi鯨汀entfromownerana縦davitisrequired.) ASSESSOR’SPARCELNUMBER: NorthChicoSolarLLC ADDRESS二　　　　　　　S間T,CITY,STATE,&ZIPCODE TELEPHONE: 22072RockportLane,HuntingtonBeach,CA92646 (714)　　273-1674 E-MAIL:Clarkdanhb@gmail.com FAX: () OWNER’SNAME:ClarkDanielson,PresidentandManagingPartner TELEPHONE: (∴∴∴) ADDRESS:　　　　　　　STREET, CITY, STATE, & ZIP CODE: 22072 Rockport Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92646 PROPERTY皿呼ORMATI ON APPLICATION TYPE □ ADMINESTRATIVE PERMIT □ LEGAL LOT DETERMENATION □ coNDITIONAL USE PERMIT □ MENOR USE PERMT □ coMMUNECATIONS FACILITY UP心ⅡJP □ vARRANCE □ MENOR VARIANCE □ LOT Ln肥ADJUSTMENT ロCERTⅢICATE OF MERGER □ TENTATrVE SUBDIViSION MAP □ TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP □ WAIVER OF PARCEL MAP □ cERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION □ REZONE □ GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT ロMINENG AND RECLAMATION PLAN □ DEVELOPMENT AGR関MENT OTHER Pre-CUP EDAC 騨ROJ圏CT DESCRⅡ章T重O即 FULL I)ESCRⅢON OF PROPOSED PROJECT /A地狐血meCeSS狐v cheets. Ifthis aoulicati(m is for a land divisiom descri教場也e nunker and size OWNER CERTIFICÅTION ACCURATE" (If an agem is to be au血orized, eXeCute an a能davit of authorization and include血e a餓davit wi血this application.) 。A梱: N。v。mb。r 18. 2。2。　　　SIGNATU-RE,藍本{〆「 Please contact Plaming Division Staffwith any questions. Butte County Department of Development Services TIM SNELLINGS, DIRECTOR | PETE CALARCO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 (530)552-3701 Telephone (530)538-7785 Facsimile PROJECT SETTING DESCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS Applicant Name: ________________________________________Project Number:________________ Please address the following in the space provided. Attach a separate sheet of paper, if needed: 1. Identify any applicable proposed development schedule, including anticipated, incremental, or phased development and all associate projects. 2. List and describe any other related permits and other public approvals required for this project, including those required by city, regional, state and federal agencies. 3. Describe the site as it exists before the project, including information on topography, soil stability, plants, animals, and any cultural, historical, or scenic aspects. Describe any existing structures on the site and the use of the structures. 4. Describe the surrounding properties, including information on plants, animals and any cultural, historical, or s scenic aspects. Indicate the type of land use (residential, commercial, etc.), intensity of land use (one-family, apartment houses, shops, department stores, etc.), and scale of development (height, frontage, setback, rear yard, etc.). 5 5. Include any special studies prepared for the project site including, but not limited to traffic, biology, wetlands d delineation, archaeology, etc. PROJECT SUMMARY NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING PROJECT SUMMARY DECEMBER | 2020 Prepared for: North Chico Solar Preparer: Benchmark Resources NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING Project Summary i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 1 2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................. 1 3. REQUESTED ENTITLEMENTS .................................................................................................... 1 4. SITE SETTING ............................................................................................................................ 2 4.1 Project Location and Access ....................................................................................................... 2 4.2 Existing Land Uses ....................................................................................................................... 3 4.3 Surrounding Land Uses .............................................................................................................. 3 4.4 General Plan Land Use Designations and Zoning Classifications ........................................... 3 4.5 Agricultural Use ad Agricultural Preserve Contracts ............................................................... 4 4.6 Soils ............................................................................................................................................... 4 4.7 Biology and Waters ..................................................................................................................... 4 5. SITE PLAN .................................................................................................................................. 4 5.1 Solar Tracker Installation and Operation .................................................................................. 4 5.2 Substation and Battery Storage Area ........................................................................................ 5 5.3 Point of Interconnection/ Switchyard ....................................................................................... 6 5.4 Laydown Area and O&M Facilities ............................................................................................. 6 5.5 Roads ............................................................................................................................................ 6 TABLES Table 1 Assessor Parcel and Land Use Designations ............................................................................................ 2 Table 2 Surrounding Land Uses ................................................................................................................................... 3 FIGURES Figure 1 Regional Location Figure 2 Site Location Figure 3 Existing Conditions Aerial Photograph Figure 4 General Plan Designations Figure 5 Zoning Figure 6 Important Farmland Figure 7 Soils Figure 8 Biological Species Map Figure 9 Site Plan NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING Project Summary 1 1. OVERVIEW North Chico Solar (NCS) proposes to construct and operate the 300 Mega-Watt, Alternating Current (MWac) North Chico Solar Farm (the “project”) in unincorporated Butte and Tehama Counties (County). The proposed project facilities will be located on thirteen parcels totaling approximately 3,191 acres. Project facilities will include the solar trackers, power collection and invertors, substation, and point of intersection/switchyard. The northeastern portion of the property provides access to a 230 Kilovolt (kV) power line operated by the Western Area Power Authority (WAPA). This project meets the requirements for Utility-Scale Solar projects articulated in the Butte “Utility-Scale Solar Guide” that was passed by the Butte County Board of Supervisors in 2017. 2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES The primary purpose of the project is operation of the North Chico Solar Farm to produce a clean renewable source of energy. To that end, NCS has the following project objectives: • Construct a commercially viable and financeable utility scale solar farm that has the capabilities to produce 300MWac of solar power. • Locate the project on a land holding that provides sufficient acreage and sunlight to support the facilities necessary to generate utility scale solar power. • Locate the project near an existing regional power line system with the capabilities to accept the projects solar power production levels. • Provide a renewable and clean power generation source consistent with the County Utility Scale Solar Guide. • Generate solar power that will reduce the reliance on greenhouse gas producing power sources thereby eliminating approximately 530,000 metric tons of greenhouses gases annually. • Locate project facilities within a large open space property holding to provide buffer areas and minimize the potential for adverse environmental effects on neighboring properties. • Develop a project that is designed to maintain onsite historic cattle ranching operations and minimize impacts to “waters of the United States” and associated biological species. • Provide jobs with a fair living wage for skilled workers. 3. REQUESTED ENTITLEMENTS The following primary entitlement and discretionary action from the County is anticipated for the project: • approval of a use permit that will allow: − construction of the solar farm and associated support facilities, and − operation of the solar array and associated facilities to support transmission of solar power to adjacent regional power lines. In addition, it is anticipated the project may require the following additional approvals and agreements: • Western Area Power Administration Interconnection Agreement • California Community Choice Aggregator Power Purchase Agreement • U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Clean Water Act section 404 permit • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 7 (or Section 10) incidental take permit • California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered Species Act, incidental take permit NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING Project Summary 2 • California Department of Fish and Wildlife Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement • Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan General Construction Activity Storm Water Permit • Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan • Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Section 401 Water Quality Certification 4. SITE SETTING 4.1 Project Location and Access The project site is located in northern unincorporated Butte County and southern unincorporated Tehama County, California (see Figure 1, “Regional Location”). The project site is approximately 10 miles north of the city of Chico and approximately 25 miles south of the city of Red Bluff (see Figure 2, “Site Location”). The project site is generally flat with elevations on the western portion of the site approximately 200 feet mean sea level (msl) that gradually increases to approximately 450 feet msl on the eastern portion of the site. The project site is accessed from California State Route (SR) 99 (see Figure 2). The project site is comprised of 13 parcels totaling approximately 3,191 acres within Butte and Tehama counties. Table 1, “Assessor Parcel Numbers and Land Use Designations,” provides the parcel numbers, acreages, and land use designations of the parcels within the project site. TABLE 1 ASSESSOR PARCEL AND LAND USE DESIGNATIONS Parcel Number Acreage General Plan Designation Zoning BUTTE COUNTY 047-070-102 218.6 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 047-100-194 241.25 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-160 047-100-198 236.73 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 047-100-199 55.28 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 047-720-001 631.24 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 047-730-001 38.19 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 047-730-002 80.04 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 047-730-003 484.39 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 047-730-004 581.62 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 047-730-005 38.2 Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) AG-40 TEHAMA COUNTY 081-270-015 340 Upland Agriculture (UA) AG-1 - Agriculture, Upland District NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING Project Summary 3 Parcel Number Acreage General Plan Designation Zoning 081-270-030 164.02 Upland Agriculture (UA) AG-1 - Agriculture, Upland District 081-270-031 81.49 Upland Agriculture (UA) AG-1 - Agriculture, Upland District Sources: Butte County 2020, Butte County Zoning Ordinance. Tehama County 2020, Tehama County Zoning Ordinance. 4.2 Existing Land Uses As shown on Figure 3, “Existing Conditions Aerial Photograph,” the project site is open space used for cattle grazing. The site has been used as ranch land for cattle grazing since the 1800s. Currently, it is grazing land for between 200-800 head of Black Angus cattle that reside on the site during the winter grazing season. After winter grazing, the cattle are moved to the Sierra foothills, allowing the onsite vegetation to regenerate during the late spring and summer months. The site is primarily composed of annual grassland habitat with areas of oak woodland in the northeastern portion of the properties. Within these habitats exist large complexes of aquatic features that are considered potential jurisdictional waters of the U.S and State. These potentially jurisdictional waters consist of drainages, vernal pools and swales, seasonal wetlands, and ponds. Portions of Pine Creek flow through the site from east to west following the natural slope of the land. Onsite structures include barns, residences, and cattle lean-tos. The three barns are used to store ranching equipment and feed for the cattle. The residences are for the property owners and some of the ranch hands. Lean-tos are scattered throughout the property for the cattle to seek shade. See Figure 3 for a location of these structures. 4.3 Surrounding Land Uses The project site is surrounded by undeveloped open space, SR 99, and low-density residential development. Figure 3 shows the shows the surrounding land uses. Table 2, “Surrounding Land Uses,” provides a summary of the locations of the surrounding land uses and the receptors closest to the project site. TABLE 2 SURROUNDING LAND USES Direction Land Use North Open space, cattle grazing West SR 99, agriculture South Open space, cattle grazing, agriculture, rural residential East Open space, cattle grazing, rural residential 4.4 General Plan Land Use Designations and Zoning Classifications Table 1, above, provides the Butte County General Plan (Butte County 2018), Tehama County General Plan (Tehama County 2009), and zoning land use designations for each parcel within the project site. See Figure 4, “General Plan Designations” and Figure 5, “Zoning.” NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING Project Summary 4 4.5 Agricultural Use ad Agricultural Preserve Contracts The California Department of Conservation Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program rates the project site as “Grazing Land” and “Other Land” (see Figure 6, “Important Farmlands”). None of the land within the project site is rated as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. In addition, the property is not subject to a Williamson Act contract. 4.6 Soils The U.S. Department of Agriculture soil survey has identified numerous soil types within the property. Figure 7, “Site Soils,” shows the locations of these onsite soil types. 4.7 Biology and Waters Figure 8, “Biological Species Map,” depicts the location of sensitive resources that have been recorded within a 1-mile radius of the property in the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Critical Habitat Portal. The CNDDB report indicates eleven special status species have been recorded within a one (1) mile vicinity of the project site including vernal pool fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, conservancy fairy shrimp, wooly meadowfoam, and Butte County meadowfoam. The USFWS Critical Habitat Portal identified designated vernal pool fairy shrimp, conservancy fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, and Butte County meadowfoam critical habitat near the easternmost portion of the project site. Gallaway Enterprises (GE) has performed a Preliminary Wetlands Assessment on a portion of the property and identified the potential for complexes of potentially jurisdictional wetlands and “waters.” In addition, a preliminary jurisdictional determination was previously received from the United States Army Corps of Engineers that concurred with the amount and location of wetlands and other waters on the southern parcels. There is a potential for federally and State listed vernal pool plant and invertebrate species to occur in wetland features throughout the project site, specifically within vernal pool habitats. Typical onsite vegetation is annual grassland but also includes Whiteleaf manzanita, toyon, interior live oak, Pacific madrone, canyon live oak, foothill pine, ponderosa pine, and poison oak. 5. SITE PLAN The project proposes to construct and operate a 300 MWac solar farm. The project includes the construction and operation of the solar array, substation, internal power collection and battery storage system, and point of interconnection line. In addition, the project site will include an operations and maintenance (O&M) building and internal roads for site security and maintenance. The following sections provide a description of the construction methods used for the various facilities and their long-term operational uses. Figure 9, “Site Plan,” provides an overview of the solar farm and location of the proposed facilities. 5.1 Solar Tracker Installation and Operation The project proposes to install and operate between 9,300 – 16,100 solar trackers on the 3,191-acre project site. The solar trackers will be attached to an approximately 8- to 12-foot concrete pier that will raise the solar tracker above grade approximately 15 feet in the stowed (flat) position and approximately 7 feet when tilted at 40 degrees. The solar tracker has a maximum tilt of 60 degrees but would only be used in this position when cattle were not onsite. Each solar tracker can support approximately 48 to 80 solar modules/panels for a total of approximately 760,000 to 775,000 solar modules/panels. Two solar tracker NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING Project Summary 5 models are currently under consideration by NCS. One model spans 65 feet, and the piers supporting the trackers would be separated by approximately 100 feet. The second model spans 40 feet, and the piers supporting the trackers would be separated by approximately 65 feet. Figure 9 depicts the preliminary solar tracker locations and a cross-section of their stowed and tilted positions. Prior to the installation of the concrete piers that support the solar trackers, vegetation in the construction area will be cleared or trimmed, as needed, to reduce fire risk and allow construction vehicle access. Vegetation removal and trimming will be limited to those areas needed for access and pier installation. Installation and foundational support of the piers will occur in one of two construction methods. The first construction method would use a drill to create the hole for the pier. The pier would be constructed to a depth approximately 20 to 25 feet below ground surface with approximately 8 to12 feet above grade. This construction method does not require concrete footings or other support to maintain stability. The second construction method would use a concrete footing/pedestal to stabilize the tracker. The concrete pedestal would be placed approximately 3 feet below grade and would be between 7 and 12 feet square. A concrete pillar would extend approximately 10 feet above grade to support the tracker. At this time, it is anticipated the first construction method would be utilized to minimize the surface and subsurface disturbance footprint and potential impacts to surrounding aquatic features. Installation of the piers/pedestals to support the solar trackers will generally follow the existing land contours. Localized grading would only be utilized where necessary to address major variations in topography. Given the relatively flat topography, it is anticipated, surface grading will be minimal and limited to only those areas necessary for installation of the piers/pedestals. As discussed in more detail in the sections below, surface grading will be necessary for construction of the permanent internal access and maintenance roads; concrete pad locations for transmission equipment, laydown areas, substation, and the O&M building; internal transmission poles; and other ancillary facilities. Once the piers/pedestals are constructed, the tracker framing will be attached. Once framing is complete, modules/panels will be delivered and installed on the frames. The modules/panels will produce direct current (DC) for eventual transmission to the WAPA transmission line. To connect to the WAPA transmission line, the DC produced by each tracker will need to be combined with other trackers, converted to alternating current (AC), and “stepped up” to a higher voltage. Once operational, each tracker will generate DC. Trackers will be grouped into 90 to 110 units where their DC will be collected, combined, and transmitted to a dedicated power conversion station. Each unit of trackers will be electrically connected by wire harnesses and combiner boxes. These harnesses and combiner boxes will then collect the DC power and feed the project’s power conversion stations via DC cables placed in underground covered trenches. Trenching will be required for electrical conductors that connect the trackers to the power conversion stations, which are in turn connected to the substation. Approximately 100 – 160 power conversion stations will be installed on concrete pads throughout the project site. Collection equipment and inventors at the power conversion stations will convert the DC from the trackers to low voltage AC. The low voltage AC will be transmitted to the substation via underground wiring. 5.2 Substation and Battery Storage Area The project substation will be in the north-central portion of the site and cover approximately 3 acres. The substation will collect all AC power transmitted from the power conversion stations and use transformers to “step up” the low-voltage AC power to 230kv. Aboveground towers will transmit the power from the substation to the switchyard and point of interconnection with the 230kV WAPA transmission line. The NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING Project Summary 6 substation area will be surrounded by security fencing and locked gates consistent with current regulations. The substation pad will be designed to capture any spills of insulator material within the transformers. Adjacent to the substation will be an approximately 4-acre battery storage area. The battery storage area will have an approximately 120 MW storage capacity. The batteries will collect and store power for transmission during a variety of situations, including when power generation is high but demand for power is low, after sunset, or on cloudy days. 5.3 Point of Interconnection/ Switchyard The project point of intersection with the 230 kV WAPA transmission line will occur at the proposed switchyard and occupy an approximately 2-acre area in the northeastern corner of the project site. The switchyard will collect power from the substation and transmit the power to the 230 kV WAPA transmission line. A small control building will be located near the switch gear and accessible to authorized high-voltage personnel only. The building will house electrical control equipment, safety relays, and other similar electrical equipment. This infrastructure will be constructed by NCS but owned and operated by WAPA. 5.4 Laydown Area and O&M Facilities The project’s laydown area and O&M facilities will be constructed within the northeastern portion of the site. The total area is approximately 14 acres and will provide areas for materials and equipment storage, prefabricated buildings for site personnel, parking, and other necessary facilities. Any permanent structures would be set on concrete slab. 5.5 Roads Although the existing surrounding public roadway network and internal ranch roads will be used to the greatest extent possible, new internal unpaved roads may be necessary to serve as access roads from the existing road network to project facilities. All new permanent internal access roads within the project site would be cleared of vegetation, graded, and covered with aggregate. Internal roadways would be no wider than necessary to support project personnel, maintenance, and security vehicles. All other areas not utilized for access roads or other permanent project facilities will be left in their natural state. NORTH CHICO SOLAR PREAPPLICATION MEETING Project Summary 7 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK FIGURES ^_ Y u b aYubaCount yCounty B u t t eButteCountyCounty T e h a m aTehamaCountyCounty B u t t eButteCountyCounty G l e n nGlennCountyCounty Lake Oroville S a c r a me n t o R i v e r Thermalito Afterbay Black Butte Lake Wilson Lake Snag Lake Philbrook ReservoirMorris Lake Green Island Lake%&'(5 ·|}þ36 ·|}þ32 ·|}þ99 ·|}þ70 ·|}þ162 ·|}þ99W ·|}þ191 ·|}þ45 ·|}þ172 ·|}þ149 ·|}þ48 ·|}þ89 ·|}þ162 ·|}þ32 ·|}þ36 ·|}þ162 Durham Chico Concow Mineral Palermo Paradise Oroville East Magalia Oroville Thermalito Red Bluff Rancho Tehama Reserve Willows Orland Corning Los Molinos Hamilton City Regional LocationNORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECT DESCRIPTIONFigure 1 SOURCE: ESRI World Shaded Relief accessed Dec 2020, ESRI World Topographic Map accessed Dec 2020; ESRI World Streetmap, 2009; compiled by Benchmark Resources in 2020Conceptual Project Description, 2015-10-07, V:\DATA2\CURRENT PROJECTS\434 - North Chico Solar\434 - Figures\434 - Project Description\434_Figure 01 - Regional Location_v1.mxd40 8 16Miles Project Location ^_Project Location City Boundary County Boundary Interstate Highway State Route Highway Inset Map - Not to Scale Map Area ·|}þ99 B u t t eButte C o u n t yCounty T e h a m aTehama C o u n t yCounty Chico ·|}þ99 ·|}þ32 Glenn-Colusa Canal 2 0 3 Bell Rd Cana Hwy 9 C a m p b e llv ille T rlAnita Rd Lassen Rd East Ave Bennett Rd K e e f e r R d P in e C re e k T rlMeridian RdC o h a s s e t R d Nord Hwy Wilson Landing RdLeininger RdE spla n a d e Hicks LnEaton RdBallard Rd4Wd RdRock Creek Dr Lassen AveRowles Rd Barber Rd V in a R d Garner LnGianella RdDriveway Munjar Rd R on e y T rlCana Pine Creek RdReed Orchard Rd R i c h a r d s o n S p r in g s R d Broyles Rd Ceres AveSouth AveNord Gianella Rd L i n do A v e1St AveCarmen LnSt ephens RdWookey Rd 2 0 5 Park DrWill T Rd B ay A v e H enshaw AveD St Muir AveW ild w o o d A ve Oasis Dr Renkow Rd Starflower Ln Chico Canyon RdF ortre s s S t V a d n e y A v e Kel sey DrMr Tracy LnHamilton Nord Cana HwyGaia WayDivision LnJake Rd Anthony Ln Levens AveHagenridge RdG a r d e n B r o o k D r Ocean DrS yc a m o r e D rCamenzind CtThorntree DrDriveway Driveway Hamilton Nord Cana HwyAnthony Ln Driveway D rivew ay Driveway Driveway Meridian RdD riveway Driveway 1St AveSite LocationNORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECT DESCRIPTIONFigure 2 SOURCE: ESRI World Shaded Relief accessed December 2020, ESRI World Topographic Map accessed December 2020; ESRI WorldStreetmap, 2009; Adapted by Benchmark Resources in 2020Conceptual Project Description, 2015-10-07, V:\DATA2\CURRENT PROJECTS\434 - North Chico Solar\434 - Figures\434 - Project Description\434_Figure 02 - Site Location_v1.mxd10 2 4 Miles Property Boundary City Boundary County Boundary State Route Highway Street River Feet8,00002,0004,000Existing Conditions Aerial PhotographNORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECT DESCRIPTIONFigure 3SOURCE: Aerial–Google Earth 8-6-2019; Base Data–Blue Oak Energy, 2020; created by Benchmark Resources in 2020D:\_BENCHMARK CURRENT PROJECT\434 - North Chico Solar\434 - Figures\434 - Project Description Site BoundaryNOTES:1.This base file has been created by Blue Oak Energy from publicly available information(Google Images and County Assessor's Maps). The accuracy of this information hasnot been verified and Blue Oak Energy does not represent that it is reliable forpurposes beyond the early stage electrical development it has been created for.Surface Disturbance±XX.X acres B u t t eButte C o u n t yCounty T e h a m aTehama C o u n t yCounty General PlanNORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECECT DESCRIPTIONFigure 4 SOURCE: General Plan: Tehama County Draft General Plan, 2005-2025; Butte County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division, printed 4-13-2017; ESRI World Streetmap, 2009; compiled by Benchmark Resources in 2020Conceptual Project Description, 2015-10-07, V:\DATA2\CURRENT PROJECTS\434 - North Chico Solar\434 - Figures\434 - Project Description\434_Figure 04 - General Plan_v1.mxdNOTES: This figure was prepared for land use planning and informational purposes only. The info shown and its accuracy are refelctive of the date the data was accessed or produced. 1,5000 4,000 8,000Feet Butte County Agriculture (20-ac to 160-ac minimum) Agriculture/Agriculture Services Tehama County Upland Agricutlure Valley Floor Agriculture AG Multi Site Boundary County Boundary UA VFA AG Multi AG VFA UA B u t t eButte C o u n t yCounty T e h a m aTehama C o u n t yCounty ZoningNORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECECT DESCRIPTIONFigure 5 SOURCE: Zoning: Tehama County Public Works GIS Data Downloads portol, accessed Dec. 2020; Butte County GIS, Assessor, and regional GIS groups, accessed Dec. 2020; ESRI World Streetmap, 2009; compiled by Benchmark Resources in 2020Conceptual Project Description, 2015-10-07, V:\DATA2\CURRENT PROJECTS\434 - North Chico Solar\434 - Figures\434 - Project Description\434_Figure 05 - Zoning_v1.mxdNOTES: This figure was prepared for land use planning and informational purposes only. The info shown and its accuracy are refelctive of the date the data was accessed or produced. 1,5000 4,000 8,000Feet Site Boundary Butte County Agriculture - 20 (20-acre minimum) Agriculture - 40 (40-acre minimum) Agriculture - 80 (80-acre minimum) Agriculture - 80/Agricultural Services Agriculture - 160 (160-acre minimum) Tehama County Agricultural/Upland District Agricultural/Valley District AG-1 AG-2 Multi AG-160 AG-80 AG-40 AG-20 AG-2 AG-40 AG-20 AG-40 AG-40 AG-80 AG-160Multi AG-1 County Boundary SOURCE: California Department of Conservation Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program data download 2000 version; ESRI World Topographic Map accessed July 2017; ESRI World Streetmap, 2009; compiled by Benchmark Resources in 2020Conceptual Project Description, 2015-10-07, V:\DATA2\CURRENT PROJECTS\434 - North Chico Solar\434 - Figures\434 - Project Description\434_Figure 07 - FMML__v1.mxdNOTES: This figure was prepared for land use planning and informational purposes only. The info shown and its accuracy are refelctive of the date the data was accessed or produced. Site Boundary County Boundary 2,0000 4,000 8,000Feet Prime Farmland Farmland of Statewide Importance Unique Farmland Grazing Land Other Land Urban and Built-up Land Important Farmlands NORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECECT DESCRIPTION Figure 6 Farmland of Local Importance Soils NORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECT DESCRIPTION Figure 7a Soils NORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECT DESCRIPTION Figure 7b Biological Species Map NORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECT DESCRIPTION Figure 8 Preliminary Site Plan NORTH CHICO SOLAR—PROJECT DESCRIPTION Figure 9 TECHNICAL STUDIES !È !È !È !È !ÈP05 P04 P03 P02 P01 OW01 OW04 OW02 WF189 WF066 WF059 WF186 WF078 WF072 WF081 WF100 WF077 WF129 WF063 WF069 WF169 WF177 WF076 WF088 WF089 WF215 WF143 WF075 WF087 WF086 WF195 WF083 WF079 WF135 WF188 WF090 WF116 WF190 WF210 WF171 WF167 WF208 WF175 WF181 WF214 WF205 WF168 WF064 WF070 WF062 WF159 WF061 WF182 WF080 WF067 WF092 WF211 WF166 WF127 WF191 WF164 WF160 WF138 WF221 WF085 WF151WF142 WF162 WF223 WF209 WF094 WF098 WF123 WF149 WF145 WF213 WF220 WF082 WF199 WF093 WF194 WF203 WF153 WF097 WF139 WF202 WF196 WF141 WF091 WF176 WF222 WF187 WF095 WF173 WF140 WF084 WF224 WF146 WF201 WF125 WF165 WF192 WF128 WF073 WF068 WF121 WF163 WF074 WF180 WF212 WF130 WF137 WF136 WF071 WF120 WF204 WF152 WF207 WF065 WF150 WF122 WF200 WF126 WF119 WF185 WF197 WF156 WF172 WF179 WF157 WF184 WF161 WF225 WF158 WF155 WF193 WF144 WF131 WF060 WF183 WF148 WF174 WF147 WF124 WF132 WF099 WF178 WF206 WF198 WF118 WF170 WF134 WF154 WF133 WF096 WF117 OW07 C5 C3 C4 C1 C2 TP18 TP17 TP16 TP15 TP14 TP13 TP12 U084 U225 W224 U221 U215 U214 U213 U212 U210 U208 U207 U206 U205U204 U202 U198 U197 U196 U195 U194 U193 U192U191 U190 U188 U187 U185 U181 U178 U177 U176 U175 U173 U170 U168 U163 U162 U159 U155 U153 U152 U151 U150 U148 U147 U146 U143 U139 U135 U128 U127 U124 U123 U122 U119 U100 U099 U092 U091 U090 U089U088 U087 U086 U082 U081 U080 U079 U078 U077 U075 U073 U072 U071 U069 U068 U067 U066 U063 U062 U060 U059 U061 U189 U186 U166U222/U223U183/U184 U179/U180 U171/U172 U095/U157 U220 U209U203 U201 U182 U174 U167 U154 U149 U142 U141 U140 U133 U132 U131 U130 U129 U126 U125 U116 U097 U096 U085 U083 U074 U070 U065 U064 U076 U169 U199/U200 U164/U165 U160/U161 U144/U145 U136/U138 U134/U137 U120/U121 U117/U118 U098/U156 U094/U158 U093/U211 U223 W204 W191 W178 W161 W160 W159 W156 W154 W140 W137 W132 W126 W099 W088 W083 W068 W067 W066 W084 W225 U224 W222 W220 W221 W215 W214 W213 W212 W211 W210 W209 W208 W207 W206 W205 W203 W202 W201 W200 W199 W198 W197 W196 W195 W194 W193 W192 W190 W188 W187 W185 W184 W183 W182 W181 W180 W179W177 W176 W175 W174 W173 W172 W171 W170 W168 W167 W165 W164 W163 W162 W158 W157 W155 W153 W152 W151 W150W149 W148 W147 W146 W145W144 W143 W142 W141 W139 W138 W136 W135 W134 W133 W131 W130 W129 W128 W127 W125 W124 W123 W122 W121 W120 W119 W118 W117 W116 W100 W098W097 W096 W095 W094 W093 W092 W091 W090 W089 W087 W086 W085 W082 W081 W080 W079 W078 W077 W075 W074 W073 W072 W071 W070 W069 W065 W063 W062 W060 W059 W061 W064 W076 W189 W186 W169 W166 Cana Highway Foothill View Road39°51'17.806"N121°56'50.481"W Grand Prairie RoadHigh way 99 39°50'25.792"N121°56'17.727"W Highway 99 RanchDraft Delineation of WOTUSExhibit A.1M0100200300400500Feet 1:4,500 Data Sources: ESRI (imagery sourced 04/11/18, Butte County)GE: #18-038 Map Date: 04/11/18 1 inch = 375 feet Project Boundary - (248.43 acres) 5 foot contours Culvert - C# Flow Direction !È Photo Points Data Points Test Pit - TP# Upland - U# Wetland - W# Other Waters of the U.S. - (OW# - 2.770 acres) NRPW PondWetland Features - (WF# - 13.193 acres) Seasonal Swale Seasonal Wetland Vernal Pool Vernal Swale The features represented on this graphicare considered preliminary until writtenverifcation by the USACE. USGS 7.5' Quad: NordT23N, R01W, Section 14UTM Zone 10 Delineation By: E. Gregg and M. MurphyMap By: E. Schultz XXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X X X X XX X XX X XX X XX X XXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX CLARK DANIELSON DRAWN:CHK'D:P.M.:PROJECT #:NOR0.19.001PRINTED:03/30/2020FILE NAME:W111_DUAL.dwg- INTERNAL USE ONLY -JTAHXXXBOE - ARCH D SIZE - 24"x36" © Blue Oak Energy, LLCW-111 ® 3947 Lennane Drive, Suite 200 Sacramento, CA 95834 www.blueoakenergy.com 530.747.2026 NORTH CHICO, LLCPROJECT ADDRESSPRELIMINARYNOT FOR CONSTRUCTIONAPPROX. NORTH D 1 C B A 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 D C B A ARRAY PLAN - PHASE 1(DUAL-AXIS TRACKER)N 0° 90°270° 180° ARRAY AZIMUTH PRELIMINARY-03.12.2020JT0 SCALE: 250 500 1000 1" = 500' SYSTEM SUMMARY PHASE I MODULE MODEL Q-CELL DUO MODULE STC DC RATING 420W MODULES PER SOURCE CIRCUIT 30 TOTAL MODULE COUNT 54,630 TRACKER COUNT 607 TOTAL STC DC SYSTEM SIZE 22.9 MW TOTAL AC SYSTEM SIZE TBD INVERTER MODEL TBD RACKING SYSTEM MECHATRON M18KD DUAL-AXIS TRACKERS ROW TO ROW SPACING [OR GCR]67.18' (N-S); 37.70' (E-W) MODULE TILT ±60° ARRAY AZIMUTH -180° TO +180° SITE LATITUDE 39.854712° UPDATE WHERE ENTRANCE LEGEND U.S . H IGHWAY 99MERIDIAN ROADRENKOW ROADMERIDIAN ROADANTHONY LANEMERIDIAN MEADOWS LANEROADGRAND PRAIRIE (E) POND AVOIDED (E) BUILDINGS CANA HIGHWAY (N) SITE ENTRANCE (N) SITE FENCE (TYP) XX PROPERTY LINE ADJACENT PROPERTY LINE PROPERTY SETBACK (E) STREAM (E) WETLAND (E) POND 25' SETBACK (E) ROAD (N) FENCE (N) ACCESS ROAD INVERTER FOOTPRINT (N) DUAL-AXIS TRACKER (N) EQUIPMENT PAD (N) 20.0' ACCESS ROAD WILL T ROAD FRAZIER LANE JAKE ROAD FOOTHILL VIEW ROADMERIDIAN ROADMUNJAR ROAD (E) CULVERT (TYP) 117 Meyers Street • Suite 120 • Chico CA 95928 • 530-332-9909 1 Preliminary Wetland Assessment – Roney Lands – Approx. 3,197 Acres Gallaway Enterprises Confidential: Attorney Work Product September 2, 2020 Alicia Guerra 55 Second Street, Suite 1700 San Francisco, CA 94105-3493 RE: Preliminary Wetland Assessment – Roney Lands – Approx. 3,197 Acres (3,194.2 acres per GIS) Ms. Guerra Per your request we have completed an evaluation of the Roney Lands that straddle the border of Butte and Tehama Counties (Figure 1). The purpose of our evaluation is to provide a professional opinion regarding, 1) the location and extent of any features that meet the current regulatory criteria to be considered “waters of the United States” or “waters of the State”, and 2) the existence of habitat for or actual presence of any plants or animals listed as threatened or endangered pursuant to either the State or Federal Endangered Species Acts. We have based our evaluation on a review of current aerial photography, a site visit conducted on August 26, 2020 a review of the current California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB), a review of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Critical Habitat Mapper, current soil report from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and over 20 years’ experience identifying wetlands in northern California. The determination of potentially jurisdictional features is based on the current definition of WOTUS as defined by the Clean Water Act (CWA) or WOTS as defined by the California State Water Board’s State Wetland Definition and Procedures for Discharges of Dredged or Fill Material to Waters of the State, and their implementing regulations. This evaluation was completed by Jody Gallaway, Senior Regulatory Biologist, and Kevin Sevier, Senior Planner. Prior to performing the field survey Gallaway Enterprises conducted a desktop evaluation to determine potential locations of jurisdictional waters, habitat for special-status species, and critical habitat. The desktop evaluation map of waters and potential special-status species habitat was then ground-truthed and each feature was investigated to determine current jurisdictional status. 2 Preliminary Wetland Assessment – Roney Lands – Approx. 3,197 Acres Gallaway Enterprises Our process for conducting the desktop evaluation involved a comparison of publicly available aerial photography from Google, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and ESRI. We compared aerial photographs taken at various times of years, over a period of 20 or more years and we mapped features that exhibit wetland signatures that appear repeatedly on aerial photographs. Wetlands were identified based on vegetation, visible hydrology and geography. A margin of error is inherent in the use of imagery; thus, detailed on-the-ground inspection of any particular site may result in revision of the wetland boundaries or classification established through image analysis. Existing Conditions Current land uses practices within the site consist of cattle grazing, rural home sites, and an active aggregate mining operation. Portions of Pine Creek flow through the site from east to west following the natural slope of the land. The site is primarily composed of annual grassland habitat with areas of oak woodland in the northeastern portion of the properties. Within these habitats exist large complexes of aquatic features that are considered potential jurisdictional waters of the U.S and State. These potentially jurisdictional waters consist of intermittent and ephemeral drainages, vernal pools and swales, seasonal wetlands and ponds. Results Figure 2 depicts the location of sensitive resources that have been recorded within a 1-mile radius of the property in the CNDDB and the USFWS critical habitat portal. Information in the CNDDB is used to predict species occurrence, but information within the CNDDB can be faulty. There is no peer review or independent verification of CNDDB data. The CNDDB report indicates eleven special status species have been recorded within a one (1) mile vicinity of the property. There are several occurrences of vernal pool fairy shrimp (FT), vernal pool tadpole shrimp (FE), conservancy fairy shrimp (FE), wooly meadowfoam (California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Rank 4.2) and Butte County meadowfoam (FE/SE) within the property boundary.1 There is USFWS designated vernal pool fairy shrimp, conservancy fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp and Butte County meadowfoam critical habitat located within the easternmost portion of the property. There is a potential for federally and State listed vernal pool plant and invertebrate species to occur in wetland features throughout the property site, specifically within vernal pool habitats. Either the assumption of presence or protocol level surveys to determine presence or absence of listed 1 FE=Federally Endangered, FT = Federally Threatened, SE = State Endangered, CNPS = California Native Plant Society 3 Preliminary Wetland Assessment – Roney Lands – Approx. 3,197 Acres Gallaway Enterprises invertebrates would be necessary as part of an application to fill wetland features. Butte County meadowfoam has the highest potential for occurrence in specific soil types. Those soil types are known as 301-Wafap-Hamslough complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes and 302-Redtough-Redswale, 0 to 2 percent slope soils (Figure 3). Multi-year protocol level surveys for Butte County meadowfoam would be necessary as part of an application to fill wetland features. Surveys for other listed species would likely be required as well. Following a site visit and review of aerial photography, the approximate locations of jurisdictional features within the site are presented in Figure 4. This assessment is no substitute for conducting a formal delineation of waters and should be used for planning purposes only. Pine Creek, and another unnamed intermittent creek flow west across the northern half of the site and are identified on United States Geological Service (USGS) maps as blue lines. All drainages represented on maps as USGS blue lines fall within the Jurisdiction of the State, as well as US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). A number of other potentially jurisdictional drainages also occur within the site. There are several impoundments created for the purposes of providing water to cattle on the site. Due to the potential jurisdictional status of these drainages and aquatic features, any fill or changes to their banks would require a permit from the USACE and/or State. We recommend that any proposed activities including but not limited to filling, realigning, removing, or de-watering any wetland, drainage, or other aquatic feature on the property be avoided until the wetland boundaries can be more accurately defined with a formal delineation of waters. Summary The site contains large complexes of potentially jurisdictional wetlands and drainages. Impacts to any of these waters of the United States for the purposes of a change in land use would require a permit from the USACE and State Water Resources Control Board, formal consultation with the USFWS, and compensatory mitigation. Consultation and permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife would also be required. 4 Preliminary Wetland Assessment – Roney Lands – Approx. 3,197 Acres Gallaway Enterprises Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at (530) 332-9909 or kevin@gallawayenterprises.com. Sincerely, Kevin Sevier, Vice President Attachments: Figure 1: Project Location Map Figure 2: CNDDB and USFWS Critical Habitat Map Figure 3: Soils Map Units Figure 4: Preliminary Wetland Assessment PineCreek Wookey RdRoneyTrl ¬«99 Buchalter - Roney LandsProject Location MapFigure 1M00.5 1 Miles Data Sources: ESRI, Butte and Tehama Counties GE: #20-036 Map Date: 08/28/2020 Project Boundary - (3,194.2 acres) 1:50,000 Project Location USGS 7.5' Quads: Richardson Springs NW,Nord, Campbell MoundT24N, R01W, Sections 34, 35, 36T24N, R01E, Sections 31, 32, 33T23N, R01W, Sections 3, 2, 1, 10, 11T23N, R01E, Sections 6, 5UTM Zone 10 Chinook salmon Vernal pool fairy shrimpConservancy fairy shrimp Vernal pool tadpole shrimpButte County meadowfoamwestern mastiff bat vernal pool tadpole shrimp Northern Hardpan Vernal Pool woolly meadowfoam woolly meadowfoam Coulter's goldfields Swainson's hawk woolly meadowfoam vernal pool tadpole shrimp vernal pool tadpole shrimp burrowing owl vernal pool fairy shrimp vernal pool fairy shrimp adobe-lily vernal pool fairy shrimp woolly meadowfoam vernal pool fairy shrimp vernal pool fairy shrimp Butte County meadowfoam vernal pool tadpole shrimp vernal pool fairy shrimp Butte County meadowfoam Conservancy fairy shrimp vernal pool fairy shrimp vernal pool fairy shrimpvernal pool fairy shrimp Conservancy fairy shrimpConservancy fairy shrimpConservancy fairy shrimp vernal pool tadpole shrimp vernal pool tadpole shrimp Butte County meadowfoamButte County meadowfoam Buchalter - Roney LandsCNDDB and Critical Habitat MapFigure 2M00.5 1 Miles Data Sources: ESRI, Butte and Tehama Counties,CNDDB, USFWS GE: #20-036 Map Date: 08/28/2020 Project Boundary - (3,194.2 acres) 1 Mile Buffer Critical Habitat Chinook salmon Critical Habitat Area CNDDB Occurrences Plant Animal Terrestrial Communities Multiple Occurrences 1:65,000 303606 606 303bu 606 Km 301 447 Mp 603 TuB TtB 302bu 301 300302 Mp MztKm 447bu 606 Mp 302 Km 603 Mo Mp 606 Mzt 301 Mr Km 606bu 302 302 302 Rr TvB 302bu Km TuB TsB 606 Mzt 300buTtB Mo Mzt 301bu606606 995 302bu VnA 449 302bu 426 449 303 303 PineC reek Wookey Rd ¬«99 Buchalter - Roney LandsSoil Map UnitsFigure 3M00.5 1 Miles Data Sources: ESRI, Butte and Tehama Counties,USDA NRCS GE: #20-036 Map Date: 08/31/2020 Project Boundary - (3,194.2 acres) Soil Map Units 1:45,000 Broyles Rd MeridanRdPineCreek BarberRd39.8548,-121.9524 39.8984,-121.8713 Buch alte r - R one y Land sPre lim inary We tland Asse ssm e ntFigure 4M00.25 0.5 Mile s Data Source s: ESR I, Butte County,Maxar 08/06/2019 GE: #20-036 Map Date : 08/31/2020 Th e e xte nts and locations of fe ature s pre se nte d on th is m ap d o notconstitute a form al w e tland d e line ation and sh ould be use d forplanning purpose s only. Prior to any construction activitie s a form al De line ation of Wate rs ofth e Unite d State s sh ould be cond ucte d and subm itte d to th eUSACE for d e te rm ination of jurisd iction. Proje ct Bound ary - (3,194.2 acre s) 10 Ft Contours Preliminary Waters of the U.S. WOTUS/WOTS acre s – (134.4 acre s) WOTUS/WOTS line ar fe e t – (94,502.8 Line ar Fe e t) 1:6,554 ¬«99