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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 RPCA La Porte Rd Solar Veg Management Plan (7.13.23) LA PORTE ROAD SOLAR PROJECT VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN BUTTE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA JULY 2023 ONLY THE CLIENT OR ITS DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES MAY USE THIS DOCUMENT AND ONLY FOR THE SPECIFIC PROJECT FOR WHICH THIS REPORT WAS PREPARED. Project 20232542.001A July 2023 Prepared for: Brian Madigan Senior Permitting Manager RPCA Solar 11, LLC Wildcat Renewables, LLC Renewable Properties, LLC 879 Sanchez Street San Francisco, CA 94114 La Porte Road Solar Project Vegetation Management Plan Butte County, California Prepared by: Susan Dewar Senior Ecologist, Project Manager Reviewed by: Eliza Shepard Senior Botanist KLEINFELDER 2882 Prospect Park Drive, Suite 200 Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 July 2023 Kleinfelder Project No. 20232542.001A Project 20232542.001A July 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1  1.1 Background and Project Description ................................................................................................. 1  1.2 Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 1  1.3 Project Location ................................................................................................................................. 1  2 REGULATORY SETTING ............................................................................................................................... 2  2.1 Butte County Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance .............................................................. 2  3 BIOLOGICAL SETTING .................................................................................................................................. 4  3.1 Existing Conditions ............................................................................................................................ 4  3.1.1 Vegetation Communities/Fuels ........................................................................................... 4  4 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................................... 4  4.1 Mechanical Control ............................................................................................................................ 5  4.2 Chemical Control ............................................................................................................................... 5  5 REFERENCES CITED .................................................................................................................................... 6  FIGURES 1 Regional/Vicinity ATTACHMENTS A Site Plan Project 20232542.001A Page 1 July 2023 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION The La Porte Road Solar Project is a small-scale utility solar generation project located on approximately 23.5 acres of an 82-acre parcel located just northeast of the community of Bangor in unincorporated Butte County (Project). The Project is located at 5864 La Porte Road (APN # 028-240-061). Wildcat Renewables, LLC has entered into a long-term lease agreement with the property owner (Ross W. McGowan Trust) to facilitate the development of a small-scale, solar energy generating facility. The Project will generate up to 3.0 megawatts (MW) alternating current (AC) (4.2 MW direct current [DC]) of clean, reliable solar energy when complete. The Project will interconnect to Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E’s) pre-existing electrical distribution system located on site. The power generated from this facility will be sold to PG&E through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Additionally, the Project will be equipped with battery energy storage technology that will allow on site renewable energy generation to be stored and dispatched onto the grid when needed. The Project will utilize approximately 7,776 solar modules and 24 string inverters to convert the sun’s energy into usable, AC power. Single-axis tracking technology will be utilized to allow the modules to efficiently track the sun throughout the day and maximize the efficiency of solar collection. The modules will be mounted on a steel racking system, which will be anchored into the ground using driven steel piers. The overall height of the array will be no more than 15-feet tall (i.e., panel height at maximum tilt). 1.2 OBJECTIVES The purpose of this Vegetation Management Plan (Plan) is to identify abatement practices to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition and intensity associated with the potential fuels located within the Project area in compliance with the Butte County Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance (Ordinance; Butte County 2021). 1.3 PROJECT LOCATION The approximate 82-acre parcel is located on the east side of La Porte Road, approximately 0.35-mile northeast of the intersection of Los Verjeles Road and La Porte Road (Figure 1). The Project is surrounded primarily by rural residential properties where grazing and small-scale agricultural practices are common. The Project is situated at an elevation of approximately 800-900 feet above mean sea level in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. No structures are located in the Project area; however, a residence not associated with the Project is located in the northern portion of the parcel (greater than 100 feet from any Project components) and a structure on an adjacent parcel is within 100 feet of the southwest corner of the parcel (Attachment A). The Project is situated within Township 18 North, Range 5 East, and Section 27 of the Bangor 7.5-minute U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle. The corresponding latitude and longitude at the approximate center of the Project area is 39°23'36.33" north latitude and 121°23'57.49" west longitude. Project 20232542.001A Page 2 July 2023 2 REGULATORY SETTING 2.1 BUTTE COUNTY FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION ORDINANCE Butte County's geographic and climatic conditions are naturally prone to seasonal wildfires (Butte County 2021). Many of the County's native and non-native plant species can be highly flammable during normal dry periods, and when coupled with high wind events, may cause significant wildfires within the County, as demonstrated by the 2018 Camp Fire and the 2020 North Complex Fire, which resulted in catastrophic losses to life, property, and the environment (Butte County 2021). Property owners/occupants of unincorporated portions of the County are encouraged to: 1) Reduce the risk of uncontrolled fires and the harm they may cause; 2) Minimize the spread of any fire to other properties and buildings; 3) Reduce obstructions to fire suppression efforts if a fire does occur; 4) Increase the opportunity for firefighters to successfully protect lives, residences and other valuable buildings from wildfires; 5) Protect populated areas, such as metropolitan areas, suburban areas, and urban and rural subdivisions from encroaching wildfires; 6) Reduce the spread of residential and other building fires into the wildland vegetation; and 7) Prevent interference with fire hazard abatement activities. Per the Ordinance, owners and occupants have the following duties in the unincorporated area of Butte County that are applicable to the Project: 1) Create Firebreaks1 where a Fire Hazard2 exists, to slow or stop the spread of fire; 2) Clear Hazardous Vegetation3 on each side of a street or driveway for a horizontal distance of ten (10) feet from the edge of the travel way and a vertical height of fourteen (14) feet from the road surface. Vegetation within ten (10) feet of a street or driveway shall be cut to four (4) inches or less above ground. This applies to public and private driveway(s) and any public or private streets that border or bisect a parcel. 3) Any portion of a parcel, improved or unimproved, within one hundred (100) feet of a Building4 on an adjacent parcel shall comply with the following in order to provide the adjacent Building no less than 100 feet of defensible space: 1 "Firebreak" means a continuous area of land which is created and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this chapter [the Ordinance] (Butte County 2021). 2 "Fire Hazard" means that condition which exists when weeds, grass, rank growths, or brush grow or accumulate upon a parcel and create, or when dry will create, a medium for the rapid spread of fire (Butte County 2021). 3 "Hazardous Vegetation" means any vegetation that is flammable and endangers the public safety by creating a Fire Hazard, including but not limited to seasonal and recurrent weeds, stubble, brush, and dry leaves (Butte County 2021). 4 "Building" means any structure or vehicle meeting at least one of the following: (1) Is occupied and used as a business or residence three months of the year or more in any combination of days; (2) Has one or more utilities connected to it, including but not limited to, natural gas, propane or electricity. This includes any means of connection, permitted or otherwise; (3) Has three or more walls, and a roof, and is greater than 119 square feet in size; or (4) Is used for mechanical processing (Butte County 2021). Project 20232542.001A Page 3 July 2023 a) Maintain an area adjacent to any Building with a one-hundred (100)-foot Firebreak made by removing and clearing away all Hazardous Vegetation or other Combustible Material5 from each side of the Building to the parcel boundary line, whichever is closer. Within the one hundred (100)-foot Firebreak: i) weeds and dry grass shall be mowed to a height of four (4) inches or less; ii) grass, brush and small trees under mature trees shall be removed to reduce vertical continuity; and iii) trees shall be pruned up to six (6) feet from the ground. For shorter height trees, pruning shall not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height. Tree placement shall be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten (10) feet to the edge of any Building. Trees and shrubs shall be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape. This subsection does not apply to single tree specimens, ornamental shrubbery, or similar plants which are used as ground cover and do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any Building. 4) Firebreaks may be required adjacent to and along parcel boundary lines for a width of thirty (30) feet on any parcel when an accumulation of vegetation on said parcel creates a significant Fire Hazard to the adjacent parcel. 5) A Firebreak for a distance of twenty (20) feet from the edge of travel way shall be required along any parcel adjacent to an identified wildfire evacuation route as determined by the county enforcement official. 6) All Utility Generators6, privately owned power poles and petroleum-based products (gasoline, diesel, liquid propane, etc.) shall have a maintained Firebreak of no less than ten (10) feet in all directions around, above, and below. The furthest measurement shall include any connections or ground contact points. Privately owned power poles and overhead distribution lines not owned or maintained by a utility company shall have a maintained 10- foot clearance around all conductors. Any dead, diseased, dying, damaged, or otherwise unhealthy tree or limb of a tree that may fall onto or contact conductors shall be mitigated as to eliminate any threat of failure to the conductor wires. The Fire Chief has the following authority: 1) The Fire Chief may approve reduced Firebreak requirements around Buildings to mitigate erosion potential on steep slopes, to prevent destruction of unique wildlife habitat, endangered species and/or vernal pools, or for other environmental factors. Each special circumstance will be evaluated based on the facts of the situation. The Fire Chief is encouraged to coordinate with soil conservation, fish and wildlife, corps of engineers, water quality or other agency representatives when weed abatement activities are indicated on properties where significant environmental considerations may arise. 2) Specimen shrubs may be retained within Firebreaks, provided that: (1) They are spaced at a distance equal to no less than three (3) times their widest diameter and are not less than fifteen (15) feet from other specimens or buildings. (2) All specimens are kept free of dead wood and litter. 3) Specimen trees may be retained within Firebreaks provided that: (1) All specimens are kept free of dead wood and litter. (2) All specimens shall be trimmed of limbs to a minimum of 6 feet from the ground or 1/3 of their height from the ground, whichever is lesser. (3) Crowns of adjacent specimens are not interlaced to constitute a medium for the rapid spread of fire. 5 "Combustible Material" means seasonal and recurrent weeds, stubble, brush, dry leaves, mulch, wood, tumbleweeds, rubbish, recyclable material, litter or flammable materials of any kind (Butte County 2021). 6 "Utility generator" means any device, or combination of devices, used to generate energy, including but not limited to, gas, diesel, or propane generators, wind generators, solar powered generator arrays, and hydroelectric generators. Any battery or capacitor or similar storage bank is included in this definition (Butte County 2021). Project 20232542.001A Page 4 July 2023 3 BIOLOGICAL SETTING The biological setting surrounding the study area is primarily rural residential development and agriculture within gently rolling hills and oak woodland habitat. 3.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS The study area is composed primarily of non-native annual grasses and forbs with scattered patches of blue oak (Quercus douglasii) woodland. There was evidence of grazing (cow patties) during the September 9, 2022 survey, and the vegetation was 2-8 inches in height. Cows were actively grazing the site during the May 11, 2023 survey; however, the grass was 8-12 inches in height at that time. A discussion of the general characteristics observed within the Project area during the field survey are presented below. 3.1.1 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES/FUELS Using the classifications described in A Manual of California Vegetation (Sawyer Keeler-Wolf 2009), two vegetation communities, including non-native annual grassland and blue oak (Quercus douglasii) woodland, are present within the study area. These are described in more detail below. Non-Native Annual Grassland. The primary vegetation community mapped within the study area was non-native annual grassland. Dominant plant species identified in this vegetation community during the field survey included saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), hedgehog dogtail (Cynosurus echinatus), medusahead (Elymus caput-medusae), yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), stork’s bill (Erodium sp.), wild oat (Avena sp.), trefoil (Trifolium sp.), Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), tarweed (Madia sp.), little quaking-grass (Briza minor), and soft brome (Bromus hordeaceous). This vegetation type presents a continuous but light surface fuels or grasses and herbaceous weeds. Blue Oak Woodland. This vegetation community was mapped in patches throughout the study area and primarily included blue oak; however, California foothill pine (Pinus sabiniana), interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni), valley oak (Quercus lobata), and California buckeye (Aesculus californica) were also observed within this vegetation community. Though significant mature tree canopies exist in this vegetation type, surfacr fuels are light, primarily composed of grasses and ruderal herbaceous weeds such as Italian thistle. Potential ladder fuels (dense shrubs, small trees, etc.) are lacking under the canopy, though there are some patches of downed wood and small standing dead trees. 4 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT This section describes the manual and chemical vegetation control methods that will be used to maintain Fire Breaks and to reduce Fire Hazard associated with the Project. Specific locations of required Fire Breaks and vegetation management are depicted on Attachment A. In summary, Fire Breaks will be maintained: 1) Within 10-feet (horizontal) of either side of access road, and 14-feet (vertical) above access road. 2) Within 10-feet (horizontal and vertical) of utility poles, conductor, battery storage, and arrays. 3) Within 20-feet of La Porte Road (wildfire evacuation route). 4) Within 100-feet of existing structures (including adjacent residence within 100-feet of southwest corner of Project parcel). Project 20232542.001A Page 5 July 2023 To the greatest extent feasible while maintaining compliance with the Ordinance, vegetation management methods should minimize disturbance to native vegetation and avoid damage from herbicide use or other control methods to any environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs; oaks, wetlands, etc.). The most recent version of Project maps depicting ESAs and biological constraints will be reviewed by the vegetation management contractor prior to implementing any physical or chemical vegetation management measures, to ensure that sensitive resources are avoided as necessary. 4.1 MECHANICAL CONTROL Mechanical control of herbaceous fuel growth can be accomplished through properly timed mowing or grazing by livestock. Trees will be hand pruned. Frequency and timing of control will depend on amount and speed of vegetative growth. Mowing is anticipated to be required twice annually based on precipitation and vegetation growth. Pruning can likely be evaluated on a 3-year cycle. During fire season, restrict mowing to early morning hours and equip crew with firefighting tools (backpack water sprayer, shovels, Mcleods). Mowing may be restricted during certain conditions. 4.2 CHEMICAL CONTROL Various commercially available chemicals are useful for controlling vegetative growth. Below are four common herbicides. Any use of herbicides should follow the most current state, local, and manufacturer’s guidelines and regulations. In all cases where chemical control is used, spot treatment of target areas is recommended versus broadcast treatment of large areas. Aminopyralid is the active ingredient in Milestone®, which is a broadleaf selective herbicide with both pre- and post- emergent activity that is used extensively in open space and wildlife areas for the control of noxious weeds. Aminopyralid, which is similar to triclopyr (below), is a selective auxin. Milestone is particularly effective on biennial and perennial thistles, knapweeds, and yellow star-thistle (Corteva Agriscience 2019a). Clopyralid is the active ingredient in Transline®. Various formulations of clopyralid are labeled for use in crops, forestry, range, and utility rights-of-way. Clopyralid is very effective on difficult-to-control broadleaf target noxious weeds, specifically thistle species. The product has minimal potential for off-target impacts and is ideal for use where desirable broadleaf plants are present in combination with target noxious weeds. Herbicide effect is apparent within 24 to 48 hours (Corteva Agriscience 2019b). Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup Custom®, which is a broad-spectrum, non-selective, systemic post- emergent herbicide used for control of annual and perennial plants including grasses, sedges, broad-leaved weeds, and woody plants. Glyphosate formulated as Roundup Custom® can be applied to water for aquatic vegetation management. Glyphosate has favorable environmental attributes because it degrades in soil, sediment, and natural waters over time. It also binds tightly to soils and sediment, reducing its bioavailability soon after application (Monsanto 2010). Triclopyr is the active ingredient in Garlon 3A®. Triclopyr is a broadleaf selective post-emergent terrestrial herbicide used for control of most annual and perennial broadleaf weeds and brush in both crop and non-crop sites. Triclopyr has little or no impact on grasses (Corteva Agriscience 2019c). Garlon 3A® is not registered for aquatic use. Project 20232542.001A Page 6 July 2023 5 REFERENCES CITED Butte County. 2021. Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance (Ordinance No. 4199). Passed and adopted by the Board of Supervisors 9 February. Accesses online at: https://www.buttecounty.net/DocumentCenter/View/3083/Fire-Prevention-and-Protection-Ordinance-PDF Corteva Agriscience. 2019a. Milestone ® Specialty Herbicide. Website https://www.corteva.us/products-and- solutions/land-management/milestone.html [Accessed March 2023] Corteva Agriscience. 2019b. Transline® Herbicide Rate Card. Website https://www.corteva.us/products-and- solutions/land-management/transline.html [Accessed March 2023] Corteva Agriscience. 2019c. Garlon 3a ® Specialty Herbicide Website https://www.corteva.us/products-and- solutions/land-management/garlon-3a.html [Accessed March 2023] Monsanto. 2010. Roundup Pro Concentrate Product Label. Website https://assets.greenbook.net/L54932.pdf [Accessed March 2023]. ProjectLocation ^_±0 2.5 5Kilometers Figure 1. Regional VicinityLa Porte Road Solar ProjectButte County, California01.5 3MilesCreated By: CBarkerSwitzer Document Path: \\azrgisstorp03\GIS_Projects\Client\GANDA\Renewable_Properties\20232542_RPCA_LaPorte_Solar\Figure1_LaPorte_Solar_RegionalVicinity.mxdScale 1:190,080 Source: Bing Maps 1 in = 3 miles ^_ Project Location Æÿ45 Æÿ70 Æÿ20 Æÿ49 Æÿ162 Æÿ149 Æÿ99 §¨¦80 BUTTECOUNTY SIERRACOUNTY YUBACOUNTY NEVADACOUNTY SUTTERCOUNTY Parcel Boundary Project 20232542.001A July 2023 ATTACHMENT A OVEOVEOVEOVEOVEOVEOVEOVEOVEOVEOVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVEOVEOVEOVE OVE OVE OVE OVEOVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE OVE COLLECTIONSEGMENTBATTERYSEGMENT12 3 4 5 6 7 8 COLLECTIONSEGMENTBATTERYSEGMENT12 3 4 5 6 7 8XX X X X X X XXXXXXXXCOLLECTIONSEGMENTBATTERYSEGMENT12 3 4 5 6 7 8COLLECTIONSEGMENTBATTERYSEGMENT12345678 X X X XXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXX XXXXX X X X X XXX X X X X X XXXX X X MV MV MV MV MVMV MV MV MV MV MV MV MV M V MV MV MV MV MV MV MV MV SITE PLAN PV-100 SHEET TITLE PROJECT REVISIONS SE48OIAEN*INEERIN* DESI*NASSOCIATES:::SE48OIAEN*INEERIN*CO0)A; 95 95:ALN8T CREE., CA 95955 LENNON LANE, S8ITE 5PHONE 95 9:::RENE:PROPCO0SAN )RANCISCO, CA 99 SANCHE= STREET,PHONE 5 5669LA PORTE ROAD SOLARLA PORTE ROAD, OROVILLE,CA 95966,LAT 9999ƒLON 5ƒGENERAL NOTES 1.REFER TO SINGLE LINE DIAGRAM FOR DETAILS. 2.INSTALLATION TO COMPLY WITH NEC 2020 ARTICLE 690 AND ALL APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL CODES OR REGULATIONS. 3.EQUIPMENT SHALL BE LABELED PER NEC 690 AND UTILITY REGULATIONS. 4.12' ACCESS ROADS SHALL BE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE ALL CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND UTILITY TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE SITE. 5.DIMENSIONS TO PROPERTY LINES AND EXISTING FEATURES ARE APPROXIMATE PENDING SURVEY. ARRAY LOCATION1 SCALE:1"=150' N SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS SYSTEM SIZE DC 4,203.36 kW SYSTEM SIZE AC 3,000.00 kW DC/AC RATIO 1.40 MODULE MANUFACTURER VSUN MODULE MODEL VSUN540-144BMH MODULE RATING 540 W TOTAL MODULE QTY 7,784 MODULES PER STRING 28 TOTAL NO. OF STRINGS 278 INVERTER MODEL SUNGROW SG125HV INVERTER RATING 125 kW INVERTER QTY 24 STEP-UP TRANSFORMER 12kV/600V, 3000kVA RACKING ATI HSAT # OF 84 MODULE RACKS 50 # OF 56 MODULE RACKS 64 TILT ANGLE 0° INTER-ROW SPACING 11.2' PITCH 18.7' GCR 40% SITE AREA INSIDE FENCE 22.52 Ac %ESS DETAILS BESS DETAILS 3,000.00 kW POI BESS CAPACITY 12,000 kWh INVERTER MODEL EPC POWER CAB1000/AC - 3L.2 TOTAL INVERTER QTY 2  O) %ESS CONTAINERS 4 * MAX SYSTEM OUTPUT @POI IS LIMITED TO 3MW. POWER STATION - (1) MV TRANSFORMER, (1) DAS, (1) WEATHER STATION 12' WIDE SITE ACCESS GRAVEL ROAD SETBACK (E) OH LINESOVEOVE LEGEND MV CABLEMVMV PROPERTY LINE PROJECT SITE SECURITY FENCEXXX (E) PUBLIC ROAD SUNGROW 125kW STRING INVERTER ATI 84 MODULE TRACKER ROW ATI 56 MODULE TRACKER ROW LA PORTE RD(N) UTILITY POLE (UTILITY SCADA RECLOSER) (N) PAD MOUNTED UTILITY MAIN SERVICE METER (N) PROJECT RISER POLE & UTILITY AC DISCONNECT) (E) UTILITY POLE (POI) (N) CUSTOMER POLE (RECLOSER) 2 7 SEASONAL WETLANDS 20.0' SETBACK FROM FRONT HIGH SLOPES 50.0' SETBACK FROM WETLAND LINEAR WATER FEATURES TREES 20' FROM TREE CANOPY CULVERT 18.7'11.2' 40.0' SETBACK FROM SIDE 25.0' SETBACK FROM REAR NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION, FOR IA DISCUSSION ONLY. 20.0' 12.0' 138.9' 270.4' 500.1' EXISTING STRUCTURES 7 6