Agenda - 05-27-2014 - C1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Endangered Species and Natural Heritage Question- Who ensures that rare animal and plant species and their habitats are not displaced or destroyed during the construction of ground- mounted solar PV? Bottom Line- Rules are in place to ensure that the installation of ground mounted solar arrays protects state - listed rare species and animals and plants. Project proponents can check with the local Conservation Commission to determine if the footprint of the solar PV project lies within a rare species habitat. More Information. The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program ( NEHSP) was created under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) and is responsible for protecting rare animal and plant species and their habitats from being displaced or destroyed. Specifically, NEHSP reviews projects proposed for Priority Habitats- These are areas known to be populated by state - listed rare species of animals or plants Any project that could result in the alteration of more than two acres of Priority Habitat is subject to NHESP regulatory review Projects will need to file a MESA Information Request Form, along with a project plan, a U S Geological Service (USGS) topographical map of the site, and a $50 processing fee NHESP will let project administrators know within 30 days if the filing is complete, then will determine within the next 60 days whether the project, as proposed, would result in a "take" of state - listed rare species that might require the project to redesign, scale down, or abandon its plan. Estimated Habitats. These are a sub -set of Priority Habitats that are based on the geographical range of state - listed rare wildlife — particularly animals that live in and around wetlands If the project is proposed for one of these areas and the local Conservation Commission requires filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) under the Wetlands Protection Act, the project will need to submit copies of the NO], project plans and a U S Geological Service (USGS) topographical map to NHESP Within 30 days of receiving this information, NHESP will send its comments to the Conservation Commission, with copies to the project administrator, project consultants, and the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Projects can check with the Conservation Commission in your town or city to find out if its footprint lies within an Estimated Habitat for rare species Each Commission has a large -scale map of its community available for public inspection. Each map NHESP develops to delineate a Priority Habitat or Estimated Habitat is based on at least 25 years of local rare animal and plant observation, and the best scientific evidence available It is important to note that to ensure adequate protection of rare species, NHESP does not disclose detailed site - specific information about them. Resources. To learn more about the NHESP review process and download a MESA Information Request Form, visit http / /www mass gov /dfwele /dfw /nhesp /regulatory review /mesa /mesa project review htm For lists of rare animal and plant species in Massachusetts, visit http•/ /www mass gov /dfwele /dfw /nhesp /species info /mesa list /mesa list htm 23