| Amended Habitat Conservation Plan for the Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project | The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the availability of a proposed amendment to the Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).The original HCP, which was issued in 2020, covers impacts to San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and the Central California distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) in a 580-acre project area in Alameda County, CA. Covered activities under the existing permit include construction, operation and maintenance of seven wind turbines and associated infrastructure proposed to be built within the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area. The new applicant, Viracocha Wind, LLC (previously Rooney Ranch, LLC), is seeking approval to amend the HCP to include a revised footprint with larger turbines. The proposed amendment would add 79.1 acres to the project footprint, impacting 11.1 acres permanently and 68 acres temporarily. Additionally, the amendment would reduce the number of staging areas in the project area. To mitigate for the additional project impacts, the applicant has proposed to increase the number of acres of land conserved as part of this project to 101.3 acres. The applicant is also seeking to expand incidental take coverage to include northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) and western spadefoot (Spea hammondii), both of which are proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. | Jan. 13, 2025 | Federal Register Notice Comment Here |
| Recovery Plan for the Callippe Silverspot Butterfly Available for Review | The Service announced the availability of our draft recovery plan for the callippe silverspot butterfly, a narrow endemic butterfly listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The callippe silverspot butterfly is endemic to Californian grasslands. Section 4(f) of the ESA requires us to provide public notice and an opportunity for the public to review and comment during recovery plan development. Send comments: By Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Federal Building, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846. By Email: fw8_recoveryteam@fws.gov | Feb. 18, 2025 | Notice Draft Recovery Plan Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy Send comments to: fw8_recoveryteam@fws.gov |
