HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03101992 - 1.43 To:�� . BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Harvey E. Bragdon, VIJ� it
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Director of Community Development o , �JIJJIa
_
DATE'. February 12, 1992 ��'T, `� cougy
SUBJECT: Report on the Progress of the Joint Avian Windpower Study Being
Conducted by the Counties of Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano for
the Reduction of Adverse Impacts to Raptors and Migrating Birds
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
Direct the staff, in conjunction with staffs of Alameda and
Solano Counties, to:
1. Create a Memorandum of Understanding between the Counties to
complete the tasks outlined in the Avian Windfarm project
grant agreement with the California Energy Commission. The
Memorandum of Understanding would name the management team,
consisting of one representative each from the Counties of
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano, the California Energy
Commission, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, and the
Wind Power Industry to oversee and manage the project. The
Contra Costa County Community Development Director shall be
authorized and empowered to execute all necessary applica-
tions., contracts and agreements in the name of the Contra
Costa County Board of Supervisors to implement and carry out .
the project.
2 . Adopt the attached resolution marked Exhibit A as indication
of the Board's determination to complete the windfarm raptor
impact study.
BACKGROUND
On May 3 , 1988 the Board of Supervisors approved Contra Costa
County participation in a joint study with Alameda and Solano
Counties on the effects of wind turbines on raptors (birds of
prey) . Alameda County was the contact agency in the study. The
® study was largely funded by the California Energy Commission.
Wind farm developers have also been funding the study through
payment of $30. 00 per year per existing machine fee due . for two
years.
The study on the effects of wind turbines on raptors is nearly
completed and was conducted by Bio-Systems Analysis. There
appears to have been injury and mortality of raptors due. to
collision with wind turbine blades.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: _ YES SIGNATURE;
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE S :
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
��((
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPE RVIS LONTHE ,DATE SHOWN.
CC: COI111 unity Development ATTESTED _ _ !a /% /�
/
County Counsel PHIL BATCHELOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY `� DEPUTY
M382%'7-83
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The Counties intend to contract with Brady & Associates to
complete the final phase of the project including the preparation
of an environmental impact report, a mitigation program and
needed amendments to the planning documents of the three
counties
The Technical Advisory Committee has been established to assure
that the study satisfies the goals and objectives of the three
counties. The Committee consists of county staff from each of
the counties, Federal and State officials, natural resource
specialists, wind power industry representatives, and utility
company representatives. The management team consists of one
representative from each county, the California Energy
Commission, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and a representative
from the wind power industry. The management team oversees the
management of the project, as well as making related budgetary
decisions.
FISCALIMPACT
None. There should be little fiscal impact of this study. As
mentioned above, the report will be paid for by monies collected
from permittees. The California Energy Commission is also
exploring additional sources of funding. The County's costs
involves staff time to attend meetings of the technical advisory
committee, review reports and comment on them and prepare any
needed revisions to the County Ordinance and General Plan.•
BDV/Avian.AB
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
March 10 , 1992
Adopted this Order on , by. the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors; Powers`,Fanden, Torlakson, McPeak
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Schroder
ABSTAIN: None
RESOLUTION NO. 9214
SUBJECT: Resolution to Allow the Continuation of the Joint Contra
Costa, Alameda and Solano Counties Study on Wind Power
Impacts on Avian Activity apd to Allow the Creation of a
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Counties of Contra
Costa, Alameda and Solano
WHEREAS, the County of Contra Costa has entered into an agreement
with the Counties of Alameda and Solano and the California Energy
Commission to undertake a joint study of wind power turbine
effects on avian activity; and
WHEREAS, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognizes
that it is in the local as well as the national interest to
promote the development of alternative energy resources; and
WHEREAS, the wind power plants in the Altamont Pass Wind. Resource
Area . are the largest producers of wind-generated power in the
world; and
WHEREAS, injury and mortality of birds, including endangered
raptors and ' migratory birds, have occurred as a result of
collision with wind turbine blades and electrocution from related
power lines; and
WHEREAS, under a grant from the California Energy Commission, the
Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano have contracted
with BioSystems Analysis, Inc. , a biological consulting firm, to
study the Effects of Wind Turbines on Avian Activity, Habitat
Use, and Morality; and
-WHEREAS, the counties intend to complete the final phase of the
project, which involves hiring a consulting firm to 'develop a
mitigation plan, a compliance monitoring plan, draft amendments
to planning documents in the three counties, and an environmental
impact report;.. and
WHEREAS, the counties foresee the. need to assist wind developers
in further testing and monitoring of recommended mitigation
measures designed to avoid avian mortality and injury, and by
seeking funding through grants from both public and private
sources; and
WHEREAS, a Technical Advisory Committee, consisting of Federal,
State and County officials, interested parties in the wind
development industry, public utility officials and natural
resource specialists has been established to assure that the
study satisfies the goals and objectives of the three counties;
and
WHEREAS, a Management Team, consisting of representatives from
the Planning Departments of Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano
Counties, the California Energy Commission, the United States
Fish- -and Wildlife Service, the Wind Power Industry, has been
Orig.,
.lished to oversee the management of the project, as. well as
cc: make budgetary decisions regarding the project.
RESOLUTION NO, 92144
2 .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board
of Supervisors intends to enter a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Counties of Alameda and Solano for the purposes of
completing the avian wind power study and developomh an environ-
mental impact report, mitigation plan, compliance monitoring
program and needed draft amendments to planning documents of the
County.
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supspp
. ors on the date shown.
AVIANB.AB ATTESTED: �'n�Z—a �''q—Z-,PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
Deputy
RESOLUTION NO. 92/144