HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgreement A-19-423 with Little Bear Solar 1 3 4 and 5 LLC Owners Reimbursement.pdf
4813-9714-7037.2 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
OWNERS ’ respective execution of the Conditions of Approval and Mitigation Measures listed in the
MMRP and OWNERS are willing to so compensate the COUNTY for the benefit of all OWNERS; and
WHEREAS, Condition of Approval No. 10 of the Project requires that OWNERS shall enter into
an agreement with COUNTY to provide funding to compensate for COUNTY staff’s time to review and
administer any materials related to Mitigation Monitoring and/or Reporting, including those prepared by
the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR ; and
WHEREAS, this AGREEMENT is being entered into solely to allow OWNERS to place sufficient
funds on account with COUNTY to (1) pay for the fees, costs, and expenses incurred by COUNTY in
retaining a THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR to monitor OWNERS’ respective execution of the MMRP,
and (2) to provide funding to COUNTY to compensate COUNTY staff to review and administer any
materials related to the MMRP ; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and for good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the PARTIES agree as
follows:
SECTION 1. OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS.
A. OWNERS shall pay COUNTY for all costs incurred by COUNTY in connection with staff
time spent reviewing and administering any materials related to the MMRP , including those costs
incurred to compensate the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR. As used in this AGREEMENT, “THIRD
PARTY ADMINISTRATOR” means any consultant, contractor, or other third party whose work product
gives rise to a cost for COUNTY, or who is hired by the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR, in
connection with implementation of the MMRP. OWNERS shall fully cooperate with C OUNTY in timely
providing adequate and materially accurate information to COUNTY and the THIRD PARTY
ADMINISTRATOR, that COUNTY and the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR deem necessary or
appropriate for the implementation of the MMRP.
B. OWNERS shall provide funding to COUNTY as follows:
1. OWNERS shall advance the sum of Eighty-Three Thousand, Two Hundred and
Seventy-Five Dollars ($83,275.00) (the “TPA SERVICES FUND”) to COUNTY for the estimated cost of
retaining a third party contractor to serve as the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR to monitor
4813-9714-7037.2 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
compliance with the MMRP (collectively, the “TPA SERVICES”). The TPA SERVICES FUND shall be
remitted to COUNTY within ten (10) days of the Effective Date of this AGREEMENT.
2. OWNERS shall advance the sum of Twenty Thousand, Eight Hundred Dollars
and No Cents ($20,800.00) (“ADDITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUND”) to COUNTY, to be held by
COUNTY as a reserve to fund any additional TPA SERVICES determined by the Fresno County
Director of Public Works and Planning or his/her designee (hereinafter, “DIRECTOR”) to be
appropriate. The ADDITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUND shall be advanced to COUNTY within ten (10)
days of the Effective Date of this AGREEMENT. The ADDITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUND shall be
used to pay for the actual fees, costs, and expenses incurred by COUNTY to compensate the THIRD
PARTY ADMINISTRATOR.
3. OWNERS shall advance the sum of Fifty Thousand dollars and No Cents
($50,000.00) (“COUNTY STAFF SERVICES FUND”) to COUNTY for the estimated cost of funding
COUNTY staff time to be incurred to review and administer any materials related to the MMRP,
including those prepared by the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR , for the PROJECT. The COUNTY
STAFF SERVICES FUND shall be remitted to COUNTY within ten (10) days of the Effective Date of
this AGREEMENT.
4. For any invoice issued pursuant to SECTION 3, OWNERS shall remit payment
for the full amount reflected in the invoice within forty-five (45) days of the date the invoice was issued
by COUNTY.
C. Notwithstanding the foregoing, THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR costs shall be subject
to an initial not-to-exceed maximum of One Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty
Dollars and No Cents ($166,550.00). If DIRE CTOR determines that $166,550.00 will not provide
sufficient funding to compensate THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR to complete the TPA SERVICES,
DIRECTOR shall notify OWNERS in writing of the estimated amount required to complete the TPA
SERVICES (hereafter, the “NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING”). OWNERS shall remit payment for
the full amount reflected in the NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING within forty-five (45) days of the
date thereof. If OWNERS disagree with the amount set forth in the NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL
FUNDING, OWNERS may, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING
4813-9714-7037.2 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
submit in writing the basis for its disagreement and a proposed lower amount to fund the completion of
the TPA SERVICES (hereafter, this response shall be referred to as “OWNERS ’ RESPONSE TO
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING”). Within thirty (30) days of receipt of OWNERS ’ RESPONSE TO
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING, OWNERS and DIRECTOR shall meet and confer in good faith
over a period not to exceed twenty (20) days regarding the estimated amount to fund the completion of
the TPA SERVICES. At the completion of this meet-and-confer period, DIRECTOR shall notify
OWNERS in writing of the estimated amount DIRECTOR has determined to be required to complete
the TPA SERVICES. DIRECTOR’s determination of the estimated amount required to complete the
TPA SERVICES shall be final and binding.
D. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) COUNTY’s receipt of funds from
OWNERS for each of the foregoing categories shall be a condition precedent to COUNTY’s
performance of its obligations under this AGREEMENT in relation to such categories, as applicable; (ii)
the amounts required to be advanced by OWNERS to COUNTY in this SECTION 1 are estimates, and
in any event not a limitation on OWNERS ’ obligation to fully fund the THIRD PARTY
ADMINISTRATOR’s monitoring of OWNER S’ respective compliance with the MMRP and COUNTY’s
review and administration of any related materials; (iii) COUNTY receipt of such funds in any of the
foregoing categories shall not obligate COUNTY to achieve a predetermined result, including finding
that OWNERs have complied with the MMRP; and (iv) nothing in this AGREEMENT alters the
OWNER S’ respective obligations under the MMRP.
SECTION 2. OWNERS’ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
OWNERS acknowledge that all of OWNERS ’ representations, covenants, warranties, and
agreements herein are a material inducement for COUNTY to enter into this AGREEMENT, and that
COUNTY would not have entered into this AGREEMENT without all of them having been made herein.
OWNERS represent, covenant, and warrant to COUNTY that at no time will OWNERS contact
the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR in its performanc e of the TPA SERVICES for the COUNTY or
attem pt to influence the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR during the course thereof, provided
however, OWNERS may c ommunicate with the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR where such
communications are coordinated by COUNTY’s s taff.
4813-9714-7037.2 5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
SECTION 3. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COUNTY.
COUNTY shall perform the following obligations pursuant to this AGREEMENT:
A. Create Accounts. COUNTY shall c reate the following three accounts (each of which is
an “ACCOUNT” and collectively “ACCOUNTS”):
1. The TPA SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT into which the TPA SERVICES FUND will be
deposited upon receipt from OWNERS ;
2. The ADDITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT into which the ADDITIONAL
TPA SERVICES FUND will be deposited upon receipt from OWNERS ;
3. The COUNTY STAFF SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT into which the COUNTY STAFF
SERVICES FUND will be deposited upon receipt from OWNERS .
B. Issue Confirmation Receipt. COUNTY shall transmit written confirmation of receipt of
the TPA SERVICES FUND, ADDITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUNDS, and COUNTY STAFF SERVICES
FUND, respectively, within thirty (30) days of receipt.
C. Expenditure of Funds. COUNTY shall expend the TPA SERVICES FUND and the
ADDITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUND, respectively, to pay for only the actual fees, costs, and expenses
incurred by COUNTY to compensate the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR. COUNTY will use the
COUNTY STAFF SERVICES FUND to pay only COUNTY staff to review and administer any materials
related to the MMRP.
D. Provide Accountings of Each Account. Ninety (90) days following the first
expenditure from an ACCOUNT, and then continuing at intervals of ninety (90) days until the expiration
or termination of this AGREEMENT, COUNTY shall transmit by email to OWNERS a document
(hereafter, an “ACCOUNTING”), which will include:
For TPA SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT and ADDITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT:
1. Beginning and ending dates for the time period covered by the ACCOUNTING;
2. Date and amount of each expenditure from the ACCOUNT, together with copies of
invoices received from the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR; and
3. Remaining balance in the ACCOUNT.
4813-9714-7037.2 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
For the COUNTY STAFF SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT:
1. Beginning and ending dates for the time period accounted for in the document;
2. Number of hours multiplied by the applicable hourly billing rate(s) for COUNTY staff
time expended during the time period accounted for in the document;
3. Total amount, in dollars and cents, of COUNTY staff time which was expended during
the time period accounted for in the document; and
4. Remaining balance in the COUNTY STAFF SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT.
In performing its obligation under this AGREEMENT, COUNTY will rely on its normal staffing
and resources, and shall not be required to accelerate performance of its obligations under this
AGREEMENT.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, COUNTY shall not be required to perform any
obligations under this AGREEMENT, unless and until OWNERS have complied with their obligations to
advance funds to COUNTY as set forth in SECTION 1 of this AGREEMENT.
E. Notice of additional funding. Upon determination by DIRECTOR that the funding
remaining in the ADDITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT and/or the COUNTY STAFF
SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT is insufficient to reimburse the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR or the
COUNTY, as applicable, for services to be rendered relating to the MMRP, DIRECTOR may issue an
invoice for the amount of funding DIRECTOR determines to be reasonably necessary to compensate
the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR or the COUNTY for such services to be provided. Upon receipt
of funding from OWNERS , the COUNT Y will deposit the funding in the TPA FUND SERVICES
ACCOUNT and/or the COUNTY STAFF SERVICES FUND, as appropriate.
SECTION 4. DISPUTES REGARDING ACCOUNTINGS.
A. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of an ACCOUNTING for the TPA SERVICES FUND
ACCOUNT or the AD DITIONAL TPA SERVICES FUND ACCOUNT, OWNERS may transmit by e-mail
to COUNTY written objections to such ACCOUNTING, provided that such objections are limited to one
or both of the following:
1. The ACCOUNTING does not contain the information required by SECTION 3 of this
AGREEMENT; and/or
4813-9714-7037.2 7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
2. The ACCOUNTING includes an expenditure of funds to the THIRD PARTY
ADMINISTRATOR for services outside the scope of services of the written agreement between the
COUNTY and the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR.
OWNERS shall not object to the ACCOUNTING for any other reason, and COUNTY shall have
no obligation to respond to an objection based on a reason outside the scope of this SECTION 4. If
OWNERS do not transmit objections during the fifteen (15) day time period set forth in this SECTION 4,
then the ACCOUNTING is deemed approved.
B. Upon receipt of a timely written objection, which states one or both of the bases set forth
in this SECTION 4, DIRECTOR will review the objection and determine whether it has merit. If
DIRECTOR determines that the objection has merit, DIRECTOR shall take such actions as he or she
determines to be necessary or appropriate to resolve the objection, and shall transmit in writing his/her
determination and a summary of the steps taken to resolve the objection. If DIRECTOR determines
that the objection is without merit, he or she shall inform OWNERS of his/her determination in writing.
DIRECTOR’s determination regarding OWNERS ’ objection shall be final and binding.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DAT E AND TERM OF AGREEMENT.
The term of this AGREEMENT shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate upon
the issuance by DIRECTOR of written acknowledgement that OWNERS have satisfied their obligations
under this AGREEMENT.
SECTION 6. TERMINATION.
This AGREEMENT may be terminated by DIRECTOR upon written notice to OWNERS that
DIRECTOR has determined that OWNERS have failed to comply with any or all of the terms of this
AGREEMENT, provided that termination of this AGREEMENT does not relieve OWNERS of their
obligations under the MMRP.
If this AGREEMENT is terminated as provided in this SECTION 6, DIRECTOR will request the
THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR to stop work. Within ninety (90) days following DIRECTOR’s
issuance of written notice to OWNERS of the termination of this AGREEMENT, DIRECTOR will
determine what amounts are due and owed to the THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR and COUNTY for
services performed prior to termination, and return any remaining funds from the ACCOUNTS to
4813-9714-7037.2 8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
OWNERS . If there are not sufficient funds in the ACCOUNTS to compensate the THIRD PARTY
ADMINISTRATOR or COUNTY for work performed prior to termination, COUNTY will notify OWNERS
in writing, to be delivered by email, of the amount owed, and OWNERS shall remit the full amount
owing to COUNTY within thirty (30) days thereafter.
OWNERS ’ obligations arising following notification of termination of this AGREEMENT shall
survive termination of this AGREEMENT.
SECTION 7. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
This AGREEMENT is not intended to and will not be construed to create the relationship of
principal-agent, master-servant, employer-employee, partnership, joint venture, or association between
COUNTY and OWNERS ; neither party is an officer of the other. Each of the PARTIES to this
AGREEMENT, and their respective officers, agents and employees, in the performance of this
AGREEMENT shall act in independent capacity, as independent contractors, between each other.
SECTION 8. MODIFICATION.
Any matters of this AGREEMENT may be modified from time to time by the written consent of
all the PARTIES without, in any way, affecting the remainder.
SECTION 9. NO WAIVER.
No waiver of any provision of this AGREEMENT will be valid unless and until it is in writing and
signed by the PARTY making the waiver. Waiver by either PARTY at any time of a breach or default of
this AGREEMENT shall not be deemed a waiver of or consent to a breach or default of the same or any
other provision of this AGREEMENT.
SECTION 10. NON-ASSIGNMENT.
Neit her PARTY shall assign, transfer, or sub-contract this AGREEMENT nor their rights or
duties under this AGREEMENT, without the prior written cons ent of the other PARTY.
SECTION 11. INDEMNITY AND DEFENSE.
A. Indemnifiable Losses. For purposes of this SECTION 11, “LOSSES" includes all
claims, demands, injuries, damages, costs, expenses (including attorney fees and courts costs), fines,
penalties, and liabilities of any kind.
4813-9714-7037.2 9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
B. Indemnity. OWNERS agree to indemnify COUNTY, its officers, agents, employees ,
and volunteers from any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees and court
costs), against any LOSSES incurred by COUNTY, OWNERS, or any third party in connection with the
performance, or failure to perform, by OWNERS , their officers, agents, or employees under this
AGREEMENT.
C. Defense. If requested by COUNTY, OWNERS shall defend actions or proceedings
brought or threatened against COUNTY (including its officers, agents, or employees) under this
AGREEMENT. COUNTY may conduct or participate in its own defense without affecting OWNERS’
obligation to indemnify or defend COUNTY.
D. Survival. The terms of this SECTION 11 shall survive the termination of this
AGREEMENT.
SECTION 12. NOTICES.
The persons and their addresses having authority to give and receive notices under this
AGREEMENT include the following:
COUNTY:
County of Fresno
Director of Public Works and Planning
Attn: Principal Planner
2220 Tulare Street, Sixth Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
Fax: (559) 600-4200
Copies of notices to COUNTY shall also be given to:
Office of the Fresno County Counsel
Attn: Senior Deputy County Counsel
2220 Tulare Street, Suite 500
Fresno, CA 93721
Email address: CountyCounsel@fresnocountyca.gov
Fax: (559) 600-3480
OWNERS :
Little Bear Solar 1, 3, 4, and/or 5 LLC
c/o First Solar Inc.; Attn: Robert Holbrook
135 Main Street, 6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Email address: rholbrook@firstsolar.com
4813-9714-7037.2 10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Copies of notices to O WNERS shall also be given to:
First Solar Development, LLC
Attn: General Counsel
350 West Washington Street, Suite 600
Tempe, AZ 85281
Email address: generalcounsel@firstsolar.com
Any and all notices between COUNTY and OWNERS provided for or permitted under this
AGREEMENT or by law shall be in writing and delivered either by personal service, by first-class United
States mail, by an overnight commercial courier service, by telephonic facsimile transmission, or by
PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT (“PDF”) document attached to an email. A notice delivered by
personal service is effective upon service to the recipient. A notice delivered by first-class United
States mail is effective three COUNTY business days after deposited in the United States mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to the recipient. A notice delivered by first-class United States mail is effective three
COUNTY business days after deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to
recipient. A notice delivered by an overnight commercial courier is effective one COUNTY business
day after deposit with the overnight commercial courier service, delivery fees prepaid, with delivery
instructions for next-day delivery, addressed to the recipient. A notice delivered by telephonic facsimile
or by PDF document attached to an email is effective when transmission is completed (but, if such
transmission is completed outside of COUNTY business hours, then such delivery shall be deemed to
be effective at the next beginning of a COUNTY business day), provided that the sender maintains a
machine record of the completed transmission. For all claims arising out of or related to this
AGREEMENT, nothing in this section establishes, waives, or modifies any claims presentation
requirements or procedures provided by law, including the Government Claims Act (Division 3.6 of Title
1 of the Government Code, beginning with section 810).
SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW.
Venue for any action arising out of or related to this AGREEMENT shall only be in Fresno
County, California. The rights and obligations of the PARTIES and all interpretation and performance
of this AGREEMENT shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of California.
4813-9714-7037.2 11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
SECTION 14. SEVERABILITY.
In the event any provisions of this AGREEMENT are held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the PARTIES will use their best efforts to meet and confer to
determine how to mutually amend such provisions with valid and enforceable provisions, and the
remaining provisions of this AGREEMENT will nevertheless continue in full force and effect without
being impaired or invalidated in any way.
SECTION 15. HEADINGS; CONSTRUCTION; STATUTORY REFERENCES.
The headings of the sections of this AGREEMENT are for convenience only and shall not be
used to interpret this AGREEMENT. This AGREEMENT is the product of negotiation between the
PARTIES. The language of this AGREEMENT shall be construed as a whole according to its fair
meaning and not strictly for or against any PARTY. Any rule of construction to the effect that
ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting PARTY shall not apply in interpreting this
AGREEMENT. All references in this AGREEMENT to particular statutes, regulations, ordinances, or
resolutions of the United States, the State of California, or the County of Fresno shall be deemed to
include the same statute, regulation, ordinance, or resolution as hereafter amended.
SECTION 16. LEGAL AUTHORITY.
OWNERS represent and warrants to COUNTY that: (1) OWNERS are duly authorized and
empowered to sign and perform their obligations under this AGREEMENT, and (2) the individual(s)
signing this AGREEMENT on behalf of OWNERS, each and everyone of them jointly and severally, are
authorized to do so and his or her signature binds OWNERS, each and everyone of them jointly and
severally, to the terms of this AGREEMENT.
SECTION 17. BINDING EFFECT.
This AGREEMENT shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the respective successors
and as signs of the PARTIES.
SECTION 18. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES
Notwithstanding anything else to contrary herein, the PARTIES acknowledge and agree that no
other person, firm, corporation, or entity shall be deemed as an intended third-party beneficiary of this
AGREEMENT.
4813-9714-7037.2 12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
SECTION 19. COUNTERPARTS.
This AGREEMENT may be signed in counterparts, each of which is an original, and all of which
together constitute this AGREEMENT.
SECTION 20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This AGREEMENT constitutes the entire agreement between OWNERS and COUNTY with
respect to OWNERS ’s obligations to provide funding to COUNTY to pay for the fees, costs, and
expenses incurred by COUNTY to retain a THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR to monitor OWNER S’
respective execution of the MMRP, and supersedes all previous agreement negotiations, proposals,
commitments, writings, advertisements, publications, and understanding of any nature whatsoever
concerning such payment obligation unless expressly included in this AGREEMENT .
SECTION 21. JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY.
Little Bear Solar 1, LLC, Little Bear Solar 3, LLC, Little Bear Solar 4, LLC, and Little Bear Solar
5, LLC shall be jointly and severally liable for the OWNERS ’ obligations to COUNTY under this
AGREEMENT.
The remainder of this page left intentionally blank
EXHIBIT “A”
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Conditional Use Permit Application Nos. 3550, 3551, 3552, 3553, and 3577
(Including Design Measures, Conditions of Approval and Project Notes)
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure* 3.4-2
Air Quality Voluntary Emission Reduction Agreement for NO X During
Decommissioning
Prior to issuance of County permits for decommissioning activities,
the Project Applicant shall provide to the County either:
a. A fully-executed Voluntary Emission Reduction Agreement
(VERA) with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
(SJVAPCD) to fully mitigate Project decommissioning emissions
from NO x ; or
b. An analysis prepared by an air quality specialist demonstrating
that the emissions of NO x associated with decommissioning
would be less than 10 tons per year.
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee
Prior to issuance
of County
permits for
decommissioning
activities
Design
Measure
**2.5.7.1
Air Quality Voluntary Emission Reduction Agreement for NO X During
Construction and Operations
Prior to issuance of County permits for construction activities, the
Project Applicant shall provide to the County either:
a. A fully-executed Voluntary Emission Reduction Agreement
(VERA) with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
(SJVAPCD) to fully mitigate Project construction and operational
emissions from NO x ; or
b. An analysis prepared by an air quality specialist demonstrating
that the emissions of NO x associated with construction and
operations would be less than 10 tons per year.
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee,
San Joaquin
Valley Air
Pollution Control
District
Prior to issuance
of County
permits for
construction
activities
Design
Measure
**2.5.7.2
Air Quality
Valley Fever Management Plan
During the demolition, construction, and decommissioning phases of
the Project, the Applicant shall implement the following measures
intended to reduce worker exposure to the Coccidioides immitis (C.
immitis) fungus that causes Valley Fever:
• Prior to ground-disturbing activities, a Valley Fever
Management Plan will be provided to the County and shall
include a program to limit the potential for exposure to C.
immitis from construction activities and to identify appropriate
worker training, dust management and safety procedures that
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee
Prior to ground-
disturbing
activities
associated with
construction or
demolition of the
project
2
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Design
Measure
**2.5.7.2
(cont.)
Air Quality shall be implemented, as needed, to minimize personnel and
public exposure to C. immitis.
• In addition to awareness and recognition training, these
measures include performing job hazard assessments (JHAs)
for all job classifications employed on site. These JHAs will
identify the potential for exposure as well as the appropriate
precautions and controls to minimize exposure.
Mitigation
Measure* 3.5-1
Biological
Resources
Preconstruction surveys
San Joaquin kit fox:
Preconstruction surveys shall be conducted by a qualified biologist
for the presence of San Joaquin kit fox dens within 14 days prior to
commencement of construction activities. The surveys shall be
conducted in areas of suitable habitat for San Joaquin kit fox (areas
that have been plowed within 12 months prior to the start of ground-
disturbing activities are not considered suitable). Surveys need not
be conducted for all areas of suitable habitat at one time; they may
be phased so that surveys occur within 14 days prior to that portion
of the site that is disturbed. If no potential San Joaquin kit fox dens
are present, no further mitigation is required under this measure. If
potential dens are observed and avoidance is determined to be
feasible (as defined in CEQA Guidelines §15364 consistent with the
USFWS [1999] Standardized Recommendations for Protection of
the San Joaquin Kit Fox) by a qualified biologist in consultation with
the Project Owner and the County, buffer distances shall be
established prior to construction activities.
If avoidance of the potential dens is not feasible, the following
measures are required to avoid potential adverse effects to the San
Joaquin kit fox:
• If the qualified biologist determines that potential dens are
inactive, the biologist shall excavate these dens by hand with a
shovel to prevent badgers or foxes from re-using them during
construction.
• If the qualified biologist determines that a potential non-natal den
may be active, an on-site passive relocation program shall be
implemented with prior concurrence from USFWS. This program
shall consist of excluding San Joaquin kit foxes from occupied
burrows by installation of one-way doors at burrow entrances,
monitoring of the burrow for one week to confirm usage has been
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee,
California
Department of
Fish and Wildlife
14 days prior to
commencement
of construction
activities
3
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure* 3.5-1
(cont.)
Biological
Resources
discontinued, and excavation and collapse of the burrow to
prevent reoccupation. After the qualified biologist determines that
the San Joaquin kit foxes have stopped using active dens within
the Project boundary, the dens shall be hand-excavated as
stated above for inactive dens.
Burrowing owl:
Preconstruction surveys shall be conducted by a qualified biologist
for the presence of burrowing owl within 14 days prior to the
commencement of equipment staging or ground-disturbing activities.
Given the large size of the construction site, multiple or ongoing
burrowing owl surveys may be required. To protect burrowing owls,
the following conditions shall be met prior to construction within
each successive work area:
• A qualified wildlife biologist (i.e., a wildlife biologist with previous
burrowing owl survey experience) shall conduct pre-construction
surveys on the site and immediate vicinity only in areas of the
site with suitable burrowing habitat to locate any active breeding
or wintering burrowing owl burrows no fewer than 14 days prior
to ground-disturbing activities (e.g., vegetation clearance,
grading, tilling). Areas that have been plowed within 12 months
prior to the start of ground-disturbing activities are not
considered suitable habitat. The survey methodology shall be
consistent with the methods outlined in the CDFW (2012) Staff
Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation and shall consist of walking
parallel transects 23 to 66 feet (7 to 20 meters) apart, noting any
potential burrows with fresh burrowing owl sign or presence of
burrowing owls. Copies of the survey results shall be submitted
to CDFW and the Fresno County Public Works and Planning
Department. The surveys may be conducted concurrently with
San Joaquin kit fox surveys.
• If active burrowing owl burrows are detected on site, no ground-
disturbing activities, such as vegetation clearance or grading,
shall be permitted within a buffer of 330 feet from an active
burrow during the breeding season (February 1 to August 31),
unless otherwise authorized by a qualified biologist as described
below. During the non-breeding (winter) season (September 1
to January 31), no ground-disturbing work shall be permitted
within a buffer of 165 feet from the burrow. Depending on the
level of disturbance, a smaller buffer may be established by a
4
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure* 3.5-1
(cont.)
Biological
Resources
qualified biologist based on the visibility and sensitivity
responses of each individual burrowing owls or pairs.
• If burrow avoidance is infeasible during the non-breeding
season or during the breeding season where resident owls have
not yet begun egg laying or incubation or where the juveniles
are foraging independently and capable of independent survival,
a qualified biologist shall implement a passive relocation
program in accordance with the CDFW (2012) Staff Report on
Burrowing Owl Mitigation.
• If passive relocation is anticipated due to on-site burrowing owl
populations, a qualified biologist shall prepare a Burrowing Owl
Exclusion Plan in accordance with CDFW (2012) Staff Report
on Burrowing Owl Mitigation and for review by CDFW prior to
passive relocation activities.
Mitigation
Measure* 3.5-2
Biological
Resources
General Measures for the Avoidance and Protection of
Biological Resources
During construction, operation and maintenance, and
decommissioning of the facility, the operator and/or contractor shall
implement the following general avoidance and protective measures
to protect San Joaquin kit fox and other special-status wildlife
species:
• The operator shall limit the areas of disturbance. Parking areas,
new roads, staging, storage, excavation, and disposal site
locations shall be confined to the smallest areas possible. All
proposed impact areas, including solar fields, staging areas,
access routes, and disposal or temporary placement of spoils,
shall be delineated with stakes and/or flagging prior to
construction to avoid special-status species where possible.
Construction-related activities, vehicles, and equipment outside
of the impact zone shall be avoided.
• These areas shall be flagged, and disturbance activities,
vehicles, and equipment shall be confined to these flagged
areas.
• Spoils shall be stockpiled in disturbed areas that lack native
vegetation. Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be
employed to prevent erosion in accordance with the Project’s
approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). All
detected erosion shall be remedied within two (2) days of
discovery or as described in the SWPPP.
Operator and/or
contractor to
implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee,
California
Department of
Fish and Wildlife
During
construction,
operation and
maintenance,
and
decommissioning
of the facility
5
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure* 3.5-2
(cont.)
Biological
Resources
• To prevent inadvertent entrapment of wildlife during construction,
all excavated, steep-walled holes or trenches with a 2-foot or
greater depth shall be covered with plywood or similar materials
at the close of each working day, or provided with one or more
escape ramps constructed of earth fill or wooden planks. Before
such holes or trenches are filled, they shall be thoroughly
inspected by the approved biological monitor for trapped animals.
If trapped animals are observed, escape ramps or structures
shall be installed immediately to allow escape. If a listed species
is trapped, USFWS and/or CDFW shall be contacted
immediately.
• All construction pipes, culverts, or similar structures with a 4-inch
or greater diameter that are stored at a construction site for one
or more overnight periods shall be thoroughly inspected for
special-status wildlife or nesting birds before the pipe is
subsequently buried, capped, or otherwise used or moved in any
way. If an animal is discovered inside a pipe, that section of pipe
shall not be moved until the Lead Biologist has been consulted
and the animal has either moved from the structure on its own
accord or until the animal has been captured and relocated by
the Lead Biologist.
• Vehicles and equipment parked on the sites shall have the
ground beneath the vehicle or equipment inspected for the
presence of wildlife prior to moving.
• Vehicular traffic shall use existing routes of travel. Cross-country
vehicle and equipment use outside of the Project properties shall
be prohibited.
• A speed limit of 20 miles per hour shall be enforced within all
construction areas.
• A long-term trash abatement program shall be established for
construction, operations, and decommissioning and submitted to
the County. Trash and food items shall be contained in closed
containers and removed daily to reduce the attractiveness to
wildlife such as common raven (Corvus corax), coyote (Canis
latrans), and feral dogs.
• Workers shall be prohibited from bringing pets and firearms to
the Project site and from feeding wildlife in the vicinity.
• Intentional killing or collection of any wildlife species shall be
prohibited.
6
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure* 3.5-3
Biological
Resources
Nesting Birds and Bats
• If construction is scheduled to commence during the non-nesting
season (September 1 to January 31), no preconstruction surveys
or additional measures are required for nesting birds, including
raptors.
• To avoid impacts to nesting birds in the Project site and
immediate vicinity, a qualified wildlife biologist shall conduct
preconstruction surveys of all potential nesting habitat within the
Project sites for ground-disturbing activities that are initiated
during the breeding season (February 1 to August 31). The
survey for special-status raptors shall focus on potential nest
sites (e.g., mature trees) within a 0.5-mile buffer around the site
in areas where access to neighboring properties is available or
visible using a spotting scope. Surveys shall be conducted no
more than 14 days prior to construction activities. Surveys need
not be conducted for the entire Project site at one time; they may
be phased so that surveys occur shortly before a portion of the
Project site is disturbed. The surveying biologist must be
qualified to determine the status and stage of nesting by
migratory birds and all locally breeding raptor species without
causing intrusive disturbance.
• If active nests are found, a suitable buffer (e.g., 300 feet for
common raptors; 0.5-mile for Swainson’s hawk; 100 feet for
passerines) shall be established around active nests and no
construction within the buffer allowed until a qualified biologist
has determined that the nest is no longer active (e.g., the
nestlings have fledged and are no longer reliant on the nest).
Encroachment into the buffer may occur at the discretion of a
qualified biologist except that encroachment into the buffer for
Swainson’s hawk must be authorized by CDFW.
• The Project site may provide suitable roosting habitat for bats
within buildings, and provide nighttime foraging habitat. If bats
are found on the Project site, roosts shall be protected during the
bat-breeding season (March 1 through September 30) with at
least a 200-foot no-disturbance buffer. Outside the breeding
season, once a qualified biologist has determined the bats have
left to forage, reentry into the structures shall be blocked and
alternative bat roosting habitat shall be provided on site or in the
vicinity prior to the structures being removed.
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee,
California
Department of
Fish and Wildlife
During
construction
activities
7
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Design
Measure **
2.5.7.3
Biological
Resources
Wildlife-friendly Features
The Applicant shall reduce potential impacts to wildlife by installing
“wildlife-friendly” fencing, which would be designed to allow San
Joaquin kit fox to pass through the fence while still providing for
solar facility security and exclusion of other unwanted species (i.e.,
large domestic dogs and coyotes). Fence posts shall be capped to
prevent potential entrapment of birds or other small species. The
design of new overhead gen-tie lines and transmission structures
would follow the most recent Avian Power Line Interaction
Committee guidance, currently 2012, to reduce the potential for
avian injury and mortality from collisions (APLIC 2012) and
electrocution (APLIC 2006). Further, the proposed use of motion-
activated security lighting (rather than lighting that would remain on
from dusk to dawn) would reduce adverse impacts to nocturnal
species, potentially including foraging, sheltering, mating and
reproducing, communicating, and migrating behaviors.
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee,
California
Department of
Fish and Wildlife
During
construction,
operation and
maintenance,
and
decommissioning
of the facility
Mitigation
Measure* 3.6-1
Cultural
Resources
Implementation of Accidental Discovery Procedures
In the event that unanticipated archaeological resources are
encountered during Project activities, compliance with federal and
State regulations and guidelines regarding the treatment of cultural
resources and/or human remains shall be required, along with
implementation of the following mitigation: If prehistoric or historic-
period archaeological resources are encountered during project
implementation:
• All construction activities within 100 feet shall halt and the
County shall be notified.
• A qualified archaeologist, defined as one meeting the Secretary
of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for
Archeology, shall inspect the findings and report the results of
the inspection to the developer and the County.
• In the event that the identified archaeological resource is
determined to be prehistoric, the County and qualified
archaeologist will coordinate with and solicit input from the
appropriate Native American Tribal Representatives, as
determined by consultation with the Native American Heritage
Commission (NAHC), regarding significance and treatment of the
resource as a tribal cultural resource. Any tribal cultural
resources discovered during project work shall be treated in
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee.
During
construction
activities
8
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure* 3.6-1
(cont.)
Cultural
Resources
consultation with the tribe, with the goal of preserving in place
with proper treatment.
• If the County determines that the resource qualifies as a
historical resource or a unique archaeological resource (as
defined pursuant to CEQA Guidelines) and that the project has
potential to damage or destroy the resource, mitigation shall be
implemented in accordance with Public Resources Code Section
21083.2 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4. Consistent with
CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4(b)(3), mitigation shall be
accomplished through either preservation in place or, if
preservation in place is not feasible, data recovery through
excavation conducted by a qualified archaeologist implementing
a detailed archaeological treatment plan.
Mitigation
Measure* 3.6-2
Cultural
Resources
Accidental Discovery of Human Remains
If human remains are uncovered during Project activities, the Project
owner shall immediately halt work, contact the Fresno County
Sheriff-Coroner to evaluate the remains, and follow the procedures
and protocols set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.4 (e)(1).
If the County Sheriff-Coroner determines that the remains are Native
American in origin, the Native American Heritage Commission
(NAHC) will be notified, in accordance with Health and Safety Code
Section 7050.5(c) and Public Resources Code Section 5097.98 (as
amended by AB 2641). The NAHC shall designate a Most Likely
Descendent (MLD) for the remains per Public Resources Code
Section 5097.98, and the landowner shall ensure that the immediate
vicinity, according to generally accepted cultural or archaeological
standards or practices, where the Native American human remains
are located, is not damaged or disturbed by further development
activity until the landowner has discussed and conferred, as
prescribed in Public Resources Code Section 5097.98, with the
MLD regarding their recommendations for the disposition of the
remains, taking into account the possibility of multiple human
remains.
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee
During
construction
activities
Mitigation
Measure* 3.8-7
Geology, Soils,
and
Paleontological
Resources
Paleontological Monitoring
The qualified paleontologist shall oversee paleontological monitoring
of all excavation at depths greater than 20 feet in previously
undisturbed sediments. Monitoring shall be conducted by a
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
During
construction
activities
9
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure* 3.8-7
(cont.)
Geology, Soils,
and
Paleontological
Resources
paleontological monitor meeting the standards of the Society of
Vertebrate Paleontology (2010). If a paleontological resource is
found, regardless of depth or setting, the Project contractor shall
cease ground-disturbing activities within 50 feet of the find and
contact the qualified paleontologist. The qualified paleontologist
shall evaluate the significance of the resources and recommend
appropriate treatment measures. At each fossil locality, field data
forms shall be used to record pertinent geologic data, stratigraphic
sections shall be measured, and appropriate sediment samples
shall be collected and submitted for analysis. Any significant fossils
encountered and recovered shall be catalogued and curated at an
accredited institution with a research interest in the materials, such
as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
Accompanying notes, maps, and photographs shall also be filed at
the repository. The qualified paleontologist shall prepare a report
documenting evaluation and/or additional treatment of the resource.
The report shall be filed with the County and with the repository.
Services
Division, and/or
its designee
Mitigation
Measure*
3.10-2
Hazards and
Hazardous
Materials
Suspected Asbestos-containing Materials
The Project proponent shall continuously comply with the following
mitigation in the event that materials suspected to contain asbestos
are uncovered during initial demolition and construction activities:
1. In the event that suspect asbestos-containing materials are
discovered during Project activities, work within a 100-
foot distance of the discovery shall immediately halt and a
California-certified asbestos professional shall take samples for
analysis of the suspect materials.
2. All damaged asbestos-containing material and asbestos-
containing material that would be disturbed by Project activities
shall be removed in accordance with federal, state, and local laws
and the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants guidelines before work may recommence.
3. All demolition activities shall be undertaken in accordance with
California Occupational Safety and Health Administration
standards, as contained in Title 8 of the California Code of
Regulations, Section 1529, to protect workers from exposure to
asbestos. Demolition shall be performed in conformance with
Federal, State, and local laws and regulations so that construction
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee
During initial
demolition and
construction
activities
10
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure*
3.10-2
(cont.)
Hazards and
Hazardous
Materials
workers and/or the public avoid significant exposure to asbestos-
containing materials.
Mitigation
Measure*
3.14-1
Noise and
Acoustics
Noise Reduction for Energy Storage System HVAC Units
Prior to issuance of building permits for the energy storage system
(ESS) facility, the Project Applicant shall provide to the County
evidence demonstrating that each ESS facility heating venting and air
conditioning (HVAC) system will comply with the County noise
standards through equipment selection and incorporation of design
measures (if applicable). Design measures may include the selection
of quieter HVAC units and use of enclosures or otherwise configuring
the units in a location that provides an acoustical barrier.
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee,
Fresno County
Department of
Public Health
Prior to issuance
of building
permits for the
ESS
Mitigation
Measure*
3.18-1a
Transportation
and Traffic
Construction and Decommissioning Traffic Management Plan
Prior to the issuance of construction or building permits, an
Encroachment Permit from Caltrans for the installation of a
temporary traffic control and the issuance of decommissioning
authorizations, the Applicant and/or the construction contractor
shall:
• Prepare and submit a Traffic Management Plan to Fresno County
Department of Public Works and Planning and the Caltrans District
6 office for approval. The Traffic Management Plan must be
prepared in accordance with both the California’s Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and Work Area Traffic
Control Handbook and must include, but not be limited to, the
following issues:
− Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) plan that addresses traffic
safety and control through the work zone;
− Timing of deliveries of heavy equipment and building
materials;
− Directing construction traffic with a flagger;
− Placing temporary signage, lighting, and traffic control
devices if required, including, but not limited to, appropriate
signage along access routes to indicate the presence of
heavy vehicles and construction traffic;
Applicants and/or
the construction
contractor and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services Division,
California
Department of
Transportation
District 6, and/or
its designee
Prior to the
issuance of
construction or
building permits
and throughout
the construction
duration
11
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure*
3.18-1a
(cont.)
Transportation
and Traffic
− Ensuring access for emergency vehicles to the project sites;
− Temporarily closing travel lanes or delaying traffic during
materials delivery, transmission line stringing activities, or any
other utility connections;
− Maintaining access to adjacent property;
− Specifying both construction/decommissioning-related vehicle
travel and oversize load haul routes, minimizing
construction/decommissioning traffic during the a.m. and p.m.
peak hour, distributing construction/decommissioning traffic
flow across alternative routes to access the project sites, and
avoiding residential neighborhoods to the maximum extent
feasible.
• Obtain all necessary permits for the work within the road right-of-
way or use of oversized/overweight vehicles that would utilize
County-maintained roads, which may require California Highway
Patrol or a pilot car escort. Copies of the approved traffic plan
and issued permits shall be submitted to the Fresno County
Department of Public Works and Planning.
• Overlay (2” Hot Mix Asphalt) and restripe California Avenue from
Derrick Avenue to the Ohio Street alignment (1 mile) due to
roadway impacts resulting from Project-generated construction
truck traffic.
• Maintain the roadway (2 miles) along the frontage of the Project
site throughout the construction duration.
• Enter into a secured agreement with Fresno County to ensure
that any County roads that are demonstrably damaged by
project-related activities are promptly repaired and, if necessary,
paved, slurry-sealed, or reconstructed as per requirements of the
state and/or Fresno County.
Mitigation
Measure*
3.18-1b
Transportation
and Traffic
Temporary Traffic Signal
The Applicant shall coordinate with Caltrans and Fresno County to
pay for and install a temporary traffic signal at the SR 33/West
California Avenue/West Panoche Road intersection prior to the
commencement of construction activities. Appropriate warning signs
and plaques, as well as advance warning signs, shall be installed
along SR 33 to alert drivers of the modified traffic control at West
California Avenue. The installation of a temporary traffic control
device on a State facility (SR 33) will require an Encroachment
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services Division,
California
Department of
Transportation
Prior to the
issuance of
construction or
building permits
and throughout
the construction
duration
12
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Mitigation
Measure*
3.18-1b
(cont.)
Transportation
and Traffic
Permit from Caltrans, which will be issued upon Caltrans’ approval
of the Traffic Management Plan (see Mitigation Measure 3.18-1a).
District 6, and/or
its designee
Design
Measure **
2.5.7.4
Aesthetics,
Biological
Resources,
Hazardous
Materials
Shared Facilities with the North Star Solar Project
The Project would share, where feasible, the existing 2-mile-long
115 kV gen-tie line and underground communication lines between
the North Star Substation and PG&E’s Mendota Substation; may
share a portion of the North Star Solar Project site for construction
worker parking, temporary construction offices, and temporary water
storage tanks; and may use water from the North Star Solar Project
well. To the extent the sharing of this existing infrastructure would
be feasible, the Applicant would avoid creating new impacts,
including the avoidance of potential impacts to aesthetics and avian
species that otherwise would result from new power lines and poles
along West California Avenue, potential grading or hazardous
materials impacts that could result if all construction workers were to
park commute vehicles on the Project site, and potential impacts to
groundwater supply and soils from the normal use of potential
contaminants (such as sealants) in the well-drilling process.
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee
During
construction of
the facility
Design
Measure **
2.5.7.6
Biological,
Paleontological
and Cultural
Resources
Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP)
The Project owner, or its contractor, shall implement a Worker
Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) to train construction
personnel how to recognize and protect environmental and cultural
resources on the Project site. The WEAP training shall include the
following topic areas:
• Biological Resources: Training will include a review of the
special-status species and other sensitive biological resources
that could exist in the Project area, the locations of sensitive
biological resources and their legal status and protections, and
measures to be implemented for avoidance of these sensitive
resources. Covered resources would include the San Joaquin kit
fox, Swainson’s hawk and the burrowing owl.
• Cultural and Paleontological Resources: The training shall
include an overview of potential cultural and paleontological
resources that could be encountered during ground-disturbing
activities to facilitate worker recognition and avoidance as well
Applicants and/or
their designees
to implement
measure as
defined.
Fresno County
Department of
Public Works and
Planning,
Development
Services
Division, and/or
its designee
Prior to the
issuance of
grading or
building permits
and for the
duration of
construction
activities
13
Mitigation Measures
Measure No. Impact Mitigation Measure Language Implementation
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility Time Span
Design
Measure **
2.5.7.6
(cont.)
Biological,
Paleontological
and Cultural
Resources
as appropriate notifications and work restrictions should
potential resources be encountered.
• Paleontological Resources: The training shall include an
overview of potential paleontological resources that could be
encountered during ground-disturbing activities to facilitate
worker recognition and avoidance as well as appropriate
notifications and work restrictions should potential resources be
encountered.
• The WEAP training also shall include information on other
compliance matters, as appropriate, such as storm water
management, handling and storage of hazardous materials and
compliance with dust control measures. The WEAP training will
be mandatory for all construction personnel and certain site
visitors and vendors. A copy of the training transcript and/or
training video, as well as a list of the names of all personnel who
attended the training and copies of the signed
acknowledgement forms shall be made available upon request.
*MITIGATION MEASURE – Measure specifically applied to the project to mitigate potential adverse environmental effects identified in the environmental document.
**Design Measure – Condition proposed as part of the design for the project whose implementation would mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts identified in the environmental document.
Conditions of Approval
1. The life of this each land use permit (CUP Nos. 3550, 3551, 3552, 3553, and 3577) shall expire upon expiration of the initial life of the solar lease or
the 30-year initial life of each of the projects. If the solar leases are to be extended or the initial life of each project extends beyond this approval,
approval of new land use permits shall be obtained.
2. Development and operation of the use shall be in conformance with the site plan, elevation drawings, operational statement, and Reclamation Plan
approved by the Commission.
3. The CUP approval shall be conditioned upon acceptance of Financial Assurances by the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning
and/or the Director’s designee.
4. A Site Plan Review (SPR) Application shall be submitted for approval by the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning in accordance
with Section 874 of the Fresno County Zoning Ordinance prior to the issuance of Building Permits for each approved land use permit (CUP Nos.
3550, 3551, 3552, 3553, and 3577). The SPRs shall be applicable to those portions of the project site(s) to be improved with substations, inverters,
perimeter access roads, parking, and driveway access, excluding the solar panel fields. Items to be addressed under the SPR process may include,
but are not limited to, design of parking and circulation, driveway, access, grading and drainage, fire protection and lighting.
5. As part of the SPR submittal process for each land use permit, an agreement incorporating the provisions of the “Right-to-Farm” Notice (Ordinance
Code Section 17.40.100) shall be entered into with Fresno County, acknowledging the presence of surrounding agricultural operations and their
related activities.
14
Conditions of Approval
6. The project shall adhere to the procedures listed in the Reclamation Plan prepared for the operation, including requirements for financial estimates,
bonding and facility removal when operation ceases. Prior to the issuance of any Construction Permits (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing),
the required bond amount, based on the engineer’s estimate, shall be deposited (or evidence of a Bank Guarantee or Irrevocable Letter of Credit
shall be provided).
7. The Reclamation Plan shall be revised to provide for an annual increase in costs at 3%, or tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or other
mechanism acceptable to the Fresno County Department of Public Works and Planning.
8. The project shall comply with the Pest Management Plan, February 2017, in order to control weeds and rodents on the property that may impact
adjacent properties.
9. The County of Fresno shall enter into an agreement with a Consultant to act as a Third Party Monitor and implement the Mitigation Monitoring and/or
Reporting Program and Conditions Compliance Matrix in accordance with Section 21081.6 of the California Public Resources Code and Section
15097 of Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations. This agreement shall cover monitoring the Project's Mitigation Measures and
Conditions of Approval as provided in the Mitigation Monitoring and/or Reporting Program and Conditions Compliance Matrix, and the Applicant shall
pay all costs associated with the Consultant costs and Mitigation Monitoring.
10 The Applicant shall enter into an agreement with the County of Fresno to compensate for County staff’s time to review and administer any materials
related to Mitigation Monitoring and/or Reporting, including those prepared by the Third Party Monitor.
11. Prior to initiating construction, the Applicant shall be required to contact Underground Service Alert (811) to allow Westlands Water District staff to
locate and mark its facilities prior to commencement of grading or construction activities.
12.‡ The Applicant shall enter into an agreement indemnifying the County for all legal costs associated with its approval of UCUPS 3550-3553, and 3570
and provide a bond in the amount of $150,000.00 as security for any such legal costs incurred by the County.
13.‡ The Applicant shall enter into a Reclamation Agreement and shall have the property owner execute a limited easement for the County’s benefit.
Conditions of Approval reference required Conditions for the project.
‡Conditions added by the Board of Supervisors, February 26, 2019.
Notes
The following Notes reference mandatory requirements of Fresno County or other Agencies and are provided as information to the project Applicant.
1. These Conditional Use Permits will become void, unless there has been substantial development within two years of the effective date of this
approval.
2. The Applicant shall comply with all applicable laws and standards, including, but not limited to, those governing the use, storage, and disposal of
hazardous materials; worker training and safe work practices; air quality (such as the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s indirect
source rule and fugitive dust regulation), water quality (e.g., local design standards for retention or detention basins to manage storm water runoff),
and Energy Storage Systems more generally (see Draft EIR Chapter 2’s footnote 6 for details). Similarly, site preparation and construction activities
would be performed in accordance with an SW PPP, or similar plan that incorporates storm water BMPs to reduce the adverse effects of erosion and
sedimentation, and herbicide would be applied by qualified personnel following product label instructions and applicable regulations.
15
Notes
3. Prior to occupancy, the Applicant shall complete and submit either a Hazardous Materials Business Plan or a Business Plan Exemption form to the
Fresno County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division. Contact the Certified Unified Program Agency at (559) 445-3271 for
more information.
4. All hazardous waste shall be handled in accordance with requirements set forth in the California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.5. This chapter
discusses proper labeling, storage and handling of hazardous wastes.
5. A storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) shall be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the California
State Regional Water Quality Control Board.
6. Because the proposed project includes land disturbances of more than five acres, the Applicant will be required to obtain a National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Construction Storm Water Permit from the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
7. The Applicant shall adhere to San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District Regulation VIII – Fugitive Dust Rules. The Applicant also shall adhere to the
District’s permitting requirements, which include a District-Issued Dust Control Plan and Authority to Construct (ATC). The Applicant shall consider
entering into a voluntary emission reduction agreement (VERA) with the District.
8. The following project notes relate to improvements of the private drives and parking areas:
- An Encroachment Permit will be required for any improvements within the County right-of-way prior to commencement of construction.
- The driveway should be a minimum of 24 feet and a maximum of 35 feet in width as approved by the Road Maintenance and Operations
Division.
- If only the driveway is to be paved, the first 100 feet off of the edge of the ultimate right-of-way shall be concrete or asphalt.
- Any proposed gate that provides initial access to this site shall be set back from the edge of the road right-of-way a minimum of 20 feet or the
length of the longest vehicle to enter the site, whichever is greater.
- A dust palliative shall be required on all parking and circulation areas.
9. Any proposed septic system shall adhere to the California Plumbing Code and the Fresno Local Agency Management Plan (LAMP).
10. The Applicant shall comply with the Westlands Water District Backflow Prevention Guidelines.
11. A dust palliative shall be required on all parking and circulation areas.
CMM:ksn
G:\4360Devs&Pln\PROJSEC\PROJDOCS\Environmental\EIR - EIS\7225 Little Bear (First Solar)\BOS\CUP 3550-53 and 3577 MMRP (BOS).docx
EXHIBIT “B”
Little Bear Solar 1
Project Site – CUP No. 3550
Legal Description
THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE UNINCORPORATED
AREA IN COUNTY OF FRESNO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IS DESCRIBED AS
FOLLOWS:
Parcel 1: APN: 019-110-05st
The Northeast quarter of Section 14, Township 14 South, Range 14 East, Mount Diablo Base and
Meridian, in the unincorporated area, County of Fresno, State of California, according to the
Official Plat thereof.
Parcel 2: APN: 019-110-04st
The Northwest quarter of Section 14, Township 14 South, Range 14 East, Mount Diablo Base and
Meridian, in the unincorporated area, County of Fresno, State of California, according to the
Official Plat thereof.
End of Description.
Little Bear Solar 3
Project Site – CUP No. 3551
Legal Description
THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE UNINCORPORATED
AREA IN COUNTY OF FRESNO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IS DESCRIBED AS
FOLLOWS:
Parcel 1: APN: 019-110-06st
The Northwest quarter of Section 13, Township 14 South, Range 14 East, Mount Diablo Base and
Meridian, according to the Official Plat thereof.
End of Description.
Little Bear Solar 4
Project Site – CUP No. 3552
Legal Description
THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE UNINCORPORATED
AREA IN COUNTY OF FRESNO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IS DESCRIBED AS
FOLLOWS:
Parcel 1: APN: 019-110-03ST
The South half of Section 14, Township 14 South, Range 14 East, Mount Diablo Base and
Meridian, according to the Official Plat thereof.
End of Description.
Little Bear Solar 5
Project Site – CUP No. 3553, 3577
Legal Description
THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED IN THE UNINCORPORATED
AREA IN COUNTY OF FRESNO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IS DESCRIBED AS
FOLLOWS:
Parcel 1: APN: 019-110-13ST
The East half and the Southwest quarter of Section 13, Township 14 South, Range 14 East, Mount
Diablo Base and Meridian, according to the official plat thereof;
EXCEPTING THEREFROM the following described property:
That portion of the East half of the East half of said Section 13, described as follows:
Beginning at the Southeast corner of said Section, said Southeast corner being at Coordinates
Y=502467.210 feet and X=1593586.361 feet;
Thence (1) along the South line of said Section, North 89°16' 19" West, a distance of 101.65 feet,
Thence (2) North 61° 26' 58" East, a distance of 82.73 feet to the West line of the East 30 feet of
said Section;
Thence (3) along said West line, North 1° 26' 58" East, a distance of 5195.14 feet;
Thence (4) North 43° 33' 02" West, a distance of 70.72 feet to the South line of the North 30 feet
of said Section;
Thence (5) North 1° 26' 46" East, a distance of 30.00 feet to the North line of said Section;
Thence (6) along last said North line, South 89° 20' 02" East, a distance of 80.01 feet to the East
line of said Section;
Thence (7) along said East line, South 1° 26' 58" West, a distance of 5316.32 feet to the Point of
Beginning.
End of Description.