Audubon California has expressed concern about Solargen Energy’s
proposal for a 420-megawatt facility in Panoche Valley due to the
environmentally sensitive birds and habitat in that area, according
to a statement from the group.
Audubon California has listed Panoche Valley as an
”
Important Bird Area of Global Significance
”
because it hosts more than 12 sensitive bird species, including
the mountain plover, which is under review by the U.S. Fish
&
amp; Wildlife Service to be listed as threatened under the
Endangered Species Act.
Audubon California has expressed concern about Solargen Energy’s proposal for a 420-megawatt facility in Panoche Valley due to the environmentally sensitive birds and habitat in that area, according to a statement from the group.
Audubon California has listed Panoche Valley as an “Important Bird Area of Global Significance” because it hosts more than 12 sensitive bird species, including the mountain plover, which is under review by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
The county planning commission tonight is taking public comment on a draft environmental impact report that details environmental issues for four different project alternatives. The solar farm would cover about 4,800 acres in southern San Benito County.
In addition to the mountain plover, Panoche Valley is also celebrated for its high concentrations of wintering raptors and enormous sparrow flocks, according to Audubon. California bird species of special concern here include the burrowing owl, grasshopper sparrow, northern harrier, and loggerhead shrike. Audubon watchlist birds include the sage sparrow and the long-billed curlew. Birds of prey commonly observed include prairie falcon, white-tailed kite and golden eagle, a California fully protected species, according to the group.
Grassland birds are among the fastest declining birds in North America as 48 percent of species are of conservation concern and 55 percent are showing significant declines, according to Audubon.
Audubon noted that chapters from all over the region visit this valley regularly for field trips and bird surveys, and are perhaps most knowledgeable about the importance of this habitat for birds.
Several of these chapters, including Fresno, Monterey Bay, Golden Gate and Santa Clara Valley Audubon are taking an active role in the public review process for the proposal to raise awareness about potential impacts to birds.
