Solar energy projects in desert tortoise habitats employ several strategies to monitor and mitigate impacts on these sensitive ecosystems:
Monitoring and Mitigation Strategies
- Early Consultation and Surveys: Developers are required to meet with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to conduct surveys over large areas, sometimes three to four times the size of the project, to identify suitable locations that minimize impacts on desert tortoises.
- Connectivity Assessments: Projects like the Bonanza Solar Project conduct detailed desert tortoise connectivity assessments. These assessments analyze how solar projects affect habitat linkage and tortoise movement in areas such as the Eastern Mojave Recovery Unit.
- Wildlife-Friendly Designs:
- Innovative Solar Panel Placement: Panels are installed higher off the ground to allow for vegetation growth, reducing the “lake effect” by increasing light penetration and spacing between panels.
- Maintaining Habitat Connectivity: Small openings are created in perimeter fences to facilitate wildlife passage.
- Reducing Vehicle Impacts: Vehicles are restricted to low-speed, small vehicles, and staff receive desert tortoise awareness training.
- Temporary Relocation and Tracking: Before construction, tortoises are relocated temporarily. Some are fitted with radio transmitters to monitor movement and residency post-release.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Projects may involve pilot studies to monitor site use by tortoises and assess the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. This helps in refining protocols for future energy projects.
These strategies are crucial in balancing renewable energy development with the conservation of desert tortoise habitats.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-solar-energy-projects-monitor-the-impact-on-desert-tortoise-habitats/
