Rio Grande County Draft Solar Regulations

Due to the National Electrical Code requirement of security fencing around large-scale solar installations, CPW recommends the following requirement be included within the county code:
All perimeter fencing at solar facilities shall follow the Colorado Department of Transportation Deer Fence, Gate, and Game Ramps Standard Plan No. M-607-4 or a substantially similar design. This fencing design will be wildlife permeable for small to medium-sized animals, while excluding big game.

(f) Descriptions of other proposed techniques that will be used to mitigate (avoid, minimize, and compensate) impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitat during the construction and operation of the facility.

Nesting and breeding sites identified during surveys,

Recommended edit:

(a) Any species (animal, bird, and insect species) listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) designated Critical Habitat, or species listed by CPW as State Threatened or Endangered, Species of Special Concern or Species of Greatest Conservation Need,
(b) CPW-identified High Priority Habitats,
(c) Wetlands, riparian corridors, and other water resources,
(d) A list of other wildlife species potentially present at the facility.

CPW appreciates the requirement for major solar projects to consult with CPW on the development of a Wildlife Habitat Plan.

delete "Department"

CPW supports the use of drought-resistant native species for reclamation efforts, as specified in 6.02.D. CPW consultation could be included in this section, as CPW provides site-specific reclamation seed mixes upon request.

Suggested edit: Major Solar Energy Facilities shall avoid CPW-mapped Migration Corridors as well as other High Priority Habitats which have an avoidance recommendation of No Ground Disturbance.

These recommendation can be found at: link

Requirement to site major solar projects w/in 0.5 mi of a substation may restrict the options to avoid High Priority Habitats (such as migration corridors) for wildlife or other sensitive natural resources. CPW recommends either strengthening section J.2.i. or including a caveat in this section to extend this distance if necessary to avoid impacts to sensitive habitats.