[-n:) TETRA TECH nLE COPY

[-n:) TETRA TECH nLE COPY j) April 26, 2019

Scott Glenn, Director Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) Department of Health, State of Hawai'i 235 S. Beretania Street, Room 702 Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813

Dear Mr. Scott,

. y - 8 2019

On behalf of Kawailoa Wind LLC, we are submitting the enclosed Draft Supplemental Environmental

Impact Statement (SEIS) package for the Kawailoa Wind Farm, located in the Waialua District on the

island of O'ahu (tax map key [TMK] (1) 61006001, 61007001 and 62011001). We request

publication of the draft SEIS for a 45-day public comment period in the May 8, 2019 edition of the

Environmental Notice. The Draft SEIS includes copies of all written comments received during the

30-day public consultation period for the SEIS Preparation Notice (SEISPN).

The following documents are included in the enclosed package: (1) one hard copy and three

electronic (pdf) copies of the Draft SEIS, (2) one hard copy and one electronic (Word) copy of the

completed OEQC publication form, and (3) one hard copy and one electronic (pdf) copy of the

distribution list for verification by OEQC pursuant to Section 11-200-20, Hawai'i Administrative

Rules. Upon receiving verification from OEQC, we will notify those so indicated on the distribution

list such that they will have the full 45-day period to review and comment on the Draft SEIS.

Simulatenous with this submittal, a copy of the Draft SEIS is being transmitted to the State of Hawaii

Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry Wildlife (DO FAW), as the

approving agency.

If there are any questions, please contact Lisa Kettley at (808) 441-6651 ~' [email protected]. :>~ r

::u m (") Sincerely,

Tetra Tech, Inc.

_,.,, -j:z -<< c,--:;13 :ZC) ..... , ==-rn ~z -,..

m -< fT1 0

cc: Glenn Metzler, State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of

Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)

Enclosures Tetra Tech, Inc.

737 Bishop Street, Suite 2340 I Honolulu. Hawaii 96813 Tel 808.441.6600 I Fax 808.836.1689 I www.tetratech.com

i '

19- 3 3 9

Office of Environmental Quality Control February 2016 Revision

Project Name:

Project Short Name: HRS §343-5 Trigger(s):

lsland(s) : Judicial District(s): TMK(s) : Permit(s)/ Approval(s): Approving Agency:

Contact Name, Email, Telephone, Address

Applicant : Contact Name, Email,

Telephone, Address

Consultant: Contact Name, Email,

Telephone, Address

Status (select one) DEA-AF NS I

FEA-FONSI

FEA-EISPN

Act 172-12 EISPN ("Direct to EIS")

_x_DEIS (Supplemental)

FEIS

_ FEIS Acceptance Determination

__ FEIS Statutory

Acceptance

APPLICANT PUBLICATION FORM

Draft Supplemental EIS for Kawailoa Wind Farm (for Amendment to Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take License)

Kawailoa Wind Farm Supplemental EIS Provisions of HRS Chapter 201N, use of State lands and use of lands within the Conservation District (note that these were triggers for original EIS) Oahu Waialua (1) 61006001, 61007001 and 62011001

Amendment to Habitat Conservation Plan, Incidental Take License and Incidental Take Permit Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DO FAW) Glenn Metzler 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813 [email protected] Kawailoa Wind, LLC Brita Woeck 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10036 [email protected] Tetra Tech, Inc. Lisa Kettley 737 Bishop Street, Suite 2340, Honolulu, HI 96813 lisa [email protected]

Submittal Requirements Submit 1) the approving agency notice of determination/transmittal letter on agency letterhead, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the DEA, and 4) a searchable PDF of the DEA; a 30-day comment period follows from the date of publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) the approving agency notice of determination/transmittal letter on agency letterhead, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the FEA, and 4) a searchable PDF of the FEA; no comment period follows from publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) the approving agency notice of determination/transmittal letter on agency letterhead, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the FEA, and 4) a searchable PDF of the FEA; a 30-day comment period follows from the date of publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) the approving agency notice of determination letter on agency letterhead and 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file; no EA is required and a 30-day comment period follows from the date of publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) a transmittal letter to the OEQC and to the approving agency, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the DEIS, 4) a searchable PDF of the DEIS, and 5) a searchable PDF of the distribution list; a 45-day comment period follows from the date of publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) a transmittal letter to the OEQC and to the approving agency, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the FEIS, 4) a searchable PDF of the FEIS, and 5) a searchable PDF of the distribution list; no comment period follows from publication in the Notice.

The approving agency simultaneously transmits to both the OEQC and the applicant a letter of its determination of acceptance or nonacceptance (pursuant to Section 11-200-23, HAR) of the FEIS; no comment period ensues upon publication in the Notice.

The approving agency simultaneously transmits to both the OEQC and the applicant a notice that it did not make a timely determination on the acceptance or nonacceptance of the applicant's FEIS under Section 343-5(c), HRS, and therefore the applicant's FEIS is deemed accepted as a matter of law.

Page 1 of 2

19- 3 3 9

Office of Environmental Quality Control Applicant Publication Form February 2016 Revision

__ Supplemental EIS

Determination

Withdrawal

Other

Project Summary

The approving agency simultaneously transmits its notice to both the applicant and the OEQC that it has reviewed (pursuant to Section 11-200-27, HAR) the previously accepted FEIS and determines that a supplemental EIS is or is not required; no EA is required and no comment period ensues upon publication in the Notice.

Identify the specific document(s) to withdraw and explain in the project summary section.

Contact the OEQC if your action is not one of the above items.

The Kawailoa Wind Project is an approximately 69-megawatt wind farm located approximately 5 miles northeast of Hale'iwa town on the north shore of O'ahu. An EIS for the Project was accepted by the State of Hawai'i Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism in July 2011. The Project was constructed in 2012 and has been in operation since that time. The Project operates under an approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take License (ITL) issued by the State of Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DO FAW), pursuant to HRS Chapter 195D. The HCP and ITL provide coverage for incidental take of state listed wildlife species, including the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus). Post-construction mortality monitoring data indicate that operation of the wind turbines is resulting in a greater number of endangered Hawaiian hoary bat fatalities than anticipated in the approved HCP and authorized under the ITL. As such, Kawailoa Wind is pursuing an amendment to the HCP as part of the request to increase the amount of Hawaiian hoary bat take authorized by the ITL. Additionally, Kawailoa Wind is requesting to add take authorization for the endangered Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis). Given that the impacts to the Hawaiian hoary bat and Hawaiian petrel are greater than anticipated, DO FAW requested that an SEIS be prepared to support its decision making for the requested amendment to the HCP and ITL. A separate but parallel HCP Amendment and environmental review process is being conducted in compliance with federal requirements, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act.

(' . Page 2 of 2

Kawailoa Wind Farm

DRAFT Supplemental Environmental

Impact Statement

Applicant:KawailoaWind,LLC1166AvenueoftheAmericas,9thFloorNewYork,NY10036Preparedby:TetraTech,Inc.737BishopStreet,Suite2340Honolulu,HI96813

Kawailoa Wind Farm

DRAFTSupplementalEnvironmentalImpactStatement

KawailoaWindOʻahu,Hawaiʻi

This Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and all ancillary documents were prepared under my direction or supervision and the information submitted, to the best of my knowledge, fully addresses document content requirements as set forth in Section 11-200-17, Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules.

Bryan Martin, Authorized SignatoryKawailoa Wind, LLC

DATE

Preparedfor:

State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife

4/24/19

DraftSupplementalEnvironmentalImpactStatement

KawailoaWindFarm

PROJECTSUMMARY

ProjectName KawailoaWindFarm

Applicant/ProjectOwner

KawailoaWind,LLC

ProjectSummary1 TheKawailoaWindProject(Project)isanapproximately69‐megawatt(MW)windfarmlocatedapproximately5milesnortheastofHaleʻiwatownonthenorthshoreofOʻahu.PursuanttoHawaiʻiRevisedStatutes(HRS)Chapter343,anEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)wasacceptedbytheStateofHawaiʻiDepartmentofBusiness,EconomicDevelopment,andTourism(DBEDT)inJuly2011.TheProjectwassubsequentlyconstructedandhasbeeninoperationsince2012.

TheProjectisoperatingunderanapprovedHabitatConservationPlan(HCP)andassociatedIncidentalTakePermit(ITP)andIncidentalTakeLicense(ITL),whichauthorizetakeofthreatenedandendangeredspeciesprotectedunderfederalandstateregulations,respectively.Post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringdataindicatethatoperationofthewindturbinesisresultinginagreaternumberofendangeredHawaiianhoarybatorʻōpe‘ape‘a(Lasiuruscinereussemotus)fatalitiesthananticipatedintheHCPandauthorizedbytheITP/ITL.Assuch,KawailoaWindispursuinganamendmenttotheHCPaspartoftherequesttoincreasetheamountofHawaiianhoarybattakeauthorizedbytheITP/ITL.Additionally,KawailoaWindisrequestingtoaddtakeauthorizationfortheendangeredHawaiianpetrelorʻuaʻu(Pterodromasandwichensis).

ExceptfortheneedforanamendmenttotheHCPandITP/ITL,therehavebeennosubstantivechangestotheProject;thesize,scope,intensity,typeofuseandlocationofthewindfarmfacilitiesareconsistentwiththedescriptionprovidedinthe2011EIS.However,giventhattheimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelaregreaterthananticipated,theStateofHawaiʻiDepartmentofLandandNaturalResources(DLNR)DivisionofForestryandWildlife(DOFAW)requestedthataSupplementalEIS(SEIS)bepreparedtosupportitsdecisionmakingfortherequestedamendmenttotheHCPandITL.

TheDraftHCPAmendmentwaspublishedforpublicreviewinOctober2018,pursuanttotherequirementsofHRSChapter195D.BasedontheinformationpresentedintheDraftHCPAmendment,thisDraftSEISdocumentstheincreaseinProject‐relatedimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelandtheadditionalmeasuresthatwillbeimplementedtoavoid,minimizeandmitigatethoseimpacts,withinthecontextoftheHRSChapter343requirements.

AseparatebutparallelHCPAmendmentandenvironmentalreviewprocessisbeingconductedincompliancewithfederalrequirements,pursuanttotheEndangeredSpeciesActandNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct.

ProjectLocation FormerKawailoaPlantation,NorthShore,Oʻahu

LandOwnership KamehamehaSchools

TaxMapKeys(TMK)2

(1)61006001,61007001and62011001

StateLandUseDistrict

Agriculture

CountyZoning AG‐1(RestrictedAgricultural)andP‐1(RestrictedPreservation)


KawailoaWindFarm

RequiredPermits/Approvals

AmendmenttoHCPandITP/ITL3

ActionsRequiringEnvironmentalReviewUnderHRSChapter343

TheProjectoriginallyrequiredcompliancewithHRSChapter343basedontheprovisionsofHRSChapter201N,aswellasfortheuseofStatelandsanduseoflandswithintheConservationDistrict.4

AlthoughanHCPandITLisnotatriggerforcompliancewithHRSChapter343,DOFAWrequestedthatanSEISbepreparedtosupportitsdecisionmakingregardingtherequestedamendmenttotheHCPandITL.

ApprovingAgency DLNRDOFAW5

ContactInformation

KawailoaWind,LLC1166AvenueoftheAmericas,9thFloorNewYork,NY10036Contact:[email protected]

TetraTech,Inc.737BishopStreet,Suite2340,Honolulu,Hawaiʻi96813Contact:[email protected]

1.Theproposedactiondescribedinthe2011EISincludedpossiblecommunicationequipmentlocatedonMt.Kaʻala,aswellasanoptionalbatteryenergystoragesystem.Itwassubsequentlydeterminedthatneitherequipmentwasneededandthus,werenotinstalled.Therefore,thesecomponentsarenotaddressedaspartoftheProjectinthisdocument.AdditionaldiscussionisprovidedinSection2.1.3.

2.ThewindfarmfacilitiesaddressedbytheHCPAmendmentarewithinTMKs(1)61006001,61007001and62011001.TheonsiteaccessroadsandunoccupiedportionsoftheProjectareaarewithinotherTMKs,aslistedinthe2011EIS.

3.AcompletelistoftheapprovalsthatwererequiredforconstructionoftheProjectisprovidedinthe2011EIS.AmendmentoftheHCPandITP/ITL(andtheassociatedNEPAandHRSChapter343environmentalreview)aretheonlyapprovalscurrentlyrequested.

4.PursuanttoHRSChapter201N,arequestfordevelopmentofapermitplanforarenewableenergyfacilitywassubmittedtoDBEDT;HRSChapter201N‐8specifiesthatHRSChapter343appliestoanypermitplanapplication.TheanticipateduseofStatelandsanduseoflandswithintheConservationDistrictwereassociatedwithpossiblecommunicationequipmenttobeinstallednearMt.KaʻalatoaccommodateinterconnectionwiththeHawaiianElectricCompany,Inc.(HECO)electricgrid.Asnotedabove,thesefacilitieswerenotconstructed.

5.PursuanttoHRSChapter201N,DBEDTwastheapprovingagencyforthe2011EIS.GiventheirrequestforanSEIS,DOFAWcoordinatedwithDBEDTregardingtheroleoftheapprovingagency.IncoordinationwithDBEDT,itwasdeterminedthatDOFAWwouldserveastheapprovingagencyfortheSEIS.


KawailoaWindFarm ES‐1

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

TheKawailoaWindProject(Project)isanapproximately69‐megawatt(MW)windfarmlocatedonformerKawailoaPlantationlandsownedbyKamehamehaSchools,approximately5milesnortheastofHaleʻiwatownonthenorthshoreofOʻahu.PursuanttoHawaiʻiRevisedStatutes(HRS)Chapter343,anEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)waspreparedfortheProjectandwasacceptedbytheStateofHawaiʻiDepartmentofBusiness,EconomicDevelopment,andTourism(DBEDT)inJuly2011.TheProjectwassubsequentlyconstructedandhasbeeninoperationsince2012.

TheProjectisoperatingunderanapprovedHabitatConservationPlan(HCP)andassociatedIncidentalTakePermit(ITP)andIncidentalTakeLicense(ITL),whichauthorizetakeofthreatenedandendangeredspeciesprotectedunderthefederalEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)andHRSChapter195D,respectively.Post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringdataindicatethatoperationofthewindturbinesisresultinginagreaternumberofendangeredHawaiianhoarybatorʻōpe‘ape‘a(Lasiuruscinereussemotus)fatalitiesthananticipatedintheHCPandauthorizedbytheITP/ITL.Assuch,KawailoaWindispursuinganamendmenttotheHCP,inaccordancewiththeESAandHRSChapter195D,aspartoftherequesttoincreasetheamountofHawaiianhoarybattakeauthorizedbytheITP/ITL.Additionally,KawailoaWindisrequestingtoaddtakeauthorizationfortheendangeredHawaiianpetrelorʻuaʻu(Pterodromasandwichensis).ThisspecieswasnotoriginallycoveredbytheHCPandITP/ITLasitwasnotknowntooccurregularlyonOʻahuandwasnotexpectedtotransittheProjectarea;therefore,takewasthoughttobehighlyunlikely.However,recentacousticsurveyshavedocumentedHawaiianpetrelonOʻahuandtwofatalitieshavebeenobservedattheProject.

ExceptfortheneedforanamendmenttotheHCPandITP/ITL,therehavebeennosubstantivechangestotheProject;thesize,scope,intensity,typeofuseandlocationofthewindfarmfacilitiesareconsistentwiththedescriptionprovidedinthe2011EIS.However,giventhattheimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelaregreaterthananticipated,DOFAWrequestedthataSupplementalEIS(SEIS)bepreparedtosupportitsdecisionmakingfortherequestedamendmenttotheHCPandITL.

TheHCPamendmentprocessinvolvesin‐depthanalysisoftheestimatedtakeofHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelovertheremainderofthepermitterm,anddevelopmentofappropriateminimizationandmitigationmeasurestooffsettheimpacts.AdetaileddiscussionofthisprocessandtheresultinginformationispresentedintheDraftHCPAmendment,whichwaspublishedforpublicreviewinOctober2018,pursuanttotherequirementsofHRSChapter195D.1ThisDraftSEISisbasedontheinformationpresentedintheDraftHCPAmendment;thepurposeofthisdocumentistodisclosetheincreasedProject‐relatedimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelaswellastheadditionalmeasuresthatwillbeimplementedtominimizeandmitigatethose

1TheDraftHCPAmendmentwaspublishedbytheOfficeofEnvironmentalQualityControl(OEQC)intheEnvironmentalNotice.Itcanbeaccessedat:http://oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/Other_TEN_Publications/2018‐10‐23‐OA‐DHCP‐Kawailoa‐Amendment.pdf



impacts,withinthecontextoftheHRSChapter343requirements.Movingforward,theHCPAmendmentwillberevisedbasedonthecommentsreceivedthroughtheDraftHCPAmendmentreviewprocess.Thoserevisions,aswellascommentsreceivedonthisDraftSEIS,willbeincorporatedintoaFinalSEIS,asappropriate.ApprovaloftheHCPAmendmentandITLwouldnotoccuruntiltheFinalSEIShasbeenacceptedbyDOFAW.

AsfurtherdiscussedinSection5.1,aseparatebutparallelHCPAmendmentandenvironmentalreviewprocessisbeingconductedincompliancewithfederalrequirements,pursuanttotheESAandNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA).

DescriptionofProject

The2011EISpresentedadetaileddescriptionoftheProject,involvingconstructionandoperationofawindenergyfacilityontheformerKawailoaPlantationlandsownedbyKamehamehaSchool.ItincludesvariouscomponentswhichcollectivelyfunctiontogenerateandtransmitelectricitytotheexistingHawaiianElectricCompany,Inc.(HECO)grid;thesecomponentsinclude30windturbinegenerators,anelectricalcollectorsystem(withbothundergroundandoverheadelectricalcollectorlines),andelectricalsubstation,interconnectionequipment,anoperationsandmaintenance(O&M)building,andmeteorologicalmonitoringequipment.2TheProjectwasconstructedandhasbeeninoperationsince2012.

AsspecifiedintheapprovedHCP,KawailoaWindimplementedlowwindspeedcurtailment(LWSC)fromthestartofProjectoperationstoreducerisktoHawaiianhoarybats.Thisoperationalprotocolinvolvesrestrictingturbineoperationbyfeatheringtheturbineblades(thatis,rotatingbladesparalleltothewind)duringperiodsoflowwindspeed(i.e.,below5.0meterspersecond[m/s])betweensunsetandsunrisefromMarchtoNovember,aspre‐constructiondatashowedrelativelyhigherbatactivityduringtheseperiods.TherehavebeenincrementalextensionstotheLWSCperiodasanadaptivemanagementresponsetotheoccurrenceofbatfatalitiesoutsidetheinitialLWSCperiod.ThisavoidanceandminimizationmeasuredoesnotinvolvemodificationofanyfacilitiesorotheraspectsoftheProject.Additionalinformationregardingavoidanceandminimizationmeasures,includingLWSC,isprovidedinSection3.5.4.

Alternatives

ArangeofalternativeactionswereidentifiedandconsideredthroughtheProjectplanningandsitelayoutprocess.The2011EISpresentstheframeworkthatwasusedforidentificationandconsiderationofalternativestoconstructionandoperationoftheProject,includingthosealternativesthatwereconsideredindetailaswellasthoseeliminatedfromfurtherconsideration.BecausetheProjecthasbeenconstructedgenerallyasdescribedinthe2011EISandnochangesare

2FollowingissuanceoftheEIS,severalcomponentsthatwereincludedintheProjectdescription(e.g.,anoptionalbatteryenergystoragesystemandcommunicationequipmentonMt.Kaʻala)weredeterminedtonotbeneededandthuswerenotinstalled.Inaddition,Turbine15(whichwasoriginallysitedjustsouthofTurbine16)wasre‐sitedtoacentralportionoftheProjectarea.FurtherdiscussionoftheseitemsisprovidedinSection2.1.3.



proposedtotheProject,theoriginaldiscussionofProjectalternativesinthe2011EISisstillapplicableandnoadditionalProjectalternativesarebeingconsideredinthisSEIS.

SpecifictotheestimatedincreaseinHawaiianhoarybattake,twoalternativeapproachesrelatedtomodifiedProjectoperationshavebeenidentifiedandconsideredthroughtheHCPAmendmentprocess.TheseconsistofmodificationstoProjectoperationalprotocols,includingfullnighttimecurtailment,andcurtailmentwithcut‐inspeedsof5.5m/s.ThesealternativeapproachesfromtheHCPAmendment,aswellasa“NoHCPAmendment”alternative(i.e.,a“noaction”alternative)areaddressedinSection2.2.2.

PotentialImpacts

TheonlyProject‐relatedimpactsthatareknowntosubstantiallydifferfromtheinformationpresentedinthe2011EISrelatetotheHawaiianhoarybatandtheHawaiianpetrel.TheapprovedHCPandITP/ITLauthorizedatakelimitof60batsfortheProject;basedonpost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringandmodelingestimates(whichalsoaccountforunobserveddirecttakeandestimatedindirecttake),thistakelimithasbeenexceeded.3Aspreviouslydescribed,theHawaiianpetrelwasnotoriginallyincludedintheapprovedHCPandtakewasnotauthorizedaspartoftheITP/ITL,asthisspecieswasnotknowntooccurregularlyonOʻahuandwasnotexpectedtotransittheProjectarea,andtherefore,takewasthoughttobehighlyunlikely.However,recentsurveyshavedocumentedHawaiianpetrelonOʻahuandtwofatalitieshavebeenobservedattheProject(in2017and2018).

AspartoftheHCPamendmentprocess,directandindirecteffectstotheHawaiianhoarybatandtheHawaiianpetrelwereevaluatedandtheresultswereusedtodeveloprevisedtakeestimates.Basedonthemodelingresults,andaccountingforimplementationofavoidanceandminimizationmeasures(asfurtherdescribedbelow),thetotaltakeauthorizationrequestfortheHawaiianhoarybataspartoftheHCPAmendmentisforanadditional205bats(foratotalof265bats,includingthecurrentauthorizationof60bats).TheestimateoftotalProject‐relatedtakeandthetakeauthorizationrequestfortheHawaiianpetrelisatotalof19petrelsand5chicks.AdditionaldetailregardingtheestimatedProject‐relatedtake,aswellasupdatedinformationregardingeachspecies,isprovidedinSection3.5.

BesidestheimpactstoHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,Project‐relatedimpactsarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.Therefore,thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreferenceforthefollowingresourcecategories:climate,geologyandtopography,soils,naturalhazards,hydrologyandwaterresources,vegetation,archaeologicalandculturalresources,transportationandtraffic,hazardousmaterials,noise,airquality,visualresources,landuse,publicconstructionandsafety,socioeconomiccharacteristics,andpublicinfrastructureandservices.However,impactstotheseresourcesspecifictoimplementationoftheadditionalmitigationproposedundertheHCPamendmentisdiscussedasapplicable(seeSection3.5.4).

3TheUSFWSandDOFAWrequirethatcompliancewithITP/ITLtakelimitsbeassessedbasedonthe80percentcredibilitylevel,whichmeansthereisan80percentprobabilitythatactualmortalityisequaltoorlessthanthepredictedmortality.



Avoidance,MinimizationandMitigationMeasures

Incaseswhereadverseimpactswereidentifiedinthe2011EIS,KawailoaWinddevelopedbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)andmitigationmeasurestoavoid,minimizeandmitigatethepotentialimpactstosensitiveenvironmentalresourcestotheextentpossible.TheseBMPsandmitigationmeasureshavebeenandcontinuetobeimplementedfortheProject,asapplicable.

OverthecourseofProjectoperations,KawailoaWindhascontinuedtoevaluatemeasurestofurtherreducetherisktoHawaiianhoarybats.Specifically,KawailoaWindhasimplementedmultipleadaptivemanagementeffortsincludingmodificationoftheLWSCprotocol,implementationofinnovativeapproachestopost‐constructionmortalitymonitoring(e.g.,useofcaninesearchteams),andsupportfordevelopmentofbatdeterrenttechnology.Inaddition,asthebaselineminimizationstrategyfortheHCPAmendment,KawailoaWindwill(1)extendLWSCwithacut‐inspeedof5.0m/satallturbinestooccuryear‐roundfromsunsettosunrise,(2)increaseLWSCcut‐inspeedto5.2m/sthrougha0.2m/shysteresistoincreasethe“downtime”ofthewindturbinesandreducethenumberofstop/starteventspernight,(3)conductanultrasonicacousticbatdeterrent“proofofconcept”test,and(4)installbatdeterrentsatall30ProjectturbineswhentheyareshowntobeatleastaseffectiveasLWSCatreducingbattake.4

Inadditiontotheseavoidanceandminimizationmeasures,andconsistentwiththebiologicalgoalsoftheHCPAmendment,KawailoaWindhasbeenandwillcontinueimplementingcompensatorymitigationforimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybat.PursuanttotherequirementsofHRSChapter195D,themitigationisintendedtofullyoffsetthetakeandprovideanetbenefittothespecies.Mitigationhasbeendevelopedaccordingtothedifferenttiersoftake,withplanningandimplementationoccurringaseachtieristriggered.Mitigationfortheexistingtiersoftake(Tiers1‐3,pertheapprovedHCP)isbeingsuccessfullyimplemented,incoordinationwithU.S.FishandWildlifeService(USFWS)andtheStateofHawaiʻiDepartmentofLandandNaturalResources(DLNR)DivisionofForestryandWildlife(DOFAW).Proposedmitigationfortheadditionaltiersoftake(Tiers4–6),developedaspartoftheHCPamendmentprocess,isbasedontherecoveryprioritiesdescribedintheHawaiianHoaryBatRecoveryPlan(USFWS1998),agencyguidancedescribedintheESRCBatGuidance(DLNR2015),andconservationandmanagementprioritiesidentifiedbytheagencies.Tier4batmitigationconsistsofcontributing$2,750,000towardacquisitionandlong‐termprotectionoftheHelemanoWildernessAreathroughapartnershipwiththeTrustforPublicLand(TPL),USFWS,DOFAWandotherfundingpartners.Tier5andTier6mitigationfortheHawaiianhoarybatwillincludeeither(1)contributionoffundingtoacquirepropertytoprotectbatroostingandforaginghabitatinperpetuity,or(2)bathabitatmanagement/restorationatHelemanoWildernessArea,WaimeaNativeForest,orasimilarsite.

WithregardtotheHawaiianpetrel,theavoidanceandminimizationmeasurespreviouslyimplementedfortheNewell’sshearwaterarealsoapplicabletotheHawaiianpetrel.Thesemeasuresincludeminimizingon‐sitelightingatbuildings;implementationofaWildlifeEducation

4ItisanticipatedthatacousticbatdeterrentswillbecommerciallyavailableforinstallationattheProjectassoonasMay2019.



andObservationProgram(WEOP)toreducevehiclecollisionrisk;andfollowingAvianPowerLineInteractionCommittee(APLIC)guidelinesforoverheadcollectionlines.MitigationfortheHawaiianpetrelwillconsistoffundingpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringfortheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaHawaiianpetrelbreedingcolonieswithintheHonoONāPaliNaturalAreaReserve(NAR),locatedinthenorthwestportionofKauaʻi.

CompatibilitywithLandUsePlansandPolicies

TheextenttowhichProjectimplementationcomplieswiththefullrangeofapplicablefederal,stateandcountyregulationsandpolicieswasevaluatedaspartofthe2011EIS.FurtherevaluationwasconductedinlightoftherevisedanalysisofProject‐relatedimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.Accountingforrecentplanandpolicyupdates,theProjectisstillconsistentwiththeapplicableplansandpolicies.AnupdateddiscussionofconsistencywiththeseplansandpoliciesisprovidedinSection5.

RequiredPermitsandApprovals

Arangeoffederal,stateandlocalpermitsandapprovalswererequiredforconstructionandoperationoftheProject,asdetailedinthe2011EIS.Thenecessarypermitsandapprovalswereobtainedpriortoconstructionandremainineffect,asapplicable.

Asdescribedabove,KawailoaWindisseekinganamendmenttotheHCPandITP/ITL,incompliancewithESASection10andHRSChapter195D.OtherdiscretionaryapprovalsthatwerepreviouslyobtainedforProjectimplementationarenotexpectedtobeaffectedbytheincreaseinestimatedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatortheadditionofHawaiianpetreltake.AnupdatedlistoftherequiredpermitsandapprovalsrequiredfortheProjectisprovidedinSection6.


KawailoaWindFarm i

TableofContents PurposeandNeed.......................................................................................................................................................1

1.1 ProjectOverview..................................................................................................................................................1

1.1.1 Background...................................................................................................................................................2

1.2 ProjectPurposeandNeed................................................................................................................................5

1.3 ProjectObjectives.................................................................................................................................................5

1.4 ScopeofSEIS..........................................................................................................................................................5

DescriptionofProjectandAlternatives.............................................................................................................7

2.1 ExistingWindFarmProject.............................................................................................................................7

2.1.1 BackgroundandHistory..........................................................................................................................7

2.1.2 ProjectLocation..........................................................................................................................................7

2.1.3 ProjectDescription....................................................................................................................................8

2.1.4 OperationalProtocol...............................................................................................................................10

2.2 Alternatives..........................................................................................................................................................11

2.2.1 ProjectAlternatives.................................................................................................................................11

2.2.2 AlternativeOperationalProtocolsConsideredinHCPAmendment...................................11

ExistingEnvironment,PotentialImpacts,andMitigationMeasures...................................................15

3.1 Climate....................................................................................................................................................................15

3.2 AirQuality.............................................................................................................................................................15

3.3 Geology,Topography,andSoils...................................................................................................................15

3.4 HydrologyandWaterResources.................................................................................................................16

3.5 BiologicalResources.........................................................................................................................................16

3.5.1 HistoricalConditions...............................................................................................................................17

3.5.2 ExistingConditions..................................................................................................................................18

3.5.3 PotentialImpactsandMitigationMeasures(Flora)..................................................................24

3.5.4 PotentialImpactsandMitigationMeasures(Fauna).................................................................25

3.6 Historic,Archaeological,andCulturalResources.................................................................................50

3.7 VisualResources.................................................................................................................................................50

3.8 Noise........................................................................................................................................................................51

3.9 LandUse.................................................................................................................................................................51

3.10 TransportationandTraffic.............................................................................................................................51

3.11 MilitaryOperations...........................................................................................................................................51


KawailoaWindFarm ii

3.12 HazardousMaterials.........................................................................................................................................51

3.13 SocioeconomicCharacteristics.....................................................................................................................52

3.14 NaturalHazards..................................................................................................................................................52

3.15 PublicSafety.........................................................................................................................................................52

3.16 PublicInfrastructureandServices..............................................................................................................52

OtherHRSChapter343Topics............................................................................................................................53

4.1 SecondaryandCumulativeImpacts...........................................................................................................53

4.1.1 ListedSpecies.............................................................................................................................................53

4.2 Short‐TermUsesversusLong‐TermProductivity...............................................................................58

4.3 IrreversibleandIrretrievableCommitmentofResources................................................................58

4.4 UnavoidableImpactsandRationaleforProceeding...........................................................................58

4.5 UnresolvedIssues..............................................................................................................................................59

ConsistencywithExistingLandUsePlans,Policies,andControls........................................................60

5.1 FederalRegulations...........................................................................................................................................60

5.1.1 EndangeredSpeciesAct.........................................................................................................................60

5.1.2 MigratoryBirdTreatyAct.....................................................................................................................61

5.1.3 CleanAirAct...............................................................................................................................................62

5.1.4 CleanWaterAct.........................................................................................................................................62

5.1.5 FederalAviationRegulations...............................................................................................................62

5.1.6 NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct...................................................................................................62

5.2 StateofHawaiʻi....................................................................................................................................................63

5.2.1 HawaiʻiStateEnergyResources(HRSChapter196).................................................................63

5.2.2 HawaiʻiStatePlanningAct(HRSChapter226)............................................................................63

5.2.3 HawaiʻiEnvironmentalImpactReviewLaw(HRSChapter343).........................................67

5.2.4 HawaiʻiStateEnvironmentalPolicy(HRSChapter344)..........................................................68

5.2.5 RenewableEnergyFacilitySitingProcess(HRSChapter201N)..........................................68

5.2.6 HawaiʻiStateLandUseLaw(HRSChapter205).........................................................................69

5.2.7 ConservationDistrict(HRSChapter183C)...................................................................................69

5.2.8 CoastalZoneManagement(HRSChapter205A).........................................................................69

5.2.9 HRSChapter6EandNationalHistoricPreservationAct.........................................................69

5.2.10 StateEndangeredSpeciesAct(HRSChapter195D)..................................................................69

5.2.11 Mt.KaʻalaNaturalAreaReserveManagementPlan...................................................................72


KawailoaWindFarm iii

5.3 CountyPlansandPolicies...............................................................................................................................72

5.4 KamehamehaSchoolsNorthShoreMasterPlan...................................................................................73

RequiredPermits.......................................................................................................................................................74

ConsultationandDistribution..............................................................................................................................76

7.1 Consultation.........................................................................................................................................................76

7.2 SEISPNDistribution..........................................................................................................................................78

7.3 CommentsReceivedonSEISPN...................................................................................................................79

7.4 DraftSEISDistribution.....................................................................................................................................80

ListofPreparers.........................................................................................................................................................83

References....................................................................................................................................................................84

TablesTable3‐1.EstimatedTakeandTotalTakeRequestforEachTier....................................................................28 Table3‐2.TriggersforPlanningforFutureTiersofMitigation.........................................................................32 Table4‐1.CurrentandPendingTakeAuthorizations............................................................................................54 Table5‐1.ConsistencywiththeHawaiʻiStatePlan................................................................................................64 Table5‐2.HCPApprovalandITLIssuanceCriteria................................................................................................70 Table6‐1.PermitsandApprovalsRequiredfortheKawailoaWindFarmProject...................................74 Table7‐1.SummaryofConsultationConductedforHCPAmendmentandSEISProcess.......................76 Table7‐2.SEISPNDistributionList...............................................................................................................................78 Table7‐3.SummaryofCommentsReceivedonSEISPN.......................................................................................80 Table7‐4.DraftSEISDistributionList..........................................................................................................................81 Table8‐1.ListofPreparersforDraftSEIS..................................................................................................................83

FiguresFigure2‐1.ProjectSiteLayout...........................................................................................................................................9 Figure3‐1.LocationoftheHelemanoWildernessArea(Tier4Mitigation)................................................34

AppendicesAppendixA.2011EISand2011EAAcceptanceandPublicationDocumentationAppendixB.LetterfromtheDepartmentofBusiness,EconomicDevelopment,andTourismAppendixC.SupplementalEISDeterminationAppendixD.SEISPNCommentsandResponses


KawailoaWindFarm 1

PurposeandNeed

1.1 ProjectOverview

TheKawailoaWindProject(Project)isanapproximately69‐megawatt(MW)windfarmlocatedonformerKawailoaPlantationlandsownedbyKamehamehaSchools,approximately5milesnortheastofHaleʻiwatownonthenorthshoreoftheislandofOʻahu,Hawaiʻi.PursuanttoHawaiʻiRevisedStatutes(HRS)Chapter343,anEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)waspreparedfortheProjectandwasacceptedbytheStateofHawaiʻiDepartmentofBusiness,EconomicDevelopment,andTourism(DBEDT)inJuly2011.Therequiredpermitsandapprovalsweresubsequentlyobtained,andtheProjectwasconstructedwithcommercialoperationcommencinginNovember2012.TheProjectisexpectedtobeinoperationthrough2032,inaccordancewiththetermsofitspowerpurchaseagreement(PPA).

Aspartofthepermittingprocess,KawailoaWindwasissuedanincidentaltakepermit(ITP)fromtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(USFWS)andanincidentaltakelicense(ITL)fromtheHawaiʻiDepartmentofLandandNaturalResources(DLNR)DivisionofForestryandWildlife(DOFAW),pursuanttoSection10ofthefederalEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)andtheStateofHawaiʻiendangeredspecieslaw(HRSChapter195D),respectively.TheITP/ITLprovidecoverageforincidentaltake5offederalandstate‐listedthreatenedorendangeredspeciesthatcouldpotentiallybeimpactedbytheProject;specificmeasurestominimizeandmitigateimpactstothosespecieswereidentifiedasparttheassociatedHabitatConservationPlan(HCP;SWCA2011).TheITPandITLeachhaveatermof20years,expiringin2032.

Post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringconductedaspartoftheProjectindicatesthatoperationofthewindturbinesiscausingagreaternumberofendangeredHawaiianhoarybat(Lasiuruscinereussemotus)fatalitiesthanwasanticipatedintheapprovedHCPandauthorizedbytheITP/ITL.Therefore,KawailoaWindispursuinganamendmenttotheHCP(HCPAmendment)aspartoftherequesttoincreasetheamountofHawaiianhoarybattakeauthorizedbytheITP/ITL.Additionally,KawailoaWindisrequestingincidentaltakecoveragefortheHawaiianpetrelorʻuaʻu(Pterodromasandwichensis).ThisspecieswasnotoriginallyincludedintheHCPbecauseitwasnotknowntooccurregularlyonOʻahuandwasnotexpectedtotransittheProjectarea;therefore,takewasthoughttobehighlyunlikely.However,recentacousticsurveyshavedocumentedHawaiianpetrelonOʻahuandtwofatalitieshavebeenobservedattheProject.

In‐depthanalysisoftheestimatedHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetreltakethatisexpectedtooccurovertheremainderofthepermittermhasbeenconducted,andadditionalminimizationandmitigationmeasureshavebeenidentifiedaspartoftheHCPamendmentprocess.ThisinformationisdetailedintheDraftHCPAmendment,whichwaspublishedforpublicreviewbytheOfficeof

5PursuanttoHRSChapter195D‐2,theterm“take”meanstomeanstoharass,harm,pursue,hunt,shoot,wound,kill,trap,capture,orcollectendangeredorthreatenedspeciesofaquaticlifeorwildlife,ortocut,collect,uproot,destroy,injure,orpossessendangeredorthreatenedspeciesofaquaticlifeorlandplants,ortoattempttoengageinanysuchconduct.


KawailoaWindFarm 2

EnvironmentalQualityControl(OEQC)intheOctober23,2018editionoftheEnvironmentalNotice,pursuanttotherequirementsofHRSChapter195D.AcopyoftheDraftHCPAmendmentisavailableat:http://oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/Other_TEN_Publications/2018‐10‐23‐OA‐DHCP‐Kawailoa‐Amendment.pdf.

ThepurposeofthisDraftSEISistodisclosetheincreasedProject‐relatedimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelaswellastheadditionalmeasuresthatwillbeimplementedtominimizeandmitigatethoseimpacts,withinthecontextoftherequirementsofHRSChapter343.Asasupplementaldocument,itisbasedonthestructureandformatofthe2011EISwithupdatedinformationaccordingtothedetailspresentedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

1.1.1 Background

The2011EISincludedbackgroundinformationregardingtheapplicant;updatedinformationontheapplicantandcurrentProjectownerisprovidedbelow.AdditionalbackgroundinformationrelatingtoHRSChapter343compliance,aswellastheapprovedITP/ITLandtheHCPamendmentprocess,isalsoprovided.

1.1.1.1 Applicant

KawailoaWindwasformedbyFirstWind,LLC(FirstWind),aBoston‐basedwindenergycompany,fortheexpresspurposeofdevelopingawindpowerfacilityonformerKawailoaPlantationlandsownedbyKamehamehaSchools.Followingconstruction,theProjectwasacquiredbyD.E.ShawRenewableInvestments,LLC.TheProjectisawholly‐ownedsubsidiaryofDESRIIV,LLC,whichisaninvestmentfundmanagedbyD.E.ShawRenewableInvestments,LLC.

1.1.1.2 HRSChapter343Compliance

ItwasoriginallyanticipatedthattheProjectwouldinvolvetheuseofStatelandsanduseoflandswithintheConservationDistrict,6bothofwhichareactionsthatrequirecompliancewithHRSChapter343.Inaddition,pursuanttoHRSChapter201N,arequestfordevelopmentofapermitplanforarenewableenergyfacilitywassubmittedtotheStateofHawaiʻiDepartmentofBusiness,EconomicDevelopment,andTourism(DBEDT);HRSChapter201N‐8specifiesthatHRSChapter343appliestoanypermitplanapplication.Assuch,DBEDTservedastheapprovingagencyfortheHRSChapter343process,andanEISwaspreparedpursuanttotherequirementsofHRSChapter343andHawaiʻiAdministrativeRules(HAR)§11‐200.TheEISdescribedtheproposedconstruction,operationandmaintenanceofthewindfarmaswellasalternativeactionsthatwereconsidered,evaluatedtheanticipatedimpactsoftheproposedaction(andalternatives),andidentifiedmeasuresthatwouldbeimplementedtoavoid,minimizeandmitigatetheanticipated

6TheanticipateduseofStatelandsanduseoflandswithintheConservationDistrictwereassociatedwithpossiblecommunicationequipmenttobeinstallednearMt.KaʻalatoaccommodateinterconnectionwiththeHawaiianElectricCompany,Inc.(HECO)electricgrid.Itwassubsequentlydeterminedthatthisequipmentwasnotneeded,andthereforeitwasnotinstalled.


KawailoaWindFarm 3

impacts.TheFinalEISwaspublishedbytheOfficeofEnvironmentalQualityControl(OEQC)intheEnvironmentalNoticeonJuly8,2011andwasacceptedbyDBEDTonJuly20,2011.Subsequently,anEnvironmentalAssessment(EA)waspreparedtoevaluatethepotentialimpactsassociatedwithimplementationoftheProject’sHCP;basedontheirrolewiththeHCP,DOFAWwastheapprovingagencyfortheEA.DOFAWissuedaFindingofNoSignificantImpact(FONSI),whichwaspublishedbyOEQCintheEnvironmentalNoticeonOctober8,2011(seeAppendixA).

TheProjectwasconstructedin2012andtherehavebeennosubstantivechangestotheProject,suchthatthesize,scope,intensity,typeofuse,andlocationofthewindfarmfacilitiesareconsistentwiththedescriptionprovidedinthe2011EIS.However,becausetheimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybataregreaterthananticipatedandimpactstotheHawaiianpetrelhavesubsequentlybeenidentified,DOFAWrequestedthataSupplementalEIS(SEIS)bepreparedtosupportitsdecision‐makingfortherequestedamendmenttotheHCPandITL.TheneedforanSEISwasidentifiedbasedonHAR§11‐200‐27,whichstatesthat“asupplementalstatementshallbewarrantedwhenthescopeofanactionhasbeensubstantiallyincreased,whentheintensityofenvironmentalimpactswillbeincreased,whenthemitigatingmeasuresoriginallyplannedarenottobeimplemented,orwherenewcircumstancesorevidencehavebroughttolightdifferentorlikelyincreasedenvironmentalimpactsnotpreviouslydealtwith.”

BasedontheirrequestforanSEIS,DOFAWcoordinatedwithDBEDTastheapprovingagencyforthe2011EIS.IncoordinationwithDBEDT,itwasdeterminedthatDOFAWwouldserveastheapprovingagencyfortheSEIS(seeAppendixB).OnJuly8,2018,DOFAWpublishedtheirdeterminationregardingtheneedforanSEIS,simultaneouslywithanSEISPreparationNotice(SEISPN)fortheProject(seeAppendixC).AdditionalinformationregardingtheSEISPNisprovidedinSection5.2.3.

1.1.1.3 IncidentalTakeAuthorization

Assummarizedabove,toaddressthepotentialforincidentaltakeoffederalandstate‐listedthreatenedorendangeredspecies,KawailoaWindsoughtanITPfromUSFWSpursuanttoESASection10(1)(1)(B)andanITLfromDOFAWpursuanttoHRSChapter195D.BothanITPandanITLrequiredevelopmentandapprovalofanHCPpriortoauthorization.ThepurposeofanHCPistoidentifytheanticipatedeffectsofaproposedtakingandthemeasuresthatwouldbeimplementedforminimization,mitigationandmonitoring,thusprovidinganetrecoverybenefittotheaffectedspecies.

AnHCPwaspreparedfortheProjecttoaddressthefollowingspecies(collectivelyreferredtoas“CoveredSpecies”):threatenedNewell’sshearwaterorʻaʻo(Puffinusnewelli),endangeredHawaiianduckorkoloamaoli(Anaswyvilliana),endangeredHawaiianstiltoraeʻo(Himantopusmexicanusknudseni),endangeredHawaiiancootorʻalaekeʻokeʻo(Fulicaalai),endangeredHawaiianmoorhenorʻalaeʻula(Gallinulachloropussandvicensis),endangeredHawaiianshort‐earedowlorpueo(Asioflammeussandwichensis),andendangeredHawaiianhoarybatorʻōpe‘ape‘a(Lasiuruscinereussemotus).TheHCPwasapprovedandtheITPandITLweresubsequentlyissuedbyUSFWSandDOFAWonDecember8,2011andJanuary6,2012,respectively.


KawailoaWindFarm 4

MonitoringandCompliance

TheapprovedHCPincludesrequirementsforpost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringandreporting.TheseeffortsaredesignedtodetectanddocumentimpactstotheCoveredSpeciesasaresultofProjectoperations,andtoensurecompliancewiththeauthorizedprovisionsandtakelimitationsoftheHCPandtheassociatedITP/ITL.Post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringandreportingwasinitiatedin2012andisongoinginaccordancewithprotocolsapprovedbyUSFWSandDOFAW.

Basedonthepost‐constructionmonitoringdatacollectedtodate,operationoftheProjecthasresultedinmoretakeofHawaiianhoarybatsthanoriginallyanticipated.Fatalitymodeling,whichisusedtoestimatetotaltake,indicatestheProjecthasexceededthecurrentlyauthorizedbattakelimit,evenwithimplementationofadditionalavoidanceandminimizationmeasuressuchasincreasingtheperiodoflowwindspeedcurtailment(LWSC).7,8IntheapprovedHCP,KawailoaWindcommittedtoimplementingLWSCbetweensunsetandsunrisefromMarchtoNovember,basedonpre‐constructiondatathatshowedrelativelyhigherbatactivityduringtheseperiods.TherehavebeenincrementalextensionstotheLWSCperiodasanadaptivemanagementresponsetotheoccurrenceofbatfatalitiesoutsidetheinitialLWSCperiod,asfurtherdetailedinSection3.5.4.

TakeofHawaiianhoarybatshasbeenhigherthananticipatedundertheapprovedHCP,inpartbecauserisktobatsfromwindenergydevelopmentinHawaiʻiwaslargelyunknownandthusunderestimatedatthetimetheHCPwasapproved.Furthermore,advancementshavebeenmadeintheabilitytostatisticallymodelfuturefatalityrates.WhentheHCPwasapproved,post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringdatafromHawaiʻiwindfarmswerescantandestimatesoftakewerebasedonthebestavailablesurrogateinformation,consistingofpre‐constructionacousticdatawhichisnowrecognizedasapoorpredictorofpost‐constructionfatalityrates(Heinetal.2013).ThisresultedinanunderestimateofthenumberofbatfatalitiesexpectedtooccurasaresultofProjectoperations.Inaddition,sincethedevelopmentoftheapprovedHCP,theUSFWSandDOFAWhaveadoptedamoreconservativestandardforestimatingbattake,whichisalsonowusedtoevaluateHCPcompliance.Thus,theinitialestimateoftakeincludedintheHCPandsubsequentestimatesoftakeforthepurposeofevaluatingpermitcompliance(incorporatingactualfatalitydata)werebasedondifferentmethodologies.

7TheagenciesrequirethatcompliancewithITP/ITLtakelimitsbeassessedbasedonthe80percentcredibilitylevel,whichmeansthereisan80percentprobabilitythatactualmortalityisequaltoorlessthanthepredictedmortality.8LWSCinvolvesremovingturbinesfromservicebyfeatheringtheturbinebladesuntilthewindreachesapre‐determinedspeed(greaterthanthemanufacturer’srecommendedcut‐inspeed).“Feathering”meansthattheturbinebladesarerotatedparalleltothewind,resultinginveryslowmovementoftherotor(1rotationperminuteorless).LWSCduringnighttimehourshasbeenfoundtoreducerisktobats(Arnettetal.2011)becausebatactivityistypicallyassociatedwithperiodswhenwindspeedsarelower.Aswindspeedsincrease,thelikelihoodofbatactivitydecreases,andcollisionriskcorrespondinglydecreases.AdditionaldiscussionofLWSCandotheravoidanceandminimizationmeasuresisprovidedinSection3.5.4.


KawailoaWindFarm 5

HCPAmendment

InNovember2015,KawailoaWindinitiatedconsultationwithUSFWSandDOFAWregardinganamendmenttotheHCP.Theamendmentprocesshasbeenunderwaysincethattime;asdetailedinSection7.0,extensiveconsultationhasbeenconductedtosupportdevelopmentoftheHCPAmendment.ThepurposeoftheHCPAmendmentistosupportarequestto1)increasetheamountofauthorizedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatbeyondthatauthorizedundertheapprovedITP/ITL,and2)addtheHawaiianpetrelasaCoveredSpeciesundertheITP/ITL.Inaddition,theHCPAmendmentidentifiesassociatedappropriateminimizationmeasures,mitigationactions,anadaptivemanagementstrategy,andalong‐termpost‐constructionmonitoringplan.Itdoesnotproposetochangetheoriginal20‐yearpermittermoftheITP/ITL,nordoesitconsiderexpansionoftheexistingfacilityorProjectarea.AdditionaldetailregardingtheDraftHCPAmendment,includingpublicreviewandthesubsequentfederalandstateapprovalprocesses,isprovidedinSections5.0and7.0.

1.2 ProjectPurposeandNeed

The2011EISprovidesadetailedstatementofthepurposeandneedfortheProject.Specifically,theneedfortheProjectisbasedontheStateofHawaiʻi’sRenewablePortfolioStandard(RPS;HRSChapter269‐92),theHawaiʻiCleanEnergyInitiative(HCEI)andothersimilarregulationsandinitiatives.Collectively,theseregulationsandinitiativesreflecttheState’scommitmenttomoveawayfrompetroleum‐basedenergygenerationandexpanditsportfoliooflocallygeneratedrenewableenergyprojects,thusestablishinganoverwhelmingneedforrenewableenergyprojectsthroughouttheState.ThepurposeoftheProjectistoprovideclean,renewablewindenergyforHawaiʻi.

TheProjectwasconstructedin2012,andthepurposeandneedfortheProjectremainasdescribedinthe2011EIS.Thedetailedstatementsofpurposeandneed,aspresentedinSection1.2ofthe2011EISareincorporatedbyreference.

1.3 ProjectObjectives

Asdetailedinthe2011EIS,giventhestatutoryneedforrenewableenergyprojectsintheStateofHawaiʻiandthepurposeofprovidingrenewablewindenergy,severalobjectiveswereidentifiedfortheProject,pursuanttoHAR§11‐200‐17(e)(2).

TheProjectwasconstructedin2012,andtheobjectivesremainasdescribedinthe2011EIS.Thedetailedlistofobjectives,aspresentedinSection1.3ofthe2011EISareincorporatedbyreference.

1.4 ScopeofSEIS

ThefullrangeofProject‐relatedimpacts,bothadverseandbeneficial,werediscussedindetailaspartofthe2011EIS.Aspreviouslydescribed,theProjecthasbeenconstructedandexceptfortheneedforanamendmenttotheHCPandITP/ITL,therehavebeennosubstantialchangestotheProject.TheonlyProject‐relatedimpactsthatareknowntosubstantivelydifferfromthe


KawailoaWindFarm 6

informationpresentedinthe2011EISrelatetotheHawaiianhoarybatandtheHawaiianpetrel.Assuch,thescopeofanalysisfortheSEISisspecificallyfocusedontheadditionalProject‐relatedimpactsandassociatedmitigationforthesespecies.IssuesbeyondtheanticipatedProject‐relatedimpactsandmitigationassociatedwiththeincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelarenotaddressedinthisdocument.

Foreaseofuse,theSEISfollowsthesamegeneralorganizationandformatasthe2011EIS.Updatedinformationisprovidedforindividualsectionsofthedocument,asappropriatebasedonthedetailspresentedintheDraftHCPAmendment.ForsectionsthatdonotrequireupdatedinformationrelativetotheadditionalimpactsandmitigationforHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,astatementisincludedtothiseffect(withinformationfromthe2011EISincorporatedbyreference).


KawailoaWindFarm 7

DescriptionofProjectandAlternatives

The2011EISpresentedadetaileddescriptionoftheproposedaction,involvingconstructionandoperationofawindenergyfacilityontheformerKawailoaPlantationlands;italsoaddressedtherangeofalternativeactionsthatwereevaluated(includingthosethatwereeliminatedfromfurtherconsideration).TheProjectwassubsequentlyconstructedandhasbeeninoperationsince2012.AsthisdocumentisanSEIS(whichisintendedtodocumentthechangesfromtheoriginalEIS),itcarriesforwardtheProjectastheactionthatisevaluatedforpotentialenvironmentalimpactsfromthe2011EIS.WithinthecontextoftherequirementsforHRSChapter343,theactionhasnotchangedsubstantivelyintermsofsize,scope,intensity,typeofuse,location,ortiming,suchthatthedetailedProjectdescriptionprovidedinthe2011EISisstillapplicableandisincorporatedbyreference.Asummary,whichincludesminormodificationstotheProjectdescription,isprovidedbelow.

2.1 ExistingWindFarmProject

2.1.1 BackgroundandHistory

In2008,KamehamehaSchoolsconductedamasterplanningefforttodevelopaframeworkforsustainablemanagementforallitslandholdingsonthenorthshoreofOʻahu.Theresultingplanidentifiedarangeofdevelopmentconcepts,includingoutdooreducation,diversifiedagriculture,andrenewableenergy,allofwhichweredevelopedwithcommunityinputandreflectKamehamehaSchools’visionandmission.SevencatalystprojectsweredescribedintheMasterPlan,oneofwhichwasawindenergyprojectonlandsthatwerehistoricallypartofKawailoaPlantation(KamehamehaSchools2008).FollowingpresentationofthedevelopmentconceptintheirMasterPlan,KamehamehaSchoolssolicitedproposalsfromwindfarmdevelopersinanticipationofaformalrenewableenergyprojectselectionprocessbyHECO.Subsequently,HECOissuedaRequestforProposals(RFP)forRenewableEnergyProjectsfortheIslandofOʻahu(datedJune2008).In2009,theprojectwasselectedbyHECOtobeoneofseveralprojectsincludedintheirrenewableenergyportfolio,whichestablishedtherightstonegotiateaPPA.Folowingselection,KawailoaWindacquiredtherightstodeveloptheproject.AdditionaldetailsregardingthebackgroundandhistoryoftheProject,includingadiscussionofsitesuitability,areprovidedinthe2011EISandareincorporatedbyreference.

2.1.2 ProjectLocation

TheProjectislocatedapproximately5milesnortheastofHaleʻiwatown,onthenorthshoreoftheIslandofOʻahu.TheProjectareaiscomprisedalmostentirelyofKawailoaPlantationlands,whichareownedbyKamehamehaSchools.Theonsiteaccessroadstraverseseveralsmallpropertiesownedbyotherentities.KamehamehaSchoolshasgrantsofeasementwiththeseotherlandownersforlong‐termaccessthroughtheirpropertiesforbothKamehamehaSchoolsanditslesseesand


KawailoaWindFarm 8

tenants,includingKawailoaWind.Inaddition,KawailoaWindhasaseparateaccessagreementwiththreeoftheselandowners.

TheProjectfacilitieswhichareaddressedintheHCPAmendmentarelocatedwithintaxmapkey(TMK)(1)61007001,62011001,and61006001.OtherTMKsthatcompriseunoccupiedportionsoftheProjectarea,aswellasareastraversedbytheonsiteaccessroadsarelistedandareshowninthe2011EIS.

2.1.3 ProjectDescription

Asdescribedinthe2011EIS,theProjectisanapproximately69‐MWwindfarmlocatedonformerKawailoaPlantationlandsownedbyKamehamehaSchools.TheProjectincludesvariouscomponentswhichcollectivelyfunctiontogenerateandtransmitelectricitytoHECO’sexistinggrid.ThesecomponentsarelistedbelowandareshowninFigure2‐1.Adetaileddescriptionofthefacilities,includingtheapproximatefootprintandareaofdisturbanceassociatedwitheachcomponentisprovidedinthe2011EIS.

Windturbinegenerators(30SiemensSWT‐2.3101turbines)

Electricalcollectorsystem(includingundergroundandoverheadelectricalcollectorlines)

Electricalsubstation

Interconnectionfacilities(ateachoftwopointsofinterconnection[POI])

Communicationequipment

Operationsandmaintenance(O&M)building

Meteorologicalmonitoringequipment

Theelectricitygeneratedbythewindturbinesiscarriedbyaseriesofundergroundandoverheadelectricalcollectorlinestotheelectricalsubstation,wherethevoltageisincreasedtosub‐transmission(46‐kilovolt[kV])levels.Overhead46‐kVconnectorlinescarrytheelectricitytointerconnectionfacilities(attwoseparatePOIswiththeexistingHECO46‐kVsub‐transmissionlines),wherethewind‐generatedelectricityisintegratedintotheexistingHECOgrid.AdedicatedcommunicationlinkbetweenthewindfarmsiteandtheHECOgridisprovidedviamicrowavecommunicationequipmentlocatedateachoftheinterconnectionfacilities.9 OtherappurtenantfacilitiesincludeanO&Mbuilding,whichhousesthewindfarmmanagementsystem,andmeteorologicalequipmentformonitoringthewindresources.

9The2011EISdescribedpossiblecommunicationequipmentattwolocationsnearMt.Kaʻala.Itwassubsequentlydeterminedthatthisequipmentwasnotneeded,andthusitwasnotinstalled.


KawailoaWindFarm 9

Figure2‐1.ProjectSiteLayout


KawailoaWindFarm 10

Consistentwiththescheduleprovidedinthe2011EIS,constructionoftheProjectwascompletedin2012.10Constructionactivities,includingimplementationofbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)andotheravoidance,minimizationandmitigationmeasures,wereconductedasanticipated.Ingeneral,theProjectfacilitieswereinstalledasdesigned,withnosubstantialdeviationsfromthedescriptionprovidedinthe2011EIS,withtheexceptionoftheminormodificationslistedbelow.NochangesintheProjectfacilitiesareproposedaspartoftheHCPAmendment.

Turbine15wasoriginallysitedjustsouthofTurbine16,nearthesouthernboundaryoftheProjectarea(seeFigure4inthe2011EIS).Priortoconstruction,thisturbinewasre‐sitedtoacentralportionoftheProjectarea(alongAshleyRoad,seeFigure2‐1)toavoidencroachmentintoanexistingeasement.

Anoptionalbatteryenergystoragesystemwasidentifiedasapotentialmechanismtopartiallystore,regulateandstabilizetheenergyoutputfromtheProject.However,itwassubsequentlydeterminedthatthisequipmentwasnotneededforgridintegrationpurposesandthus,itwasnotinstalled.

TheProjectwasdesignedtoincludepossiblecommunicationequipmentintwolocationsnearMt.KaʻalatofacilitateinterconnectionwithHECO’selectricalgrid;however,itwassubsequentlydeterminedthatthisequipmentwasnotneededandthus,itwasnotinstalled.

2.1.4 OperationalProtocol

AsspecifiedintheapprovedHCP,KawailoaWindcommittedtoimplementingLWSCfromthestartofProjectoperationstoreducerisktoHawaiianhoarybats.Thisoperationalprotocolinvolvesrestrictingturbineoperationbyfeatheringtheturbinebladesduringperiodsoflowwindspeed(i.e.,below5.0meterspersecond[m/s])betweensunsetandsunrisefromMarchtoNovember,aspre‐constructiondatashowedrelativelyhigherbatactivityduringtheseperiods.TherehavebeenincrementalextensionstotheLWSCperiodasanadaptivemanagementresponsetotheoccurrenceofbatfatalitiesoutsidetheinitialLWSCperiod.ThisavoidanceandminimizationmeasuredoesnotinvolvemodificationofanyfacilitiesorotheraspectsoftheProjectdescriptionpresentedinthe2011EIS.Additionalinformationregardingavoidanceandminimizationmeasures,includingLWSC,isprovidedinSection3.5.4.AlternativeoperationalprotocolsthatwereconsideredthroughtheHCPAmendmentprocessarereferencedinSection2.2.2,withfurtherdetailprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

10CommercialoperationbeganonDecember28,2012andthewindfarmhasbeenoperatingonacontinualbasissincethatdate.TheProjectisexpectedtobeinoperationforatotalof20years(through2032).Attheendoftheoperationalperiod,decommissioningandsiterestorationwillbeimplemented,inaccordancewiththedescriptionprovidedinthe2011EIS.


KawailoaWindFarm 11

2.2 Alternatives

2.2.1 ProjectAlternatives

BasedontheProjectobjectives,arangeofalternativestoconstructionandoperationoftheProjectwereidentifiedandconsideredthroughtheProjectplanningandsitelayoutprocess.The2011EISpresentstheframeworkthatwasusedforidentificationandconsiderationofalternatives,includingthosealternativesthatwereconsideredindetailaswellasthoseeliminatedfromfurtherconsideration.Thealternativesevaluatedinthe2011EISincludeanalternativelayoutforthecommunicationequipmentnearMt.Kaʻala,aswellastheNoActionalternative.Thealternativesthatwereconsideredduringtheplanningprocessbuteliminatedfromfurtherconsideration(astheydidnotmeettheProjectobjectivesorwereotherwisenotconsideredtobefeasible)include:(1)differentturbinelocationsontheKamehamehaSchool’sproperty,(2)differentturbinemodelsandsizes,(3)decreasedgeneratingcapacity,(4)increasedgeneratingcapacity,(5)windfarmdevelopmentelsewhereonOʻahu,(6)delayedimplementationoftheProject,(7)alternateenergystoragetechnologies,and(8)differentsourcesofrenewableenergy.AdetaileddiscussionofthesealternativesisprovidedinSection2.2.3.1through2.2.3.8ofthe2011EIS.

BecausetheProjectwasconstructedgenerallyasdescribedinthe2011EIS,theoriginaldiscussionofProjectalternativesinthe2011EISisstillapplicable;thisinformationisincorporatedbyreference.However,aspreviouslynoted,thecommunicationequipmentnearMt.Kaʻalawassubsequentlydeterminedtonotbeneeded,andthuswasnotconstructed;assuch,thealternativelayoutforthecommunicationequipmentisnolongerrelevantandtherefore,isnotfurtheraddressedinthisSEIS.AstheProjectisfullyoperationalandiscontributingtoHawaiʻi’sportfoliooflocallygeneratedrenewableenergyprojectsasmandatedbytheState’sRPS,HCEIandotherrelevantregulationsandinitiatives,consistentwiththeProjectpurposeandneed,noadditionalProjectalternativesarebeingconsideredinthisSEIS.AlternativesrelatingtodifferentprotocolsforProjectoperations,whichwereidentifiedandevaluatedthroughtheHCPamendmentprocess,arediscussedbelow.

2.2.2 AlternativeOperationalProtocolsConsideredinHCPAmendment

SpecifictotheestimatedincreaseinHawaiianhoarybattake,severalalternativeapproacheswereidentifiedandconsideredthroughtheHCPAmendmentprocess.SpecificapproachesthatwereconsideredincludemodificationstotheProject’soperationalprotocols,including(1)fullnighttimecurtailment,and(2)curtailmentwithcut‐inspeedsof5.5m/s.Thesealternatives,aswellasa“noHCPAmendment”(noaction)alternative,arediscussedbelow.Nopetrel‐specificalternativeswereidentified,becauseavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresalreadyimplementedforNewell’sshearwater(andotherbirds)arealsoapplicabletotheHawaiianpetrel;thesemeasuresaredescribedinSection5.3oftheapprovedHCP.


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2.2.2.1 FullNighttimeCurtailment

Thisalternativewouldconsistoffeatheringturbinebladesyear‐roundfromonehourbeforesunsettoonehouraftersunriseatallProjectturbines(fullnighttimeturbineshutdown)toavoidfutureHawaiianhoarybattakeandfurtherreducecollisionriskfortheHawaiianpetrelandNewell’sshearwater.TheapprovedHCP,whichidentifiesexistingavoidanceandminimizationmeasures,mitigationmeasures,andmonitoringcommitmentsfortheCoveredSpecies,wouldremainineffect.However,theHCPwouldneedtobeamendedtoincreasethelevelofauthorizedHawaiianhoarybattaketoaddresstakeinexceedanceofthecurrentpermit.AnHCPamendmentwouldalsoberequiredtoaddtheHawaiianpetrelasaCoveredSpeciesbecausenighttimecurtailmentisnotexpectedtoeliminateallrisktothisspecies.

ThisalternativewasnotcarriedforwardforfurtherconsiderationbecausefullnighttimecurtailmentwouldreducepowergenerationsuchthatKawailoaWindwouldnotbeabletomeetthecontractualobligationsundertheProject’sPPAwithHECO.Specifically,thisalternativewouldreduceannualenergyproductionbyapproximately45percent,resultinginanannualpowergenerationlossontheorderof61,000MWhoursperyear.RevenuelossesunderfullnighttimecurtailmentwouldrendertheProjectcommerciallyunviable,forcingKawailoaWindtoceaseoperation.AsthelargestwindenergygeneratingfacilityinHawaii,thiswouldeliminateasignificantcontributiontotheState’sRPSandwouldnotmeetthepurposeandneed.

2.2.2.2 CurtailmentwithCut‐inSpeedsof5.5MetersPerSecondorAbove

ThisalternativewouldconsistofimplementingLWSCwithanincreasedcut‐inspeedof5.5m/sorgreater.AsbatfatalitieshavebeenobservedattheProjectinallmonths,curtailmentathighercut‐inspeedswouldbeimplementedyear‐round.Thisalternativewasnotconsideredfurtherfortworeasons:(1)thebenefitsofcut‐inspeedsabove5.0m/sareuncertain,and(2)thenatureofthewindregimeattheProjectissuchthatthisalternativewouldresultinunacceptablereductionstopowergeneration.

StudiesconductedonthemainlandtoevaluatetheeffectivenessofLWSCrelativetominimizingimpactstobatshaveprovidedarangeofresults.Overall,increasingcut‐inspeedsbetween1.5and3.0m/sabovethemanufacturer’scut‐inspeedhasbeenshowntoyieldreductionsinbatfatalities,rangingfrom10to92percent,withatleasta50percentreductioninbatfatalitieswhenturbinecut‐inspeedwasincreasedby1.5m/sabovethemanufacturer’scut‐inspeed(Arnettetal.2013b).Significantreductionsinbatfatalityrateshavebeendemonstratedwhencut‐inspeedsareraisedincrementallyfrom3.5to4.5to5.5m/s(Goodetal.2012);however,theresultsofstudiesevaluatingtheadditionalbenefitsofraisingcut‐inspeedsabove5.0m/sareambiguous.Additionally,somestudieshaveshownthatequallybeneficialreductionsinbatfatalitiesmaybeachievedbyfeatheringbladesorslowingrotorspeeduptotheturbinemanufacturer’scut‐inspeed(low‐speedidling)withoutLWSC(Baerwaldetal.2009;Youngetal.2011,2012;Goodetal.2017).WhiletheremaybeadditionalbenefitstobatsassociatedwithprogressivelyhigherlevelsofLWSC,


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theeffectivenessofLWSCisdependentonproject‐specificcharacteristicssuchaswindregime,batspeciesatrisk,surroundinglanduses,andotherfactors(Arnettetal.2013a).

Arnettetal.(2009,2010)demonstratedthatbatfatalitieswerereducedbyanaverageof82percent(95percentconfidenceinterval[CI]:52to93percent)in2008,andby72percent(95percentCI:44to86percent)whenthecut‐inspeedwasincreasedto5.0m/sandturbinebladeswerefeatheredatlowerwindspeeds.Inasynthesisof10studies,Arnettetal.(2013a)identifiedonlyonestudythatfoundincreasingcut‐inspeedsabove5.0m/sresultedinastatisticallysignificantreductioninbatmortalityoverLWSCwithcut‐inspeedsof5.0m/s.AlthoughotherstudiesfromthemainlandU.S.havesuggestedthatincreasingcut‐inspeedsto6.0m/sor6.5m/smaybemoreeffectiveatreducingbatfatalities(e.g.,Goodetal.2011,Heinetal.2014),onlyGoodetal.(2012)hasshownastatisticallysignificantreductioninbatfatalitiesbetweendifferentLWSCcut‐inspeeds(batfatalitieswereloweratacut‐inspeedof6.5m/sthan5.0m/s).GiventheambiguousresultsfromotherstudiesandthedifferencesinlifehistorycharacteristicsbetweentheresidentHawaiianhoarybatandmigratorymainlandhoarybats,theapplicationofincreasedcut‐inspeedsbeyondwhatiscurrentlyproposedmaynotbemoreeffectiveinHawaii.

AsdescribedintheHCPAmendment,LWSCregimesareappropriatewhendeterminedonaProject‐specificbasis:consideringthewindregime,PPAcontractualobligation,financialconsiderations,andbatfatalitypatterns.Specifically,thewindregimeattheProjectisanimportantconsiderationdrivingthedevelopmentofappropriateLWSCthatbothreducesbatcollisionriskwhilemaintainingoperationofacommerciallyviableproject.

Duringatypicalyear,averagehourlywindspeedsbetweensunsetandsunrise(whencurtailmentwouldbeimplemented)rangefrom4.6to5.9m/s(withanaverageof5.4m/s).Moreover,during8monthsoftheyear,theproportionofsunsettosunrisehourswithhourlywindspeedsbelow5.5m/srangesfrom75to100percent.Thatis,duringtheperiodwhenLWSCwouldbeimplemented,averagewindspeedsdonottypicallyexceed5.5m/s.Therefore,implementingLWSCwithacut‐inspeedof5.5m/sorgreaterwouldresultinproportionallygreaterperiodsofProjectinoperationcomparedtowindenergyfacilitieswithregimescharacterizedbyhighwindspeeds.

Whiletheadditionalbenefitstobatsfromraisingcut‐inspeedsabove5.0m/sareambiguous,thenegativeimpactstoenergygenerationaresignificant.Underthisalternative,implementingLWSCattheProjectwithacut‐inspeedof5.5m/swouldreduceannualenergyproductionbyapproximately2percent,resultinginanannualpowergenerationlossontheorderof2,500MWhoursperyear.Generationlossesandcostsassociatedwithimplementingcut‐inspeedsof6.0or6.5m/swouldbesubstantiallygreater.EvenunderthecurrentLWSCregimeof5.0m/s,KawailoaWinddoesnotconsistentlymeetminimumproductionrequirementsinindividualyears.Therefore,thisalternativewouldincreasetheriskthatKawailoaWindwouldnotmeettherequirementsspecifiedinitsPPAwithHECO,therebyjeopardizingcontinuedoperationoftheProject.Forthesereasons,thisalternativewasnotcarriedforwardforfurtherconsideration.


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2.2.2.3 NoHCPAmendment

Underthisalternative,theProjectwouldremaininplace,buttheapprovedHCPwouldnotbeamended,suchthattheincreasedHawaiianhoarybattakeandadditionofHawaiianpetrelasaCoveredSpecieswouldnotbeauthorized.TheapprovedHCPandexistingtakelimitswouldremainineffect,andProjectoperationswouldcontinueasauthorizedundertheexistingITP/ITLinordertomeettheProject’sminimumrequiredpowerproduction.TheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuressetforthintheapprovedHCPwouldcontinuetobeimplemented.Anytakethatmayoccurbeyondthecurrentlyapprovedlevelswouldnotbeauthorized.AsitwouldrequirethatKawailoaWindoperateoutofcompliancewithHRSChapter195D,thisalternativewasnotcarriedforward.


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ExistingEnvironment,PotentialImpacts,andMitigationMeasures

The2011EISandsubsequentEAaddressedthefullrangeofenvironmental,cultural,andsocioeconomicresourcesthatcouldbeaffectedbyimplementationofthewindfarmandtheassociatedHCP,respectively.TheProjecthasbeenconstructedandtheextentofimpactstodatearecommensuratewiththosedescribedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA,exceptthattheimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybathavebeengreaterthananticipatedandthepotentialforimpactstotheHawaiianpetrelweresubsequentlyidentified.

ThoseresourcecategoriesthatarenotaffectedbytheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatorHawaiianpetrelarenotedaccordingly,andthediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEAisincorporatedbyreference.SpecifictotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,anupdateddiscussionoftheexistingconditions,additionalimpacts,andadditionalavoidance,minimization,andmitigationmeasuresisprovidedbasedontheinformationpresentedintheDraftHCPAmendment.ThepotentialimpactsassociatedwithimplementationoftheHCPAmendment(e.g.,compensatorymitigationfortheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel)areaddressedacrosstherangeofenvironmentalresourcesaspartofSection3.5.

3.1 Climate

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionofclimate,discussestheexistingconditions,assessesthepotentialimpactsonclimatethatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsoftheProject(aswellasthenoactionalternative).Thisdiscussionincludesadescriptionoftheconditionsassociatedwithglobalclimatechange,andtheexpectedbenefitsoftheProjectontheclimatethroughdisplacementoffossilfuelconsumptionandthusreductioningreenhousegasemissions.Climate‐relatedimpactsresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstoclimateareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.2 AirQuality

The2011EISdiscussestheapplicablefederalandstateairqualitystandards,describestheexistingambientairconditions,assessesthepotentialimpactstoairqualitythatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsoftheProject(aswellasthenoactionalternative),andidentifiesrelevantBMPs.Project‐relatedimpactsrelatedtoairqualityarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstoairqualityareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.3 Geology,Topography,andSoils

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionoftheseresources,discussestheexistingconditions,assessesthepotentialimpactstogeology,topography,andsoilsthatcouldresultfromconstructionand


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operationsoftheProject(aswellasthenoactionalternative),andidentifiesrelevantBMPs.Impactstogeology,topography,andsoilsresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.Nochangeinpotentialimpactstogeology,topographyandsoilsareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.4 HydrologyandWaterResources

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionofhydrologyandwaterresources(includingjurisdictionalwetlandsandwatersoftheU.S.),discussestheexistingconditions,assessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetohydrologyandwaterresourcesthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsoftheProject(aswellasthenoactionalternative),andidentifiesrelevantBMPs.ImpactsrelatedtohydrologyandwaterresourcesresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstohydrologyandwaterresourcesareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.5 BiologicalResources

The2011EISidentifiesthevariousbiologicalresourceswithintheProjectarea(includingflora,fauna,andthreatenedandendangeredspecies),describesthehistoricalandexistingconditionsrelativetotheseresources,presentstheanalysisofpotentialimpactsthatcouldresultfromimplementationoftheProject(aswellasthenoactionalternative),anddescribesthemeasurestoavoid,minimizeandmitigateProject‐relatedimpactstobiologicalresources.Aspreviouslynoted,anEAwassubsequentlypreparedtofurtherevaluateimplementationoftheHCP,andincludesadditionaldetailregardingtheavoidance,minimizationandmitigationmeasuresfortheCoveredSpecies.ExceptasrelatedtotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,whicharefurtherdiscussedbelow,biologicalresourceimpactsareconsistentwiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EISandEA,whichareincorporatedbyreference.

BoththeHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelarefederallylistedasendangeredandareprotectedundertheESA,andarealsolistedasendangeredbytheStateofHawaiʻiandareprotectedunderHRSChapter195D.PriortoconstructionoftheProject,KawailoaWindpreparedanHCPandobtainedanITP/ITLauthorizingincidentaltakeoflistedspecies,includingtheHawaiianhoarybat.HawaiianpetrelwasnotincludedasaCoveredSpeciesintheHCPandITP/ITLbecauseitwasnotknowntooccurregularlyonOʻahuandwasnotexpectedtotransittheProjectarea;therefore,takewasthoughttobehighlyunlikely.Post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringdatafromthefirstfiveyearsofProjectoperationindicatethatestimatedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybathasexceededtheleveloftakeanticipatedintheHCPandauthorizedintheITP/ITL.Also,twopetrelfatalitieshavebeenobservedwithintheProjectarea.Assuch,impactstothesetwospecieshavebeengreaterthananticipatedandKawailoaWindispursuinganamendmenttotheHCPandITP/ITLtoincreaseauthorizedtakelevelsfortheHawaiianhoarybatandtoincludetheHawaiianpetrelasaCoveredSpecies.


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TheHCPamendmentprocessinvolvesin‐depthanalysisoftheestimatedtakeofHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelovertheremainderofthepermitterm,anddevelopmentofappropriateminimizationandmitigationmeasurestooffsettheimpacts.ThefollowingresourceswereusedtosupporttheanalysisandpreparetheDraftHCPAmendment:

Post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringdatafortheProject(KawailoaWindPower,LLC2013,2014,2015;TetraTech2016,2017a);

EvidenceofAbsence(EoA)fatalitymodelingtool(Dalthorpetal.2017);

UpdatedinformationonthedistributionofHawaiianhoarybatsinthenorthKoʻolauMountainsandtheirbehaviorwithintheProjectarea(Gorresenetal.2015);

Newresearchonthepotentialforoperationalmeasurestominimizebatcollisionrisk,suchasacousticdeterrentsandLWSC(Arnettetal.2011,Arnettetal.2013a,HeinandSchirmacher2013,Tidharetal.2013,Heinetal.2014,Schirmacheretal.2018);

USFWSguidanceforcalculationofHawaiianhoarybatindirecttake(USFWS2016a);

EndangeredSpeciesRecoveryCommittee(ESRC)HawaiianHoaryBatGuidanceDocument(DLNR2015);

HistoricobservationsandresultsofacousticsurveysforHawaiianpetrelonOʻahu(PyleandPyle2017,ConservationMetrics,Inc.inprep,Youngetal.inprep);and

VerbalandwrittenguidancefromUSFWSandDOFAWregardingHawaiianhoarybattakeestimation,mitigation,adaptivemanagement,andmonitoring(providedafterissuanceoftheDLNRBatGuidancein2015andthroughJuly2018).

ThissectionpresentscurrentinformationregardingtheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,includingthespeciesbiology,distribution,threatsandoccurrencewithintheProjectarea.Adiscussionoftheestimatedtakelevelsandpopulation‐levelimpactsisalsoprovided,followedbyasummaryoftheproposedavoidance,minimizationandmitigationmeasures.TheinformationpresentedisbasedontheanalysisconductedaspartoftheHCPamendmentprocess,asdetailedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

3.5.1 HistoricalConditions

The2011EISdiscussesthehistoricalconditionswithintheProjectarea,includingthevegetationthatlikelyoccurredinpre‐Contacttimes,conversiontoagriculturalfieldsforcultivationofsugarcaneinthelate1800s,andintroductionofnon‐nativespeciesforwindbreaksandotherpurposes.Therearenosubstantivechangestothisinformation;thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.


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3.5.2 ExistingConditions

3.5.2.1 Flora

Asdescribedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA,thevegetationwithintheProjectareaisgenerallycharacterizedasamixtureofaggressiveweedyspeciesthathaveproliferatedsincetheabandonmentofsugarcaneagriculture.Remnantsofnativevegetationoccuronthesteepslopesofthegulchesintheupperpartsofthesite.Ingeneral,thelackofnativespeciesisattributedtoyearsofagriculturalactivitiesandinvasionbynon‐nativeplantandanimalspecies.Nofederallyorstatelistedendangered,threatened,orcandidateplantspeciesareknowntooccurwithintheProjectarea,andnoportionoftheProjectareahasbeendesignatedascriticalhabitat.Therearenosubstantivechangestotheinformationprovidedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA.

3.5.2.2 Fauna

The2011EISandsubsequentEAdescribethefaunawithintheProjectarea,whichincludemammals,avifaunaandinvertebrates.Asdetailedinthisdiscussion,withtheexceptionoftheendangeredHawaiianhoarybat,themammalianspeciesdocumentedwithintheProjectareaarenon‐nativeferalspeciesincludingferalpig(Susscrofa),mongoose(Herpestesaruopunctatus),domesticdog(Canislupusfamiliaris),rat(Rattussp.)andcat(Feliscatus).AvianspeciesthathavebeendetectedwithintheProjectareaarepredominantlyintroducedspecies.Alimitednumberofnativespecieswererecordedpriortoconstructionandduringpost‐constructionmonitoringincludingthethreatenedNewell’sshearwater(presumablydetectedduringradarsurveys),theblack‐crownednightheron(Nycticoraxnycticorax),greatfrigatebird(Fregataminor),sootytern(Onychoprionfuscatus),White‐tailedtropicbird(Phaethonlepturus)andHawaiianduck‐mallard(Anassp.).NativeavianspeciesthathavebeenobservedadjacenttotheProjectareaincludetheendangeredHawaiiancoot(Fulicaalai)andendangeredHawaiianmoorhen(Gallinulachloropussandvicensis).Asnotedthroughoutthisdocument,theHawaiianpetrelwasnotpreviouslybelievedtoregularlyoccuronOʻahuandthuswasnotexpectedtotransitthevicinityoftheProject;however,twofatalitieshavebeenobservedintheProjectarea.NofederallyorstatelistedinvertebratespeciesareknowntooccurwithintheProjectsite.

Therearenosubstantivechangestothisinformationandimpactsrelatedtofaunaarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA,exceptasrelatedtotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,whicharediscussedinthefollowingsection.

3.5.2.3 ThreatenedorEndangeredSpecies

Asdocumentedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA,nofederallyorstatelistedendangered,threatenedorcandidatespeciesareknowntopermanentlyresidewithinthewindfarmsiteandnoportionofthesitehasbeendesignatedascriticalhabitatforanylistedspecies.However,severallistedspecieshavebeendetectedeitherwithinoradjacenttothesite;theseincludethethreatenedNewell’sshearwater,endangeredHawaiianduck,endangeredHawaiianstilt,endangeredHawaiian


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coot,endangeredHawaiianmoorhen,endangeredHawaiianshort‐earedowl,andendangeredHawaiianhoarybat.Althoughnotpreviouslydetectedwithinthesite,aseabirdcarcass(lateridentifiedasaHawaiianpetrel)wasincidentallyfoundonsitein2017.AsecondHawaiianpetrelcarcasswasfoundonsiteinAugust2018.

AnupdateddiscussionisprovidedbelowfortheHawaiianhoarybat,basedonnewandrelevantinformationregardingthisspecies.Thisincludesadescriptionofthespecies’population,biologyanddistribution,aswellasthecurrentthreatsandpotentialoccurrenceattheProjectarea.AsimilardiscussionhasalsobeenaddedfortheHawaiianpetrel.Theinformationprovidedinthe2011EISandEArelativetotheNewell’sshearwater,Hawaiianduck,Hawaiianstilt,Hawaiiancoot,HawaiianmoorhenandHawaiianshort‐earedowlisstillapplicableandisincorporatedbyreference.

HawaiianHoaryBat

Population,Biology,andDistribution

TheHawaiianhoarybatistheonlynativelandmammalpresentintheHawaiianarchipelago.Itisasub‐speciesofthehoarybat,whichoccursacrossmuchofNorthandSouthAmerica.However,recentresearchindicatesthatHawaiianhoarybatsmayconsistoftwodistinctlineagesbecauseofmultiplecolonizationevents(Bairdetal.2015,Russelletal.2015).Nevertheless,onlyonebatspeciesiscurrentlyrecognizedinHawaiʻiandislistedasendangered.Bothmalesandfemaleshaveawingspanofapproximately1foot(0.3meter),althoughfemalesaretypicallylarger‐bodiedthanmales.Bothsexeshaveacoatofbrownandgrayfur.Individualhairsaretippedorfrostedwithwhite(Mitchelletal.2005).

TheHawaiiansubspeciesofthehoarybathasbeenrecordedonKauaʻi,Oʻahu,Molokaʻi,Maui,Lānaʻi,Hawaiʻi,andKahoʻolawe,butnohistoricalpopulationestimatesexistforthissubspecies.Modernpopulationestimateshavebeenwide‐ranging,andalthoughrecentstudiesandongoingresearchhaveshownthatbatshaveawidedistributionacrosstheislands,accuratepopulationestimatesarenotcurrentlyavailable(DLNR2015).ThemostrecentpopulationtrendscomefromanoccupancystudyonHawaiʻiIslandfrom2007‐2011,whichfoundthepopulationtobe“stabletoincreasing”(Bonaccorsoetal.2013).TheislandsofKauaʻiandHawaiʻiareanticipatedtosupportthelargestpopulations(Mitchelletal.2005,USFWS2017).TheHawaiianhoarybatisbelievedtooccurprimarilybelowanelevationof4,000feet(1,220meters)buthasbeenrecordedbetweensealevelandapproximately9,050feet(2,760meters)inelevationonMaui,withmostrecordsoccurringatorbelowapproximately2,060feet(628meters)(USFWS1998).

Hawaiianhoarybatsroostinnativeandnon‐nativevegetationfrom3to29feet(1to9meters)abovegroundlevel.Theyhavebeenobservedroostinginʻōhiʻa(Metrosiderospolymorpha),hala(Pandanustectorius),coconutpalms(Cocosnucifera),kukui(Aleuritesmoluccana),kiawe(Prosopispallida),avocado(Perseaamericana),mango(Mangiferaindica),showertrees(Cassiajavanica),pukiawe(Leptecophyllatameiameiae),commonironwood(Casuarinaequisetifolia),macadamia(Macadamiaspp.),andfernclumps;theyarealsosuspectedtoroostineucalyptus(Eucalyptusspp.)andSugipine(Cyrptomeriajaponica)stands(USFWS1998,Mitchelletal.2005,Gorresenetal.


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2013,KawailoaWindPower2013).Hawaiianhoarybatshavebeenknowntousebothnativeandnon‐nativehabitatsforfeedingandroosting(Gorresenetal.2013,Mitchelletal.2005).BatactivityhasbeengenerallydetectedinHawaiʻiinessentiallyallhabitats,includinginclearings,alongroads,alongtheedgesoftreelines,ingulches,andatirrigationponds;monitoringtodateindicatesthatbatsusethesefeaturesfortravellingandforaging.Thespecieshasbeenrarelyobservedusinglavatubes,cracksinrocks,orman‐madestructuresforroosting.Whileroostingduringtheday,Hawaiianhoarybatsaresolitary,althoughmothersandpupsroosttogether(USFWS1998).

Bonaccorsoetal.(2015)studiedforagingoftheHawaiianhoarybatonHawaiʻiIslandanddefinedtheforagingrangeastheareatraversedbyanindividualasitforagesandmovesbetweendayroostsandnocturnalforagingareas.Thisresearchdocumentedamaximumstraight‐linedistancebetweenanytwopointsintheforagingrangeofapproximately7miles(11.3kilometers).Bonaccorsoetal.(2015)foundmoderatelylargeHawaiianhoarybatforagingrangesonHawaiʻiIslandinlatespring,summerandfallwithameanof570.1±178.7acres(230.7±72.3hectares).Foragingactivitywithinthisareawasconcentratedwithinsmallcoreuseareaswithameanof63.0±17.1acres(25.5±6.9hectares,or11.1percentofmeanforagingrange)thatexhibitedlimitedoverlapamongindividualareas.AdditionalstudieshavedemonstratedthatHawaiianhoarybatscanrangebetweenhabitatsandelevationswithinasinglenighttotargetoptimallocalforagingopportunities(Gorresenetal.2013,2015),withbatsspending20to30minuteshuntinginafeedingrangebeforemovingontoanother(Bonaccorso2010).

ItissuspectedthatbreedingprimarilyoccursbetweenAprilandAugust.LactatingfemaleshavebeendocumentedfromJunetoAugust,indicatingthatthisistheperiodwhennon‐volantyoungaremostlikelytobepresent.Tobeconservative,however,USFWSandDOFAWconsideryoungtobenon‐volantanddependentonthefemalefromJune1throughSeptember15.BreedinghasbeendocumentedontheislandsofHawaiʻi,Kauaʻi,andOʻahu(Baldwin1950;KeplerandScott1990;Menard2001,KawailoaWindPower2013),butlikelyalsooccursonMolokaʻiandMaui.Itisnotknownwhetherbatsobservedonotherislandsbreedlocallyoronlyvisittheseislandsduringnon‐breedingperiods.

SeasonalchangesintheabundanceofHawaiianhoarybatatdifferentelevationsindicatethataltitudinalmovementsoccuronHawaiʻiIsland.Duringthebreedingperiod(AprilthroughAugust),Hawaiianhoarybatoccurrencesincreaseinthelowlandsanddecreaseathighelevationhabitats.Inthewinter,batoccurrencesincreaseinhighelevationareas(above5,000feetor1,525meters)especiallyfromJanuarythroughMarch(Menard2001;Bonaccorso2010).ItisnotknownifsimilarpatternsofmigrationoccurintheProjectareaorelsewhereonOʻahu,butseasonalmigrationpatternsmayplayafactorinriskexposure.

Hawaiianhoarybatsfeedonavarietyofnativeandnon‐nativenight‐flyinginsects,includingmoths,beetles,crickets,mosquitoesandtermites(WhitakerandTomich1983).Theyappeartoprefermothsrangingbetween0.6and0.89inches(16to20millimeters[mm])insize(BellwoodandFullard1984;Fullard2001).Koamoths(Scotorythrapaludicola),whichareendemictotheHawaiianIslandsandusekoa(Acaciakoa)asahostplant(Hainesetal.2009),arefrequentlytargetedasafoodsource(Gorresen/USGS,pers.comm.).Preyislocatedusingecholocation.Water


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featuresandedgesofhabitat(e.g.,coastlinesandforest/pastureboundaries)appeartobeimportantforagingareas(Grindaletal.1999,Francletal.2004,BrooksandFord2005,Morris2008,Menzeletal.2002).Inaddition,thespeciesisattractedtoinsectsthatcongregatenearlights(USFWS1998,Mitchelletal.2005,BellwoodandFullard1984).Batsbeginforagingeitherjustbeforeoraftersunsetdependingonthetimeofyear(USFWS1998,Mitchelletal.2005).

CurrentThreats

PossiblethreatstotheHawaiianhoarybatincludepesticides(eitherdirectlyorbyimpactingpreyspecies),fire,predation,alterationofpreyavailabilityduetotheintroductionofnon‐nativeinsects,habitatloss,androostdisturbance(USFWS1998).Batsarealsoknowntocollidewithstructures,suchasbarbedwirefences,windturbines,andcommunicationtowers.ManagementoftheHawaiianhoarybatislimitedbyalackofinformationonkeyroostingandforagingareas,foodhabits,seasonalmovements,andreliablepopulationestimates(USFWS1998).Basedonexistinginformation,itisnotknownwhethertheavailabilityofroosttreesisalimitingfactorbecausetheHawaiianhoarybatroostsinavarietyofnativeandnon‐nativetrees,manyofwhichareabundantandsomeconsideredinvasive(suchaskiaweandeucalyptus).However,lossofroostingandforaginghabitatisasignificantlong‐termthreattotheHawaiianhoarybat(USFWS1998,Mitchelletal.2005,DLNR2015).TheresidenthumanpopulationofHawaiʻihasnearlydoubledfromthetimethebatwaslistedin1970to2017(from768,000to1.4million;U.S.CensusBureau2018),leadingtoincreasedresidentialdevelopment(Cassiday2014)andassociatedhabitatremoval.TheNOAACoastalChangeProgram(2015)estimates0.68percentofforestsonOʻahuwerelostbetween2005and2011.Duringthesameperiod,therewasa2.65percentincreaseindevelopedareaanda3.54percentincreaseinimpervioussurfaceonOʻahu(NOAACoastalChangeProgram2015).

IntheircontinentalUnitedStatesandCanadarange,hoarybatsareknowntobemoresusceptibletocollisionwithwindturbinesthanmostotherbatspecies(Erickson2003;Johnson2005).Mostmortalityhasbeendetectedduringthefallmigrationperiod.HoarybatsinHawaiʻidonotmigrateinthetraditionalsense,althoughasindicated,someseasonalaltitudinalmovementsoccur.Currently,itisnotknownifHawaiianhoarybatsareequallysusceptibletoturbinecollisionsduringtheiraltitudinalmigrationsashoarybatsareduringtheirmigrationsinthecontinentalUnitedStates.

SpeciesOccurrenceintheProjectArea

ThecurrentunderstandingofHawaiianhoarybatoccurrenceintheProjectareaisinformedbydatafromongoingmonitoringfortheProject,aswellasrelevantresearchinHawaiʻi.Specifically,informationusedtodeterminebatoccurrenceandtherebyinformthepotentialtakeanalysisfortheHCPAmendmentincludes:

AcousticmonitoringwithintheProjectarea;

Post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringwithintheProjectarea;and

ResultsofaresearchstudythatinvestigatedregionaloccupancyofHawaiianhoarybatsneartheProjectarea(Gorresenetal.2015).

AdetaileddiscussionofthesemonitoringandresearcheffortsisprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.


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HawaiianPetrel

Population,Biology,andDistribution

TheendemicHawaiianpetrelisoneofthelargerspeciesinthePterodromagenusthatformerlynestedinlargenumbersonallthemainHawaiianIslands,exceptNiʻihau.Currently,HawaiianpetrelsareknowntonestathighelevationsonMaui,Kauaʻi,Hawaiʻi,andLānaʻi.SmallbreedingcoloniesmayalsooccuronMolokaʻiandKahoʻolawe(PyleandPyle2017).ArecentstudybyYoungetal.(inprep)documentedthatHawaiianpetrelsoccuronOʻahu;however,surveystodatehavenotprovidedevidencethatbreedingcoloniesarepresentonOʻahu(PyleandPyle2017;USFWS2017;Youngetal.inprep).

HawaiianpetrelpopulationshavedeclinedsignificantlyinHawaiʻisincethe1990s(Dayetal.2003;Duffy2010;Raineetal.2017).Recentpopulationestimatesforthespeciesvarydependingonmethodologyandyearssampled.Estimatesbasedonpelagicobservationsbetween1980and1994estimated19,000birds(3,750to4,500breedingpairs)occurredthroughouttheHawaiianIslands(Spearetal.1995).Joyce(2013)estimatedthetotalpopulationofHawaiianpetrelstoberoughly52,000individuals,includingjuvenilesandsubadults,usingat‐seasightings.Morerecently,PyleandPyle(2017)estimatedabout6,000breedingpairsbasedonobservationsatcolonysites.Itisdifficulttoestimatethebreedingpopulationforthisspeciesgiventhesteepterrainofbreedingareasandthenocturnalnatureofthespecies.

Muchofthelifeofapetrelisspentatsea,andbirdsrarelyreturntolandoutsideofthebreedingseason.Duringthenon‐breedingseason,Hawaiianpetrelsarefoundfaroffshore,primarilyinequatorialwatersoftheeasterntropicalPacific.TheHawaiianpetrelhasbeenobservedfrom42degreesnorthto5degreesnorthandfrom148degreeswestto158degreeswest(King1967,1970,Pitman1982).TheMauiNuiSeabirdRecoveryProject(MNSBRP)reportslocationsofpetrelsfromAlaskatoPeru,encompassingmuchofthecentralPacific(MNSBRP2018).

AdultHawaiianpetrelsreturntotheirnatalcolonytobreedeachyearbetweenMarchandApril.Theyreturntothesamenestingsiteovermanyyears(CruzandCruz1990;PodolskyandKress1992).Breedingseasontripscanlastupto21days(Simons1985).Nestingcoloniesaretypicallyonsteepslopesathighelevation,xerichabitatsorwet,denseforests.Nestsmaybeinburrows,crevices,orcracksinlavatubesinbothsparselyvegetatedareasandareaswithdensevegetation(e.g.,uluhefern[Dicranopterislinearis]).InabreedingcolonyonMaui,nestsoccurinmoredenselyvegetatedareasofshrubcover(SimonsandHodges1998).

Bothadultsareactivethroughoutthebreedingseason.Oneeggislaidbythefemale,whichisincubatedalternatelybybothparentsforapproximately55days.Theeggisnotreplacedifitislosttopredation.WheneggshatchinJulyorAugust,bothadultsmakenocturnalflightsouttoseatobringfoodbacktothenestlings.Hawaiianpetrelsfeedtheiryoungmostlyatnightandmostmovementstakeplaceduringcrepuscularperiods.OnKauaʻi,Hawaiianpetrelstraveledprimarilyinlandintheevening,seawardinthemorning,andinbothdirectionsduringthenight(DayandCooper1995).InOctoberandNovember,thefledgedyoungdepartfortheopenocean.


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SeveralfactorscaninfluencethebreedingactivityofHawaiianpetrels.AdultHawaiianpetrelsarelonglived(upto30years)anddonotbreeduntilage6.Althoughapetrelmaynotbreedeveryyear,theyreturntothecolonytosocialize(USFWS1983;Mitchelletal.2005).Duringtheirpre‐breedingyears,petrelsmay“wander”or“prospect,”visitingseveralpotentialbreedingsites(establishedcolonies,formerbreedingsites,anduncolonizedsites).Simons(1984)reportsthatabout30percentoftheactiveburrowsatalargecolonyonMauiwereoccupiedbypre‐breedingbirds.Factorssuchasavailabilityofmates,foodabundance,thepresenceofpredatorsandconspecificscouldallbeimportantfordecidingwheretobreed(PodolskyandKress1992).

CurrentThreats

AvarietyofthreatshavebeendocumentedfortheHawaiianpetrel,buttheprimarylimitingfactorsincludehabitatdegradationatbreedingcoloniesanddisturbanceorpredationbyintroducedanimalsduringthebreedingseason(USFWS1983;Carlileetal.2003;Mitchelletal.2005;DuffyandCapece2014,Raineetal.2017).Introducedungulates(e.g.,feralgoats,pigs,axisdeer,andcattle)browseonnativevegetationandgroundcoverwithinpetrelcolonies,andtrampleandcollapseburrowscausingnestabandonment.Thesoildisturbancecausedbyungulatesalsofacilitatestheintroductionandspreadofinvasiveplantswhichfurtherreduceshabitatsuitabilityforpetrels(ReeserandHarry2005,Duffy2010,VanZandtetal.2014).Ungulatesalsocreatetrailsinthecolonythatincreasepredators’accesstoactiveburrows.AnnualmonitoringofnestsatHaleakalāNationalParkhasshownthatpredationbycatsandmongoosescausesmorethan60percentofalleggandchickmortalityinsomeyears(Simons1998ascitedinCarlileetal.2003).RatsalsopreyuponadultHawaiianpetrels,buttoalesserextent.Evenanindividualpredator,suchasabarnowl(Tytoalba)orsmallIndianmongoose(Herpestesjavanicus),canbeextremelydestructiveanddecimateapopulationofcolony‐nestingseabirds(HodgesandNagata2001,Raineetal.2017).Developmentofnewfisheriesandoverfishingmayindirectlyharmseabirdpopulationsbyeliminatingpredatoryfishneededtodrivepetrelpreyspeciesclosertothesurface(Ainleyetal.2014).Additionally,theeffectofclimatechangeandpatternsoffisheriesbycatchcouldnegativelyaffectpetrelpopulations(Raineetal.2017).

Hawaiianpetrelsarealsothreatenedbylightpollutionandcanbecomedisorientedandfallout(fallingexhaustedtotheground)orcollidewithstructuresbecauseoflightattraction(Telferetal.1987,Ainleyetal.1997,CooperandDay1998,Rodriguezetal.2017).Juvenilebirdsareparticularlyvulnerabletolightattraction,andgroundedbirdsarevulnerabletomammalianpredatorsorvehiclestrikes.

Inaddition,petrelssometimescollidewithpowerlines,fences,andotherstructures(Hodges1994).ModelingforKauaʻiIslandsuggeststhatcollisionswithtransmissionlinesimpactalargeproportionofthepopulation,withanestimated600to1,993annualfatalitiesattributedtobirdsstrikinglines(USFWS2016b).

Hawaiianpetrelshavealsobeenkilledduetocollisionswithwindturbines.InadditiontothesinglefatalityobservedattheProjectonOʻahuin2017,eightHawaiianpetrelshavebeendocumentedaswindfacility‐relatedfatalitiesonMauisincewindfacilityoperationsbeganin2006throughtheendof2017(DianeSether/USFWS,pers.comm.,April2018).


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SpeciesOccurrenceonOʻahuandintheProjectArea

Insummerandfall2009,priortoconstructionoftheProject,radarsurveillanceandaudiovisualsamplingwasconductedover10nightsattheProjectarea.Thepurposeofthesurveyswastosamplerepresentativeseabirdpassageratesforuseinestimatingtheriskofseabirdtakeresultingfromcollisionswithturbinesandmeteorologicaltowers(Cooperetal.2011).SupplementaryradarsurveyswereconductedinJune2011for16nightstomeasurepassageratesoverthenortheastern‐mostturbinestring(CooperandSanzenbacher2011).Twonewareasweresampledfor5nightseachtoincreaseradarcoverageoftheProjectarea.Sitessampledin2009werealsoresampledfor3nightseachin2011.

Allsurveysfoundanextremelylownumberoftargetsexhibitingflightspeedsandflightpatternsthatfitthe“shearwater‐like”category.Themeanmovementrateacrossallnightsandallsitesfor2009and2011was0.66shearwater‐liketargets/hour(CooperandSanzenbacher2011).Noneoftheradartargetscouldbevisuallyverifiedduringthesesurveys;however,Cooperetal.(2011)suggestedthattheindividualsweremorelikelytohavebeenNewell’sshearwatersthanHawaiianpetrelsbecauseofthetimingofmovementsandbecausetheavailableliteraturesuggestedthatNewell’sshearwatersratherthanHawaiianpetrelsoccuronOʻahu.

In2016,YoungandVanderWerf(2016)assessedseabirdpresenceatthreesitesonOʻahu–Mt.Kaʻala,Palikea,andKalihi.NoHawaiianpetrelsweredetectedbyacousticsensorsatthesesitesduringthesurvey(YoungandVanderWerf2016).Duringthe2017breedingseason,eightacousticsensorsweredeployedat16locationsonOʻahutosurveyforHawaiianpetrelsandotherlistedseabirds.HawaiianpetrelcallsweredetectedatonesiteonthewindwardslopeofMt.Kaʻalaat3,600feet(1,100meters)elevation,over8miles(13kilometers)southwestoftheProject.CallsweredetectedonsevennightsinMayandJulyof2017(ConservationMetrics,Inc.,inprep).AlthoughthedetectionswereafirstrecordforOʻahuforseveraldecades,itcannotbedeterminedfromtheacousticdataalonewhetherthespecieswasbreeding/nestingorwhethertherecordedcallswerefromprospectingbirds.TheHawaiianpetrelfatalitiesobservedattheProjectinJuly2017andAugust2018confirmsHawaiianpetrelsoccurmorefrequentlyonportionsoftheislandthanpreviouslyexpectedandmaytransitthroughtheProjectarea.

3.5.3 PotentialImpactsandMitigationMeasures(Flora)

The2011EISandsubsequentEApresentthepotentialimpactsassociatedwithimplementationoftheProject(andtheProjectalternatives,includingthenoactionalternative).Project‐relatedimpactstovegetationincludedirectimpactsassociatedwithclearingandgrounddisturbanceduringconstruction,thepotentialforintroductionand/orspreadofinvasivespecies,routinevegetationclearingwithinthesearchplotsaroundeachturbineandtramplingofvegetationduringmonitoring.ImpactstovegetationresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EISandEA.


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3.5.4 PotentialImpactsandMitigationMeasures(Fauna)

The2011EISandsubsequentEAincludeacompleteanalysisoftheimpactstowildliferesultingfromtheProject(andtheProjectalternatives,includingthenoactionalternative).Thisdiscussionaddressestheriskofcollisionwithwindfarmfacilities,thepotentialeffectofelectromagneticfields(EMF)onwildlife,directimpactsassociatedwithconstructionactivities,andindirectimpactsfromhabitatdisplacementforbothnon‐listedandlistedwildlifespecies.ImpactsresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeresultsofthisanalysisandarenotfurtheraddressedinthisSEIS,withtheexceptionofthoseassociatedwiththeHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.5.4.1 ListedSpecies

Asdetailedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA,constructionandoperationofthewindfarmcreatesthepotentialforlistedspeciestocollidewithProjectcomponents,includingthewindturbines.

TheHCPpreparedbyKawailoaWindfortheProjectaddressedthepotentialimpactofcollisionwithProjectcomponentsforsevenlistedspecies;theHCPwasapprovedandtheITP/ITLwereauthorizedbyUSFWSandDOFAW,respectively.TheITP/ITLauthorizedincidentaltakeofthefollowingspecies:Newell’sshearwater,Hawaiianduck,Hawaiianstilt,Hawaiiancoot,Hawaiianmoorhen,Hawaiianshort‐earedowl,andHawaiianhoarybat.

Aspreviouslydescribed,post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringdatafromthefirstfiveyearsofProjectoperationsindicatethatimpactstoHawaiianhoarybathaveexceededthelevelsanticipatedintheHCPandcurrentlyauthorizedundertheITP/ITL.Inaddition,observedHawaiianpetreltakewithintheProjectareaandrecentsurveysdocumentingHawaiianpetrelsonOʻahuindicatethatincidentaltakeauthorizationisneededforthisspecies.Therefore,KawailoaWindispreparinganHCPAmendmentinsupportofarequesttoamendtheITP/ITLtoincreasetheauthorizedtakeleveloftheHawaiianhoarybatandtoincludetheHawaiianpetrel.TheDraftHCPAmendmentrespondstotheneedforauthorizationofincidentaltakeoflistedspecies,andmeasurestominimizeandmitigatetheseimpacts,pursuanttotheESAandHRSChapter195D.AuthorizationoftheITP/ITLrequiresanHCPthatsupportsthecontinuedexistenceofandaidsintherecoveryofthelistedspecieswhileallowingforincidentaltakeasaresultoftheProject.

BasedontheinformationpresentedintheDraftHCPAmendment,thefollowingsectionspresentanupdateddiscussionofthepotentialimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandnewinformationregardingthepotentialimpactstotheHawaiianpetrel.Project‐relatedimpactstotheotherfederallyandstatelistedspecies(includingNewell’sshearwater,Hawaiianduck,Hawaiianstilt,Hawaiiancoot,Hawaiianmoorhen,andHawaiianshort‐earedowl)havenotsubstantiallydeviatedfromwhatwaspresentedinthe2011EISandEAandarenotaddressedaspartoftheHCPamendmentprocess.Thediscussionrelatedtothesespeciesaspresentedinthe2011EISandEAisstillrelevantandisincorporatedbyreference.


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HawaiianHoaryBat

Asdetailedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA,Hawaiianhoarybatsareknowntousebothnativeandnon‐nativehabitatsforfeedingandroosting.ThevegetatedareaswithintheProjectareaconsistmostlyofformeragriculturalland,aliengrasslandandforest.Theforesthabitatisfairlyhomogenousandcomprisedofnon‐nativespecies,includingstandsofalbizia,ironwoodandeucalyptustrees;thesetreesmayprovideroostinghabitatforbats.Batactivityhasbeendetectedinessentiallyallhabitats,includinginclearings,alongroads,alongtheedgesoftreelines,ingulches,andatirrigationponds;monitoringresultsindicatethatbatsusethesefeaturesfortravellingandforaging.Basedonpre‐andpost‐constructionacousticsurveys,theHawaiianhoarybatoccursyear‐roundwithintheProjectarea,withhigheractivityrecordedfromApriltoOctober.BatsarealsoknowntooccurinverylownumbersatthenearbyKahukuWindPowerfacility(SWCA2010)andhavebeendocumentedacrosstheslopesofnorthernKoʻolauMountains(Gorresenetal.2015).

Resultsfrompost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringeffortsatmultiplewindfarmfacilitiesinHawaiʻihavedemonstratedthatHawaiianhoarybatsaresusceptibletocollisionswithwindturbines.Thepotentialforbatstocollidewithmeteorologicaltowers,communicationequipment,overheadcables,utilitypoles,andotherassociatedstructuresisconsideredtobenegligiblebecausethesefeaturesareimmobileandareexpectedtobereadilydetectablebythebatsthroughecho‐location.Nobatfatalitieshavebeenobservedaspartofmonitoringconductedunderthemeteorologicaltowers.DirectandindirectimpactstoHawaiianhoarybatsarealsonotexpectedasaresultofProject‐relatedhabitatdisturbance,becausehabitatavailabilityhasnotmeasurablydecreasedasaresultoftheProjectandvegetationclearinghasandcontinuestobeperformedonlyduringthosetimesofyearwhenHawaiianhoarybatsarenotexpectedtobebreeding(thusavoidingthepotentialforharmtonon‐volantjuvenilebats).

AspartoftheHCPamendmentprocess,post‐constructionmortalitymonitoringdatafortheProject(fromthestartofProjectoperationsin2012throughthepresent)havebeenusedtocalculateconservativeestimatesofthetotalbattakeanticipatedtoresultfromcollisionswiththewindturbinesovertheremainingyearsoftheITP/ITLterm.Theresultsofthiseffortaresummarizedbelow.Adetaileddiscussionofthespecifictakecalculations,includingtheassociatedinputsandassumptions,isprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

EstimatedProject‐RelatedTake

AsofDecember31,2017,32batfatalitieshavebeenobservedduringsystematicmonitoringattheProject(directtake);therehavealsobeentwoincidentally‐detectedfatalities.UsingtheEoAsoftwaretocalculateadjustedtake(thusaccountingforunobserveddirecttake),itcanbeassertedwith80percentcertaintythatnomorethan62batshavebeentakenasofDecember31,2017.11Indirecttakewasestimatedusingcurrentagencyguidance(USFWS2016a)anddatafromtheProject.Basedonanestimateddirecttakeof62bats,indirecttakeasofDecember31,2017isestimatedat7adultequivalents.Thus,theestimatedtotaltakethroughDecember31,2017is69

11An80percentcredibilitylevelforthetakeprojectionisrequiredbyUSFWSandDOFAWtoassesscompliancewithanITP/ITL;thisprovidesaconservativeestimate,erringinfavoroftheCoveredSpecies.


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bats.BasedontheapprovedHCPandITP/ITL,thecurrentlyauthorizedtakelimitfortheProjectis60bats.

Considerableprogresshasbeenmadeovertheyearstowardabatdeterrentdevicebecomingcommerciallyavailable,asresultsfromfieldtrialsforacousticbatdeterrents12havebeenpromising.In2006,fieldtrialsforbatdeterrentsatpondsintheFernowExperimentalForestinWestVirginiarevealeda90percentreductioninactivityatallponds(SzewczakandArnett2008).Acousticdeterrentsweretestedonwindturbinesonthemainlandin2009and2010,resultinginasmuchas64percentfewerfatalitiescomparedtowhenwindturbinesoperatedwithoutdeterrents(Arnettetal.2013a).Initialresearchshowsthatultravioletdeterrentsmaybepromising,aswellasacoustictypes,asfieldtestsonHawaiʻiIslandshowedan88percentreductioninmeanbatactivity(HeinandSchirmacher2013).Additionaltestingofacousticdeterrentsonthemainlandcontinuestoimproveeffectivenessand/orrangeofthedeterrents(B.Morton/NRG,pers.comm.,2018).ArecentNRGSystemswebinar(2018)suggestedthattheeffectivenessofacousticdeterrentscouldrangefrom20to100percentatpresent,withhighereffectivenessshownformainlandhoarybats.Additionalbroad‐scalefieldtrialsatcommercialwindfacilitiesonthemainlandareunderway,whichshouldprovidevaluableinsightsintotheireffectivenessandpotentialimplementationstrategies.ThepotentialeffectivenessofdeterrenttechnologytosupplementorreplacereductionsintakeachievedthroughLWSCisunknownbutisassumedtobeanimportantminimizationtoolinthenearfuture.

AsdescribedintheHCPAmendment,implementationofdeterrenttechnologyhasbeenincludedaspartofthebaselineminimizationstrategy,withinstallationtooccurwhenthetechnologyiscommerciallyavailableandshowntobeatleastaseffectiveasLWSC(assumedtobein2022).However,becausethereisuncertaintyastotheeffectivenessofdeterrentsatreducingbattake,itisassumedthattakewillbereducedasaresultofdeterrentsonlyforTier5.Specifically,thefollowingtwoscenariosweremodeledbasedonassumedeffectivenessoravailabilityofdeterrentsatreducingtake:

Tier5:ModelingofprojectedtakeattheTier5levelassumedminimizationmeasureswillrealizea50percentreductioninthecurrentleveloftake;and

Tier6:ModelingofprojectedtakeattheTier6levelassumedminimizationmeasuresrealizeazeropercentreductioninthecurrentleveloftake.Thistierisdesignedtobeconservativeinordertoprovideassurancethatthetotalrequestedtakewillnotbeexceeded.

Basedonthemodelingresultsforthesescenarios,thetotaltakerequestfortheProjectaspartoftheHCPAmendmentisforanadditional205bats(foratotalof265bats,includingthecurrentauthorizationof60bats).ThetakeestimatebytierissummarizedinTable3‐1.Foreachtierlisted,

12Acousticbatdeterrentdevicesaredesignedtoemitanultrasonicacousticfieldinthesamerangeasbats’naturalcallingfrequencies,whichinterfereswiththeirabilitytoreceiveandinterprettheirownecholocationcalls.Theresultisadisorientingairspacethatisdifficulttonavigate,thusdiscouragesbatsfromenteringthearea(NRG2018).


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thetotaltakerepresentsthecumulativetakeattributedtotheidentifiedtieraswellasallprevioustiers.Forexample,estimatedtotaltakeof115batsinTier4includesthe60batsauthorizedundertheapprovedHCPandanadditional55batsrequestedaspartoftheHCPAmendmentforTier4.ThevaluesofestimatedtakeallottedtoeachtierisbasedonUSFWSrecommendationsfortieredtakeatwindfacilities(USFWS2018).

Theassumptionsusedinthemodelingprovidereasonableassurancethatthetakeestimateattheendofthepermittermwillbelowerthantheconservativeprojectedestimate.Adetaileddiscussionofthemodeling,includingthecalculationsofdirectandindirecttake,aswellastheapplicableparametersandassumptionsisprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

Table3‐1.EstimatedTakeandTotalTakeRequestforEachTier

TierTakePerTier

TotalTake2PercentofAdditionalRequestedTake

Justification1

1‐3(existing) N/A 60 N/AExistingauthorizationbasedonapprovedHCP

4

(proposed)55 115 27

BasedonthemitigationoffsetoftheHelemanoWildernessArea(seeSection3.5)

5

(proposed)85 200 41

Basedona50%takereductioninyears2022–2032duetodeterrents

6

(proposed)65 265 32

Unalteredtakeestimate;noreductioninyears2022–2032duetodeterrents3

1.KawailoaWindassumesabatdeterrentwillbecommerciallyavailable,anddeterrentsinstalledby2022willachievea50percentreductioninthecurrentrateofbattakeforTier5;Tier6isbasedontheassumptionthatdeterrentsareeithernotavailableortheyareineffective.

2.Totaltakeforeachtieriscumulative(i.e.,itaccountsfortheprevioustiers).

3.Tier6isbasedontheconservativeassumptionthattherewillbenomeasurableeffectofminimizationmeasuresonbattakeinordertoprovidecertaintythatthetotalrequestedtakewillnotbeexceeded.

Population‐LevelImpacts

TheHawaiianhoarybatwaslistedasendangeredin1970andhaspersistedtopresentwithnodirectinterventiontopreserveorprotectthespecies.ThemostrecentpopulationstudiescomefromanoccupancystudyconductedonHawaiʻiIslandfrom2007‐2011,whichshowthepopulationofHawaiianhoarybatsis“stabletoincreasing”(Gorresenetal.2013).However,nopopulationestimateswereprovided.TheRecoveryPlanfortheHawaiianHoaryBat(USFWS1998)states“sincenoaccuratepopulationestimatesexistforthissubspeciesandbecausehistoricalinformationregardingitspastdistributionisscant,thedeclineofthebathasbeenlargelyinferred.”AlthoughoverallnumbersofHawaiianhoarybatsarebelievedtobelow,theyarethoughttooccurinthegreatestnumbersontheislandsofHawaiʻiandKauaʻi(Menard2001).Untilrecently,batsfoundonOʻahuwerethoughttobemigrantorvagrant(USFWS1998),butbatmonitoringdataandresearchatKawailoaWindandinthenorthernKoʻolauMountainshasdemonstratedthatbatsresideandbreedonOʻahu,aremorewidespread,andoccurinhighernumbersthanpreviouslythought(see


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Section3.5.2.3;KawailoaWindPower2013,Gorresenetal.2015).SeveralresearchprojectsarecurrentlybeingconductedonOʻahutobetterunderstandHawaiianhoarybatmovementanddistribution.Nostudiestodatehaveprovidedevidencethatthepopulationisindecline,andthebatpopulationappearstobelargerthanoncethought.PreliminaryresultsfromabatoccupancystudyonOʻahuisshowingbatactivityatacousticmonitoringlocationsacrossOʻahu(EricaAdamczyk/WEST,pers.comm.,July2018).SpeciesrecoverygoalsatthefederallevelarecurrentlyfocusedontheislandsofHawaiʻi,MauiandKauaʻi,asrecommendedbytheRecoveryPlanfortheHawaiianHoaryBat(USFWS1998).USFWSisconductinga5‐yearreviewandmayhaveupdatedpopulationinformationforOʻahuafterthisreviewiscompleted.

TheapprovedITP/ITLauthorizedtakeof60batsover20years,or3batsperyear.Basedonpredictionsfrompost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringdatafortheProjectandveryconservativestatisticaltools,themaximumestimatedaverageannualrateoftotaltakeis13.25batsperyear(265bats/20years)overthepermitterm.Therateof13.25batstakenperyearrepresentsthemaximumprojectedtakeundertheconservativeassumptionthatminimizationmeasuresareineffectiveatreducingtake.ConsideringtheavoidanceandminimizationmeasurescommittedtobyKawailoaWind,whicharefurtherdiscussedinthefollowingsection,thetotaltakeratemaybeaslowas5.75batsperyear(i.e.,iftakedoesnotexceedtheTier4takerequest[115bats/20years]).ItisanticipatedthatthemitigationproposedaspartoftheHCPAmendmentwillprotectandrestorebathabitat(asdetailedbelow)and,basedonaconservativemitigationacreageratio,willfullyoffsettheimpactofthetaking.Additionally,thetakeestimateincorporatesan80percentcrediblelevel,whichmeansthereisan80percentcertaintythattheactualnumberoffatalitiesislessthanorequaltothereportednumber.Furthermore,KawailoaWindhasdevelopedanadaptivemanagementprogramwherebyexceedanceofspecifictakelimitsandtakeratethresholdswilltriggeradditionalminimizationmeasures.AlthoughitisdifficulttoassesstheeffectthatHawaiianhoarybattakeresultingfromtheProjectmayhaveonthelocalpopulationofthisspecies,itisanticipatedthatthepotentialimpactswouldbeoffsetbymitigation.Therefore,nopopulationlevelimpactsareexpectedfortheHawaiianhoarybatasaresultoftheProject.Additionaldetailregardingadaptivemanagementandproposedmitigationisprovidedinsubsequentsections.

AvoidanceandMinimizationMeasures

Asdetailedinthe2011EISandthesubsequentEA,severalmeasurestoavoidandminimizerisktoHawaiianhoarybatsandotherlistedspecieswereincorporatedintothedesignoftheProject.Thesemeasuresincludetheuseofmonopolesteeltubulartowersandturbinerotorswithasignificantlyslowerrotationalspeed(comparedtoolderdesigns),placementofelectricallinesundergroundwherepracticable,markingofguywiresandoverheadlines,minimizingnighttimeconstruction,andrestrictionsonclearingtreesgreaterthan15feetinheightbetweenJuly1toAugust15(whennon‐volantHawaiianhoarybatsjuvenilesmayoccur).Inaddition,LWSCwasimplementedfromthestartofcommercialoperationstominimizerisktoHawaiianhoarybat.Basedonthebestavailablescienceatthetime,theLWSCprotocolinvolvedraisingthecut‐inspeedoftheproject’swindturbinesto5m/sfromMarchthroughNovember,whichiswhenbatactivitywasconsistentlydocumented,forthedurationofthenight(fromsunsettosunrise).


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OverthecourseofProjectoperations,KawailoaWindhasevaluatedandincorporatedoptionstofurtherreducetherisktoHawaiianhoarybats.ThisincludesmultipleadaptivemanagementeffortssuchasmodificationoftheLWSCprotocol,innovativeapproachestopost‐constructionmortalitymonitoring,andsupportfordevelopmentofthelatesttechnologiesthatcouldreducerisktobats.InresponsetotheoccurrenceofbatfatalitiesoutsidetheinitialLWSCperiod,implementationofLWSCwasextendedtoDecember15in2012andthestartingdatewassubsequentlymoveduptoFebruary10andthenFebruary6in2013and2015,respectively.AfterabatfatalityinlateDecember2016,implementationofLWSCwasfurtherextendedtoDecember31in2017.KawailoaWindalsoinitiatedtheuseoftraineddogsinJuly2013andcontinuestousecaninesearchteamstoincreasesearcherefficiencyandreduceuncertaintyintheamountofbattakedocumentedaspartofthepost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringprogram.Inaddition,researchandengineeringdevelopmentofanultrasonicbatdeterrentwasfundedasanadaptivemanagementefforttopromoteoptionsforreducingbatfatalities(KawailoaWindPower,LLC2014).

Inadditiontotheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresdescribedabove,KawailoaWindhasinvestigatedotherpotentialmeasuresthatcouldfurtherreducebattake,includingadditionalincreasesinLWSC.Inparticular,asdetailedintheDraftHCPAmendment,adetailedanalysiswasconductedtoevaluatevariousLWSCscenariosthatincorporatedifferentcut‐inspeedsandimplementationperiods.Basedontheresultsofthisanalysis,KawailoaWindwillimplementtheoperationalminimizationmeasureslistedbelow;theseactionswillbethebaselineminimizationmeasurestominimizerisktotheHawaiianhoarybataspartoftheHCPAmendment.TheoperationalminimizationmeasureswerepresentedtoUSFWSandDOFAWinMay2018,andbothagenciesweresupportiveofthemeasures.

1. ExtendLWSCwithacut‐inspeedof5.0m/satallturbinestooccuryear‐roundfromsunsettosunrise.

2. IncreaseLWSCcut‐inspeedto5.2m/sthrougha0.2m/shysteresistoincreasethe“downtime”ofthewindturbinesandreducethenumberofstop/starteventspernightbyextendingtherollingaveragetimefrom10to20minutes.HysteresisisaLWSCregimethatoffsetsthe“cut‐out”and“cut‐in”speeds,suchthatittakesahigheraveragewindspeed(raisedcut‐inspeed)fortheturbinestoreturntooperationafterstoppingduetoLWSC.13AllProjectturbinesindividuallymonitorwindspeedusingturbine‐mountedanemometersandareprogrammedtoshutoffwhenwindspeedsare5.0m/sorlowerandtostartupagainwhenwindspeedsreach5.2m/s,therebyincreasingthecut‐inspeedandextendingtheperiodduringwhichcollisionriskforbatsisminimized.

13Observationsofbatbehaviorhaveidentifiedriskfactorstobatscorrelatingwithperiodsoflowwindspeed(Arnettetal.2013b,Wellingetal.2018).Basedonanexperimentaltestofoperationalminimizationtreatments,Shirmacheretal.(2018)foundthatbatsmaybeatriskofcollisionduringoperationaltransitions(i.e.,duringturbinestart‐uporshut‐down).Thisriskwasdemonstratedbyasignificantincreaseintheprobabilityoffindingafatalityatturbineswithincreasedwindturbinestops.Hysteresisisamethodofreducingthenumberofstartandstopevents.


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3. Conductanultrasonicacousticbatdeterrent“proofofconcept”test,incollaborationwithNRGSystems.NRGSystemsinstalledanultrasonicacousticbatdeterrentsystematturbine30(wherethemostbatfatalities[16percent]havebeendetectedasofDecember31,2017)toevaluateeffectivenessofthedeterrentspecifictoHawaiianhoarybats.ThedeterrentwasdeployedinJuly2018.Effectivenessatreducingbatactivitylevelswillbeevaluatedusingthermalimagingovera60‐daystudyperiodtodocumentthebatapproachpathsandactivityinrelationtotherotorsweptarea.DatacollectedattheProjectwillsupplementtheresultsofNRGSystems’ongoingtestingatwindfarmsonthecontinentalUnitedStates.ResultsofNRGSystems’testingandthoseofotherdeterrentsystemswillbeusedtoinformminimizationmeasuresattheProject.

4. KawailoaWindwillinstallbatdeterrentsatall30ProjectturbineswhenbatdeterrentsbecomecommerciallyavailableandareshowntobeatleastaseffectiveasLWSCatreducingbattake.Forthepurposesoftakeestimation,KawailoaWindassumesdeterrentswillbeinstalledby2022.

On‐goingpost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringwillbeakeycomponenttoassesstheeffectivenessofthebaselineminimizationapproach(aswellastheeffectivenessofadaptivemanagementmeasures,whichwouldbetriggeredshouldthemeasureslistedabovenothavetheintendedeffectofreducingbattake).Thedataarealsoexpectedtoprovideinsighttospatialandtemporalpatternsofbatfatalities,tohelprefineminimizationmeasures.However,fatalitysamplesizeshavebeen,andwilllikelycontinuetobe,insufficienttodrawstatisticallymeaningfulcorrelationsbetweenminimizationactionsandmortalitylevels.Asummaryofthepost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringprogramandtheadaptivemanagementstrategyisprovidedinsubsequentsections,withfurtherdetailpresentedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

Mitigation

Inadditiontotheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresdiscussedabove,andconsistentwiththebiologicalgoalsoftheapprovedHCPandDraftHCPAmendment,KawailoaWindhasbeenandwillcontinueimplementingmitigationforimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatbasedonthedifferenttiersoftake.PursuanttotherequirementsoftheHRSChapter195DandtheESA,themitigationisdesignedtoresultinanoverallnetbenefittothespeciesandfullyoffsettheimpactsofthetaking.

Mitigationfortheauthorizedtake(Tiers1‐3)hasalreadybeenimplementedandisongoing,incoordinationwithUSFWSandDOFAW.Theproposedmitigationfortheadditionalrequestedtake(Tiers4–6)wasdevelopedaspartoftheHCPamendmentprocess.Tier4mitigationisalreadyinprocess;planningfortheTier5andTier6mitigationwillbeinitiatedwhen75percentoftheestimatedtakeforthecurrenttierhasbeenreached(usingthe80percentuppercrediblelimit),aslistedinTable3‐2.Basedonthisapproach,itisestimatedthatitwouldtakemorethan2yearsfortheTier4limittobereachedafterhittingtheTier5mitigationplanningtrigger;therefore,assumingtimelyreviewandapprovalofanyrequiredmitigationmeasure,theimplementationofmitigationactionswillbeginbythetimethetotaltakeestimatereachesthenexttierthreshold.


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Table3‐2.TriggersforPlanningforFutureTiersofMitigation

MitigationTierTriggerforMitigationPlanning

DescriptionofTrigger CumulativeTakeEstimate1

Tier5 75%ofTier4authorizedtakelimit 86bats

Tier6 75%ofTier5authorizedtakelimit 123bats

1.Takerepresentsthecumulativetakeincludingpriortiers.

TheongoingmitigationforTiers1‐3andtheproposedmitigationforTiers4‐6issummarizedinthefollowingsections.TheexistingmitigationforTiers1‐3wasincludedintheoriginalHCPandissummarizedbelowforreferencepurposes.TheproposedmitigationforTiers4‐6wasdevelopedaspartoftheHCPamendmentprocessandisresponsivetotherecoverygoalsidentifiedintheHawaiianHoaryBatRecoveryPlan(USFWS1998),agencyguidancedescribedintheESRCBatGuidance(DLNR2015),andconservationandmanagementprioritiesidentifiedbytheagencies.AdditionalinformationregardingtheguidancetodateisprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

ExistingMitigation(perApprovedHCP)

Tier1Mitigation

TheexistingTier1mitigationfortheHawaiianhoarybatinvolveswetlandrestoration/managementmeasures,asdescribedintheapprovedHCP.Specificcomponentsincludeacousticmonitoringforbats,removalofinvasivespeciesandcreationofbatlanestoimproveforaging,insectsampling,ungulatefencingandpredatorcontrol.ThismitigationhasalreadybeenimplementedandisbeingadaptivelymanagedincoordinationwithUSFWSandDLNR.

Tier2andTier3Mitigation

Tier2andTier3mitigationfortheHawaiianhoarybatincludesthreeongoingresearchprojectsfundedbyKawailoaWind.Thesethreecurrentresearchprojectsaddress(1)modelingtoquantifyforaginghabitatuseandsuitability,(2)geneticdiversityandsex‐specificfoodhabits,and(3)distributionandseasonaloccupancyonOʻahu.AdditionaldetailisprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendmentandKawailoaWindannualreports.

Basedontheseongoingresearchprojects,incombinationwithapreviousoccupancypoweranalysisstudy,thereisanoutstandingfundingobligationfortheTier2and3mitigation.BasedonUSFWSandDOFAWguidance,therearenoremainingresearchfundinggapsforjointagencysub‐committeeapprovedprojects(GlennMetzler/DOFAW,pers.comm.,August2,2017).Tofulfilltheremaininguncommittedfundingobligation,KawailoaWindwillcontributetheremainingfundstowardsthepurchaseofthe3,716‐acreWaimeaNativeForest.ThelandwillbeacquiredthroughapartnershipwithTheTrustforPublicLand(TPL)andDOFAW,aswellasotherfundingpartners.ThismitigationalignswithcurrentUSFWSandDOFAWguidancewhichidentifieslandacquisitionasanappropriatemitigationapproachfortheHawaiianhoarybat(DLNR2015).


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ProposedTier4Mitigation(perHCPAmendment)

Tier4batmitigationwillconsistofcontributing$2,750,000towardacquisitionandlong‐termprotectionoftheHelemanoWildernessAreathroughapartnershipwithTPL,USFWS,DOFAWandotherfundingpartners.14TheHelemanoWildernessAreaencompassesapproximately2,882acresincentralOʻahu,approximately3milesfromtheProject(Figure3‐1).15ItincludessignificanttractsofnativeforesthabitatwithinthedocumentedrangeoftheHawaiianhoarybatthatareatriskduetotheencroachmentofinvasiveplantandanimalspecies,aswellasdevelopmentandotherpotentialanthropogenicactivities.Italsoincludesnon‐forestedfallowagriculturalareasthataresuitableforrestoration.ThemixofforestedlandsandfallowagriculturallandsisanticipatedtoprovidebothforagingandroostinghabitatfortheHawaiianhoarybat.AnumberofmonitoringeffortshaveshownthatthereisbatactivitysurroundingtheHelemanoWildernessArea,andtheareaitselfisalsolikelyoccupiedbyhoarybats.Furthermore,itislikelythatthecontiguoustractsofmixedforesthabitatintheHelemanoWildernessAreaandcurrentlackofdevelopmentinthisregionsupportsmovementsofbatsbetweenCentralOʻahuandtheNorthShorealongthemajorforestedparcelswithintheKoʻolaumountainrange.TheacquisitionpermanentlyprotectstheseparcelsfortheHawaiianhoarybat,aswellasmanyothernativespecies,andenhancestheconnectivitybetweenothernaturalareareserves.

Followingacquisition,DOFAWisresponsibleforlong‐termownershipandmanagementoftheHelemanoWildernessArea.Asoneoftheconditionsofownership,DOFAWwilldevelopandimplementalong‐termmanagementstrategytoprotectandmaintainexistinghabitatandrestoreandimprovedegradedhabitat.ResearchwillbeincorporatedintotheoverallmanagementplanfortheareathatwillfocusonidentifyingoptimalhabitatorlimitingfactorsfortheHawaiianhoarybat.ThelanddeedwillincludetherequirementthatHWAbemanagedinperpetuityfortheprotectionofhabitatandconservationoflistedendangeredspeciesincludingtheHawaiianhoarybat,20speciesoflistedplants,andotherrarespecies.USFWSwillbeconsultedduringthedevelopmentofthemulti‐resourcemanagementplantoensuretheforestmanagementactivitiesconsiderimpactstolistedspecies.

14BecauseofitscommitmenttotheHelemanoWildernessAreaacquisitionasappropriatebatmitigationandknowingthatotherbuyerswereinterestedintheseparcelsfordevelopment,KawailoaWindprovidedafundingdeposittoTPLinOctober2018,priortoissuanceoftheITP/ITL,toensurethatthelandcouldbepurchasedforconservationinatimelymanner.ShouldUSFWSorDOFAWfailtograntanITPorITLtoKawailoaWindfortheHCPAmendment,KawailoaWindreservestherighttoselltheirpaidinterestinthismitigation.15TheHelemanoWildernessAreawasoriginally3,056acres.However,whileinnegotiationfortheHCPAmendment,aportionofTMK6‐4‐004:001wassubdividedbythelandowner,andasaresult,theareaisnow2,882acres.Thissubdivisiondemonstratesthatthethreatofdevelopmentisrealandimminentfortheseparcels.


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Figure3‐1.LocationoftheHelemanoWildernessArea(Tier4Mitigation)


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DOFAW’smanagementstrategyhasnotbeenfinalizedatthistime.Managementactivitiesareexpectedtovaryamongtheparcelsbasedontheobjectivesandmanagementneedsofeachspecificareabutareexpectedtoincludeactivitiessuchascontrolofferalungulates,rodentandinvasivespecies;erosioncontrol;confinementofhikingandcampingindesignatedlocations;andreforestationwithnativeandnon‐nativehardwoodtreespecies(MarigoldZoll/DOFAW,pers.comm.,May2018).

ThismitigationwillfullyoffsetthetakeforTier4andwillprovideanetbenefittotheHawaiianhoarybat.KawailoaWindwillderivetheTier4mitigationfromonlyaportionoftheHelemanoWildernessArea;however,thefundingprovidedbyKawailoaWindenablestheacquisitionandprotectionoftheentirearea.ConservationoftheHelemanoWildernessAreawillensureprotectionofHawaiianhoarybathabitatfromfuturedevelopmentandmeetstheUSFWSandDLNRlong‐termconservationgoals,includingtheenhancementandconnectivityofimportantconservationareas.TheseactionswillbenefitbatsbeyondthetermoftheITP/ITLbyprovidingnativeforestroostingandforaginghabitatinperpetuity,therebyprovidinganetbenefittothespecies.ProtectionofHelemanoWildernessAreaalsoprovidesauniqueopportunityforhabitatmanagementonalargescaletoassesstheeffectivenessofvariousapproachesinrecoveringbatpopulations.

AdditionaldetailregardingtheTier4mitigationapproachiscontainedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

ProposedTier5andTier6Mitigation(perHCPAmendment)

ForTier5andTier6mitigation,KawailoaWindwillidentifyandimplementmitigationbasedontheoptionsidentifiedasprioritiesbyUSFWSandDOFAW.Theseoptionscurrentlyincludethefollowing,listedinorderofpriority(asidentifiedbyKawailoaWind):

HabitatProtectionandPreservation:Contributefundingtoacquirepropertythatwillprotectbatroostingandforaginghabitatinperpetuity;or

HabitatRestoration/LandManagement:Conductbathabitatmanagement/restorationatHelemanoWildernessArea,WaimeaNativeForest,orsimilarsite.

MitigationmeasuresunderTiers5and6mayoccurmuchlaterinthepermitterm,ormayneveroccur,iftakeremainswithintheauthorizedtakelimitforTier4.Therefore,whileanticipatedmitigationforTiers5and6isdescribedbelow,themostappropriateoptionwillbeselectedinconsultationwithUSFWSandDOFAWatthetimemitigationplanningistriggered.ThisapproachallowsKawailoaWindtodescribethepreferredmitigationbasedoncurrentinformationforthepurposesoftheHCPAmendment,whileleveraginginformationthatwillbelearnedfromongoingHawaiianhoarybatresearchandaddressessomeoftheexistinginformationgaps,bestavailablescience,andcurrentUSFWSandDOFAWguidance.Adaptivemanagementisidentifiedasastrategytoaddressuncertaintyduetocurrentinformationanddatagaps.

Within6monthsofreachingthetriggerforTier5orTier6mitigation(shouldeachtierbetriggered),adetailedsite‐specificmitigationimplementationplanwillbesubmittedtoUSFWSandDOFAWfortheapplicabletierofmitigation.Theplanwillincorporatethebestavailablescience


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relatedtoHawaiianhoarybathabitatrequirementsandwillbetailoredtothesite‐specificmanagementneeds;itwilladdresstheplanarea,sitefeasibility,mitigationactions,measuresofsuccess,monitoring,howthemitigationwilloffsettake,andcostestimates.ThisisexpectedtoprovidesufficienttimeforcommentandfeedbacknecessaryforsuchaplantobeapprovedbyUSFWSandDOFAW,giventheanticipated2‐yearleadtimebetweentriggeringandexceedingthecurrenttiertakelimit.

ThefollowingsubsectionssummarizetheapproachandselectioncriteriathatwouldbeappliedforeachofthemitigationoptionsidentifiedforTier5andTier6(shouldtheybetriggered).AdditionaldetailregardingtheTier5and6mitigationapproachisprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

HabitatProtectionandPreservation

Thebiologicalobjectiveofthismitigationoptionistoprotectandpreserve,inperpetuity,batroostingand/orforaginghabitatthatwouldotherwisebethreatenedwithdegradationordevelopment.Shouldhabitatprotection/preservationbeselectedforTier5orTier6,KawailoaWindwouldcontinuetocoordinatewithTPL,USFWS,DOFAW,andotherstoidentifykeyparcelsthatwouldbenefittheHawaiianhoarybat.Landwouldbeprotectedandpreservedthroughacquisition,easement,orotherlegalconservationinstrument.Forthismitigationoption,thefollowingselectioncriteriawouldbeusedtoidentifyasuitablemitigationparcel:

ThemitigationparcelisontheIslandofOʻahu.

Aminimumof20.3acreswouldbeusedtooffsetoneHawaiianhoarybat(basedonthemedianbatcoreuseareaidentifiedfromdatabyBonaccorsoetal.2015).

Themitigationparcelincludeslandacquisition/protectionorprotectionplusmanagementactions(ratherthanprotectionalone).

Themitigationparcelfacesathreatsuchasdevelopmentorotherthreatsthatarenotconsistentwithsuitableorhighvaluebathabitat(e.g.,levelofprotection,intactversusdegradedhabitat,etc.).Parcelsthatareatriskofdevelopment,deforestation,orotherdegradationwouldhaveahigherprioritythanthosenotatrisk.

Largerparcelsaretypicallypreferabletosmallerparcels.However,thelocationofasmallerparcel(e.g.,adjacenttoanotherlargerareathatsupportsbatsorisbeingrestoredtosupportbats)couldmakeitmoreattractiveasamitigationsite.

Themitigationparcelwouldbeprotectedinperpetuity(i.e.,feesimple,conservationeasement,orotherarrangementagreeduponbyKawailoaWindandtheagencies).Proposedmanagementpracticesareconsistentwithbatroostingand/orforaginghabitat.

Recentevidenceofbatactivityhasbeenidentifiedatthemitigationparcelorneighboringparcelsthatindicatesbatuseofthemitigationparcel,inconjunctionwithsuitablehabitatonthemitigationparcel.

Aminimumof1,725acreswouldbeprotectedandpreservedforTier5and1,319acreswouldbeprotectedandpreservedforTier6.Thesevaluesarebasedonthe20.3‐acremediancorebatuse


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areaasanappropriateapproximationofbatdensity,justifyingatakeoffsetof85and65batsforTier5andTier6,respectively.Theactualsizeofthemitigationparcelwoulddependonhabitatsuitability,characteristicsoftheland,andtheotherselectioncriteriaidentifiedabove.

Thismitigationwouldprotectandpreservecurrentbatroostingand/orforaginghabitattoensurethatareasthatarealreadyprovidinghabitatforbatswillcontinuetodosoinperpetuity.ItwouldextendbeyondthetermoftheITP/ITL,formultiplegenerationsofbats,thusprovidinganetbenefitforthespecies.ByprotectingexistinghabitatthatwouldinevitablynolongersupporttheHawaiianhoarybat,themitigationisexpectedtosupportanincreaseinbatsovertheexpectedfuturebaseline.

HabitatRestoration/LandManagement

Thebiologicalobjectiveofthismitigationoptionisto1)restorehabitatthatisconsideredlowvaluefortheHawaiianhoarybattoaconditionthatwouldpromotesurvivaland/orto2)preventthedegradationofhabitatthatwouldotherwisedeclinetherebydecreasingitssuitabilityasbathabitat.Shouldhabitatrestoration/managementbeselectedforTier5orTier6,KawailoaWindwouldconductorfundappropriatebathabitatrestoration/managementfromtheoptionsidentifiedbelow(listedinorderofpriorityasidentifiedbyKawailoaWind).TheprioritizationisintendedtobuildontheTier3andTier4mitigationandconsidersthelevelofinformationknownaboutthepotentialmitigationparcels;however,thetiminginwhichmitigationistriggeredwillimpacttheselection.ThesemanagementactionsaredistinctfromtheprotectionofferedbypreservationunderTier3andTier4byimprovingthesuitabilityofexistinglowvaluelandswithintheparcelandpreventingdegradationbyinvasivespeciesorotherfactors.

HelemanoWildernessArea:KawailoaWindwouldprovidefundstoDOFAWtorestoreandimprovedegradedorlowvaluebathabitatwithinportionsofHelemanoWildernessArea.Fundingofmanagementactivitieswouldbeforaminimumof1,725acresforTier5andaminimumof1,319acresforTier6.16Aspreviouslynoted,DOFAWisplanningtodevelopalong‐termmanagementstrategyforthisarea;relevantmanagementactivitiescouldinclude:fencingportionsoftheparcel;controlofferalungulates,rodents,andinvasiveplantspecies;controloferosionthroughoutplantingsandothermethods;andreforestationwithnativeandnon‐invasivehardwoodtreespecies.

WaimeaNativeForest:KawailoaWindwouldprovidefundstoDOFAWtorestoreorpreventdegradationofhabitattobenefittheHawaiianhoarybatwithintheWaimeaNativeForest.Fundingofmanagementactivitieswouldbeforaminimumof1,725acresforTier5andaminimumof1,319acresforTier6.DOFAWwoulddevelopalong‐termmanagementstrategyfortheWaimeaNativeForest;managementmeasurescouldinclude:fencingportionsoftheparcel;controlofinvasivespeciesasferalungulates,plants,andotherspecies;andplantingnativetreesandplants.

16KawailoaWindcouldmitigateforonetier,and/oraportionofbothtiersbutthefullmitigationforbothtierswouldnotbeappropriatefortheremaininglandsinHWA.


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AlternativeParcel:Iftheabove‐listedoptionsarenotfeasible,KawailoaWindwouldworkwithDOFAWandUSFWStoidentifyanalternativeparcelonOʻahutoconductorfundbathabitatmanagement/restorationaspartofTier5and/orTier6mitigation.ManagementactionsimplementedatanalternativeparcelwouldlikelyincludeactivitiessimilartothoseproposedforHelemanoWildernessAreaandWaimeaNativeForest.Shouldthisoptionbechosen,KawailoaWindwouldworkwithDOFAWandUSFWStodevelopasite‐specificmitigationimplementationplantorestorehabitatforthebenefitoftheHawaiianhoarybat.

HabitatrestorationorlandmanagementatHelemanoWildernessAreaorWaimeaNativeForest(oranothersimilarsite)wouldrestorehabitattoaconditionbeneficialtobatsasdeterminedbythebestscientificliteratureand/oragencyguidance.Themitigationwouldimproveroostingandforaginghabitatforbatsbyincreasingforestedareasforroostingandincreasingedgehabitatsforforaging.Furthermore,themanagementactivitieswouldrestorenativehabitats,providingadditionalenvironmentalbenefits.Byaddressingbathabitatneeds,themitigationwouldincreasethecarryingcapacityandcreatenewcoreuseareaswhichcouldbeoccupiedbyadditionalbats,thusprovidinganetbenefittothespecies.

HawaiianPetrel

EstimatedProject‐RelatedTake

Seabirdmortalityduetocollisionswithhuman‐madeobjects,suchaspowerlinesandwindturbines,hasbeendocumentedintheHawaiianIslands(Telferetal.1987;Hodges1994;CooperandDay1998;Podolskyetal.1998;USFWS2016b).InadditiontothetwofatalitiesobservedattheProject,otherHawaiianpetrelfatalitiesthathavebeendetectedatwindenergyfacilitiesinHawaiʻiasofDecember31,2018includesevenfatalitiesatKaheawaWindFarmonMaui(KaheawaWindPower,LLC2017,SWCA2017)andonefatalityatAuwahiWindFarm,alsoonMaui(TetraTech2017b).NoHawaiianpetrelfatalitieshavebeenobservedattheKahukuWindFarm,whichistheonlyotheroperatingfacilityonOʻahu.NofatalitiesofNewell’sshearwaterhavebeendetectedatwindenergyfacilitiesinHawaiʻi.

Thecollisionavoidancerateisacriticalcomponentinassessingagivenspecies’riskofcollision(Chamberlainetal.2006).Seabirdandwaterfowlspecieshavebeendocumenteddetectingandavoidingturbinesandotherhuman‐madestructures(e.g.,transmissionlines)inlow‐lightconditions(Winkelman1995;Dirksenetal.1998;DesholmandKahlert2005;Desholmetal.2006;TetraTech2008);however,recentmonitoringofpowerlinecollisionsinkeyareasindicatesthatthisremainsoneofseveralthreatstothespecies,particularlyatcross‐islandpowerlines(Ainleyetal.2001,USFWS2016b).Petrelsareadeptatflyingthroughforeststoandfromtheirnestsduringlow‐lightandvariableweatherconditionsandmayexhibitstrongavoidancebehaviorswhenapproachingwindturbinegeneratorsorotherstructures.PetrelshavebeenobservedexhibitingavoidancebehaviorsatcommunicationtowersonLānaʻi(TetraTech2008)byadjustingflightdirectionsawayfromthetowerorbyapproachingthetowerandturningawayfromthestructuretoavoidit.Itisreasonabletoassumethatpetrelshavethebehavioralandphysicalcapabilitiestoavoidturbines,andthereforearelikelytoexhibitahighcollisionavoidancerate.However,atleast


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onedownedpetrelobservedislikelytohavecollidedwithacommunicationtoweronLānaʻi(A.Siddiqi/DOFAW,pers.comm.,September2018).

PotentialsourcesofdirectmortalityofpetrelsattheProjectincludecollisionswithwindturbinegenerators,meteorologicaltowers,andoverheadgenerator‐tielines.OnJuly21,2017,asingleHawaiianpetrelcarcass,confirmedthroughgeneticanalysis,wasobservedincidentally(notduringstandardizedsearches).Theresultsofthestandardizedpost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringperformedthrough2017wereanalyzedusingthemultipleyearsanalysismoduleintheEoAtooltocalculateaconservativeestimateoftotaldirectpetreltakeanticipatedovertheremainingyearsoftheITP/ITLterm.Althoughthepetrelfatalitywasdetectedoutsideofthesearchplot,itwasincludedasadetectedfatalityforthepurposesoftakepredictiontoprovideaconservativeestimate.

UsingpastmonitoringdatawithintheEoAsoftwaretoestimatethedirecttakeestimatedtooccuroverthepermitterm,itcanbeassertedwith80percentcertaintythatnomorethan19petrelsareexpectedtobetaken.Indirecttakewasestimatedusingcurrentagencyguidance(USFWS2016a)anddatafromtheProject.Basedonaprojectedannualtakerateof0.95(19birdsoverthe20yearpermitterms),indirecttakeisestimatedat5chicksovertheremainderofthepermitterm.

Population‐LevelImpacts

ThetotalpopulationofHawaiianpetrelsisestimatedbetween19,000and52,000individuals(Spearetal.1995,Joyce2013).ThetakeauthorizationrequestfortheProjectis19adultsand5chicks.Thisleveloftakeisbetween0.126percentand0.046percentofthetotalestimatedpopulationandshouldnothaveapopulation‐leveleffectonHawaiianpetrelsbecausestablepopulationscanabsorblowlevels(i.e.,lessthan1percentofcurrentpopulation)ofadditivemortality.ConclusiveevidenceofabreedingcolonyonOʻahuhasnotbeenfound,andifbreedingcoloniesarepresentonMt.Kaʻalaorelsewhere,thereisnoevidencetoindicatetheyaregeneticallydistinctfromcoloniesonallotherislands.Theproposedmitigation,whichisfurtherdiscussedbelow,willfurtherminimizethepotentialforpopulation‐leveleffectsasaresultofProjectoperations.

AvoidanceandMinimizationMeasures

TheavoidanceandminimizationmeasurespreviouslyimplementedfortheNewell’sshearwateralsominimizerisktotheHawaiianpetrel.ThesemeasuresaredescribedindetailinSection5.3oftheapprovedHCPandinclude:minimizingon‐sitelightingatbuildings;implementationofaWildlifeEducationandObservationProgram(WEOP)toreducevehiclecollisionrisk;andfollowingAvianPowerLineInteractionCommittee(APLIC)guidelinesforoverheadcollectionlines.

Mitigation

MitigationfortheHawaiianpetrelwillconsistoffundingpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringforHawaiianpetrelbreedingcolonieswithintheHonoONāPaliNAR,locatedinthenorthwestportionofKauaʻi.TheHonoONāPaliNARisa3,579‐acremanagedreservethatcontainsrareplants,endemicstreaminvertebrates,andnestingforestbirdsandseabirds.Hanakāpiʻaiand


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HanakoaaretwoofsixsitesthataremanagedbyDOFAWandtheKauaʻiEndangeredSeabirdRecoveryProject(KESRP)aspartoftheHonoONāPaliNARSeabirdMitigationProject.

TheHanakāpiʻaisiteencompasses138acresofmid‐tohigh‐elevationterrainandislocatedinthecenteroftheHonooNāPaliNAR.ThepresenceofaverylargeHawaiianpetrelcolonywasinitiallyconfirmedatHanakāpiʻaiin2014.KESRPbeganmonitoringin2015andsubsequently,DOFAWpredatorcontrolbeganatHanakāpiʻaiinJune2016.Amorecomprehensiveseabirdmonitoringandpredatorcontrolprogramwasinitiatedin2017byDOFAWandKESRP.

TheHanakoasiteencompasses58acresandislocatedinthewesternportionoftheHonooNāPaliNAR,adjacenttoandsouthwestofHanakāpiʻai.In2016,KESRPconfirmedtheexistenceofalargecolonyofHawaiianpetrels,aswellasabreedingpopulationofNewell’sshearwatersinthislocation.PredatorcontrolwasinitiatedinSeptember2016;amorecomprehensiveseabirdmonitoringandpredatorcontrolprogramwasinitiatedin2017byDOFAWandKESRP(Raineetal.2018b).

Fundingforthepredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringeffortsatthesetwositesrunsoutattheendof2019.Therefore,KawailoaWindwillfundpredatorcontroltobeconductedbyDOFAW(orasimilarentityapprovedbyUSFWSandDOFAW)andburrowmonitoringtobeconductedbyKESRP(orasimilarentityapprovedbyUSFWSandDOFAW)atHanakāpiʻaiandHanakoain2020.BasedoncostsprovidedbyKESRPandDOFAW,thetotalmitigationfundingwillbe$392,800.Specificactivitiestobeimplementedinclude:

Monitoringactivityofnestingseabirdswithcameras,songmeters,andonthegroundsurveys.

Monitoringpredatoractivitywithcameras,traps,andonthegroundsurveys.

Implementingfocusedremovalofpredatorssurroundingnestsites.Rodentswouldbecontrolledusingautomaticresettingtraps(A‐24,Goodnature,NZ).CattrappingwouldconsistofcagetrapsandConibears.Pigswouldberemovedusingacombinationoftargetedtrappingandfirearms.Non‐nativebarnowlswouldberemovedinareaswithhighseabirdactivitybytargetedshootingandtrapping.

RespondingtooutbreaksofseabirddepredationwithincreasedpredatortrappingacrosstheentireNARandatmajorpredatoringresspointsintotheNAR.

Basedonpreviousmonitoringdataandexpectedincreasestothenumbersofburrowsmonitoredaswellasincreasestopredatorcontrolefforts,KawailoaWind’smitigationisexpectedtooffsetthe19adultpetrelsandfivechicksthatareestimatedtobetakenduringtheremainderofthepermitterm(seeSection6.3.4andAppendix16).Althoughpredatorcontroleffortsareaimedatincreasingreproductivesuccessbecausemostpredationatthecoloniesaffectschicks,predatorcontrolalsohasthepotentialtohaveapositiveimpactonadultsurvivalbecauseadultpetrelsaresometimespreyedupon(HodgesandNagata2001).Theeffectivenessofpredatorcontrolatthetwocolonieshasbeendemonstratedbymonitoringdatawhichshowsthatreproductivesuccesshasincreasedatbothcoloniessincepredatorcontroleffortswerefullyimplemented.ThecombinedexperienceofKESRPandNARShavebeenprovenandvettedwithintheseabirdandconservationcommunity.


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ThemitigationfortheHawaiianpetrelisexpectedtofullyoffsettheanticipatedtakeandprovideanetconservationbenefitbyproducingmorepetrelsthanareauthorizedtobetakenbytheProject,contributingtorecoveryofthespecies.

AdditionaldetailregardingthemitigationapproachfortheHawaiianpetrelmitigationisprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

MonitoringandReporting

KawailoaWindconductsmonitoringfordownedwildlifebasedonthepost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringprotocolandassociatedadaptivemanagementprovisionsdefinedintheapprovedHCP.ThepurposeoftheseeffortsistomonitordirecttakeofwildlifespeciestoensurecompliancewiththeITP/ITLandtheprovisionsandtakelimitationsintheHCP.

AsdetailedintheapprovedHCPandfurtherdescribedintheDraftHCPAmendment,theprotocolincludesaninitial3‐yearintensivemonitoringperiod,followedbyalternatingperiodsofscaled‐backsystematicmonitoring,punctuatedbyayearofintensivemonitoringevery5years(e.g.,years6,11,and16).Theinitial3yearsofintensivepost‐constructionmonitoringwascompletedinNovember2015,andthelong‐termmonitoringapproachhassincebeenimplemented.Thelong‐termmonitoringinvolvessearchesateachturbinetwiceperweek,includingroadsandgradedpadsoccurringwithina115‐footradiusoftheturbine.Theturbineplotsareprimarilysearchedbyacaninesearchteam(traineddogsaccompaniedbytheirhandlers).Whenconditionslimittheuseofdogs(e.g.,weather,injury,availabilityofcaninesearchteam,etc.),searchplotsmaybesurveyedbyProjectstaff.Allsearchplotsaremowedonaregularbasis.Ifstaffonlyareusedtoconductsearchesformorethanthreeconsecutivesearches,vegetationmanagementwilloccurmorefrequently(asneededbasedonthevegetationgrowthfortheseason)thanwithdog‐assistedsearchesbecausedogsuseodorcluesratherthanvisiontolocatefatalities.Carcassremoval(CARE)trialsandsearcherefficiency(SEEF)trialsareconductedonaregularbasistoobtaindatathatareusedtoestimateactualtakelevelsfortheProject.

AsspecifiedintheapprovedHCP,KawailoaWindhasandwillcontinuetopreparewrittenreportsdescribingresultsfrommonitoringeffortstodemonstrateHCPcomplianceandidentifyanyproposedadaptivemanagementstrategies.Inaddition,ataminimum,KawailoaWindhasandwillcontinuetomeetwithUSFWSandDLNRsemi‐annuallythroughoutthepermittermtodiscussthemonitoringresultsinthecontextofcompliancewithauthorizedtakelimits.

AdaptiveManagement

Adaptivemanagement,asidentifiedintherevised2016HabitatConservationPlanningandIncidentalTakePermitProcessingHandbook,isakeystrategyforaddressinguncertaintyassociatedwithanHCP’sconservationprogram(USFWSandNMFS2016).KawailoaWindhasdevelopedanadaptivemanagementstrategytoaccountforuncertaintyintheamountoftakeoftheCoveredSpeciesexpectedovertheremainderofthepermittermandtheeffectivenessofminimizationmeasures(e.g.,LWSC).TheadaptivemanagementstrategyfocusesmorespecificallyontheHawaiianhoarybatbecausethepotentialfortakeofthisspeciesishighest.Theadaptive


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managementstrategyisdesignedtoindicateiftakeisoccurringatarategreaterthanexpectedandisprojectedtoexceedpermittedtakebeforetheendofthepermittermbuthasnotyetexceedthepermittedamount.

Aspartoftheadaptivemanagementstrategy,KawailoaWindhasidentifiedadditionalminimizationmeasuresthatcouldbeimplemented,ifnecessary,inthefuturetominimizetakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatshouldthecurrentmeasuresprovetonothavetheanticipatedeffect.Ifadditionalminimizationistriggered,KawailoaWindwillimplementoneormoremeasuresincludingturbineoperationaladjustments(e.g.,increasesinhysteresis),installationofadditionalbatdeterrents,alterationofsiteconditions(e.g.,changesinlandscapefeatures,structuresand/orlighting),orothertechnologiesasavailable.Theselectionofmeasurestoimplementwillbebasedonthebestavailablescience,resultsfromcurrentHawaiianhoarybatresearch(theresultsofongoingresearchareexpectedtobereportedstartingin2020),newtechnologicaladvances,andProject‐specificmortalitymonitoringdata.KawailoaWindwillreviewtheseoptionsatthetimeadditionalminimizationmeasuresaretriggeredandchoosetheoptionbestsuitedtominimizeimpactstobats.

AdetaileddiscussionoftheadaptivemanagementtriggersandminimizationmeasuresisprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

3.5.4.2 ImpactsofHCPImplementation

Asdetailedthroughoutthisdocument,HCPimplementationinvolvesavoidance,minimizationandmitigationmeasures,withadaptivemanagementasneeded,andalong‐termpost‐constructionmonitoringplan.ThepotentialimpactsassociatedwithimplementationoftheapprovedHCPwereevaluatedinthe2011EA.Inparticular,thisevaluationaddressedtheavoidance,minimizationandmitigationmeasuresrelatedtotheNewell’sshearwater,Hawaiianduck,Hawaiianstilt,Hawaiiancoot,Hawaiianmoorhen,Hawaiianshort‐earedowl,andHawaiianhoarybat,aswellasthepost‐constructionmonitoringplan.Theimpactsoftheactionsconductedtodatehavenotsubstantiallydeviatedfromwhatwasdescribedinthe2011EA;thisinformationisincorporatedbyreference.

NewactionsthatareproposedintheHCPAmendment(beyondwhatwasincludedintheapprovedHCP)relatetotheadditionalavoidance,minimizationandmitigationfortheHawaiianhoarybat,aswellasmitigationfortheHawaiianpetrel.Assuch,theassessmentofpotentialimpactsassociatedwithimplementationoftheHCPAmendmentisfocusedonthesespecificactivities.Thefollowingsubsectionsbrieflyidentifytheexistingconditionsanddescribethepotentialeffectsofimplementingtheavoidance,minimizationandmitigationactionsintheHCPAmendmentonvariousresourcesthatcomprisethehumanandnaturalenvironment.Resourcecategoriesthatwereconsideredinthisanalysisareconsistentwiththoseaddressedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA.ForresourcesthatimplementationoftheHCPAmendmentwouldnotbeexpectedtohaveanypotentialforimpactstooccur,furtherevaluationwasnotconducted;theseincludeclimate,transportationandtraffic,hazardousmaterials,visualresources,socioeconomiccharacteristics,naturalhazards,publicsafety,publicinfrastructureandservices.


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AirQuality

AirqualityacrossHawaiʻiisconsistentlysomeofthebestinthenation,withcriteriapollutantlevelswellbelowstateandfederalambientairqualitystandards(DOH2016).SimilartotheProjectarea,theexistingairqualityatthemitigationsitesfortheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianPetrelisconsideredtoberelativelygoodbecauseoflowlevelsofdevelopmentinthesurroundingareas,andexposuretoconsistentlystrongwindswhichhelptodisperseanyemissions.

AvoidanceandMinimizationMeasuresforHawaiianHoaryBatunderHCPAmendment

TheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresproposedfortheHawaiianhoarybatundertheHCPAmendment(e.g.,increasedLWSC,batdeterrent“proofofconcept”test,andeventualinstallationofbatdeterrentsatallturbines)wouldnotresultinanyemissionsandarenotexpectedtoaffecttheairqualitysurroundingthearea.

MitigationforHawaiianHoaryBatunderHCPAmendment

ContributionoffundingfortheacquisitionofHelemanoWildernessAreaforTier4mitigationorothersimilarlandsforTier5and/or6mitigation(shouldthisoptionbeselected)wouldnotresultinanygrounddisturbance,emissionofpollutants,orotheractivitiesthatcouldaffectairquality.

IfhabitatrestorationactivitiesarefundedaspartofTier5and/orTier6batmitigation,theassociatedactivities(e.g.,installationoffencing,out‐plantingofsmalltrees)wouldinvolvesomedegreeofgrounddisturbanceaswellasoperationofvehiclesandequipment,whichcouldresultinemissionsoffugitivedustandairqualitypollutantsassociatedwithfossil‐fuelfiredinternalcombustionengines.However,anysuchemissionsareexpectedtobetemporaryandminorinnature,andnoairqualityimpactsareexpectedtooccuroverthelong‐term.

MitigationforHawaiianPetrelunderHCPAmendment

ActivitiesthatwouldoccuraspartofthefundingforpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringwithintheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaHawaiianpetrelcolonieswouldinvolvelittletonogrounddisturbanceoruseofvehiclesorlargeequipment.Assuch,airqualityimpactsareexpectedtobenegligible,ifany.

Geology,TopographyandSoils


TheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresproposedfortheHawaiianhoarybatundertheHCPAmendmentwouldonlyinvolveworkontheexistingturbinesandsurroundingturbinepads,withnogrounddisturbancewithintheProjectarea.Assuch,theseactivitiesarenotexpectedtoaffectgeology,topographyorsoils.


TheHelemanoWildernessAreaissituatedonthewesternsideoftheKoʻolauMountainRangealongthenortheasternedgeoftheSchofieldPlateau,whichformedwhenlavaflowsfromtheKoʻolauVolcanoreachedtheslopesoftheWaianaeVolcano(Macdonaldetal.1983).Nouniqueorunusualgeologicresourcesorconditionsareknowntooccur.Thetopographyisslopingandvaried.


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SoilsinthisregionincludeHelamanosiltyclay,Wahiawasiltyclay,Paaloasiltyclay,andLeilehuasiltyclay,aswellasRoughmountainousland(NRCS2017).

ContributionoffundingfortheacquisitionofHelemanoWildernessAreaforTier4mitigation(orothersimilarlandsforTier5and/or6mitigation,shouldthisoptionbeselected)wouldnotinvolveanygrounddisturbance.Assuch,implementationofthismitigationwouldnotaffectgeology,soilsortopography.

HabitatrestorationactivitiesthatwouldbefundedatHelemanoWildernessArea(oranothersimilarsite)aspartofTier5and/orTier6batmitigationwouldinvolvelocalizedexcavationformeasuressuchasinstallationoffencepostsandout‐plantingofsmalltrees.Habitatrestorationactivitiesarenotexpectedtorequireanylarge‐scaleexcavation,fillingorlevelling.Standarderosioncontrolmeasureswouldbeimplemented,asappropriate.Assuch,theproposedmitigationactivitiesarenotexpectedtosubstantiallyaffectgeology,topographyorsoils.


TheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaHawaiianpetrelcoloniesarelocatedwithintheHonoONāPaliNAR,nearthenorthwesterncoastofKauaʻi.Thisportionoftheislandhasheavilyerodedsincetheprimaryshield‐buildingvolcanicactivityformedtheisland,resultinginsteepridgesanddeepvalleys(SOEST2013).SoilsinthisareaarepredominantlyclassifiedasRockoutcropandRoughmountainousland(NRCS2017).

ActivitiesthatwouldoccuraspartofthefundingforpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringwithintheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaHawaiianpetrelcolonieswouldinvolvelittletonogrounddisturbanceandtherefore,arenotexpectedtoimpactgeology,topographyorsoils.

HydrologyandWaterResources


TheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresproposedfortheHawaiianhoarybatundertheHCPAmendmentwouldonlyinvolveworkontheexistingturbinesandsurroundingturbinepads.Assuch,thesemeasureswouldhavenoeffectonanywaterresourceswithintheProjectarea.


TheHelemanoWildernessAreaspanstwowatersheds:PaukauilaandKiikii(Parhametal.2008).StreamswithinthePaukauilawatershedportionofHelemanoWildernessAreaincludeHelemanoStream,whichisaperennialstream.StreamswithintheKiikiiwatershedportionincludePoamohoStreamandKaukonahuaStream.AccordingtotheNationalWetlandInventory(NWI)dataset,therearenowetlandfeatureslocatedwithintheHelemanoWildernessArea(USFWS2018).Specifictogroundwater,theHelemanoWildernessAreaispartoftheWahiawaaquifer;thisaquifercontainshigh‐levelgroundwaterandhasasustainableyieldof23milliongallonsperday(CWRM2008).

Noground‐basedactivitieswouldbeassociatedwithcontributionoffundingfortheacquisitionofHelemanoWildernessAreaaspartoftheTier4mitigation(orothersimilarlandsforTier5and/or


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6mitigation,shouldthisoptionbeselected).Assuch,thesemitigationactivitieswouldnotaffecthydrologyorwaterresources.

HabitatrestorationactivitiesthatwouldbefundedatHelemanoWildernessArea(oranothersimilarsite)aspartofTier5and/orTier6batmitigationwouldinvolvelocalizedandsmall‐scalegrounddisturbanceforactivitiessuchasfenceinstallationandout‐plantingofsmalltrees.Noworkwouldbeconductedwithinornearthestreams,norwouldanyoftheactivitiesaffectgroundwater.Standarderosioncontrolmeasureswouldbeimplementedasneededtominimizethepotentialforwaterqualityimpactsfromerosionandsedimentation.Assuch,nodirectorindirectimpactstoanywaterresourcesareanticipated.


TheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaHawaiianpetrelcoloniesarelocatedwithintheHanakāpiʻaiwatershed,whichisrelativelysmallandsteepinitsupperreaches.ItincludesHanakāpiʻaiStream,whichisaperennialfeaturewithmultipletributaries(Parhametal.2008).BasedontheNWIdataset,nowetlandfeaturesareknowntooccurintheseareas(USFWS2018).GroundwaterinthisregionispartoftheNapaliaquifer.Thisaquifercontainsbasalgroundwaterwithadiscontinuousconfininglayerandhasasustainableyieldof17milliongallonsperday(CWRM2008).

ActivitiesthatwouldoccurinassociationwiththefundingofpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringwithintheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaHawaiianpetrelcolonieswouldinvolvelittletonogrounddisturbanceandwouldnotoccurwithinornearHanakāpiʻaiStreamoritstributaries.Assuch,noimpactstowaterresourcesareanticipated.

BiologicalResources


Asdescribedinthe2011EA,thedownedwildlifesearchesconductedaspartofthepost‐constructionmortalitymonitoringinvolveroutinevegetationclearingwithinthedesignatedsearchplots.Monitoringisongoing,andimpactsarecommensuratewiththedescriptionprovidedinthe2011EA.TheadditionalavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresproposedfortheHawaiianhoarybatundertheHCPAmendmentwouldonlyinvolveworkontheexistingturbinesandsurroundingturbinepads.Assuch,thesemeasuresarenotexpectedtoadverselyaffectanyvegetationorwildlife.Overall,implementationofthemeasuresisintendedtoprovideabenefitbyreducingthecurrentriskofcollisionwiththewindturbinesforHawaiianhoarybatsandotheravianspecies.


ArangeofhabitatsoccurwithintheHelemanoWildernessArea;themajorityofthesiteiscomprisedofmaturenativeandmixedforest,withotherareasdominatedbynon‐forested,fallowagriculturalareasthatareplannedformanagedreforestation.Nativespeciesthatarelikelytooccurwithintheforesthabitat,manyofwhicharelistedasendangeredorthreatened,includenānū(Gardeniamannii),loʻulu(Pritchardiasp.),uhiuhi(Mezoneuronkavaiensis),kauila(Colubrinaoppositifolia),Bonamiamenziesii,haʻiwale(Cyrtandradentate),Chamaesycerockii,haha(Cyaneasp.),ānini(Euryasandwicensis),hulumoa(Exocarposgaudichaaudii),Hesperomanniaarborescens,


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kokiʻo(Hibiscuskokio),ʻohe(Joinvilleaascendens),kokiʻo(Psychotriahexandravaroahuensis),Huperzianutans,Phyllostegiahirsute,kōpiko(Psychotriahexandra),kaul(Pteralyxiamacrocarpa),ʻohe(Polysciasgymnocarpa),andnukuʻiʻiwi (Strongylodonruber)(DOFAWandTPL2016).Aspreviouslydescribed,thishabitatiswithinthedocumentedrangeoftheHawaiianhoarybat;thespecieshasbeendocumentedinadjacentareasandislikelytobepresentwithintheHelemanoWildernessAreaaswell.OthernativewildlifethatareexpectedtooccurincludetheOʻahuʻamakihi(Chlorodrepanisflava),pueo,andtreesnailspecies(Achatinellaspp.).NoportionoftheHelemanoWildernessAreahasbeendesignatedascriticalhabitat,althoughcriticalhabitatforOʻahuʻelepaiooccursimmediatelyadjacenttothesite.

Overall,acquisitionandlong‐termmanagementoftheHelemanoWildernessAreaisexpectedtoprovideasignificantbenefittobiologicalresourcesthroughthelong‐termprotectionandimprovementofhabitatforbothnativeplantandwildlifespecies,includingtheHawaiianhoarybatandavarietyoflistedplants.Followingacquisition,thelandswouldbetransferredtoDOFAWforlong‐termmanagement,includingcontrolofinvasivespeciesandreforestation.TheTier4mitigationinvolvescontributionoffundingforaportionoftheacquisitionofHelemanoWildernessArea;fundingforacquisitionofothersimilarlandscouldalsooccurforTier5and/or6mitigation,shouldthisoptionbeselected.Thismitigationwouldnotincludeanymanagementactivitiesorotheronthegroundwork.Assuch,implementationofthemitigationwouldnotdirectlyaffectanybiologicalresources,butindirectlywouldprovideasignificantbenefitbyenablingacquisitionandlong‐termprotectionoftheentireHelemanoWildernessArea.

FundingofhabitatrestorationactivitiesatHelemanoWildernessArea(oranothersimilarsite)forthepurposesofTier5and/orTier6batmitigationwouldallowforactivitiessuchasinstallationoffencingandotherungulateandrodentcontrolmethods,removalofinvasiveplantspecies,andout‐plantingofnativeandnon‐invasiveplantspecies.Theseactivitieswouldresultinlocalizedandsmall‐scalegrounddisturbanceandsomedegreeofdisturbancetoexistinghabitat.Short‐termimpactstowildlifecouldoccurduetohabitatdisturbanceandnoisefromequipment.However,itisexpectedthattheseactivitieswouldbefocusedinthepreviouslydisturbedportionsofHelemanoWildernessArea,withminimaldisturbanceofthenativeforesthabitat.StandardBMPstoavoidandminimizeimpactstovegetationandwildlifewouldbeimplemented,includingmeasurestominimizetheextentanddurationofdisturbance,andpreventintroductionorspreadofinvasivespecies.Inaddition,aspreviouslynoted,USFWSandDOFAWwouldbeconsultedduringthedevelopmentofthemanagementplantoensuretheforestmanagementactivitiesconsiderimpactstolistedspecies.Overall,themitigationwouldprovidealong‐termbenefittobothvegetationandwildlifespeciesthroughoutHelemanoWildernessArea.Inparticular,themeasureswouldbedesignedtoprovideabenefittotheHawaiianhoarybat,asdetailedintheDraftHCPAmendment.


TheHonooNāPaliNARincludeslowlandmesic,lowlandwet,andmontanewethabitatcommunities.Thesehabitatssupportmorethan200nativeplantspeciesand30nativewildlifespecies,manyofwhichareconsideredrare.TheNARalsoincludescriticalhabitatformorethan60plantspeciesandarangeofecosystems(NARS2011;DLNR2018).TheHanakāpiʻaisiteand


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Honokoasitesaregenerallycharacterizedasmontanewethabitat,whichincludesʻōhiʻaandothernativeplantspeciessuchaslapalapa(Cheirodendronplatyphyllumsubsp.kauiense),ʻōlapa(Cheirodendrontrigynum),kāwaʻu(Ilexanomala),kōlea(Myrsinespp.),ʻohe(Tetraplasandraspp.),kanawao(Broussaisiaarguta),pūkiawe(Leptecophyllatameiameiae),naʻenaʻe(Dubautiaspp.),koliʻi(Trematolobeliakauaiensis),ōhelokaulāʻau(Vacciniumcalycinum),ālani(Melicopeclusiifolia),andmokihana(Melicopeanisata)(DOFAW2011).Theseareasalsoprovideimportanthabitatformanynativewildlifespecies.Inadditiontoseveralspeciesofseabirds(includingtheendangeredNewellʻsshearwaterandHawaiianpetrel),otherwildlifethatoccursinthisareaincludeavarietyofnativeforestbirds,waterbirdspecies,raptors,invertebratespeciesandaquaticbiota,manyofwhicharefederallyandstatelisted.InvasivespeciesthatposeasignfiicantthreattothenativeresourceswithintheNARincludeferalugulates(especiallypigsandgoats),feralcatsandrats,andavarietyofnon‐nativeweedspecies(NARS2011).

MitigationfortheHawaiianpetrelwouldinvolvefundingforongoingpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringwithintheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoacolonies.ActivitiesassociatedwiththemitigationwouldresultinlittletonogrounddisturbanceorotherimpactstosensitivehabitatwithintheNAR.Rather,themitigationwouldallowforcontinuationofthecurrentpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringefforts,whichtodate,havesubstantiallyincreasedHawaiianpetrelreproductivesuccesswithinthetwocolonies.Assuch,theHawaiianpetrelmitigationisexpectedtoprovidealong‐termbenefit,asfurtherdetailedDraftHCPAmendment.

Historic,ArchaeologicalandCulturalResources


TheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresproposedfortheHawaiianhoarybatundertheHCPAmendmentwillonlyinvolveworkontheexistingturbinesandsurroundingturbinepads.Assuch,thesemeasureswouldhavenoeffectonhistoric,archaeologicalorculturalresourceswithintheProjectareabeyondthosedescribedinthe2011EISandEA.


NoarchaeologicalresourceshavebeendocumentedwithinHelemanoWildernessArea,asasystematicinvestigationhasnotbeenconducted.Historicpropertieswithinthisareamayincludevarioustrailsandditchtunnels,asidentifiedbytheOfficeofHawaiianAffairs(OHA)Kipukadatabase(OHA2018).ItisanticipatedthattraditionalandculturalpracticesinthisareawouldbeconsistentwiththoseinotherforestedareasonOʻahu,andcouldincludehunting,gatheringofforestresources,andothersimilaractivites.

ContributionoffundingfortheacquisitionofHelemanoWildernessAreaforTier4mitigation(orothersimilarlandsforTier5and/or6mitigation,shouldthisoptionbeselected)wouldnotinvolveanyground‐distrubanceorotherphysicalactivities.Assuch,implementationofthismitigationisnotexpectedtodirectlyaffecthistoric,archaeologicalorculturalproperties.

HabitatrestorationactivitiesthatwouldbefundedatHelemanoWildernessArea(oranothersimilarsite)aspartofTier5and/orTier6batmitigationareexpectedtoinvolvelocalizedground‐


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disturbanceformeasuressuchasinstallationoffencepostsandout‐plantingofsmalltrees.Dependingonthespecificactivitiesthatareplanned,anarchaeologicalreviewwouldbeconductedasappropriate.Anyhistoric,cultural,andarcheologicalresourcesthatareidentifiedwouldbeavoidedtotheextentpossibleandprecautionarymeasuresrelatedtotheinadvertentdiscoveryofculturalremainswouldbeconducted.Therefore,implementationofmitigationactivitiesisnotexpectedtoadverselyaffectarcheologicalorculturalresources,shouldtheyoccur.Overthelong‐term,themitigationwouldcontributetopreservationofnativespecieswithinthisregion,whichcouldbeexpectedtohaveapositiveimpactontraditionalandculturalresources.


PreviousarchaeologicalstudieswithintheNāPaliCoastStateParkdescribedanextensivepre‐contactpopulationandagriculturalusewithinNāPaliregionfromasearlyasA.D.1000‐1300.Archaeologicalsitesthatwereidentifiedinthecoastalareasincludehousesites,irrigatedagriculturalsystems,heiau,burialsandtrails(Tomonari‐Tuggle1989).Inlandareas,includingtheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoasiteshavenotbeensystematicallysurveyedandnositeshavebeendocumented,althoughterracingandothersimilarfeatureshavebeennoted(NARS2011).TheentireNāPaliDistrictislistedonthestateandnationalregistersofhistoricplaces(Carpenteretal.2010).TraditionalandculturalpracticesthroughoutthevalleysintheNāPaliregioninvolvedextensivecultivationoftaroandothercrops(e.g.,bananas,sugarcaneandsweetpotato)andplantsforusessuchasbarkclothandoilforlight.Coastalareasandstreamswereusedtogathermarineandfreshwaterresources.Someoftheseactivities,aswellasuseofthetrailswithinandbetweenthevalleys,areongoing(Maly2003,NARS2011).

ActivitiesthatwouldoccurinassociationwiththefundingforpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringwithintheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaHawaiianpetrelcolonieswouldinvolveactivitessuchasinstallationofmonitoringcameras,groundsurveys,andplacementoftrapsforferalungulates,andwouldrequirelittletonogrounddisturbance.Assuch,noimpactstoarchaeologicalresourcesareexpected.Bycontributingtothepreservationofnativespecieswithinthisregion,itisexpectedthatthemitigationcouldhaveapositiveimpactontraditionalandculturalresources.

Noise


TheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresproposedfortheHawaiianhoarybatundertheHCPAmendmentwouldbelimitedtoworkontheexistingturbinesandsurroundingturbinepads.TheincreasedLWSCmeasureswouldnotgenerateanynoisebeyondcurrentlevels.Similarly,thebatdeterrentdevicesutilizeultrasonictechnologyandwouldnotproduceanyaudiblenoise.Assuch,theseactivitiesarenotexpectedtoresultinincreasednoiselevels.


TheHelemanoWildernessAreaislocatedinanexpansivenaturalareacharacterizedbydenselyvegetatedforest,withlimitedhumanactivity.Ambientnoiselevelsareassociatedwithenvironmentalsoundssuchaswind,rain,andanimals(particularlybirds),andaretypicallylow.Somedegreeofnoiseisassociatedwithsurroundingurbandevelopment,includingWahiawatownandnearbyroadways.


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Noground‐basedactivitieswouldbeassociatedwithcontributionoffundingfortheacquisitionofHelemanoWildernessAreaaspartoftheTier4mitigation(orothersimilarlandsforTier5and/or6mitigation,shouldthisoptionbeselected).Assuch,thesemitigationactivitieswouldnotaffectnoiselevels.

HabitatrestorationactivitiesthatwouldbefundedatHelemanoWildernessArea(oranothersimilarsite)aspartofTier5and/orTier6batmitigationwouldinvolveactivitiessuchasinstallationoffencingandotherungulateandrodentcontrolmethods,removalofinvasiveplantspecies,andout‐plantingofnativeandnon‐invasiveplantspecies.Theseactivitieswouldlikelyinvolvetheuseofmotorizedequipmentandvehicles,whichwouldgenerateintermittentnoise.However,noiseresultingfromtheproposedmitigationisexpectedtobeminorandshort‐terminduration,withnolong‐termimpactstonoise.


GiventheisolatedlocationandnaturalsettingoftheHonooNāPaliNAR,noiselevelsinthisregionarerelativelylow.Ambientnoiselevelsaregenerallyassociatedwithenvironmentalsoundssuchaswind,rain,andanimals;human‐derivednoiseisgenerallylimitedtorecreationalusers.

MitigationfortheHawaiianpetrelwouldinvolvefundingforongoingpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringwithintheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaportionsoftheHonooNāPaliNAR,withactivitiessuchasinstallationofmonitoringcameras,conductinggroundsurveys,andplacementoftrapsforferalungulates.Theseactivitiesarenotexpectedtoinvolvetheuseofmotorizedequipmentorvehicles.Noisegeneratedaspartofthepredatorcontrolandburrownmonitoringeffortsisexpectedtobeminorandshort‐term,similarinnaturetocurrentresearchandmonitoringactivitieswithintheNAR.

LandUse


TheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresproposedfortheHawaiianhoarybatundertheHCPAmendmentwouldbelimitedtoworkontheexistingturbinesandsurroundingturbinepads,withnochangesinthecurrentlandusewithintheProjectarea.Assuch,nolanduseimpactsareexpectedtooccur.


TheHelemanoWildernessAreaislocatedwithinthestateAgriculturalandConservationDistricts.Itincludesbothundisturbednaturalhabitat,aswellaslandsthatwerehistoricallyand/orcurrentlyusedforagriculturalpurposes.Thisareaisalsousedforrecreation;thePoamohoTrailtraversesthroughandprovidesaccesstothesummitoftheKoʻolauMountains.

Overthelong‐term,acquisitionandlong‐termmanagementoftheHelemanoWildernessAreaisexpectedtopreserveandprotectimportantnaturalhabitatincludingsignificanttractsofnativeforest.Thiswouldrequirediscontinuationofanyremainingagriculturaloperationswithintheacquisitionarea.However,thereisampleagriculturallandavailableinthesurroundingareas,suchthatagriculturalproductivityisnotexpectedtobesignificantlyaffectedinthisregion.Proposed


KawailoaWindFarm 50

managementactivitiesbyDOFAWareexpectedtoincludehabitatrestorationandforestryactivities,whicharecompatibleuseswithinthestateConservationandAgriculturalDistricts.Publicaccessandrecreationalusewouldalsocontinue.Assuch,neithercontributionoffundingfortheacquisitionofHelemanoWildernessAreaaspartoftheTier4mitigation,norfundingofhabitatrestorationactivitiesaspartofTier5and/orTier6batmitigationisexpectedtoadverselyaffectexistinglanduse.


TheHonooNāPaliNARwasdesignatedin1983andexpandedin2009topreservenativenaturalcommunities.ManagementoftheNARisprovidedbyDOFAW(DOFW2018).TheNARislocatedwithintheprotectivesubzoneoftheStateConservationDistrict.Publicaccessisallowedforrecreationalandculturaluses.Currentusesincludehiking,birdwatching,hunting,aswellasresearchandeducationalpurposes.

MitigationfortheHawaiianpetrelwouldinvolvefundingforongoingpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringwithintheHanakāpiʻaiandHonokoaportionsoftheHonooNāPaliNAR.ActivitiesassociatedwiththemitigationwouldbeconsistentwiththeoverallgoalofpreservingnativeresourceswithintheNAR,andwouldresultinnoimpactstoexistinglanduseorpublicaccess.

3.6 Historic,Archaeological,andCulturalResources

The2011EISdiscussestheexistingconditions,assessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetohistoric,archaeological,andculturalresourcesthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceoftheProject(aswellasthenoactionalternative),andpresentsassociatedmitigationmeasures.Impactstohistoric,archaeological,andculturalresourcesresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.

AlthoughneithertheHawaiianhoarybatorHawaiianpetrelwereidentifiedasculturalresourcesintheCulturalImpactAssessmentthatwaspreviouslyconductedfortheProject,itisunderstoodthatsomeindividualsandfamiliesmayidentifytheHawaiianhoarybatasanʻaumākua(familyorpersonalgods,deifiedancestorswhomightassumetheformofabat).Suchspiritualbeliefsandvaluesarepersonalandimmeasurable;therefore,theseeffectstoculturalresourcescannotbequantified.However,minimizationandmitigationmeasuresproposedundertheHCPamendmentwouldbeexpectedtoresultinlong‐termbeneficialimpactstoHawaiianhoarybatsontheislandofOʻahu.

3.7 VisualResources

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionofvisualresources,discussestheexistingconditions,assessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetovisualresourcesthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative),andidentifiesthemeasurestakentominimizevisualimpactstotheextentpossible.ImpactstovisualresourcesresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe


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2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstovisualresourcesareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.8 Noise

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionofnoiseasaresource,discussestheexistingconditions,andassessesthepotentialnoise‐relatedimpactsthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative).Project‐relatedimpactrelatedtonoisearecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.Nochangeinpotentialnoise‐relatedimpactsareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.9 LandUse

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionoflanduseasaresource,summarizestherelevantlanduseregulations,discussestheexistingconditions,andassessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetolandusethatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative).ImpactstolanduseresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstolanduseareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.10 TransportationandTraffic

The2011EISdiscussestheexistingtransportationinfrastructureandtrafficconditions(asrelatedtoOʻahu’sharbors,roadwaysandairports),assessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetotransportationandtrafficthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative),andpresentsassociatedmitigationmeasures.ImpactstotransportationandtrafficresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstotransportationortrafficareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.11 MilitaryOperations

The2011EISdiscussestheexistingconditionsrelatedtotheTacticalFlightTrainingAreaandothermilitaryoperationsinthevicinityofthewindfarm,assessesthepotentialimpactstomilitaryoperationsthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative),andpresentsassociatedmitigationmeasures.ImpactstomilitaryoperationsresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstomilitaryoperationsareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.12 HazardousMaterials

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionofhazardousmaterials,discussestheexistingconditions,assessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetohazardousmaterialsthatcouldresultfromconstruction


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andoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative),andidentifiesrelevantBMPs.ImpactsrelatedtohazardousmaterialsresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactsrelatedtohazardousmaterialsareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.13 SocioeconomicCharacteristics

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionofsocioeconomiccharacteristics,discussestheexistingconditions,andassessesthepotentialimpactsthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative).ImpactsrelatedtosocioeconomiccharacteristicsresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactsrelatedtosocioeconomiccharacteristicsareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.14 NaturalHazards

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionofnaturalhazards(includinghurricanesandtropicalstorms,tsunamis,volcaniceruptions,earthquakes,floodingandwildfire),discussestheexistingconditions,andassessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetonaturalhazardsthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative).ImpactsrelatedtonaturalhazardsresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactsrelatedtonaturalhazardsareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.15 PublicSafety

The2011EISaddressespublicsafetyconcernsassociatedwiththewindfarm,discussestheexistingconditions,andassessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetopublicsafetythatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative).ImpactstopublicsafetyresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstopublicsafetyareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.

3.16 PublicInfrastructureandServices

The2011EISprovidesadefinitionofpublicinfrastructureandservices(includingenergy,solidwaste,wasteandwastewater,andtelecommunicationservices),discussestheexistingconditions,andassessesthepotentialimpactsrelativetonaturalhazardsthatcouldresultfromconstructionandoperationsandmaintenanceofthewindfarm(aswellasthenoactionalternative).Project‐relatedimpactstopublicinfrastructureandservicesarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS.NochangeinpotentialimpactstopublicinfrastructureandservicesareanticipatedasaresultoftheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.


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OtherHRSChapter343Topics

4.1 SecondaryandCumulativeImpacts

HAR§11‐200‐17(I)requiresconsiderationofthedirectandindirecteffectsofaproposedactionaswellasitsinducedandsecondaryeffects.17The2011EISaddressedthesetopicsandconcludedthattheProjectwouldnotcausesignificantsecondaryeffectsrelativetoconditionsassociatedwiththelocaleconomy,landuseanddevelopment,ornearbymilitarytrainingandoperations.TheassociatedimpactsresultingfromProjectimplementationarecommensuratewiththeassessmentprovidedinthe2011EIS;thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

Assessmentofcumulativeimpactsconsideredotheractionsthatoccurredintherecentpast,presentandreasonablyforeseeablefuturewithinthevicinityoftheProjectandinvolveimpactstoresourcesalsoaffectedbytheProject.Cumulativeimpactscanresultfromotherwiseinsignificantbutincrementaleffectsofindividualactions,whenconsideredtogether.Theanalysisofpotentialcumulativeimpactsinthe2011EISfocusedonclimatechange,militaryoperationsandlistedspecies.Therearenosubstantivechangestothediscussionofcumulativeimpactsonclimatechangeormilitaryoperations;thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.AdetaileddiscussionofcumulativeimpactsontheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,basedontheanalysisconductedfortheHCPAmendmentprocess,isprovidedbelow.

4.1.1 ListedSpecies

TakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelhasbeenauthorizedorrequestedthroughHCPsforavarietyofprojectsonOʻahu,Maui,HawaiʻiIsland,Kauaʻi,andLānaʻi(Table4‐1).InaccordancewiththeESAandHRSChapter195D,HCPsarerequiredtominimizeandmitigatetheeffectsoftheincidentaltaketothemaximumextentpracticable.Inadditiontotheaboverequirements,theStateofHawaiʻirequiresthatallHCPsandtheactionsauthorizedundertheplanshouldbedesignedtoresultinanoverallnetbenefittotheCoveredSpecies.

Inadditiontothetakethathasalreadybeenauthorized,andtheanticipatedHCPamendments,theproposedNaPuaMakaniWindProjectonOʻahuandpendingrequestsforITLsbyPakiniNuiWindFarmandLalamiloWindFarmalsohavethepotentialtoresultinincidentaltakeof,andcontributetocumulativeimpactsto,theCoveredSpecies(Table4‐1).Furthermore,itisanticipatedthatduetotheState’sRPSobjectives,whichrequire“arenewableportfoliostandardof…onehundredpercentofnetelectricitysalesbyDecember31,2045”(HRSChapter269‐92),windenergydevelopmentinHawaiʻiwillcontinueinthefuture.However,itisexpectedthatiftheHCPsorHCPamendmentsforanyorallthepotentialprojectsareapproved,theimpactsandmitigationmeasureswillresemble

17Secondaryeffectsarethoseeffectswhicharecausedbytheactionandarelaterintimeorfartherremovedindistancebutarestillreasonablyforeseeable.Indirecteffectmayincludegrowthinductingeffectsandothereffectrelatedtoinducedchangesinthepatternoflanduse,populationdensityorgrowthrate,andrelatedeffectsonairandwaterandothernaturalsystems.


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thosediscussedfortheProject,wherethemitigationmeasuresareexpectedtooffsettheanticipatedtakeandprovideanetbenefittothespecies.

Atabroaderscale,KawailoaWindrepresentsoneofmanydevelopmentprojectsthatcanbeexpectedtooccurontheislandsofOʻahu,Maui,Kauaʻi,andHawaiʻiIsland.Theseislandshaveexperiencedincreasinghumanpopulationgrowthandrealestatedevelopment,andthosewilllikelycontinuetoincreaseinthefuture.ThisgrowthmayfurthercontributetosomeofthecausesofdeclineoftheCoveredSpecies,suchasmammalpredation,lightdisorientation,pesticideuse,andlossofnestingorroostinghabitats.KawailoaWind’sHCPAmendmentincludesminimizationmeasuresfortheHawaiianhoarybatthatareexpectedtoresultintakelevelssubstantiallylessthanthemaximumtakeamountrequestedforauthorization.Additionally,theadaptivemanagementprogramprovidesspecificactionstobetakenshouldTier5assumptions(regardingtheeffectivenessofbaselineminimizationmeasures)beinvalid.Moreover,throughmitigation,projectslikeKawailoaWindareimplementingmeasurestooffsettakeandprovideanetbenefittotheaffectedspecies.Ingeneral,itisassumedthatfuturedevelopmentprojectswillbeconductedincompliancewithallapplicablelocal,state,andfederalenvironmentalregulations.UpdatedcumulativeeffectsanalysisfortheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelareprovidedbelow.

Table4‐1.CurrentandPendingTakeAuthorizationsfortheHawaiianHoaryBatandHawaiianPetrel

NamePermitDuration

LocationTotalTakeCurrently

Authorized1TotalTakePending

Approval2

TowerKauaʻiLagoonsLand,LLC

12/09/2016–11/09/2042

Lihue,Kauaʻi Hawaiianpetrel(1) N/A

KauaʻiIslandUtilityCooperative(Short‐Term)3

Permitrenewalforanindefiniteperiod

Kauaʻi(island‐wide)

Hawaiianpetrel(2peryear)

KahukuWindFarm06/07/2010–06/06/2030

Kahuku,OʻahuHawaiianpetrel(12)Hawaiianhoarybat(32)

N/A

KawailoaWindFarm12/08/2011–12/07/2031

Haleʻiwa,Oʻahu Hawaiianhoarybat(60)Hawaiianpetrel(24)4Hawaiianhoarybat(265)

NaPuaMakaniWindProject

9/7/2018‐9/6/2039

Kahuku,Oʻahu Hawaiianhoarybat(51) N/A

U.S.ArmyKahukuTrainingAreaSingleWindTurbine

05/05/2010‐05/09/2030

Kahuku,OʻahuHawaiianhoarybat(2adults,2pups)

N/A

AuwahiWindFarm02/24/2012–02/23/2037

Ulupalakua,MauiHawaiianpetrel(87)Hawaiianhoarybat(21)

Hawaiianhoarybat(140)

KaheawaWindPowerI(KWPI)

04/30/20125–01/29/2026

Kaheawa,MauiHawaiianpetrel(38)Hawaiianhoarybat(50)

N/A

KaheawaWindPowerII(KWPII)

1/03/2012–1/02/2032

Kaheawa,MauiHawaiianpetrel(43)Hawaiianhoarybat(11)

Hawaiianhoarybat(38)

LalamiloWindFarmRepoweringProject

Nopermit Lalamilo,Hawaiʻi Hawaiianpetrels(3)Hawaiianhoarybat(6)


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NamePermitDuration

LocationTotalTakeCurrently

Authorized1TotalTakePending

Approval2

PakiniNuiWindFarm NopermitKaLae(SouthPoint),Hawaiʻi

Hawaiianpetrels(3)Hawaiianhoarybat(26)

PelekaneBayWatershedRestorationProject

02/05/2010‐02/04/2030

PelekaneBay,Hawaiʻi

Hawaiianhoarybat(16) N/A

1.Otherspeciesmayalsohaveincidentaltakeauthorizationsnotreportedhere.OnlytheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelareincludedinthistable.

2.Thetotaltakependingapprovalincludespreviouslyauthorizedtake.

3.IdentifiedinUSFWS2018.

4.24individualsincludes19adultsand5chicks.

5.Originalpermitissuedin2006andamendedin2012.

4.1.1.1 HawaiianHoaryBat

MultiplefactorscontributetocumulativeeffectsontheHawaiianhoarybat.ActionsonOʻahuandstatewidethatcontributetocumulativeimpactsincludedevelopmentandlandusechangesresultinginhabitatlossanddisturbance,preyalteration,pesticideuse,fire,andcollisionswithstructures(suchaspowerlinesandwindturbines).

Throughoutthestate,andspecificallyonOʻahu,developmentandotherlandusechangeshaveresultedinthelossofbatroostingandforaginghabitatthroughtheconversionofforesttoagricultureandotheruses(USFWS1998,USFWS2011).Residentialandcommercialdevelopments,farming,roadconstruction,pesticideuse,andwildfirehaveoccurredintherecentpastandareexpectedtooccurinthefutureandhavethepotentialtoresultinfurtherhabitatlossoralterationeitherdirectlyorthroughtheintroductionorspreadofinvasivespecies.Otherdirectimpactstobatsassociatedwiththeseactionsmayoccurthroughcollisionswithstructures,suchasbarbedwirefences,andcommunicationstowers,ordisturbanceatroostsites.Theseactionsmayalsoindirectlyaffectbatsthroughthedisplacementoforcompetitionforpreyresources(USFWS2011).Fatalityratesfromwindturbinesaretheonlymonitoredsourceofmortalitydataatthistime.TheeffectoftheseotheractionsonHawaiianhoarybatsonOʻahu,andotherHawaiianIslands,hasnotbeenquantified,makingitdifficulttoestimatetheirrespectivecontributionstodirectandindirectimpacts.

Authorizedtakeatwindfacilitiesalsocontributetocumulativeimpacts.InadditiontotheHawaiianhoarybattakeauthorizedundertheapprovedProjectHCP,takeoftheHawaiianhoarybathasbeenauthorizedonOʻahufortheKahukuWindFarmandNaPuaMakaniWindProject,aswellasforasinglewindturbineattheU.S.ArmyKahukuTrainingArea(Table4‐1).AuthorizedtakehasalsobeenapprovedforthreewindprojectsonMaui,twoofwhichareseekingamendmentstoincreasetheamountofauthorizedHawaiianhoarybattakeandhasbeenrequestedfortwowindprojectsandonerestorationprojectonHawaiʻiIsland(Table4‐1).IncidentaltakeassociatedwiththeProject’sHCPAmendmentwouldcontributetotheseimpacts.

Movementofbatsamongislandsisthoughttoberare(USGS,pers.comm.,2015);therefore,theProjectwouldbeexpectedtocontributetoimpactstotheOʻahupopulation,whichhasnotbeenpreviouslyidentifiedasaconservationpriorityfortherecoveryofthespecies(USFWS1998,2011).


KawailoaWindFarm 56

TheprimarycriterionfordelistingtheHawaiianhoarybatisdocumentationofwelldistributed,naturallyreproducing,andstablebreedingpopulationsontheHawaiʻi,Kauaʻi,andMauiislands,whicharethoughttobethemostsubstantialpopulationswithinthestate(USFWS1998,Bonaccorso2010).OnOʻahu,whereHawaiianhoarybatmovementshavebeenstudiedinthenorthernKoʻolauMountainsandinthevicinityoftheProject,thespecieshadanoveralloccupancyrateof55percentover23sites(Gorresenetal.2015).PreliminaryresultsfromrecentlydeployedacousticdetectionsonOʻahurecordedbatactivitynearlyisland‐wide(EricaAdamczyk/WEST,pers.comm.,July2018);however,WESTunpublisheddata,2018)thesizeofthepopulationonOʻahuisnotknownatthistime.

ThereareuncertaintiesinevaluatingiftheKawailoaWindHawaiianhoarybattakerequestundertheHCPAmendment,incombinationwithotherpastandanticipatedfutureactions,willresultinasignificantcumulativeeffecttothespecies.Effortsatestimatingthepopulation,populationtrends,andpopulationviabilityoftheHawaiianhoarybathavebeenconstrainedduetotheincompleteunderstandingofthelifehistoryofthespecies.Keycomponentsofapopulationmodeltypicallyincludethenaturallifespan,reproductiverate,annualsurvivorship(juvenileandadult,accountsforallsourcesofmortality),startingpopulation,andcarryingcapacity.ThelifespanoftheHawaiianhoarybathasbeenestimatedtobe10years(DLNR2015),butrecordsofbatlifespanarescarce.TheHawaiianhoarybatisassumedtobereproductivelyactiveafterthefirstyear,andeachfemaleisthoughttoproducetwooffspringperyear(USFWS1998).TheUSFWSandDOFAWusethelittlebrownbatjuvenilesurvivorshipof30percentsurvivingtoadulthood,asaproxyforHawaiianhoarybatjuvenilesurvival(USFWS2016a).Theadultannualrateofsurvivorshipisunknown.ThetotalpopulationofHawaiianhoarybatsisnotknown,noristhecarryingcapacity.OnOʻahu,theHawaiianhoarybatcontinuestobefoundinlocationsnotpreviouslyrecorded(EricaAdamczyk/WEST,pers.comm.,July2018),andstudieshaveshownthattheyareabletouseawidevarietyofhabitats(Gorresenetal.2013,Bonaccorsoetal.2015)suggestingalargestartingpopulationmaybeappropriate.Giventheexistingdatagaps,anypopulationmodeldevelopedwouldbesubjecttomultipleinferencesandcouldimplyabroadrangeofpopulationtrendsdependingonwhatmodelparameterswereselected.WithoutfurtherresearchontheHawaiianhoarybatitwouldbeuncertainifsuchamodelwouldberepresentativeofcurrentandfuturepopulationtrendsspecifictoOʻahuorthestatepopulation.

ItisknownthatonHawaiʻiIslandthepopulationofHawaiianhoarybatswasfoundtobestabletoincreasing(Bonaccorsoetal.2015)whilethePakiniNuiWindFarmandtheLalamiloWindFarmwereoperating.ThissuggeststhattheimpactsofthesewindenergyprojectsandtheoldergenerationwindprojectswhichprecededthemdonothaveasignificantimpactonthepopulationofbatsonHawaiʻiIsland.Itispossiblethatanon‐significantimpactisalsooccurringtotheOʻahupopulationwhichcurrentlyhastwooperatingwindfacilities.TheavailableknowledgeontheHawaiianhoarybatandthepersistenceofthespeciesfromthetimeoflistingsuggeststheportionofthepopulationoccurringonOʻahuislikelytoberobusttolowlevelsofimpacts.

Regardlessoftheseknowledgegaps,approvedandpendingauthorizedlevelsofbattakewouldbeexpectedtobefullyoffsetbyUSFWS‐andDOFAW‐approvedmitigation,withtheexceptionoftheU.S.ArmyKahukuTrainingArea,forwhichmitigationisarecommendationundertheUSFWS’sESASection7BiologicalOpinion.MostoftheapprovedandpendingHCPsincludeacombinationofhabitat


KawailoaWindFarm 57

preservation,habitatrestoration/management,andresearchincludingthemitigationfortheProjectHCPAmendment(seeSection7.6forProject‐specificHawaiianhoarybatmitigation).Habitatpreservationistypicallyaccomplishedthroughlandacquisition(protectionthroughvariouslegalinstruments)whichprovidesprotectionfromcontinuedhabitatlossduetodevelopment.Theprotectionofexistinghabitatallowsforcontinueduseofroosting,foraging,andbreedinghabitat.Habitatrestorationisintendedtocreateorimprovetheexistingqualityofbatforagingandroostinghabitat,orpreventthedegradationofhabitat,whichhasbeenidentifiedasamajorfactorcontributingtotheinferreddeclineofthespecies(USFWS1998).RestorationactionsincorporatedintotheapprovedandpendingHCPsandHCPamendmentsincludeactionstakentoensureorpromotematureforestgrowthsuchasfencingand/ortheremovalofnon‐nativeungulates,removalofinvasiveplantspecies,and/orplantingofnativetreesandshrubs.Overtime,theseactionsareanticipatedtocreateprotectedhigh‐qualitynativeroostingandforaginghabitat,benefitingbatsbeyondtheITP/ITLterm,andtherebyresultinginanetbenefittothespecies.Additionally,theresearchcomponentofthemitigationiscriticaltofillinginformationgapsandwasidentifiedbytheUSFWSasapriorityrecoveryactionintheHawaiianhoarybatrecoveryplan(USFWS1998).ResearchprojectsproposedinapprovedHCPswilltargetkeyquestionsdesignedtogainanunderstandingofbasiclifehistoryparametersanddevelopeffectivemitigationmeasuresforthespecies(DLNR2015),whichwillultimatelyguidefuturemanagementandrecoveryefforts.Therefore,itisanticipatedthatcumulatively,therewouldnotbeasignificantnegativeimpactonthespecies.

4.1.1.2 HawaiianPetrel

MultiplefactorscontributetothecumulativeeffectsontheHawaiianpetrelincludingpredationbyintroducedspecies,ingestionofplastics,crushingofburrowsbyferalungulatessuchasgoats,lossofsuitablehabitatfrominvasiveplantspecies,disorientationcausedbyunshieldedlighting,collisionswithpowerlinesandotherstructures,andpossiblyclimatechange.Inadditiontothesefactors,takefortheHawaiianpetreliscurrentlyauthorizedunderanESASection10ITP,HRSChapter195DITL,orESASection7incidentaltakestatementsforfiveprojectsinHawaiʻi,andispendingforanadditionalthreeprojects(seeTable4‐1).TwoadditionalHCPsthatincludetheHawaiianpetrelasaCoveredSpeciesareinpreparation(KauaʻiIslandUtilityCooperativeLong‐TermandKauaʻiSeabirdHabitatConservationProgram);however,theassociatedtakerequestsarenotpubliclyavailableatthetimeofthiswriting.UndertheESA,HCPsarerequiredtoavoid,minimize,andmitigatetothemaximumextentpracticabletheremainingeffectsofincidentaltake.

AlthoughtakeofHawaiianpetrelsauthorizedundertheKawailoaWindITP/ITLamendmentwouldcontributetothecumulativeeffectstothisspecies,operationoftheProjectposesaverylowrisktoHawaiianpetrels.PetreloccurrenceattheProjectisconsideredrareandindividualsthatmayoccasionallytransittheProjectareaareconsideredanunusualoccurrence.Themitigationfortherequestedtakeof19adultsand5chicksforthisProject,describedinSection7.3,willcontributetofundingHawaiianpetrelmanagementatknownbreedingcoloniesandtherebyoffsettheimpactsfromtherequestedtake.Thus,nosignificantadverseimpacttothepopulationofHawaiianpetrelsacrossthestateareanticipatedfromthisProject.


KawailoaWindFarm 58

HawaiianpetreltakeformanyoftheprojectslistedinTable4‐1hasbeenlowerthanestimated.AtKWPI,sevenpetrelfatalitieshavebeenobserved.OnepetrelfatalityhasbeenobservedattheAuwahiWindFarm,andnopetrelfatalitieshavebeenrecordedattheKWPIIorKahukuwindfarms.Eachoftheseprojectshassuccessfullyimplementedassociatedmitigationmeasurestoprovideanetbenefittothespecies(KaheawaWindPower,LLC2017;KaheawaWindPowerII,LLC2017;KahukuWindPower,LLC2017;TetraTech2017b).

ThemostrecentbreedingpopulationestimateforHawaiianpetrelsisestimatedtobeabout6,000breedingpairsbasedonobservationsatcolonysites(PyleandPyle2017).SurveystodatehavenotprovidedevidencethatbreedingcoloniesarepresentonOʻahu(PyleandPyle2017;USFWS2017;Youngetal.inprep).Althoughthetotalpopulationtrendisdeclining,theoverallimpactsfromtheProjectwouldbeunlikelytoimpactthepopulation,andtheneteffectsincludingmitigationshouldprovideabenefittothespecies.

4.2 Short‐TermUsesversusLong‐TermProductivity

HAR§11‐200‐17(J)requiresadescriptionoftherelationshipbetweenlocalshort‐termusesbyhumansoftheenvironmentandthemaintenanceandenhancementoflong‐termproductivity.Thisdescriptionshouldincludeadiscussionontheextenttowhichaproposedactioninvolvestradeoffsamongshort‐termandlong‐termgainsandlosses,aswellaswhetherfutureoptionsareforeclosed,whethertherangeofbeneficialusesoftheenvironmentarenarrowed,andwhethertheproposedactionposeslong‐termriskstohealthandsafety.

Therelationshipbetweenshort‐termusesandlong‐termproductivityrelativetotheProjectwasaddressedinthe2011EIS,includingadiscussionofrenewableenergygeneration,compatibilitywithagriculturaluses,andmaintenanceofopenspace.Therearenosubstantivechangestothisinformation;thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

4.3 IrreversibleandIrretrievableCommitmentofResources

HAR§11‐200‐17(K)requiresadescriptionoftheextenttowhichaproposedactionmakesuseofnon‐renewableresourcesorirreversiblycurtailstherangeofpotentialusesoftheenvironment.IrreversibleandirretrievablecommitmentofresourcesassociatedwiththeProject,particularlywithrespecttotheuseofnon‐renewableresources,wasaddressedinthe2011EIS.Therearenosubstantivechangestothisinformation;thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

4.4 UnavoidableImpactsandRationaleforProceeding

HAR§11‐200‐17(L)requiresadescriptionofprobableadverseeffectswhichcannotbeavoidedandtherationaleforproceedingwiththeproposedaction.Unavoidableimpactsarethoseeffectsremainingafteradjustingformitigationmeasuresthatminimize,rectify,orreduceimpactsoftheproposedactions.

Asdiscussedinthe2011EIS,KawailoaWindcommittedtoavoidingormitigatingadverseeffectstotheextentpractical.AdetailedlistedofthemitigationmeasuresoriginallyidentifiedfortheProject


KawailoaWindFarm 59

areprovidedinthe2011EIS;thesehavebeenandcontinuetobeimplementedaspartofongoingProjectoperations,asappropriate.SpecifictotheincreasedimpacttoHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,KawailoaWindhasdevelopedandproposestoimplementadditionalavoidance,minimizationandmitigationmeasures;thesemeasuresaresummarizedinSection3.5.4,withfurtherdetailprovidedintheDraftHCPAmendment.

TherearenosubstantivechangestotherationaleforproceedingbasedontheincreasedimpacttotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.TheProjectcontinuestobeanimportantsourceofrenewableenergyforOʻahuandiscontributingtoachievingthestate’scleanenergygoals.Bydecreasingtheconsumptionoffossilfuels,theProjectisalsohelpingtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsandotherformsofpollution.AlthoughtheProjectisresultingingreaterimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelthanoriginallyanticipated,theHCPAmendmentincorporatesspecificmeasuresthatwouldbeimplementedtoavoid,minimizeandmitigatethoseimpacts,andultimatelyisexpectedtoprovideanetbenefittothespecies.WhenconsideredincombinationwiththeProjectimpactsidentifiedinthe2011EISandsubsequentEA,theeffectsofimplementingtheHCPAmendmentarenotanticipatedtoresultinanynewsignificantenvironmentalimpacts.

4.5 UnresolvedIssues

HAR§11‐200‐17(N)requiresasummaryofunresolvedissuesandadiscussionofhowsuchissueswouldberesolvedbeforecommencementofaproposedactionorwhatoverridingreasonsthereareforproceedingwithoutresolutionoftheissues.Asdetailedinthe2011EIS,therewerenosignificantissuesrelatedtothedesignandimplementationoftheProjectthatremainedunresolvedatthetimetheEISwaspublished.SiteconstraintsandotherProject‐relatedconcernswerebroadlyaddressedthroughaniterativeplanningandsitingprocess,aswellasfocusedstakeholderconsultation.Inparticular,potentialconflictswithnearbymilitaryoperationswereaddressedthroughaworkinggroupwiththerelevantstakeholders.The2011EISalsonotedthatpermitsandapprovalsneededtobeobtainedpriortoProjectimplementation,butthatnosignificantoutstandingissueswereknown.Aspreviouslydescribed,thepermitsandapprovalsweresuccessfullyobtainedandtheProjectwasconstructedin2012.BecauseProjectoperationshaveresultedingreaterimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelthanpreviouslyanticipated,KawailoaWindisseekinganamendmenttotheHCPandITP/ITLtoincreasetheauthorizedtakelevelsfortheHawaiianhoarybatandtoaddtheHawaiianPetrelasaCoveredSpecies,aswellastoimplementadditionalminimizationandmitigationmeasurestoaddresstheincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.UpdatedinformationassociatedwiththeHCPAmendmentispresentedaspartofthisDraftSEIS;DOFAWacceptanceoftheSEISwillneedtooccurpriortoapprovaloftheHCPAmendment.UponapprovaloftheHCPAmendment,itisanticipatedthatUSFWSandDOFAWwouldauthorizetheincreasedtakelevelsunderITP/ITL.


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ConsistencywithExistingLandUsePlans,Policies,andControls

AsdescribedintheoriginalEIS,thereareavarietyoffederal,stateandcountyregulationsandpoliciesthatareapplicabletotheProject.

5.1 FederalRegulations

The2011EISidentifiedthefederalregulationsrelevanttotheProjectandpresentedinformationregardingthestatusofcompliancewitheachregulation.AnupdateddiscussionofcompliancewiththeEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA),NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)andtheMigratoryBirdTreatyActareprovidedinthefollowingsections.Thediscussioninthe2011EISrelativetotheCleanAirAct,CleanWaterAct,andFederalAviationRegulationsdoesnotrequirerevisionwithregardstotheproposedHCPAmendmentandisincorporatedbyreference.

5.1.1 EndangeredSpeciesAct

ThepurposeoftheESA(16UnitedStatesCode[U.S.C.]§§1531‐1544),asamended,istoconservethreatenedandendangeredplantandanimalspeciesandtheirhabitats,specificallythoseareasthathavebeendesignatedas“criticalhabitat.”TheESAdefinesanendangeredspeciesasonethatis“indangerofextinctionthroughoutallorasignificantportionofitsrange”andathreatenedspeciesasonethat“islikelytobecomeanendangeredspecieswithintheforeseeablefuturethroughoutallorasignificantportionofitsrange.”Criticalhabitatincludesareascontainingessentialhabitatfeatures,regardlessofwhetherthoseareasarecurrentlyoccupiedbythelistedspecies.

UnderSection7oftheESA,federalagenciesmustconsultwiththeUSFWSand/orNationalMarineFisheriesService(NMFS),dependingonthespeciesunderreview,toensurethattheiractionsarenotlikelytojeopardizethecontinuedexistenceofendangeredandthreatenedspeciesordestroyoradverselymodifycriticalhabitatforendangeredandthreatenedspecies.Section9oftheESAprohibitstakeofanythreatenedorendangeredspecieswithoutapermit,unlessotherwiseauthorized.18Section10(a)(1)(B)oftheESAallowsprivateapplicantstoobtainanITPthatauthorizesimpactstolistedspeciesthatareincidentaltolawfulactivitesandwouldotherwisebeprohibitedunderSection9(a)(1)(B).Toobtainapermit,theapplicantmustdevelopanHCPthatanalyzesthepotentialimpactstothelistedspeciesanddetailsthemeasuresthatwouldbeimplementedtomitigatethoseimpacts.GuidanceforpreparationandrequiredcomponentsofanHCPareprovidedintherevised2016HabitatConservationPlanningHandbook(USFWSandNMFS

18“Take”undertheESAmeans“toharass,harm,pursue,hunt,shoot,wound,kill,trap,capture,collect,ortoattempttoengageinanysuchconduct.”“Harass,”accordingtothedefinitionoftakeintheESA,means“anintentionalornegligentactoromissionwhichcreatesthelikelihoodofinjurytowildlifebyannoyingittosuchanextentastosignificantlydisruptnormalbehavioralpatternswhichinclude,butarenotlimitedto,breeding,feeding,orsheltering.”“Harm”means“anactwhichactuallykillsorinjureswildlife.Suchactsmayincludesignificanthabitatmodificationordegradationwhereitactuallykillsorinjureswildlifebysignificantlyimpairingessentialbehavioralpatterns,includingbreeding,feeding,orsheltering”(50CFR17.3).


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2016).AsissuanceofanITPbytheUSFWSorNMFSconstitutesafederalactionsubjecttoSection7oftheESA,theagencyisalsorequiredtoconductaSection7consultationtodeterminewhethertheProjectwouldjeopardizealistedspeciesoradverselymodifyitscriticalhabitat.

IncompliancewithSection10oftheESA,KawailoaWindpreparedanHCPandwasissuedanITPfromtheUSFWSfortheProjectonDecember8,2011.TheoriginalITPandassociatedHCPprovidesauthroizationforincidentaltakeofthefollowinglistedspeciesoverthe20‐yearpermitterm:Newell’sshearwater,Hawaiianduck,Hawaiianstilt,Hawaiiancoot,Hawaiianmoorhen,Hawaiianshort‐earedowl,andHawaiianhoarybat.

Asdetailedthroughoutthisdocument,HawaiianhoarybattakehasbeenhigherthananticipatedsincethestartofProjectoperations,suchthatKawailoaWindisseekinganamendmenttotheHCPandanincreaseintheamountofHawaiianhoarybattakeauthorizedundertheITL.KawailoaWindisalsorequestingauthorizationforincidentaltakeoftheHawaiianpetrel(whichwasnotoriginallycoveredintheHCP),giventwoobservedfatalitiesattheProjectandrecentsurveysdocumentingHawaiianpetreloccurrenceonOʻahu.TheDraftHCPAmendment,whichwaspreparedtoaddressboththefederalandstaterequirements(pursuanttotheESAandHRSChapter195D,respectively),waspublishedforpublicreviewaspartofthefederalprocessintheFederalRegisteronApril26,2019.IssuanceofanITPbytheUSFWSisaFederalaction,andthereforeissubjecttocompliancewithNEPA.CompliancewithNEPAisdiscussedfurtherinSection5.1.6.

5.1.2 MigratoryBirdTreatyAct

TheMigratoryBirdTreatyAct(MBTA)of1918,asamended(16USC703‐712)prohibitstakeofmigratorybirds;alistofbirdsprotectedunderMBTAimplementingregulationsisprovidedat50CFR§10.13.Unlesspermittedbyregulations,undertheMBTAitisunlawfultopursue,hunt,take,captureorkill;attempttotake,captureorkill;possess,offertoorsell,barter,purchase,deliverorcausetobeshipped,exported,imported,transported,carriedorreceivedanymigratorybird,part,nest,eggorproduct.TheUSFWSdoesnotcurrentlyhaveacomprehensiveprogramundertheMBTAtopermitthetakeofmigratorybirdsbyotherwiselawfulactivities.OnDecember22,2017,theDepartmentoftheInteriorOfficeoftheSolicitorissuedamemorandumopinionconcludingthattheMBTAdoesnotprohibitincidentaltakeofmigratorybirds.

ThebirdspeciesaddressedintheHCPAmendmentarealsoprotectedundertheMBTA.Toavoidandminimizeimpactstomigratorybirds,theDraftHCPAmendmentincorporatesdesignandoperationalfeaturesbasedonapplicationoftheUSFWSInterimGuidanceonAvoidingandMinimizingImpactstoWildlifefromWindTurbines(issuedMay13,2003).Theseguidelinescontainmaterialstoassistinevaluatingpossiblewindpowersites,windturbinedesignandlocation,andpre‐andpost‐constructionresearchtoidentifyand/orassesspotentialimpactstowildlife.SpecificmeasuresthathavebeenadoptedbytheapplicanttoavoidandminimizethepotentialforadverseimpactstomigratorybirdsaredetailedinSection5.3oftheapprovedHCP.TheHCPalsospecifiesthatanymigratorybirdcollisionsorotherimpactsthatoccurwithimplementationofcoveredactivitieswillbedocumentedandreportedtotheUSFWS.


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5.1.3 CleanAirAct

TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeCleanAirAct.Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

5.1.4 CleanWaterAct

TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeCleanWaterAct.Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

5.1.5 FederalAviationRegulations

TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewithFederalAviationRegulations.Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

5.1.6 NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct

NEPAestablishesnationalenvironmentalpolicyandgoalsfortheprotection,maintenance,andenhancementoftheenvironmentandprovidesaprocessforimplementingthesegoals(42U.S.C.4321etseq.).NEPArequiresfederalagenciestoincorporateenvironmentalconsiderationsintheirplanninganddecision‐makingprocessthroughasystematicinterdisciplinaryapproach.Specifically,allfederalagenciesaretopreparedetailedstatementsthatassesstheenvironmentalimpactofandalternativestofederalactionsthatcouldsignificantlyaffecttheenvironment.PursuanttoNEPAanditsimplementingregulations(40CFRPart1500through1508),thesestatementsarerequiredtodescribetheexistingenvironmentalconditions,theproposedactionandreasonablealternatives,potentialenvironmentalimpactsoftheproposedaction,andmeasurestominimizeenvironmentalimpacts.

IssuanceofanITPisafederalactionsubjecttocompliancewiththeproceduralrequirementsofNEPAanditsimplementingregulations.InOctober2011,theUSFWScompletedanEnvironmentalAssessment(EA)thataddressedtheanticipatedenvironmentaleffectsofissuinganITPtoKawailoaWind.TheEAconcludedthattheproposedactionwouldnotsignificantlyaffectthequalityoftheenvironment,andaFindingofNoSignificantImpact(FONSI)wassignedbytheUSFWSonDecember8,2011.

BasedonKawailoaWind’srequestforanamendmenttotheHCPandITL,USFWSisresponsibleforadditionalNEPAcompliance.AsthreeotherwindenergyprojectsaresimultaneouslyrequestingSection10authorization,USFWSispreparingaProgrammaticEIS(PEIS)toaddressthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsthatwouldresultfrompermitissuanceforallfourprojects.InadditiontoKawailoaWind,thePEISisalsoconsideringimpactsassociatedwithapprovalofanewHCPforthePakiniNuiWindFarm(locatedonHawaiʻiIsland),andamendmentstoexistingHCPsfortheKaheawaWindPowerIIProjectandtheAuwahiWindPowerproject(bothlocatedonMaui).Allfourwindenergyfacilitiesarealreadyconstructedandinoperation.TheUSFWSissuedaNoticeofIntenttoprepareaPEISonJune1,2018.Publiccommentswerereceivedduringa30‐dayscoping


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periodandpublicscopingmeetingswereheldonHawaiʻiIsland,MauiandOʻahu.TheDraftPEISwaspublishedforpublicreviewintheFederalRegisteronApril26,2019.

5.2 StateofHawaiʻi

The2011EISidentifiedthestateregulationsrelevanttotheProjectanddiscussedthestatusofcompliancewitheachregulation.AnupdateddiscussionofcompliancewiththeHawaiʻiStateEndangeredSpeciesAct(HRSChapter195D),HawaiʻiEnvironmentalImpactReviewLaw(HRSChapter343),andHawaiʻiStatePlanningAct(HRSChapter226)areprovidedinthefollowingsections.ThediscussionprovidedintheoriginalEISrelativetotheHawaiʻiStateEnergyResourcesHRSChapter196,HawaiʻiStateEnvironmentalPolicy(HRSChapter344),StateLandUseLaw(HRSChapter205),StateConservationDistrictLaw(HRSChapter183),HawaiʻiCoastalZoneManagementAct(HRSChapter205A),andStateHistoricPreservationFunctionalPlandoesnotrequirerevisionwithregardtotheproposedHCPAmendmentandisincorporatedbyreference.

5.2.1 HawaiʻiStateEnergyResources(HRSChapter196)

In2008,theStateofHawaiʻisignedanMOUwiththeU.S.DOEthatestablishedtheHCEI.Asubsequentagreement(theEnergyAgreement)signedinOctober2008betweentheStateandtheHawaiianElectriccompaniesspecifiedthatthepartieswouldworktogethertohelpHawaiianElectriccompaniesachieveasmuchas40percentrenewableenergyby2030.InApril2010,theHCEIProgramwasaddedtoStatelaw,asHRSChapter196.Whileadditionalinitiativeshavedevelopedsince2011,includingamendmentoftheRenewablePortfolioStandards(HRSChapter269‐92)in2015tomandate100percentrenewableenergyintheelectricitysectorby2045,and2017legislationexpandingstrategiesandmechanismstoreducegreenhousegasemissionsstatewideinalignmentwiththeprinciplesandgoalsadoptedintheParisagreement,therearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeintentoftheHCEI,ascodifiedintheHawaiʻiStateEnergyResourcesHRSChapter196.Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

5.2.2 HawaiʻiStatePlanningAct(HRSChapter226)

TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeHawaiʻiStatePlan(HRSChapter226).However,theStateOfficeofPlanninghasrecentlybeenrequestingthatenvironmentalreviewdocumentsincludeadiscussionofcompliancewithallthreecomponentsoftheHawaiʻiStatePlan,aspresentedinTable5‐1.


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Table5‐1.ConsistencywiththeHawaiʻiStatePlan

ComponentsofHawaiʻiStatePlan

ApplicabilitytotheProject

PARTI.OBJECTIVESANDPOLICIES

Population ThisthemeisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Economy‐‐ingeneral

TheProjectisincompliancewiththistheme,particularlythefollowingobjectivesandpolicies:

(a)(1)Increasedanddiversifiedemploymentopportunitiestoachievefullemployment,increasedincomeandjobchoice,andimprovedlivingstandardsforHawaiʻi'speople,whileatthesametimestimulatingthedevelopmentandexpansionofeconomicactivitiescapitalizingondefense,dual‐use,andscienceandtechnologyassets,particularlyontheneighborislandswhereemploymentopportunitiesmaybelimited.

Asdiscussedinthe2011EIS,socioeconomiceffectsoftheProjectincludeconstructionemploymentandbusinessactivity;leaserevenueforuseoftheProjectarea;revenuesfortheStateintheformofexcisetaxesandpropertytaxes;substantialfuelcostsavingstoHECO(whichpotentiallytranslateintoratepayersavings);ongoingemploymentofoperationsandmaintenancestaff;andongoingexpendituresformaterialsandoutsideservices.

Economy‐‐agriculture


(a)(3)AnagricultureindustrythatcontinuestoconstituteadynamicandessentialcomponentofHawaiʻi'sstrategic,economic,andsocialwell‐being.

Asdescribedinthe2011EIS,theProjectislocatedalmostentirelyonunirrigated,fallowfieldsthatwerepreviouslyusedforsugarcanecultivationbuthavenotrecentlybeenusedforagriculturalpurposes;thefacilitiesweresitedtoavoidareasthatarestillusedforcultivation.AlthoughtheareaswithinthepermanentfootprintoftheProjectfacilitiesarenotavailableforagriculturalpurposes,theProjectallowsKamehamehaSchoolstomaintaintheexistingagriculturalusesoftheKawailoaproperty,consistentwiththeirNorthShoreMasterPlanandStrategicAgriculturalPlan.

Economy—visitorindustry ThisthemeisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Economy—federalexpenditures

ThisthemeisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Economy‐‐potentialgrowthandinnovativeactivities


(b)(1)FacilitateinvestmentandemploymentgrowthineconomicactivitiesthathavethepotentialtoexpandanddiversifyHawaiʻi'seconomy,includingbutnotlimitedtodiversifiedagriculture,aquaculture,renewableenergydevelopment,creativemedia,healthcare,andscienceandtechnology‐basedsectors.

(b)(8)Accelerateresearchanddevelopmentofnewenergy‐relatedindustriesbasedonwind,solar,ocean,undergroundresources,andsolidwaste.

Asdetailedinthe2011EIS,theProjectinvolvesconstructionandoperationofawindenergyfacilitytoproviderenewableenergytotheislandofOʻahu.

Economy‐‐informationindustry

ThisthemeisnotapplicabletotheProject.


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Physicalenvironment‐‐land‐based,shoreline,andmarineresources


(b)(3)Takeintoaccountthephysicalattributesofareaswhenplanninganddesigningactivitiesandfacilities.

(b)(4)Managenaturalresourcesandenvironstoencouragetheirbeneficialandmultipleusewithoutgeneratingcostlyorirreparableenvironmentaldamage.

(b)(8)Pursuecompatiblerelationshipsamongactivities,facilities,andnaturalresources.

Asdetailedinthe2011EIS,theProjectislocatedinareasthatwereextensivelydisturbedaspartofpreviousagriculturaloperations,withvegetationlargelycomprisedofweedyspecies.TheProjectinvolvestakeofseveralendangeredspecies,includingtheHawaiianhoarybat,Hawaiianpetrel,Newell’sshearwater,Hawaiianduck,Hawaiianstilt,Hawaiiancoot,Hawaiianmoorhen,andHawaiianshort‐earedowl.AsdetailedintheapprovedHCPandDraftHCPAmendment,compensatorymitigationhasbeenandwillcontinuetobeimplementedtofullyoffsetthetakeandprovideanetbenefittothesespecies.

Physicalenvironment‐‐scenic,naturalbeauty,andhistoricresources


(a)(1)Promotethepreservationandrestorationofsignificantnaturalandhistoricresources.

(a)(3)Promotethepreservationofviewsandvistastoenhancethevisualandaestheticenjoymentofmountains,ocean,sceniclandscapes,andothernaturalfeatures.

HistoricsitesrecordedaspartofthearchaeologicalinvestigationoftheProjectareaincludemilitary(WorldWarII)andplantationerafeatures,whichhavebeenavoidedtotheextentpossible;inaddition,archaeologicalmonitoringwasconductedduringconstruction.Withrespecttovisualresources,Projectplanningandsitingwasconductedinamannersoastobestintegratethewindturbineswiththenaturalcharacteristicsofthesitetominimizevisualimpactstotheextentpossible.

Physicalenvironment‐‐land,air,andwaterquality


(a)(1)MaintenanceandpursuitofimprovedqualityinHawaiʻi'sland,air,andwaterresources.

(b)(3)PromoteeffectivemeasurestoachievedesiredqualityinHawaiʻi'ssurface,ground,andcoastalwaters.

Asdetailedinthe2011EIS,Projectimplementationinvolvesconstruction‐relatedimpacts(noise,dust,anderosion),buttheseareshort‐termandhavebeenminimizedthroughimplementationofBMPs.Overthelong‐term,theProjectwouldprovideabenefitassociatedwithreductionofgreenhousegases.

Facilitysystems‐‐solidandliquidwastes;water;transportation;telecommunications

ThesethemesarenotapplicabletotheProject.


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Facilitysystems‐‐energy


(a)(2)Increasedenergysecurityandself‐sufficiencythroughthereductionandultimateeliminationofHawaiʻi'sdependenceonimportedfuelsforelectricalgenerationandgroundtransportation.

(a)(3)GreaterdiversificationofenergygenerationinthefaceofthreatstoHawaiʻi'senergysuppliesandsystems.

(a)(4)Reduction,avoidance,orsequestrationofgreenhousegasemissionsfromenergysupplyanduse.

TheProjectisawindenergyfacilitythatprovidesrenewableenergytotheislandofOʻahu.Generationandintegrationofwindenergyintotheelectricgriddecreasesfossilfuelconsumption,therebyreducinggreenhousegasemissions.

Socio‐culturaladvancement(housing,health,education,socialservices,leisure,individualrightsandpersonalwell‐being,culture,publicsafety,andgovernment)

ThesethemesarenotapplicabletotheProject.

PARTII.FUNCTIONALPLANS1

Agriculture

TheHawaiʻiDepartmentofAgricultureStrategicPlanidentifiesthemissionofmaintaintheagriculturalsectorofHawaiʻi’seconomy,withspecificgoalsrelatedtoincreasingmarketsandproductvalue,andincreasingproductionvalue.TheProjectisconsistentwiththesegoals,asitallowsKamehamehaSchoolstomaintaintheexistingagriculturalusesoftheKawailoaproperty,inaccordancewiththeirNorthShoreMasterPlanandStrategicAgriculturalPlan.

ConservationLands

The2011EISidentifiedthepossibilityofcommunicationfacilitiesinConservationDistrictlandsonMt.Kaʻala;however,itwassubsequentlydeterminedthatthesefacilitieswerenotneeded,andtheywerenotconstructed.ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Education ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Employment ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

EnergyThepurposeoftheProjectistoprovideclean,renewablewindenergyfortheislandofOʻahu.TheProjectdirectlycontributestotheHawaiʻiCleanEnergyInitiative,whichincludesagoalofachieving100percentcleanenergyby2045.

Health ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

HigherEducation ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

HistoricPreservation

Asdetailedinthe2011EIS,anarchaeologicalinventorysurveywascompletedfortheProject.Historicsitesthatwererecordedincludemilitary(WorldWarII)andplantationerafeatures,whichhavebeenavoidedtotheextentpossible;inaddition,archaeologicalmonitoringwasconductedduringconstruction.

Housing ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.


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HumanServices ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Recreation ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Tourism ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Transportation ThisfunctionalplanisnotapplicabletotheProject.

PARTIII.PRIORITYGUIDELUINES

EconomicDevelopment

TheProjectisincompliancewitheconomicpriorityguidelines,including:

(f)(1)Encouragethedevelopment,demonstration,andcommercializationofrenewableenergysources

Asdetailedinthe2011EIS,theProjectisawindenergyfacilitythatprovidesrenewableenergytotheislandofOʻahu.

PopulationGrowthandLandResources

ThispriorityguidelineisnotapplicabletotheProject.

CrimeandCriminalJustice ThispriorityguidelineisnotapplicabletotheProject.

AffordableHousing ThispriorityguidelineisnotapplicabletotheProject.

QualityEducation ThispriorityguidelineisnotapplicabletotheProject.

Sustainability

TheProjectisincompliancewiththesustainabilitypriorityguidelinesandprinciples,particularlythefollowing:

(1)Encouragingbalancedeconomic,social,community,andenvironmentalpriorities.

(2)EncouragingplanningthatrespectsandpromoteslivingwithinthenaturalresourcesandlimitsoftheState.

Asdetailedinthe2011EIS,theProjectprovidesasourceofrenewableenergyfortheislandofOʻahu,directlycontributingtothestateandcountyrenewableenergygoals,aswellasprovidinganeconomicbenefit.Adverseimpacts,includingthoseassociatedwithtakeofendangeredspecies,willbeavoidedandmitigatedtotheextentpracticable.TheoverallintentoftheProjectistobalancetheadverseimpactswiththeneedforclean,renewableenergytosustainfuturegenerations.

ClimateChangeAdaptationBygeneratingrenewableenergy,theProjectcontributestoreducedgreenhousegasemissions,therebyprovidingabenefitrelativetoclimatechange.However,theProjectdoesnotinvolveclimatechangeadaptation,relativetothispriorityguideline.

1.ThelistoffunctionalplansisbasedontheinventoryandstatusprovidedinTheHawaiʻiStatePlanUpdate:Phase1,FinalReport(StateOfficeofPlanning,2018).

5.2.3 HawaiʻiEnvironmentalImpactReviewLaw(HRSChapter343)

HRSChapter343isdesignedto“establishasystemofenvironmentalreviewwhichwillensurethatenvironmentalconcernsaregivenappropriateconsiderationindecisionmakingalongwitheconomicandtechnicalconsiderations.”TheregulationsidentifyninespecificactivitiesthattriggertheneedforcompliancewithHRSChapter343.TheProjectoriginallyincludedcommunicationfacilitiesonMt.Kaʻala,whichwouldinvolvetwoactivitiesthataretriggersforcompliancewithHRSChapter343:(1)useofStatelandsand(2)useoflandclassifiedasconservationdistrict.DBEDT


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wasidentifiedastheapprovingagencyforthe2011EISbasedontheirresponsibilityforpreparationofapermitplanforarenewableenergyfacilityunderHRSChapter201N.AnEISwaspreparedfortheProject;theFinalEISwaspublishedbyOEQCintheEnvironmentalNoticeonJuly8,2011andwasacceptedbyDBEDTonJuly20,2011.Subsequently,anEAwaspreparedtoevaluatethepotentialimpactsassociatedwithimplementationoftheProject’sHCP;DOFAWissuedaFONSI,whichwaspublishedbyOEQCintheEnvironmentalNoticeonOctober8,2011(seeAppendixA).

TheProjectwasconstructedin2012,andKawailoaWindisnotproposinganychangestotheProjectthatwouldaffectthesize,scope,location,intensity,useortimingoftheaction.However,becausetheimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybataregreaterthananticipatedinthe2011EISandpotentialimpactstotheHawaiianpetrelhavesubsequentlybeenidentified,DOFAWdeterminedthatanSEISiswarrantedperHAR§11‐200‐27,whichprovidesthatanSEISshallbewarrantedwhere,amongotherthings,“theintensityofenvironmentalimpactswillbeincreased”or“wherenewcircumstancesorevidencehavebroughttolightdifferentorlikelyincreasedenvironmentalimpactsnotpreviouslydealtwith.”GiventheirrequestforanSEIS,DOFAWcoordinatedwithDBEDTastheapprovingagencyforthe2011EIS.IncoordinationwithDBEDT,itwasdeterminedthatDOFAWwouldserveastheapprovingagencyfortheSEIS(seeAppendixB).OnJuly8,2018,DOFAWpublishedtheirdeterminationthatanSEISisrequiredsimultaneouslywithanSEISPNfortheProject(seeAppendixC).PublicationoftheSEISPNinitiateda30‐daypublicscopingperiod.IncompliancewiththerequirementofHAR§11‐200‐29and11‐200‐22,thisDraftSEISwaspublishedonMay8,2019;the45‐daypubliccommentperiodextendsthroughJune24,2019.

Movingforward,theHCPAmendmentwillberevisedbasedonthecommentsreceivedthroughtheDraftHCPAmendmentreviewprocess.Thoserevisions,aswellascommentsreceivedonthisDraftSEIS,willbeincorporatedintoaFinalSEIS,asappropriate.ApprovaloftheHCPAmendmentandITLwouldnotoccuruntiltheFinalSEIShasbeenacceptedbyDOFAW.

5.2.4 HawaiʻiStateEnvironmentalPolicy(HRSChapter344)

TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeHawaiʻiStateEnvironmentalPolicy(HRSChapter344).Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

5.2.5 RenewableEnergyFacilitySitingProcess(HRSChapter201N)

HRSChapter201N,whichwasenactedbyAct207in2008,authorizedDBEDTtoprepareapermitplanforproposedrenewableenergyfacilities.ThepurposeofthepermitplanwastoidentifyallapplicableStateandCountypermitsrequiredforapprovalofthefacilityandfacilitatetimelyreviewofthosepermits.PursuanttoHRSChapter201N‐8,apermitplanapplicationrequirescompliancewithHRSChapter343,withDBEDTastheapprovingagencyfortheEIS.DBEDTassistedKawailoaWindwithdevelopmentofapermitplanfortheProject,andthe2011EISwasacceptedbyDBEDT.HRSChapter201Nwassubsequentlyrepealedin2016,andthereforeisnolongerapplicabletotheProject.


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5.2.6 HawaiʻiStateLandUseLaw(HRSChapter205)

TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeStateLandUseLaw(HRSChapter205).Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

5.2.7 ConservationDistrict(HRSChapter183C)

The2011EISidentifiedthepossibilityofcommunicationfacilitieswhichwouldbelocatedonMt.Kaʻala,withintheConservationDistrict.However,itwassubsequentlydeterminedthatthesefacilitieswerenotneeded.NoportionoftheProjectiswithintheConservationDistrict;therefore,HRSChapter183CisnotapplicabletotheProject.

5.2.8 CoastalZoneManagement(HRSChapter205A)

TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeHawaiʻiCoastalZoneManagementProgram(HRSChapter205A).Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

5.2.9 HRSChapter6EandNationalHistoricPreservationAct

TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeStateHistoricPreservationProgram(HRSChapter6E)orwiththeNationalHistoricPreservationAct.Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.

5.2.10 StateEndangeredSpeciesAct(HRSChapter195D)

Anyspeciesofaquaticlife,wildlife,orlandplantthathasbeendeterminedtobeathreatenedorendangeredspeciespursuanttotheESAisalsoconsideredtobethreatenedorendangeredunderthestatelaw,andsubjecttotheconditionsofHRSChapter195D‐4.Inaddition,anyindigenousspeciesmaybedeterminedbyDLNRtobethreatenedorendangeredbasedonfactorsspecifiedinHRSChapter195D‐4(b).AnITLmaybeobtainedfromDOFAWtoallowtakeofathreatenedorendangeredspeciesprovidedthat(1)takeimpactsareminimizedandmitigated;(2)themitigationplanincreasesthelikelihoodthatthespecieswillsurviveandrecover;(3)theprojectprovidesnetenvironmentalbenefits;and(4)thetakeisnotlikelytocausethelossofgeneticrepresentationofanaffectedpopulationofanyendangered,threatened,proposed,orcandidateplantspecies.

IncompliancewithHRSChapter195D,KawailoaWindpreparedanHCPandwasissuedanITLfromDOFAWfortheProjectonJanuary6,2012.TheITLandassociatedHCPauthorizeincidentaltakeofthefollowinglistedspeciesoverthe20‐yearpermitterm:Newell’sshearwater,Hawaiianduck,Hawaiianstilt,Hawaiiancoot,Hawaiianmoorhen,Hawaiianshort‐earedowl,andHawaiianhoarybat.

However,HawaiianhoarybattakehasbeenhigherthananticipatedsincethestartofProjectoperationsinNovember2012.FatalityestimatesindicatethattheProjecthasexceededthe


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currentlyauthorizedbattakelimit,evenwiththeimplementationofadditionalavoidanceandminimizationmeasures.Therefore,in2015,KawailoaWindinitiatedconsultationwithDOFAWregardinganamendmenttotheHCPandanincreaseintheamountofHawaiianhoarybattakeauthorizedundertheITL.KawailoaWindisalsorequestingauthorizationforincidentaltakeoftheHawaiianpetrel;thisspecieswasnotoriginallycoveredintheHCPandITL(asitwasnotknowntooccurregularlyonOʻahu),buttwofatalitieshavebeenincidentallyobservedwithintheProjectareaandrecentsurveyshavedocumentedHawaiianpetreloccurrenceonOʻahu.TheincidentaltakecoveragerequestedbyKawailoaWindisforanadditional205Hawaiianhoarybats(foratotalof265bats)and19Hawaiianpetreladultsand5chicksoverthe20‐yearpermitterm.TheDraftHCPAmendmentwaspublishedintheOEQCEnvironmentalNoticeonOctober23,2018fora60‐daypublicreviewperiod.TheDraftHCPwaspresentedtotheESRConOctober25,2019.Inaddition,DOFAWheldapublichearingontheDraftHCPAmendmentonNovember29,2018.ToaccommodatearequiredsitevisitbytheESRC,whichwasconductedonFebruary7,2019,DOFAWextendedthepubliccommentperiodby60days(throughFebruary22,2019).

Table5‐2liststhespecificHCPapprovalandITLissuancecriteriaasspecifiedbyHRSChapter195DandprovidesabriefsummaryoftheextenttowhicheachrequirementsorcriterionhasbeenmetfortheProject.

Table5‐2.HCPApprovalandITLIssuanceCriteria

Requirement/Criteria DiscussionofCompliance

HCPApprovalCriteria(HRSChapters195D‐21(b)(1)and(c)

(b)(1)(A)TheHCPwillfurtherthepurposesofHRSChapter195Dbyprotecting,maintaining,restoring,orenhancingidentifiedecosystems,naturalcommunities,orhabitattypesuponwhichendangered,threatened,proposed,orcandidatespeciesdependwithintheareacoveredbytheHCP

MitigationconsistingofhabitatrestorationandresearchissuccessfullybeingimplementedtooffsettakeauthorizedundertheapprovedHCP.TheDraftHCPAmendmentdetailsadditionalmitigationfortheHawaiianhoarybat(Tiers4‐6)aswellasproposedmitigationfortheHawaiianpetrel.AsdetailedinSection7oftheDraftHCPAmendment,thismitigationwillfullyoffsettheadditionaltakeandwillprovideanetbenefittotheHawaiianhoarybat.

(b)(1)(B)TheHCPwillincreasethelikelihoodofrecoveryoftheendangeredorthreatenedspeciesthatarethefocusoftheHCP

Impactsofincidentaltakewillbeminimizedtothemaximumextentpracticableandmitigatedsuchthattheincidentaltakewillbefullyoffset.TheproposedmitigationactionsaresupportedascriticaltotherecoveryoftheHawaiianhoarybatandtheHawaiianpetrelbytheavailableliterature.Collectively,themitigationactionsareexpectedtoresultinanoverallsignificantnetbenefittobothspecies.MitigationmeasuresestablishedfortheHawaiianpetrelaredetailedinSection7oftheHCPAmendment.

(c)(1)ImplementationoftheHCPisnotlikelytojeopardizethecontinuedexistenceofanyendangered,threatened,proposed,orcandidatespeciesidentifiedintheplanarea

ImplementationoftheHCPAmendmentisnotlikelytojeopardizethecontinuedexistenceofanyendangered,threatened,proposed,orcandidatespeciesidentifiedintheplanarea.Furthermore,theHCPAmendmentwillprovideanetconservationbenefittoboththeHawaiianhoarybatandtheHawaiianpetrel.


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(c)(2)ImplementationoftheHCPisnotlikelytocauseanynativespeciesnotendangeredorthreatenedatthetimeofplansubmissiontobecomethreatenedorendangered

ImplementationoftheHCPAmendmentisnotlikelytocauseanynativespeciesthatarenotlistedatthetimeofsubmissiontobecomethreatenedorendangered.ThemajorityofspeciesthatoccurwithintheProjectareaarenon‐nativeandcommonthroughoutHawaiʻi.ImplementationoftheHCPAmendmentdoesnotinvolveanyactionsthatareexpectedtoimpactnativespeciestothedegreesuchthattheywouldbecomethreatenedorendangered.

ITLIssuanceCriteria(HRSChapter195D‐4(g)

Thetakeisincidentalto,andnotthepurposeof,thecarryingoutofanotherwiselawfulactivity

Thepurposeoftheactivityistoconstructandoperateawindfarm;takeofHawaiianpetrelsandHawaiianhoarybatsareincidentaltothisactivity.

(1)Theapplicantshallminimizeandmitigatetheimpactsofthetaketothemaximumextentpracticable

AvarietyofmeasurestoavoidandminimizeimpactstotheHawaiianpetrelandHawaiianhoarybathavebeenandcontinuetobeimplementedundertheapprovedHCP.TheseincludeoperationalmeasuresinvolvingLWSC.Thecurrent,voluntaryLWSCregime(whichisproposedtobecarriedforwardundertheHCPAmendment)isbasedonadetailedanalysisofthebestavailableinformationandcalculationofacut‐inspeedthatisthemaximumextentpracticable.AdditionaldetailontheavoidanceandminimizationmeasuresfortheHawaiianhoarybatisprovidedinSection6B.0oftheHCPAmendment.MinimizationmeasuresfortheHawaiianpetrelaredetailedinSection5.3oftheapprovedHCP.MitigationmeasuresforbothspeciesthatwillresultinanetconservationbenefitcanbefoundinSection7.

(2)TheapplicantshallguaranteethatadequatefundingfortheHCPwillbeprovided

KawailoaWindwillprovidefundingandfundingassurancesfortherequiredconservation(monitoring,minimization,andmitigation)measuresinfull,asdiscussedinSection8.4andAppendix18oftheHCPAmendment.Takewillnotbeauthorizedforthependingtieruntilfundingassurancesforthependingtierareinplace.

(3)Theapplicantshallpostabond,letterofcredit,orprovideothersimilarfinancialtoolsorprovideothermeansapprovedbytheBoard,adequatetoensuremonitoringofthespeciesbytheStateandtoensuretheapplicanttakesallactionsnecessarytominimizeandmitigatetheimpactsofthetake

Fundingassuranceswillbeintheformofabond,letterofcredit,orsimilarinstrumentnamingtheDLNRasabeneficiary.Theletterofcreditorsimilarfinancialinstrumentwillbeinplacewithin6monthsofissuanceoftheITPandITL.AdditionaldetailonthefundingassurancesisprovidedinSection8.4andAppendix18oftheDraftHCPAmendment.

(4)TheHCPshallincreasethelikelihoodthatthespecieswillsurviveandrecover

Impactsofincidentaltakewillbeminimizedandmitigatedtothemaximumextentpracticable,suchthatanetconservationbenefitwillbeprovidedtotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel.Theproposedmitigationactionsaresupportedascriticaltotherecoveryofthesespeciesbytheavailableliterature.Collectively,themitigationactionswillleadtoincreasesincurrentpopulations,resultinginanoverallsignificantnetbenefittobothspecies.MitigationmeasuresestablishedfortheHawaiianpetrelaredetailedinSection7.3.2,andfortheHawaiianhoarybatinSections7.6.2,7.6.3,and7.6.4oftheHCPAmendment.


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(5)Theplantakesintoconsiderationthefullrangeofthespeciesontheislandsothatcumulativeimpactsassociatedwiththetakecanbeadequatelyassessed

Section6oftheHCPAmendmentdescribesimpactstotheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelattheProject‐levelaswellasisland‐wide,withcumulativeimpactsdiscussedinSection6.4.Basedonpopulationestimatesusingthebestavailablescience,thecumulativeimpactforcurrent,andproposedwindenergydevelopmentisnotexpectedtohaveasignificantimpactonOʻahu’sHawaiianpetrelsorHawaiianhoarybats.

(6)Themeasuresrequiredunder195D‐21(b)shallbemetandDLNRhasreceivedanyotherassurancesthatmayberequiredsothattheHCPmaybeimplemented

TheHCPAmendmentincludesthespecificcontentrequirementsforanHCP,aslistedinHRSChapter195D‐21(b)(2).Todate,nootherassuranceshavebeenidentifiedbyDLNR.

(7)Theactivitydoesnotinvolvetheuseofsubmergedlands,miningorblasting

TheProjectdoesnotinvolveanyofthelistedactivities.

(8)Thecumulativeimpactoftheactivityprovidesnetenvironmentalbenefits

AsdescribedinSection6.4,implementationoftheHCPandtheHCPAmendmentwillnotresultinnegativecumulativeimpactstoCoveredSpeciesandwillprovideanetenvironmentalbenefit.TheadditionalmitigationfortheHawaiianhoarybatundertheamendmentwouldprotect,manage,andenhancehabitatthatissuitableforforagingandroosting.ThemitigationforHawaiianpetrelswillfullyoffsetthetakeandwillprovideanetbenefit.Section7.3.2specificallyevaluatestheHawaiianpetreltakeoffsetandnetbenefit,Section7.6.3.3examinestheTier4takeoffsetandnetbenefitfortheHawaiianhoarybat,andSection7.6.4.1detailstheTier5and6take,takeoffset,andnetbenefit.

(9)Thetakeisnotlikelytocausethelossofgeneticrepresentationofanaffectedpopulationofanyendangered,threatened,proposed,orcandidateplantspecies

ImplementationoftheproposedactionspresentedintheHCPAmendmentwouldnotcausethelossofgeneticrepresentationofanylistedplantspecies.

5.2.11 Mt.KaʻalaNaturalAreaReserveManagementPlan

The2011EISidentifiedthepossibilityofcommunicationfacilitieswhichwouldbelocatedonMt.Kaʻala.However,itwassubsequentlydeterminedthatthesefacilitieswerenotneeded.NoportionoftheProjectislocatedwithintheMt.KaʻalaNaturalAreaReserve;therefore,theProjectisnotrequiredtocomplywiththeMt.KaʻalaNaturalAreaReserveManagementPlan.

5.3 CountyPlansandPolicies

The2011EISidentifiedthecountyplansandpoliciesrelevanttotheProjectanddiscussedthestatusofcompliancewitheachregulation.ThediscussionprovidedintheoriginalEISrelativetotheCityandCountyofHonoluluGeneralPlan,19NorthShoreSustainableCommunitiesPlan,andthe

19ProposedrevisionstotheGeneralPlanweretransmittedtotheCityCouncilonApril2018.Whilemodificationstothepolicieshavebeenproposed,theyareminoranddonotaffectProjectcompliance.


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zoningrequirementspursuanttotheCity&CountyofHonoluluLandUseOrdinanceisstillapplicableandisincorporatedbyreference.

5.4 KamehamehaSchoolsNorthShoreMasterPlan

Asdescribedinthe2011EIS,KamehamehaSchoolsconductedamasterplanningeffortin2008todevelopaframeworkforsustainablemanagementforallitslandholdingsonthenorthshoreofOʻahu.Theresultingplanidentifiedarangeofdevelopmentconcepts,includingoutdooreducation,diversifiedagriculture,andrenewableenergy,allofwhichweredevelopedwithcommunityinputandreflectthevisionandmissionofKamehamehaSchools.SevencatalystprojectsweredescribedintheMasterPlan,oneofwhichwasawindenergyprojectonthepreviousKawailoaPlantationlands(KamehamehaSchools2008).TherearenosubstantivechangesinthestatusofcompliancewiththeKamehamehaSchoolsNorthShoreMasterPlan.Thediscussioncontainedinthe2011EISisincorporatedbyreference.


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RequiredPermits

ThepermitsandapprovalsrequiredfortheProjectarelistedinTable6‐1.ThepermitsandapprovalsshowninboldtypefacearethosethatareassociatedwiththeincreasedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandadditionofHawaiianpetrelasaCoveredSpecies.TheremainingpermitsandapprovalsarethosethatwereobtainedpriortoconstructionandremainineffectasapplicableforProjectoperation.

Table6‐1.PermitsandApprovalsRequiredfortheKawailoaWindFarmProject

Permit/ApprovalAuthorizingAgency/Entity

Status

FEDERAL

IncidentalTakePermit(EndangeredSpeciesAct,Section10(a)(1)(B))andHabitatConservationPlan

USFWSHCPapproved,andITPissuedonDecember8,2011;HCPamendmentinprogress

NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)Compliance

USFWSFONSIissuedbyUSFWSinOctober2011;ProgrammaticEIS(forissuanceofamendedITP)inprogress

FederalAviationandAdministration(FAA)DeterminationofNoHazardtoAirNavigation

FAADeterminationobtainedpriortoconstruction

FederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC)License

FCC Licenseobtainedpriortoconstruction

STATEOFHAWAIʻI

IncidentalTakeLicense(HRSChapter195D)andHabitatConservationPlan

DOFAWHCPapproved,andITLissuedonJanuary6,2012;amendmenttoHCPinprogress

StateofHawaiʻiChapter343Compliance

DBEDT(2011EIS),DOFAW(SEIS)1

EISacceptedbyDBEDTinJuly2011andEAsubsequentlyacceptedbyDOFAWinSeptember2011;SEISinprogress

RequestforUseofStateLandsDLNR,LandManagementDivision

ApprovalnotneededascommunicationfacilitiesonMt.Kaʻalawerenotconstructed

ConservationDistrictUsePermitDLNROfficeofConservationandCoastalLands

PermitnotneededascommunicationfacilitiesonMt.Kaʻalawerenotconstructed

ForestReserveSystemSpecialUsePermit

DOFAWPermitnotneededascommunicationfacilitiesonMt.Kaʻalawerenotconstructed

NoisePermitHawaiʻiDepartmentofHealth(HODH)

Obtainedpriortoconstruction

CoastalZoneManagementAct(CZMA)FederalConsistencyDetermination

DBEDT,OfficeofPlanningFederalconsistencydeterminationdeterminedtonotberequired

StateHistoricPreservationDivision(SHPD)NotificationandReview

DLNRStateHistoricPreservationDivision(SHPD)

Concurrenceobtainedpriortoconstruction


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Permit/ApprovalAuthorizingAgency/Entity

Status

PermittoOperateorTransportOversizeand/orOverweightVehiclesandLoads

HawaiʻiDepartmentofTransportation(HDOT)HighwaysDivision

Permitobtainedpriortoconstruction

NationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)ConstructionPermit

HDOHCleanWaterBranch Permitobtainedpriortoconstruction

PowerPurchaseAgreement(PPA) HECO,PUC Agreementexecutedpriortoconstruction

CITYANDCOUNTYOFHONOLULU

ConditionalUsePermit(minor)City&CountyofHonoluluDepartmentofPlanningandPermitting(DPP)


ConditionalUsePermit(minor)foraJointDevelopmentAgreement

DPP Permitobtainedpriortoconstruction

Grading/Grubbing/Stockpiling/BuildingandOtherConstructionPermits

DPP Permitsobtainedpriortoconstruction

PermitforMovementofOversizeand/orOverweightVehiclesandLoads

City&CountyofHonoluluDept.ofTransportationServices(DTS)


OTHER

ApprovalforUseofMt.Ka’alaAccessRoad

Mt.KaʻalaJointUseCoordinatingCommittee

PermitnotneededascommunicationfacilitiesonMt.Kaʻalawerenotconstructed

1.DBEDTwastheapprovingagencyforthe2011EIS.GiventheirrequestforanSEIS,DOFAWcoordinatedwithDBEDTwithrespecttotheirresponsibilityastheapprovingagency.IncoordinationwithDBEDT,itwasdeterminedthatDOFAWwouldserveastheapprovingagencyfortheSEIS.

2.ItiscurrentlyanticipatedthattheproposedmitigationfortheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelwouldnotrequireanypermitsbasedonthescopeoftheproposedactivities.Thisconclusionwouldbeconfirmedpriortoimplementationofmitigation.


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ConsultationandDistribution

Asdescribedinthe2011EIS,KamehamehaSchoolsconductedabroadcommunityoutreachandcommunicationeffortaspartoftheirmasterplanningprocess.Thisprocessusedacommunitydialoguestructureandprovidedinterestedstakeholdersandmembersofthegeneralpublicwithmultipleopportunitiestolearnabouttheplan.Themasterplanandthecatalystprojectsdescribedaspartoftheplanweredevelopedbasedoninputandfeedbackobtainedthroughthecommunityoutreachprocess.AsoneofsevencatalystprojectsidentifiedintheMasterPlan,developmentofawindprojectintheKawailoaregionreceivedbroadexposureandwaswellsupportedinnearlyeveryoneofthemorethan30communitymeetingsconvenedduringthemasterplanningprocess.

Moredetailedcoordinationandconsultationwithresourceagencies,thecommunityandthegeneralpublicbeganin2009,whentheProjectwasfirstproposedbyKawailoaWind.Adetailedlistoftheconsultedparties,aswellastheconsultationeffortsconductedthroughouttheenvironmentalreviewprocessarepresentedinthe2011EIS(andcopiesofpubliccommentsprovidedinthe2011EISAppendicesEandF)andthesubsequentEA;thisinformationisincorporatedbyreference.Followingisadiscussionofconsultationthathasbeenconductedsubsequenttothe2011EISandEA,specificallyinsupportoftheHCPAmendmentandthisSEISprocess.

7.1 Consultation

SpecifictotheincreaseinestimatedtakeoftheHawaiianhoarybatandtheadditionofHawaiianpetrelasaCoveredSpecies,KawailoaWindinitiatedconsultationwithUSFWSandDOFAWin2015,withongoingconsultationconductedsincethattime.ConsultationeffortshaveincludedmultiplemeetingswiththeESRCandotheropportunitiesforpublicinput.AsummaryofthekeyconsultationactivitiesisprovidedinTable7‐1.

Table7‐1.SummaryofConsultationConductedforHCPAmendmentandSEISProcess

Date PartiesInvolved SummaryofConsultationActivity

November2015 USFWS,DOFAWMeetingtodiscussKawailoaWind’sintenttopursueanamendmentofHCPandITP/ITL

December29,2015 USFWS,DOFAWKawailoaWindprovidedinitialDraftHCPAmendmenttoUSFWSandDOFAW

February1,2016 USFWS USFWSprovidedcommentsoninitialDraftHCPAmendment

August9,2016 USFWS MeetingwithUSFWStodiscusstheHCPAmendment

October11,2016 USFWSUSFWSprovidedadditionalcommentsoninitialDraftHCPAmendment

December8,2016TrustforPublicLands,DLNR,ESRC

PresentationtoESRCwithTrustforPublicLandsandDLNRregardingproposedacquisitionofHelemanoWildernessAreaasTier4mitigation


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January30,2017 USFWSUSFWSprovidedasignedletterofsupporttoKawailoaWindregardingHelemanoWildernessAreaasmitigation

June26,2017 DOFAWDOFAWprovidedasignedletterofsupporttoKawailoaWindregardingHelemanoWildernessAreaasmitigation

October30,2017 USFWSandDOFAWKawailoaWindprovidedsecondDraftHCPAmendmenttoUSFWSandDOFAW

January25,2018 DOFAW DOFAWprovidedcommentsonsecondDraftHCPAmendment

January29,2018USFWSRegionalOffice

USFWSRegionalOfficeprovidedcommentsonseconddraftHCPAmendment

March27,2018 USFWSandDOFAW MeetingwithUSFWSandDOFAWtodiscusstheHCPAmendment

May1,2018 USFWSandDOFAW PresentationtoUSFWSandDOFAWonHCPAmendment

July8,2018DOFAW,OEQC,public

DOFAWpublishedSEISPreparationNotice(SEISPN)inOEQC'sEnvironmentalNotice,initiating30‐daypublicscopingperiod

July13,2018 USFWSandDOFAWKawailoaWindprovidedthirdDraftHCPAmendmenttoUSFWSandDOFAW

August7,2018 USFWS USFWSprovidedcommentsonthirdDraftHCPAmendment

August10,2018 USFWS MeetingwithUSFWStodiscusscriticalissuesonHCPAmendment

August15,2018 USFWSandDOFAWKawailoaWindprovidedfourthDraftHCPAmendmenttoUSFWSandDOFAW

August16,2018 DOFAW DOFAWprovidedcommentsonfourthDraftHCPAmendment

August29,2018 DOFAW MeetingwithDOFAWtodiscusscommentsontheHCPAmendment

September1,2018 USFWS KawailoaWindprovidedfifthDraftHCPAmendmenttoUSFWS

September14,2018 KESRPKESRPprovidedaletterofsupportwithsummaryoftheneedforfundingforpredatorcontrolandburrowmonitoringatHanakāpiʻaiandHanakoabreedingcolonies

September21,2018 DOFAWDOFAWprovidesasecondsignedletterofsupporttoKawailoaWindregardingHelemanoWildernessAreaasmitigation

September26,2018 USFWSUSFWSprovidesasecondsignedletterofsupporttoKawailoaWindregardingHelemanoWildernessAreaasmitigation

September28,2018 USFWSandDOFAWKawailoaWindprovidedsixthDraftHCPAmendmenttoUSFWSandDOFAW

October23,2018DOFAW,OEQC,public

DOFAWpublishedDraftHCPAmendmentinOEQC'sEnvironmentalNotice,initiating60‐daypubliccommentperiod

October23,2018 OEQC MeetingwithOEQCtodiscussrequirementsforSEIS

October25,2018USFWS,DOFAW,ESRC

PresentationofDraftHCPAmendmenttoESRC

November29,2018 DOFAW DOFAWheldpublichearingforDraftHCPAmendment

November20,2018USFWSRegionalOffice

USFWSRegionalOfficeprovidedcommentsonsixthdraftHCPAmendment


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December23,2018DOFAW,OEQC,public

DOFAWre‐publishedDraftHCPAmendmentinOEQC'sEnvironmentalNotice,extendingpubliccommentperiodforanadditional60days

February7,2019DOFAW,ESRCandthepublic

SitevisitbyESRC(opentomembersofthepublic)

March20‐21,2019Communitymembersandelectedofficials

One‐on‐onemeetingswithnorthshoreneighborhoodboardrepresentativesandelectedofficials

7.2 SEISPNDistribution

TheSEISPNwaspublishedinOEQC’sEnvironmentalNoticeonJuly8,2018fora30‐daypublicreviewperiod,whichbeganonthedateofpublicationandendedonAugust7,2018.NoticeoftheEISPNpublicationwasdistributedtothepartieslistedisTable7‐2.

Table7‐2.SEISPNDistributionList

FederalAgencies Organizations,IndividualsandConsultedParties

U.S.GeologicalSurvey,PacificIslandsWaterScienceCenter KamehamehaSchools

U.S.FishandWildlifeService SierraClubofHawaiʻi,OʻahuGroup

NationalMarineFisheriesService SierraClub,MauiGroup

NationalParksService HiʻipakaLLC(WaimeaValley)

NationalResourcesConservationService HawaiʻiAudubonSociety

U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers KeeptheNorthShoreCountry

DepartmentoftheNavy AhaMokuOKaupoRepresentative

FederalAviationAdministration TheNatureConservancy

FederalTransitAdministration HawaiʻiWildlifeCenter

FederalHighwaysAdministration GoodShepherdFoundation

U.S.CoastGuard MauiTomorrowFoundation

EnvironmentalProtectionAgency NRG‐Hawaiʻi

StateAgencies NRG‐WestRegion

DepartmentofAgriculture KalehuaLuʻuwai

DepartmentofAccountingandGeneralServices(DAGS) BrandonGurat

DAGSArchivesDivision KeahiBustamente

DBEDT DougMcLeod

DBEDTResearchDivisionLibrary PaulHanada

DBEDTStrategicIndustriesDivision JamesRyan

DBEDTOfficeofPlanning SallyKaye

HawaiʻiEmergencyManagementAgency DougMcLeod

DepartmentofEducation ShawnSlocum

OfficeofHawaiianAffairs PaulThurston


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HawaiʻiStateEnergyOffice BPBishopTrustEstate

City&CountyofHonolulu LouisKIII&LesleyHKAgardTrust

DepartmentofPlanningandPermitting Michael&PatriceWright

ElectedOfficials LuannCasey&GaryGunder

U.S.SenatorBrianSchatz CityandCountyofHonolulu

U.S.SenatorMazieHirono BPBishopTrustEstate

U.S.RepresentativeTulsiGabbard GordonSaker

StateSenatorGilRiviere Steve&LillianWatanabe

StateSenatorRussellE.Ruderman NewsMedia

StateRepresentativeChrisTodd HonoluluStarAdvertiser

StateRepresentativeSeanQuinlan HawaiʻiTribuneHerald

StateRepresentativeLeiR.Learmont WestHawaiʻiToday

MayorKirkCaldwell TheGardenIsland

CouncilmemberErnestY.Martin MauiNews

Chairperson,NorthShoreNeighborhoodBoard MolokaʻiDispatch

Libraries HonoluluCivilBeat

HawaiʻiStateLibrary,HawaiʻiDocumentsCenter

KaimukiRegionalLibrary

7.3 CommentsReceivedonSEISPN

UponpublicationoftheSEISPNintheEnvironmentalNotice,a30‐daypubliccommentwasheld(fromJuly8,2018toAugust7,2018).Atotalof5commentletterswerereceivedinresponsetotheSEISPN.Alistofthepartiesthatsubmittedcomments,andabriefsummaryofthosecommentsisprovidedinTable7‐3.CopiesofthecommentlettersandtheresponseprovidedtoeachareprovidedinAppendixD.


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Table7‐3.SummaryofCommentsReceivedonSEISPN

AgencyorIndividual DateofComment SummaryofCommentsProvided

StateofHawaiʻiDepartmentofAccountingandGeneralServices

LetterdatedJuly24,2018

ProjectisnotexpectedtohaveanimpactonDAGS’facilities.Requestscoordinationifthereisachangeintheseconditions.

City&CountyofHonoluluDepartmentofPlanningandPermitting

LetterdatedJuly27,2018

Nocommentsatthistime.

NoʻeauMachado Undatedletter

NotesconcernwithestimatedincreaseintakeofHawaiianhoarybatandadditionofHawaiianpetreltake,especiallyfrommembersoftheHawaiiancommunity

EmphasizesendangeredstatusanddeclineofHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrelpopulations

Expressessupportforsustainableenergysources,butstressesthatsuchprojectsarestilldevelopmentthatdriveshabitatloss

Requestsinformationregardinginitialtakecalculations,aswellasreasonswhyHawaiianhoarybattakemustbeadjustedandHawaiianpetrelwerenotinitiallyincludedinHCP

Requestsinformationregardingavoidanceandminimizationmeasures,aswellasreasonswhyadditionalmeasuresarenotalreadyinplace

Statesthatcurrentauthorizedtakeamountsshouldbeprovidedtocommunitymembersandpolicy/decisionmakersforcontext

StateofHawaiʻiOfficeofPlanning

LetterdatedAugust13,2018

Nocommentsatthistime.

7.4 DraftSEISDistribution

TheDraftSEISwassubmittedtoOEQCforpublicationintheMay8,2019editionoftheEnvironmentalNotice.PublicationoftheDraftSEISmarksthebeginningofa45‐daypublicreviewperiod,whichendsonJune24,2019.ThepartieslistedinTable7‐4wereeitherprovidedacopyoftheDraftSEISoranoticeofavailabilitylettercontaininginformationonhowtoaccessacopyoftheDraftSEIS,aswellasinstructionsonhowtosubmitcommentsontheDraftSEIS.Inaddition,alimitednumberofhard‐copydocumentswereprovidedtolibraries.


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Table7‐4.DraftSEISDistributionList


U.S.GeologicalSurvey KamehamehaSchools

U.S.FishandWildlifeService SierraClubofHawaii,OahuGroup

NationalMarineFisheriesService SierraClubofHawaii,MauiGroup

NationalParksService Hi‘ipakaLLC(WaimeaValley)

NationalResourcesConservationService HawaiʻiAudubonSociety

U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers KeeptheNorthShoreCountry

DepartmentoftheNavy SunsetBeachCommunityAssociationandPupukeaSeniors

FederalAviationAdministration NorthShoreChamberofCommerce

FederalTransitAdministration AhaMokuOKaupoRepresentative

FederalHighwaysAdministration TheNatureConservancy

U.S.CoastGuard HawaiʻiWildlifeCenter

EnvironmentalProtectionAgency GoodShepherdFoundation

StateAgencies MauiTomorrowFoundation

DepartmentofAgriculture NRG‐Hawaiʻi

DepartmentofAccountingandGeneralServices(DAGS) NRG‐WestRegion

DAGSArchivesDivision NoʻeauMachado

Dept.ofBusiness,EconomicDev.andTourism(DBEDT) KalehuaLuʻuwai

DBEDTResearchDivisionLibrary BrandonGurat

DBEDTStrategicIndustriesDivision KeahiBustamente

DBEDTOfficeofPlanning DougMcLeod

HawaiʻiEmergencyManagementAgency PaulHanada

DepartmentofEducation JamesRyan

HawaiʻiStateEnergyOf ice SallyKaye

DepartmentofHawaiianHomelands DougMcLeod

DepartmentofHealth,EnvironmentalHealthAdministration ShawnSlocum

DepartmentofLandandNaturalResources PaulThurston

StateHistoricPreservationDivision BPBishopTrustEstate

DepartmentofTransportation LouisKIII&LesleyHKAgardTrust

UniversityofHawaiʻiWaterResourcesResearchCenter Michael&PatriceWright

UniversityofHawaiʻiEnvironmentalCenter LuannCasey&GaryGunder

OfficeofHawaiianAffairs CityandCountyofHonolulu

City&CountyofHonolulu BPBishopTrustEstate

BoardofWaterSupply GordonSaker

DepartmentofDesignandConstruction Steve&LillianWatanabe

DepartmentofEnvironmentalServices Libraries

DepartmentofFacilitiesMaintenance HawaiʻiStateLibrary,HawaiʻiDocumentsCenter

HonoluluFireDepartment KaimukiRegionalLibrary

DepartmentofCommunityServices KahukuPublicandSchoolLibrary

DepartmentofPlanningandPermitting WaialuaPublicLibrary


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DepartmentofParksandRecreation UniversityofHawaii(UH)ThomasH.HamiltonLibrary

HonoluluPoliceDepartment UHHilo,EdwinH.MoʻokiniLibrary

DepartmentofTransportationServices UHMauiCollegeLibrary

ElectedOfficials KauaiCommunityCollegeLibrary

U.S.SenatorBrianSchatz LegislativeReferenceBureauLibrary

U.S.SenatorMazieHirono NewsMedia

U.S.RepresentativeTulsiGabbard HonoluluStarAdvertiser

StateSenatorGilRiviere HawaiʻiTribuneHerald

StateRepresentativeNicoleE.Lowen WestHawaiʻiToday

StateRepresentativeTinaWildberger TheGardenIsland

StateSenatorGlennWakai MauiNews

StateSenatorBrianT.Taniguchi MolokaiDispatch

StateSenatorMikeGabbard HonoluluCivilBeat

StateSenatorRussellE.Ruderman TheNorthShoreNews

StateRepresentativeSeanQuinlan

StateRepresentativeAmyPerruso

MayorKirkCaldwell

CouncilmemberHeidiTsuneyoshi

NorthShoreNeighborhoodBoard,Chair


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ListofPreparers

AdetailedlistofthepeopleresponsiblefortheoriginalEISanalysisanddocumentationisprovidedinSection8ofthe2011EIS;thislistisincorporatedbyreference.AdditionalpeopleinvolvedinthepreparationofthisDraftSEISandtheirrespectiverolesarelistedinTable8‐1.

Table8‐1.ListofPreparersforDraftSEIS

Name PrimaryResponsibility

LisaKettley,TetraTech Seniorplanner

KarenBrimacombe,TetraTech Projectplanner

TiffanyAgostini,TetraTech Biologicalresources(HCPamendment)

MattStelmach,TetraTech Biologicalresources(HCPamendment)

AliciaOller,TetraTech Biologicalresources(HCPamendment)

KristinaDick,TetraTech GISdatamanagementandmapping

RustyChilders,TetraTech Technicalediting

LinneaFossum,TetraTech Seniorreview

BritaWoeck,KawailoaWind Environmentalcompliancemanager

AdamYoung,KawailoaWind Assetmanager


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Winkelman,J.E.1995.Bird/windturbineinvestigationsinEurope(Appendix2B).InProceedingsofNationalAvian–WindPowerPlanningMeetingI,Lakewood,CO,1994.(LGLLtd.,ed.)pp.110–140.

Young,D.P.,Jr.,K.Bay,S.Nomani,andW.L.Tidhar.2011.NedPowerMountStormWindEnergyFacilitypost‐constructionavianandbatmonitoring:July‐October2010.Preparedfor


KawailoaWindFarm 93

NedPowerMountStorm,LLC,Houston,Texas.PreparedbyWesternEcoSystemsTechnology,Inc.(WEST),Cheyenne,WY.

Young,D.P.,Jr.,S.Nomani,Z.Courage,andK.Bay.2012.NedPowerMountStormWindEnergyFacilitypost‐constructionavianandbatmonitoring:July‐October2011.PreparedforNedPowerMountStorm,LLC,Houston,Texas.PreparedbyWesternEcoSystemsTechnology,Inc.(WEST),Cheyenne,Wyoming.

Young,L.andE.VanderWerf.2016.HabitatsuitabilityassessmentforlistedseabirdsinthemainHawaiianIslands.Availableat:http://www.pacificrimconservation.org/wp‐content/uploads/2017/05/Young‐and‐VanderWerf‐2016‐statewide‐listed‐seabird‐habitat‐suitability‐final‐report‐draft.pdf.

Young,L.,E.VanderWerf,M.McKown,P.Roberts,J.Schlueter,A.Vorsino,andD.Sischo.Inprep.EvidenceofCurrentPopulationsofNewell’sShearwatersandHawaiianPetrelsonOʻahu,Haw


KawailoaWindFarm

AppendixA.2011EISand2011EAAcceptanceandPublication

Documentation

1

THE ENVIRONMENTAL NOTICE A semi-monthly periodic bulletin published by the Office of Environmental Quality Control pursuant to

Section 343-3, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes

July 8, 2011

HAWAIʻI NOTICES (HRS 343) 1. Kawaihae Road – Waiaka Bridge Replacement and Realignment of Approaches DEA ................................... 2 2. Hawaiʻi Experimental Tropical Forest: Laupahoehoe Construction DEA .......................................................... 2

MAUI NOTICE (HRS 343)

3. Easter Seals Hawaiʻi Maui Center for Disability Services FEA .......................................................................... 3 OʻAHU NOTICES (HRS 343)

4. Hilton Hawaiian Village Master Plan Improvements FEIS ................................................................................ .4 5. Kalaeloa Energy Corridor FEA ........................................................................................................................... 4 6. Kawailoa Wind Farm FEIS ................................................................................................................................. 5

KAUAʻI NOTICES (HRS 343) 7. Secret Beach Properties FEA ........................................................................................................................... 6 8. Pipeline Replacement from Kilauea to Anini DEA ............................................................................................. 7

HAR §11-200-27 DETERMINATION

Determination on Change of Ingress/Egress: Lalamilo Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (November, 2002) ....................................................................................... 7

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT NOTICES

Special Management Area Minor Permits ................................................................................................................ 8 Federal Consistency Reviews .................................................................................................................................. 8

SHORELINE NOTICES

Certification Applications .................................................................................................................................. 9 Certifications and Rejections ........................................................................................................................... 10

POLLUTION CONTROL PERMITS ........................................................................................................................... 10

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY RESPONSE PROGRAM APPLICATION ............................................... …………...….11 FEDERAL NOTICES .......................................................................................................................................... …...11 ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL NOTICES .............................................................................................................. ...13

Glossary …………………………………………………………………………………………………………...14 Note: If you get a message saying that the file is damaged when you click on the link, then the file is too big to open within your

web browser. To view the file, download directly to your hard drive by going to File and select Save As in your web browser.

The Environmental Notice informs the public of environmental assessments and other documents that are available for review and comment per HRS 343-3 and is issued on the 8

th and 23

rd of each month on the Office of Environmental Quality Control‘s

website. If you would like to be notified when it is issued, send us your email address and we‘ll put you on our mailing list. Neil Abercrombie, Governor · Gary Hooser, Director · Office of Environmental Quality Control · 235 South Beretania Street, Suite 702 · Honolulu, HI 96813 Tel: 586-4185 · Fax: 586-4186 · Email: [email protected]ʻi.gov Website: http://Hawaiʻi.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.html/ Toll Free: Kauaʻi: 274-3141 ext. 64185 · Maui: 984-2400 ext. 64185 · Molokaʻi/Lānai: 1-800-468-4644 ext. 64185 · Hawaiʻi: 974-4000 ext. 64185

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2011-07-08-DEA-Kawaihae-Road-Waiaka-Bridge-Repair-and-Realignment.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2011-07-08-DEA-Hawaii-Experimental-Tropical-Forest-Laupahoehoe-Construction.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Maui/2010s/2011-07-08-FEA-Easter-Seals-Hawaii-Maui-Center-for-Disability-Services.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-07-08-DEIS-Hilton-Hawaiian-Village-Master-Plan-Volume-I.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-07-08-FEA-Kalaeloa-Energy-Corridor.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-07-08-FEIS-Kawailoa-Wind-Farm.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Kauai/2010s/2011-07-08-FEA-Secret-Beach-Properties.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Kauai/2010s/2011-07-08-DEA-Kilauea-to-Anini-Pipeline-Replacement.pdf

mailto:[email protected]

http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.html/

The Environmental Notice Office of Environmental Quality Control July 8, 2011

5

Kawailoa Wind Farm

Proposing/Determination Agency: Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority, State of Hawaiʻi, 461 Cooke Street, Honolulu,

Hawaiʻi 96813. Contact: Tesha Malama, (808) 692-7245 Consultant: Belt Collins Hawaiʻi Ltd., 2153 North King Street, Suite 200, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96819.

Contact: Glen Koyama, (808) 521-5361 Status: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

The proposed action calls for the installation of a utility duct-line along lower Fort Barrette Road and Enterprise Avenue from Kapolei Parkway to Midway Road. The new duct-line is to provide a separate utility system from the existing Navy system of the former Naval Air Station-Barbers Point to serve the non-Navy occupants in Kalaeloa. A connecting duct-line will also be installed along Saratoga Avenue from an existing electrical substation to the new duct-line along Enterprise Avenue.

The proposed duct-line will have a total length of approximately 8,400 feet and a typical section that measures 1-1/2 feet by 3 feet. It will include several encased PVC conduits to separately hold electrical cables, telephone lines, and cable TV lines. With the provision of power along Enterprise Avenue, the proposed action will also include the installation of street lighting fixtures.

The proposed duct-line will be installed predominantly under the road pavement at a depth of approximately five feet (along lower Fort Barrette Road, the duct-line will be in shoulder area). To assure no interference or disruption of existing utility services, the specific location of the duct-line within the project rights-of-way will be coordinated with the U.S. Navy and utility companies having current facilities within the affected ROWs. A traffic control plan will be implemented to accommodate through traffic during project construction. The long-term operations of the underground duct-line will not result in any significant adverse impact on the environment.

The source of funding for the project will be State of Hawaiʻi monies through the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid 2011 and be completed by the end of 2012. 6. Kawailoa Wind Farm Final EIS

Island: Oʻahu District: Waialua TMK: Wind farm: 61005001, 61006001, 61007001, 62011001

Traversed by existing onsite access roads: 61005003, 61005007, 61005014, 61005015, 61005016, 61005019, 61005020, 61005021, 61005022, 61008025, 62002001, 62002002, 62002025, 62009001 Communication sites: 67003024

Permits: Wind farm: Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10 Incidental Take Permit; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation; Federal Communications Commission (FCC) License; State Endangered Species Incidental Take License; Noise Permit; Permit to Operate or Transport Oversize and/or Overweight Vehicles and Loads; Conditional Use Permit (Minor) Communication site: Conservation District Use Permit; Request for Use of State Lands; Forest Reserve System Special Use Permit

Applicant: Kawailoa Wind, LLC, 810 Richards Street, Suite 650, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813. Contact: Wren Wescoatt, (808) 695-3300

Approving Agency: State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT),

P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96804. Contact: Ms. Malama Minn, (808) 587-9000 Consultant: CH2M HILL, Inc., 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1100, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813.

Contact: Paul Luersen; Phone: (808) 943-1133 Status: Accepted by the Approving Agency

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-07-08-FEIS-Kawailoa-Wind-Farm.pdf

The Environmental Notice Office of Environmental Quality Control July 8, 2011

6

SECRET BEACH

The Proposed Action is to construct and operate a 70-megawatt wind farm on Kamehameha Schools‘ Kawailoa Plantation lands. In addition to wind turbine generators and appurtenant facilities at the wind farm site, the project would require installation of communication equipment on existing structures at existing communication sites on Mt. Kaʻala. The Final EIS evaluates the ecological, aesthetic, historic, cultural, military training, economic, social, and health effects that could result from the Proposed Action and its alternatives. This evaluation indicates that the adverse impacts would be relatively small in comparison to the benefits provided by the generation of additional renewable energy for Oʻahu consumers. To the extent possible, the Proposed Action has been developed so as to avoid or minimize potential adverse impacts; in those cases where impacts cannot be avoided or minimized, mitigation measures have been identified. The Proposed Action has the potential for incidental take of six federally and/or State listed threatened or endangered species. The cumulative effects of other existing and proposed wind farms on Oʻahu‘s North Shore were considered in the analysis of potential take. The proposed mitigation is expected to more than offset the anticipated take and provide a net benefit to the listed species. KAUAʻI NOTICES (HRS 343) 7. Secret Beach Properties Final EA (FONSI)

Island: Kauaʻi District: Hanalei TMK: (4) 5-2-005:036 Permits: Conservation District Use Permit, Special Management

Area Minor Permit, and Shoreline Setback Determination Applicant: Secret Beach Properties, LLC, P.O. Box 781, Kilauea, Hawaiʻi 96754. Contact: Michele

and Justin Hughes, (808) 639-0904 Approving Agency: Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands,

Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813. Contact: Mr. Samuel Lemmo, (808) 587-0377

Consultant: SSFM International, Inc., 501 Sumner Street, Suite 620, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817. Contact: Ms. Robyn Loudermilk, (808) 531-1308

Status: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Secret Beach Properties, LLC will obtain a number of after-the-fact permits for approximately two (2) miles of trails and associated improvements across the width of the 23.803 acres property as well as two mauka-makai trails from the top of the coastal bluff to the shoreline area. These trails are required to access and maintain the property.

Additionally, Secret Beach Properties, LLC will seek approval for the removal of unwanted vegetation, including trees, subject to plans to be submitted to and approved by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands.

Lastly, Secret Beach Properties, LLC will also seek approval for the installation of a mauka boundary fence should illegal activities continue to occur on the property. These improvements are required for access and management of these lands.

Maintenance activities associated with the proposed action may directly result in short term impacts related to air and noise quality. Construction activities associated with the mauka boundary fence may also result in short term impacts to air and noise quality. However, these impacts will be localized and not affect surrounding properties. Air and noise quality will be mitigated through the use of appropriate best management practices.

Secondary impacts are not expected due to the size and location of the proposed action. Cumulative impacts of the proposed action are neutral to positive. The existing improvements will

remain in place and continue to be compatible with the natural characteristics of the Property. Proposed

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Kauai/2010s/2011-07-08-FEA-Secret-Beach-Properties.pdf

THE ENVIRONMENTAL NOTICE

A semi-monthly periodic bulletin published by the Office of Environmental Quality Control pursuant to Section 343-3,

Hawai`i Revised Statutes October 8, 2011

1

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CHAPTER 343, HRS DOCUMENTS .............................................................. 2

HAWAIʻI (HRS 343) 1. High Altitude Mountain Environment Training FEA . .......................................................................................... 2

MAUI (HRS 343) 2. Fedele Residence Addition DEA ........................................................................................................................ 3

MOLOKAʻI (HRS 343) 3. Kainalu Mesic Forest Restoration FEA .............................................................................................................. 3

OʻAHU (HRS 343) 4. Borsa Shoreline Setback Variance FEA ............................................................................................................. 4 5. Hale Kipa Residential Variance DEA/NEPA ....................................................................................................... 4 6. Kawailoa Wind Power Facility Habitat Conservation Plan FEA ......................................................................... 5 7. Haleiwa Commercial Redevelopment FEA ........................................................................................................ 5

KAUAʻI (HRS 343) 8. Stanley Single-Family Residence and After the Fact Culvert Crossing DEA ..................................................... 6 9. Pipeline Replacement from Kilauea to Anini FEA .............................................................................................. 7

10. Pipeline Replacement Along Kuamoʻo and Wailua Roads, Ohana and Anolani Streets and Lehia Lane DEA .............................................................................................. 7

NEPA NOTICES 11. Navy Region Hawaiʻi Fiscal Year 2011 Demolition Plan .................................................................................... 8

POLLUTION CONTROL PERMITS ........................................................................................................................... 9

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT NOTICES Special Management Area Minor Permits ........................................................................................................... 9

SHORELINE NOTICES Certification Applications ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Certifications and Rejections .................................................................................................................................. 11

CONSERVATION NOTICES ..................................................................................................................................... 11

ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL NOTICE ................................................................................................................... 12

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY RESPONSE PROGRAM APPLICATION ..................................................................... 12

FEDERAL NOTICES ................................................................................................................................................. 13

Glossary .................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Note: If you get a message saying that the file is damaged when you click on the link, then the file is too big to open within your web browser. To view the file, download directly to your hard drive by going to File and select Save As in your web browser.

The Environmental Notice informs the public of environmental assessments and other documents that are available for review and comment per HRS 343-3 and is issued on the 8

th and 23

rd of each month on the Office of Environmental Quality Control‘s

website. If you would like to be notified when it is issued, send us your email address and we‘ll put you on our mailing list.

Neil Abercrombie, Governor · Gary Hooser, Director · Office of Environmental Quality Control · 235 South Beretania Street, Suite 702 · Honolulu, HI 96813 Tel: 586-4185 · Fax: 586-4186 · Email: [email protected] · Website:

http://Hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.html/ Toll Free: Kauaʻi: 274-3141 ext. 64185 · Maui: 984-2400 ext. 64185 · Molokaʻi/Lānaʻi: 1-800-468-4644 ext. 64185

Hawaiʻi: 974-4000 ext. 64185

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2011-10-08-FEA-High-Altitude-Mountanous-Env-Trng.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Maui/2010s/2011-10-08-DEA-Fedele-Residence-Improvements.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Molokai/2010s/2011-10-08-FEA-Kainalu-Mesic-Forest-Restoration.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-10-08-FEA-Borsa-Shoreline-Setback-Variance.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-10-08-DEA-NEPA-Hale-Kipa-Residential-Shelter.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-10-08-FEA-Kawailoa%20Wind%20Power%20Habitat%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-10-08-FEA-Haleiwa-Commercial-Redevelopment.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Kauai/2010s/2011-10-08-DEA-Stanley-Residence-and-After-the-Fact-Culvert.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Kauai/2010s/2011-10-08-FEA-Pipeline-Replacement-Kilauea-Anini.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Kauai/2010s/2011-10-08-DEA-Pipeline-Replacement-Kuamoo-Wailua.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Kauai/2010s/2011-10-08-DEA-Pipeline-Replacement-Kuamoo-Wailua.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/NEPA%20and%20Other%20Documents/2011-10-08-NEPA-Navy-Demolition-Plan.pdf

mailto:[email protected]

http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.html/

The Environmental Notice Office of Environmental Quality Control October 8, 2011

5

Kawailoa Project Location

The site comprises 4.26 acres abutting old Fort Weaver Road. The project involves the construction of three 2,450 square foot, eight-bed, ADA-compliant residential shelters that will replace existing facilities, a 4,000 square foot educational facility, and a 12,600 square foot services center consolidating programs, services and administration. This project will enhance services to clients, provide an integrative and collaborative environment for staff/volunteers, include a training center for staff/foster families, and significantly reduce overhead relating to leases and maintenance. Consolidation of services will create economies of scale for the organization.

This EA addresses the potential for anticipated environmental impacts and considers the alternatives to the proposed action with appropriate mitigation measures to address and minimize the potential for impacts. The Department of Community Services has preliminarily determined that the project will not have a significant environmental impact and is prepared to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in accordance with NEPA and Chapter 343, HRS. 6. Kawailoa Wind Power Facility Habitat Conservation Plan Final EA (FONSI)

Island: Oʻahu District: Waialua TMK: 6-1-005:001, 6-1-006:001, 6-1-007:001, 6-2-009:001, 6-2-011:001 Permits: Incidental Take License and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Applicant: First Wind; Kawailoa Wind Power LLC, 810 Richards St., #650, Honolulu, HI 96813-4714.

Contact: (808) 695-3300 Approving Agency: Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW),

1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96815. Contact: (808) 587-0166 Consultant: SWCA Environmental Consultants, 201 Merchant Street Suite 2310, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Contact: (808) 548-7922

Status: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) determination Kawailoa Wind Power LLC (or the ―Applicant‖) proposes to

implement a HCP to mitigate impacts to threatened and endangered species from the construction and operation of a new 70-megawatt (MW), 30-turbine commercial wind energy generation facility at Kawailoa in the northern portion of the Island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.

A FEA was developed for the activities proposed in the project‘s HCP. The HCP project will mitigate the take of six federally threatened and endangered species; the Hawaiian stilt or aeʻo (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), Hawaiian coot or ‗alae keʻokeʻo (Fulica alai), Hawaiian duck or koloa maoli (Anas wyvilliana), Hawaiian moorhen or ‗alae ‗ula (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis), Newell‘s shearwater or ‗a‘o (Puffinus auricularis newelli), and Hawaiian hoary bat or ‗ope‘ape‘a (Lasiurus cinereus semotus); and one State listed endangered species, the Hawaiian short-eared owl or pueo (Asio flammeus sandwichensis). The mitigation actions include development and testing of cat self-resetting traps and efficiency testing and implementation at a Newell‘s shearwater colony on Kaua‘i for seabird mitigation; predator control, fencing, and vegetation maintenance at ‗Ukoʻa Pond or other site for five years for water bird mitigation; a contribution of $12,500 up to a maximum of $25,000 for research and rehabilitation for puʻeo mitigation; and restoration of wetland or forest habitat for bat mitigation. DOFAW has determined that implementation of the HCP will not have significant environmental impacts and has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) notice for the FEA. 7. Haleiwa Commercial Redevelopment Final EA (FONSI)

Island: Oʻahu District: Waialua TMK: TMK (1) 6-6-004:013-19, 27, 28, and 32 Permits: Zone Change, Haleiwa Special District, Consolidation and Subdivision of Parcels,

Conditional Use Permit (CUP), and Joint Development Agreement (JDA)

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-10-08-FEA-Kawailoa%20Wind%20Power%20Habitat%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2010s/2011-10-08-FEA-Haleiwa-Commercial-Redevelopment.pdf


KawailoaWindFarm

AppendixB.LetterfromtheDepartmentofBusiness,EconomicDevelopment,and

Tourism


KawailoaWindFarm

AppendixC.SupplementalEISDetermination

DAVIDY.IGE GOVERNOR OF

HAWAl'l

TO:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

f ilE C O Pi-1 ; SUZANNE D. CASE

AllO,OP UN~:SJ:ALRESOUROIS SJONON WAlER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

J ~OBERT K. MASUDA

------ FIRST DEPUTY

JUL 08

, JEFFREY T. PEARSON, P,I!,

DEPUTY DIRECTOR - WATER

AQUATIC RESOURCES

201hBOA1lNO AND OCEAN RBC'REATION

BUREAU OF CONVEYANCES SION ON WATER. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

CONSERVATION ANDCOASTALUNDS CONSEllVAnON AND RESOURCES BNPORCl!MENT

STATE OF HAWAI'I DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

ENGINEERING FORE>"lllY ANO WIWLIFE KlSTORJC PRESERVATION

KAHOOLAWE 151.A,"IIO RESERVE COMMISSION LAND

POST OFFICE BOX 621 STATE PARKS

HONOLULU, HAW AI'I 96809

June 22, 2018 ~ .... • oc-> -C:o a, ::u >.,, r- !a m Scott Glenn, Director -f'T'I

..... 2: 0 Office of Environmental Quality Control -<<

(")- 9e m 0::0 -

Suzanne D. Case, Chairperson~. zi .. < -4~ ::Or,, w m

Department of Land and Natural Resources fez .. 0 -- \0 ,a.. -

Request for Publication of DLNR' s Determination that a Supplemental Environmental hnpact Statement is Required Prior to Major Amendment to the Kawailoa Wind Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take License, O'ahu Island

We respectfully request publication of the subject Determination in the next Environmental Notice. A completed Office of Environmental Quality Control Publication Form is included in this submittal which we are providing via email to [email protected].

Please contact Glenn Metzler, Protected Species Habitat Conservation Planning Associate at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at [email protected] or 808-587-4149 with any questions.

cc: Brita Woeck, Kawailoa Wind, LLC

Attachment: (1) Completed OEQC Publication form for Kawailoa Wind SEIS Determination

18-699

Office of Environmental Quality Control February 2016 Revision

-Project Name:

Project Short Name:

HRS §343-5 Trigger(s):

lsland(s): -Judicial District(s):

TMK(s):

Permit(s)/Approval(s):

Approving Agency:

Contact Name, Email, Telephone, Address

Applicant:

Contact Name, Email, Telephone, Address -

Consultant: -Contact Name, Email,

Telephone, Address

Status (select one) DEA-AFNSI

FEA-FONSI

FEA-EISPN

Act 172-12 EISPN ("Direct to EIS")

DEIS

FEIS

_ FEIS Acceptance Determination

-

- -

APPLICANT PUBLICATION FORM ---

Kawailoa Wind Project Supplemental EIS -

-Kawailoa Wind Project Supplemental EIS

Substantive changes in size, scope, location, intensity, use, or timing. Original trigger for EIS: use of State Lands; Conservation District Use Permit - - -- - -O'ahu

City and County of Honolulu

(1) 6-1-005:001, (1) 6-1-006:001, (1) 6-1-007:001, (1) 6-2-011:001

State Incidental Take License

State of Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources

Glenn Metzler, Habitat Conservation Planning Associate [email protected], (808) 587-4149 Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813 Honolulu, HI 96813

Kawailoa Wind, LLC

Brita Woeck, [email protected], (206) 949-5228, 61-488 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI 96712

SWCA Environmental Consultants

Amanda Childs, [email protected], (503) 224-0333, 1220 SW Morrison, Suite 700, Portland, OR 97205

Submittal Requirements Submit 1) the approving agency notice of determination/transmittal letter on agency letterhead, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the DEA, and 4) a searchable PDF of the DEA; a 30-day comment period follows from the date of publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) the approving agency notice of determination/transmittal letter on agency letterhead, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the FEA, and 4) a searchable PDF of the FEA; no comment period follows from publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) the approving agency notice of determination/transmittal letter on agency letterhead, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the FEA, and 4) a searchable PDF of the FEA; a 30-day comment period follows from the date of publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) the approving agency notice of determination letter on agency letterhead and 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file; no EA is required and a 30-day comment period follows from the date of publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) a transmittal letter to the OEQC and to the approving agency, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the DEIS, 4) a searchable PDF of the DEIS, and 5) a searchable PDF of the distribution list; a 45-day comment period follows from the date of publication in the Notice.

Submit 1) a transmittal letter to the OEQC and to the approving agency, 2) this completed OEQC publication form as a Word file, 3) a hard copy of the FEIS, 4) a searchable PDF of the FEIS, and 5) a searchable PDF of the distribution list; no comment period follows from publication in the Notice.

The approving agency simultaneously transmits to both the OEQC and the applicant a letter of its determination of acceptance or nonacceptance (pursuant to Section 11-200-23, HAR) of the FEIS; no comment period ensues upon publication in the Notice.

18-699

-

__ FEIS Statutory Acceptance

_X_ Supplemental EIS Determination

Withdrawal

Other

Decision and Explanation

The approving agency simultaneously transmits to both the OEQC and the applicant a notice that it did not make a timely determination on the acceptance or nonacceptance of the applicant's FEIS under Section 343-S{c), HRS, and therefore the applicant's FEIS is deemed accepted as a matter of law.

The approving agency simultaneously transmits its notice to both the applicant and the OEQC that it has reviewed (pursuant to Section 11-200-27, HAR) the previously accepted FEIS and determines that a supplemental EIS is or is not required; no EA is required and no comment period ensues upon publication in the Notice.

Identify the specific document(s) to withdraw and explain in the project summary section.

Contact the OEQC if your action is not one of the above items.

The Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has determined that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required to evaluate impacts from the Habitat Conservation Plan Amendment for the Kawailoa Wind Project. Kawailoa Wind, LLC operates a 69-megawatt wind energy generation facility near Hale'iwa on O'ahu, Hawai'i. The effects of the construction and operation of the project were initially analyzed and described in an environmental impact statement (EIS) approved by the Hawai'i Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) on July 20, 2011. Although no new construction or change in operations is planned, Kawailoa Wind is requesting an increase in the amount of authorized Hawaiian hoary bat take to cover the remaining years of the permit term, and requesting incidental fake authorization for the Hawaiian petrel, a new covered species. Kawailoa Wind is preparing an HCP amendment to support their request. The determination of the need for a supplemental EIS was made because of the request for an increase in the amount of authorized Hawaiian hoary bat take which will have the potential for an increased intensity of impact, and because of the new request for authorized take for the Hawaiian petrel.


KawailoaWindFarm

AppendixD.SEISPNCommentsandResponses

Kawailoa Wind, LLC

1166 Avenue of the Americas Ninth Floor

New York, NY 10036 (212) 478-0000

FAX (212) 478-0100

April 29, 2019

Mr. Roderick K. Becker, Comptroller State of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services P.O. Box 119 Honolulu, HI 96810

RE: Response to Comment Letter on the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (SEISPN) for the Kawailoa Wind Project; Waialua District, Oahu

Dear Mr. Becker:

Thank you for your comment letter dated July 24, 2018 in response to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (SEISPN) for the Kawailoa Wind Project. We appreciate your response and understand that you do not anticipate that the Project will impact your facility at the summit of Mt. Kaʻala. We will keep you informed regarding publication of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), which will include a 45-day public review period.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Brita Woeck at (206) 949-5228 or [email protected].

Sincerely,

Kawailoa Wind, LLC

Bryan Martin

Authorized Signatory

cc: Glenn Metzler, Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife

Kawailoa Wind, LLC


New York, NY 10036 (212) 478-0000

FAX (212) 478-0100

April 29, 2019

Ms. Kathy Sokugawa, Acting Director City & County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting 650 South King Street, 7th Floor Honolulu, HI 96813


Dear Ms. Sokugawa:

Thank you for your comment letter dated July 27, 2018 in response to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (SEISPN) for the Kawailoa Wind Project. We appreciate your response and understand that you have no comments at this time. We will keep you informed regarding publication of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), which will include a 45-day public review period.


Sincerely,

Kawailoa Wind, LLC

Bryan Martin



To: Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii

Glenn Metzler, Habitat Conservation Planning Associate 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813

From: No’eau Machado

Subject: Review of “Request for Publication of the Environmental Impact Statement

Preparation Notice (EISPN) for Kawailoa Wind Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take License, O’ahu Island” Kawailoa Wind Project EISPN

Aloha, My name is No’eau Machado. I am writing this review through the lens of an environmental planning student at UH Manoa, a life‐long resident of O’ahu with a cultural and ancestral connection to this place, and as someone who cares for the native species of Hawai’i. I am also interested in this project and EISPN as an environmental science student with a passion and educational focus on sustainability in Hawai’i and sustainable energy projects such as Kawailoa Wind Farm. As a student new to environmental planning and regulation, it is to my findings that this document meets the content requirement listed in HAR §11‐200. I believe there are members of the Hawaiian community, especially those with ties to the native and endangered species of the state, who would be concerned with an increase in the amount of authorized Hawaiian hoary bat and Hawaiian petrel take for this Kawailoa Wind project. As I’m sure you are well aware, the Hawaiian hoary bat or ōpe’ape’a is listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and is the only land mammal endemic to the state of Hawai’i. Fossil records indicate that the Hawaiian hoary bat was once found on the islands of Hawai’i, Moloka’i, Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i. However, over the course of the 19th century due primary to habitat loss caused by increased human population, this native species has seen its numbers be greatly reduced, especially on O’ahu. It is because of the dwindling population size of this endangered and unique native species that I am skeptical when I read about a proposed increase in the amount of authorized Hawaiian hoary bat take for this Kawailoa Wind project.

I was also skeptical when reading about a proposed take authorization for the Hawaiian petrel or ‘ua’u as a new covered species for this project. Also listed as an endangered species, the Hawaiian petrel has endured a similar plight as the Hawaiian hoary bat. Many native species such as the hoary bat and petrel have seen massive habitat loss due to human development. Although I am in favor of sustainable energy sources in the state of Hawai’i, they are also included in this system of human development that drives habitat loss for species that may be native and endangered. With this proposed plan for increasing authorized take of two endangered native species, I am curious as to how the initial amount of authorized take for the Hawaiian hoary bat was calculated, and why that number needs to be adjusted? Were there possibly mistakes made upon initial calculations? I am also curious as to why it is being proposed for the Hawaiian petrel to be added now, and not at the beginning of this project in the initial EIS? Although skeptical about the potential increase in the amount of authorized take for two endangered native species, I do believe the habitat conservation plan proposed for this project is a very good starting point. My primary concern with this plan could be the vague wording the first listed change/provision: “additional measures to avoid and minimize Hawaiian hoary bat take;”. I would be interested to know what these measures would be and how they would be implemented? I’m sure there are already measures in place to avoid and minimize take for all species and was curious as to why these additional measures were not already in place upon the initial EIS for this project. I would also be interested to know what mitigation processes would be put into place to avoid and minimize Hawaiian petrel take, should they be added as a covered species under this project. Regarding the request for an increase in the amount of authorized take for the Hawaiian

hoary bat and addition of authorized take of the Hawaiian petrel, I believe it would be

beneficial to give the current authorized take amount of the Hawaiian hoary bat to give

community members and policy/decision makers context on the proposition of increasing

this amount.

Mahalo, Noʻeau Machado

Kawailoa Wind, LLC


New York, NY 10036 (212) 478-0000

FAX (212) 478-0100

April29,2019

Mr.NoʻeauMachadoViaemail:[email protected]

RE: ResponsetoCommentLetterontheSupplementalEnvironmentalImpactStatementPreparationNotice(SEISPN)fortheKawailoaWindProject;WaialuaDistrict,Oahu

DearMr.Machado:

ThankyouforyourcommentletterinresponsetotheSupplementalEnvironmentalImpactStatementPreparationNotice(SEISPN)fortheKawailoaWindProject.WeappreciateyoutakingthetimetoreviewtheSEISPNandtosubmityourcomments.

WeshareyourconcernforthecontinuedwelfareoftheHawaiianhoarybatandtheHawaiianpetrelandarecommittedtoreducingtakeofthesespeciestotheextentpracticable.Inresponsetoyourrequestsforfurtherinformation,theDraftSupplementalEnvironmentalImpactStatement(SEIS)willincludethefollowinginformationwithadditionaldetailprovidedintheDraftHabitatConservationPlan(HCP)Amendment:

AdiscussionofhowtheoriginaltakeestimatefortheHawaiianhoarybatwascalculated,andthereasonsthetakeestimateneedstobeadjusted;

IdentificationofthecurrentauthorizedtakelevelsfortheHawaiianhoarybatandtherequestedincreaseintakelevels;

AdiscussionoftheHawaiianpetrelandthereasonswhytakeauthorizationisnowbeingrequestedforthisspecies(andthereasonsitwasnotincludedintheoriginaltakeauthorizationrequest);and

Identificationoftheavoidance,minimizationandmitigationmeasuresfortheHawaiianhoarybatandHawaiianpetrel,anddiscussionofhowthesemeasureswouldbeimplemented.

Again,weappreciateyourparticipationintheenvironmentalreviewprocess.WewillkeepyouinformedregardingpublicationoftheDraftSEIS,whichwillincludea45‐daypublicreviewperiod.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorrequireadditionalinformation,pleasecontactBrita Woeckat (206)949‐[email protected].

Sincerely,

KawailoaWind,LLC

BryanMartin

AuthorizedSignatory

cc:GlennMetzler,DepartmentofLandandNaturalResourcesDivisionofForestryandWildlife

Kawailoa Wind, LLC


New York, NY 10036 (212) 478-0000

FAX (212) 478-0100

April 29, 2019

Mr. Leo R. Asuncion, Director State of Hawaii, Office of Planning P.O. Box 2359 Honolulu, HI 96804


Dear Mr. Asuncion:

Thank you for your comment letter dated August 13, 2018 in response to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (SEISPN) for the Kawailoa Wind Project. We appreciate your response and understand that you have no comments in response to the SEISPN. We will keep you informed regarding publication of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), which will include a 45-day public review period.


Sincerely,

Kawailoa Wind, LLC

Bryan Martin

