FSEC approves Horse Heaven Wind Farm ferruginous hawk mitigation plan despite public comments
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Summary
FSEC approved an updated ferruginous‑hawk nest mitigation and management plan for the Horse Heaven Wind Farm and heard staff estimates that extended post‑construction mortality monitoring would cost $800,000–$1,000,000 annually; the council voted 4–0 to approve the plan.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council on Feb. 18 approved an updated ferruginous‑hawk nest mitigation and management plan submitted by Horse Heaven Wind Farm LLC that implements special‑status species mitigation measure Wild5 in the site certification agreement.
Amy Moon, reporting for Horse Heaven, said staff had posted two PTAG facilitator reports and additional facilitator reports addressing habitat corridors, ground squirrel mitigation, and a pronghorn study plan; the certificate holder submitted a pronghorn capture plan to place radio collars as part of monitoring. Sean Green, FSEC SEPA specialist, summarized revisions to the hawk nest management plan, noting staff added a Washington Administrative Code reference and clarified that FSEC retains decision authority if there is disagreement with the Department of Fish and Wildlife on placement of artificial nesting platforms.
Council members asked staff to obtain cost estimates for potentially extending post‑construction mortality monitoring and raptor nest surveys from three to five years of operation. Sean Green reported estimates provided by the certificate holder: mortality monitoring between $800,000 and $1,000,000 annually, raptor nest surveys $50,000–$60,000 annually, and that extending mortality monitoring for two additional years would be expected to cost between $100,000 and $120,000.
Council Pamplin moved to approve the updated ferruginous‑hawk nest mitigation plan; the motion was seconded and the council recorded a 4–0 vote in favor. The council’s action approves the mitigation plan as submitted and carries forward site‑certification compliance requirements, including adaptive‑management provisions staff said will allow FSEC to require additional monitoring if early operation indicates higher mortality than expected.
Staff noted the adaptive management plan remains in draft and will be reviewed by the PTAG and submitted to FSEC for approval prior to construction.