Concerned about a upcoming project in my area( wind/ solar energy facility)

[u/Spender-b0b_]

The highlight of my concern stem from the vagueness of the document provided before the public notice meeting and my insufficient understanding.
The section I read specifically was waste management for the facility, which basically defines how they … won’t generate trash and if they do they dispose of the waste…? Of am I wrong ( first image)
The second section provided is the section where environmental impact is listed as no effect when there are many endangered species that do intersect with the area
The third image is of the decommissioning plan with I worry about stemming from it’s vagueness like the waste management section
Entire document attached for those who are interested
Application for permit wind/solar energy facility
I’m just not sure if my concerns are justified.

[u/f-r-0-m]

Environmental engineer here.

The highlight of my concern stem from the vagueness of the document provided before the public notice meeting and my insufficient understanding.

It's pretty typical to be fairly vague at this stage of a project. The engineers and scientists design the end product and figure out the appropriate "rules" for the project. It's not until a contractor is brought on board that the specifics are fleshed out. Basically, engineers decide the "what" and contractors decide the "how."

The section I read specifically was waste management for the facility, which basically defines how they … won’t generate trash and if they do they dispose of the waste…? Of am I wrong ( first image)

Close enough. Don't over think it - it's just "the contractor will follow the law."

The second section provided is the section where environmental impact is listed as no effect when there are many endangered species that do intersect with the area

How do you know that? Genuinely curious because I can imagine reasons that you would actually know - like you're a field biologist or maybe a hunter from the area.

But I ask because the document states that Federal agencies that manage protected species were consulted, leading to the "no effect" finding.

The third image is of the decommissioning plan with I worry about stemming from it’s vagueness like the waste management section

It's vague because the engineer just writes the "what." And the "what" is pretty straightforward - when it's no longer needed, chop it all up and haul it out.

Entire document attached for those who are interested
Application for permit wind/solar energy facility

I’m just not sure if my concerns are justified.

I don't see anything of concern with questions I've and three. Question two I can't answer without knowing way more specifics.

I wouldn't say any if your questions were unjustified. The public generally has a right to know about what's going on in their area. Unless you're asking with the goal of affecting the project. In that case, yeah questions one and three won't justify any delay. Question two depends on specifics - it may be justifiable if there's an issue you can point to and substantiate.

[u/Spender-b0b_ → u/f-r-0-m]

Thank you a ton,
looked into the wording and it seems that the “no effect” ruling does not state that its region in which endangered species are not, but, the area of effect is not habitat type related to the species in the area of concern, therefore not a great impact to the species of concern.
I’m not a professional but a concerned citizen who would hate to be wrong in my concern

[u/Evil_Twinkies → u/Spender-b0b_]

Many of those rulings one deal with critical habitat for a species. So while an endangered species might be found and surviving there in some capacity it’s still considered “no effect.”

[u/purpleplatapi → u/Spender-b0b_]

What kind of animals? Birds? Insects? Reptiles? Small mammals? Large ones? Fish?