OVERVIEWWilder was sub-contracted to provide a USFWS Desert Tortoise Authorized Biologist to assist in environmental compliance monitoring during a two-year upgrade to the 27 MW Alta Mesa Wind Project. Old lattice tower turbines (up to 159) were removed and replaced with seven new mono-pole Vestas units, each with a maximum tip height (top of foundation to blade tip at apex) of up to 500 feet, and a combined total power production capacity of up to 39 MW.
SERVICES INCLUDED:Pre-construction surveys for Desert Tortoise
Daily telemetry tracking of several known tortoises under study by USGS
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) nesting bird surveys
Raptor migration monitoring
Active nest monitoring for breeding native birds, including sensitive desert species
Loggerhead shrike
LeConte’s thrasher
Western burrowing owl
Desert big horn sheep monitoring and mitigation (coordinating avoidance)
Construction monitoring for environmental compliance
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