Section 40. Analysis of the beneficial and adverse impacts on natural resources

A. Analyses of wildlife. To fulfill the requirements of § 10.1-1197.6 B 7 of the Code of Virginia, the applicant shall conduct preconstruction wildlife analyses. The analyses of wildlife shall include the following if the disturbance zone exceeds 10 acres and the project does not meet the criteria of 9VAC15-70-130 B 2 a (2):

1. The applicant shall obtain a wildlife report and map generated from DGIF's Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service web-based application (9VAC15-70-120 C 3) or from a data and mapping system including the most recent data available from DGIF's subscriber-based Wildlife Environmental Review Map Service of the following: (i) T&E species within the project's disturbance zone; (ii) known wildlife species and habitat features within the project's disturbance zone and within two miles of the boundary of the project's disturbance zone; and (iii) known or potential sea turtle nesting beaches located within one-half mile of the disturbance zone.

2. If the height of the tallest point of the built structures exceeds 200 feet, the applicant shall consult the "Coastal Avian Protection Zones (CAPZ)" map generated on the department's Coastal GEMS geospatial data system (9VAC15-70-120 C 1) and determine whether the proposed combustion energy project disturbance zone will be located in part or in whole within one or more CAPZ.

B. Analyses of historic resources. To fulfill the requirements of § 10.1-1197.6 B 7 of the Code of Virginia, the applicant shall also conduct a preconstruction historic resources analysis.

1. Desktop survey for projects with rated capacity exceeding five megawatts. The applicant shall perform a desktop survey of known VLR-listed and VLR-eligible historic resources within the project's disturbance zone and within one-half mile of the disturbance zone boundary by means of an archives search of DHR's cultural resource inventory and report in writing the results of the archives search to the department.

2. Architectural (direct impacts) and archaeological surveys if disturbance zone exceeds 10 acres. If the project's disturbance zone exceeds 10 acres and the project does not meet the criteria for 9VAC15-70-130 B 2 a (2), the applicant shall also meet the requirements of this subsection and the prescribed analysis shall be conducted by a qualified professional meeting the professional qualification standards of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (9VAC15-70-120 B 2) in the appropriate discipline. The analysis for this subsection shall include each of the following:

a. Architectural survey (direct impacts). The applicant shall conduct a field survey of all architectural resources, including cultural landscapes, 50 years of age or older, within the disturbance zone and evaluate the eligibility of any identified resource for listing in the VLR.

b. Archaeological survey. The applicant shall conduct an archaeological field survey of the disturbance zone and evaluate the eligibility of any identified archaeological site for listing in the VLR. As an alternative to performing this archaeological survey, the applicant may make a demonstration to the department that the project will not penetrate the subsurface in a manner that would threaten archaeological resources and that any necessary grading of the site prior to construction does not have the potential to adversely impact any archaeological resource.

3. Architectural survey (indirect impacts) if the tallest point of the built structures exceeds 200 feet. If the tallest point of the built structures exceeds 200 feet, the applicant shall also conduct a field survey of all architectural resources, including cultural landscapes, 50 years of age or older, within the one-half mile of the disturbance zone boundary and evaluate the eligibility of any identified resource for listing in the VLR. The prescribed analysis shall be conducted by a qualified professional meeting the professional qualification standards of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Archeology and Historic Preservation (9VAC15-70-120 B 2) in the appropriate discipline.

4. Architectural survey (direct impacts) of structures 50 years of age or older. If the project will utilize or demolish existing buildings 50 years of age or older and the project does not meet the criteria for 9VAC15-70-130 B 2 c (2), the applicant shall evaluate the eligibility of any such buildings for listing in the VLR. The prescribed analysis shall be conducted by a qualified professional meeting the professional qualification standards of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (9VAC15-70-120 B 2) in the appropriate discipline.

C. Analyses of other natural resources. To fulfill the requirements of § 10.1-1197.6 B 7 of the Code of Virginia, and if the project's disturbance zone exceeds 10 acres, the applicant shall also conduct a pre-construction desktop survey of natural heritage resources within the disturbance zone.

D. Summary report. The applicant shall provide to the department a report presenting the findings of the applicable studies and analyses conducted pursuant to subsections A, B, and C of this section, along with all data and supporting documents. The applicant shall assess and describe the expected beneficial and adverse impacts, if any, of the proposed project on wildlife and historic resources identified by these studies and analyses.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. August 28, 2013.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1197.6 of the Code of Virginia.