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FAST-41 Missed Date:Endangered Species Act Consultation (DOI-FWS): ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action)

Submitted by Anonymous on

Agency Milestone Date of 09/06/2024 for ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action) has passed by 1 business days

Action
Project Name:
Bonanza Solar Project
Responsible Agency:
Fish and Wildlife Service
Agency Status: Cooperating under FAST-41
Status:
Planned
POC Name:
Glen Knowles
POC Title:
Field Supervisor, Nevada ES Office
POC Email:
Glen_Knowles@fws.gov

Milestones:

ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action)
  • Monthly Status Report for March 2025:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024. The FWS is currently working to complete the draft biological opinion for agency review. Sponsor has requested review of mitigation items prior to finalization. The milestone has been revised to 3/28/25.
  • Monthly Status Report for February 2025:
    On 2/12/2025 the Project Sponsor requested an extension of time for the publication of the biological opinion and the FEIS to allow for further review and incorporation of the revised site plan and appropriate mitigation measures into these documents. The BLM is in agreement with the extension and is working with the cooperating and participating parties regarding the affected dates. Updates to the Milestones are projected to be entered to the Dashboard by 2/19/2025.
  • Monthly Status Report for January 2025:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024. The FWS is currently working to complete the draft biological opinion for agency review and should be on track to finalize on 3/1/25.
  • Monthly Status Report for December 2024:
    12/11/2024 Update - The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024.
  • Monthly Status Report for November 2024:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024.
  • Monthly Status Report for October 2024:
    10/15/2024 - Consultation package for ESA submitted to FWS by BLM on 9/27/2024.
  • Non-conformance Explanation:
    The BLM, NPS, Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), and USFWS reviewed the draft Biological Assessment and Translocation Plan between 7/25/2024 and 8/13/2024 resulting in approximately 300 comments.  On 8/12/2024, the BLM determined two additional Ash Meadows ESA-listed plant species (Ash Meadows milkvetch and Ash Meadows sunray) needed to be included in the Section 7 consultation.  The total number of species being formally and informally consulted on for this project is now 16.  Follow-up meetings with BLM, USFWS, and USFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office are required.  The unforeseen addition of two species for consultation and the large volume of comments have delayed BLM’s submission of the ESA Consultation Request Package to USFWS. This shifts the milestone by 21 days to allow for resolution of outstanding comments and preparation of documents. To meet USFWS regulatory requirements the shift to the initial milestone for the ESA Consultation will affect both the second and milestone dates. The alternative dates for completion of the milestones are as follows: ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action) 9/27/2024 FWS determines ESA Consultation Package is Complete - Formal (Agency Action) 12/26/2024 ESA Consultation Concludes (Agency Action) 3/1/2025
Current Target Date:
FWS determines ESA Consultation Package is Complete - Formal (Agency Action)
Current Target Date:
ESA Consultation Concludes (Agency Action)
Current Target Date:


View Action's Modification History

Milestone
ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action)
  • Monthly Status Report for March 2025:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024. The FWS is currently working to complete the draft biological opinion for agency review. Sponsor has requested review of mitigation items prior to finalization. The milestone has been revised to 3/28/25.
  • Monthly Status Report for February 2025:
    On 2/12/2025 the Project Sponsor requested an extension of time for the publication of the biological opinion and the FEIS to allow for further review and incorporation of the revised site plan and appropriate mitigation measures into these documents. The BLM is in agreement with the extension and is working with the cooperating and participating parties regarding the affected dates. Updates to the Milestones are projected to be entered to the Dashboard by 2/19/2025.
  • Monthly Status Report for January 2025:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024. The FWS is currently working to complete the draft biological opinion for agency review and should be on track to finalize on 3/1/25.
  • Monthly Status Report for December 2024:
    12/11/2024 Update - The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024.
  • Monthly Status Report for November 2024:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024.
  • Monthly Status Report for October 2024:
    10/15/2024 - Consultation package for ESA submitted to FWS by BLM on 9/27/2024.
  • Non-conformance Explanation:
    The BLM, NPS, Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), and USFWS reviewed the draft Biological Assessment and Translocation Plan between 7/25/2024 and 8/13/2024 resulting in approximately 300 comments.  On 8/12/2024, the BLM determined two additional Ash Meadows ESA-listed plant species (Ash Meadows milkvetch and Ash Meadows sunray) needed to be included in the Section 7 consultation.  The total number of species being formally and informally consulted on for this project is now 16.  Follow-up meetings with BLM, USFWS, and USFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office are required.  The unforeseen addition of two species for consultation and the large volume of comments have delayed BLM’s submission of the ESA Consultation Request Package to USFWS. This shifts the milestone by 21 days to allow for resolution of outstanding comments and preparation of documents. To meet USFWS regulatory requirements the shift to the initial milestone for the ESA Consultation will affect both the second and milestone dates. The alternative dates for completion of the milestones are as follows: ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action) 9/27/2024 FWS determines ESA Consultation Package is Complete - Formal (Agency Action) 12/26/2024 ESA Consultation Concludes (Agency Action) 3/1/2025
Current Target Date:
Project

PROJECT WEBSITE: Bonanza Solar Project

All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.

In Progress

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
IN PROGRESS

icon_calendar

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
01/07/2026

1 out of 4

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED

Renewable Energy Production

SECTOR
Renewable Energy Production

Project Category

CATEGORY
Project Category FAST-41 Covered Projects

Department of the Interior

LEAD AGENCY
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management

View FAST-41 Postings by Agencies

Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:

Department of the Interior

Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service

Description:

Bonanza Solar, LLC proposes to construct, operate, and decommission a 300 MW solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system electrical generation plant and associated facilities on approximately half of the 5,133 acre "application area".  The proposed project site is entirely on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Southern Nevada District. The proposed project would be on Solar Variance lands as identified in the 2012 Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States (Solar PEIS).

field_status
Rejected
System Comments
Agency Milestone Date of 09/06/2024 for ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action) has passed by 1 business days
Approver Comments
<p>The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024. The FWS is currently working to complete the draft biological opinion for agency review. Sponsor has requested review of mitigation items prior to finalization.&nbsp;The milestone has been revised to 3/28/25.</p>
Previous Action Status
Planned
New Action Status
Planned
Missed Date Process
Yes
Missed Date Triggered by Extension
No
New Milestone
ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action)
  • Monthly Status Report for March 2025:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024. The FWS is currently working to complete the draft biological opinion for agency review. Sponsor has requested review of mitigation items prior to finalization. The milestone has been revised to 3/28/25.
  • Monthly Status Report for February 2025:
    On 2/12/2025 the Project Sponsor requested an extension of time for the publication of the biological opinion and the FEIS to allow for further review and incorporation of the revised site plan and appropriate mitigation measures into these documents. The BLM is in agreement with the extension and is working with the cooperating and participating parties regarding the affected dates. Updates to the Milestones are projected to be entered to the Dashboard by 2/19/2025.
  • Monthly Status Report for January 2025:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024. The FWS is currently working to complete the draft biological opinion for agency review and should be on track to finalize on 3/1/25.
  • Monthly Status Report for December 2024:
    12/11/2024 Update - The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024.
  • Monthly Status Report for November 2024:
    The consultation package for ESA was deemed complete by FWS on 11/1/2024.
  • Monthly Status Report for October 2024:
    10/15/2024 - Consultation package for ESA submitted to FWS by BLM on 9/27/2024.
  • Non-conformance Explanation:
    The BLM, NPS, Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), and USFWS reviewed the draft Biological Assessment and Translocation Plan between 7/25/2024 and 8/13/2024 resulting in approximately 300 comments.  On 8/12/2024, the BLM determined two additional Ash Meadows ESA-listed plant species (Ash Meadows milkvetch and Ash Meadows sunray) needed to be included in the Section 7 consultation.  The total number of species being formally and informally consulted on for this project is now 16.  Follow-up meetings with BLM, USFWS, and USFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office are required.  The unforeseen addition of two species for consultation and the large volume of comments have delayed BLM’s submission of the ESA Consultation Request Package to USFWS. This shifts the milestone by 21 days to allow for resolution of outstanding comments and preparation of documents. To meet USFWS regulatory requirements the shift to the initial milestone for the ESA Consultation will affect both the second and milestone dates. The alternative dates for completion of the milestones are as follows: ESA Consultation Request Package Submitted (Agency Action) 9/27/2024 FWS determines ESA Consultation Package is Complete - Formal (Agency Action) 12/26/2024 ESA Consultation Concludes (Agency Action) 3/1/2025
Current Target Date:
Response Date
Reporting Agency
Bureau of Land Management