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Introduction
SAVE THE FROGS! has submitted an official comment to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opposing the proposed amendment to the Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The applicant, Viracocha Wind, LLC, seeks approval to revise the project’s footprint to accommodate larger wind turbines, increasing the overall impact on critical habitats and sensitive wildlife species in Alameda County, California.
Western Spadefoot (Spea hammondii), a species threatened by the proposed expansion. Photo by William Flaxington. Creative Commons License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Project Details
The proposed amendment includes an additional 79.1 acres to the project footprint, with 11.1 acres being permanently impacted and 68 acres temporarily disturbed. Species at risk include the federally threatened California Red-Legged Frog (Rana draytonii), the Central California distinct population segment of the California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense), as well as the Northwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) and Western Spadefoot (Spea hammondii), both of which are proposed for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act.
While the applicant proposes to mitigate these impacts by conserving 101.3 acres of land, SAVE THE FROGS! emphasizes that mere acreage is not enough. Meaningful conservation requires enforceable commitments to habitat connectivity, wetland conservation, ecological integrity, and long-term management plans. Without these assurances, the proposed mitigation remains inadequate to protect these vulnerable species.
We also raised concerns about the operation and maintenance of the facility, highlighting the potential for further harm to protected species if not carefully managed. SAVE THE FROGS! urges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure the applicant provides financial securities to guarantee mitigation measures are implemented, even if the company ceases operations.
This project underscores the importance of balancing renewable energy development with ecological preservation. SAVE THE FROGS! opposes the proposed amendment unless stronger conservation safeguards are adopted. Public comments on the proposal are open until January 13th, 2025. We encourage all supporters to submit their comments to protect these critical habitats and the wildlife that depend on them.
California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense) photo by Bill Stagnaro. Creative Commons License-CC-BY-SA-3.0
Read Our Letter Opposing The Proposed Amendment to the Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project Habitat Conservation Plan
You can scroll through or download this PDF here. Click the top right button to expand it to full-size.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://savethefrogs.b-cdn.net/pdf/2024-12-28-Rooney-Ranch-Wind-Repowering-Project-Viracocha-Comment-to-USFWS.pdf”]
The Comment Submission Period Has Ended
Thanks to all who submitted comment for helping us ensure a sustainable future for amphibians and all wildlife! Together, we can SAVE THE FROGS! 🐸
The comment period ended January 13th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. Visit the Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Amended Incidental Take Permit Application and Amended Habitat Conservation Plan for the Proposed Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project, Alameda County, CA; Draft Environmental Assessment page posted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Dec 13, 2024 for more info.
Art from the 2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest by Finalist Luke Zhang of the USA.
