Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Maricopa Sun Solar Complex Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan, Kern County, CA

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act for the proposed Maricopa Sun Solar Complex Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) under development by Maricopa Sun, LLC. The draft EIS will evaluate the impacts of several alternatives related to the HCP being proposed by Maricopa Sun, LLC in support of its anticipated application for an Endangered Species Act permit for incidental take of five federally endangered species (one reptile and four mammal species) and 14 California special status species (one amphibian species, three reptile species, six avian species, and four mammal species) from activities associated with the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a 700 megawatt photo-voltaic power generating facility and implementation of conservation actions associated with the HCP in Kern County, California. We also announce plans for a public scoping meeting and the opening of a public comment period. We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or any other interested party.