Threatened and Endangered Species Determination Guide

Threatened and Endangered Species Determination Guide for Solar Developers

Threatened and endangered species near a project site can cause delays and/or impact the cost of building a solar project at a particular site. SolRiver Capital wants developers and installers to understand when a Threatened and Endangered Species Determination may be required during the diligence process for you to secure an investment from us. In this guide on the Threatened and Endangered Species Determination, we discuss:

1. What a Threatened and Endangered Species Determination is;
2. Why SolRiver requires it (in certain circumstances) and when it is needed;
3. The scope SolRiver requires; and
4. Who can provide the service.

What is a Threatened and Endangered Species Determination?

The Threatened and Endangered Species Determination is a report that identifies any plants or animals listed on the Threatened and Endangered Species list in the county where the project site is located. It also determines if the site has any potential habitats for these endangered plants or animals, or if they are currently present on the site. 

Why is the Threatened and Endangered Species Determination needed and when do you need it by?

EPC costs can be significantly impacted by the physical presence of threatened or endangered species or the presence of suitable habitats for them on the site. Additionally, a project may not be able to move forward on that site if regulatory authorities determine the habitat will be significantly impacted by the project. If required, a Threatened and Endangered Species Determination must be done within six (6) months of NTP.

What is the required scope for a Threatened and Endangered Species Determination?

A Threatened and Endangered Species Determination requires (1) the review of appropriate literature and databases, (2) a site visit, (3) vegetation and wildlife habitat descriptions, and (4) correspondence with the local or state Department of Natural Resources office as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.