Transmission Siting Considerations, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned

1. Transmission Siting Considerations, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned Gary Graham, Ph.D. Transmission Project Director

2. Wildlife Toll Climate change poses the greatest threat to biological diversity in human history Global warming poses the greatest threat to biological diversity in human history. • May lose 1/3 all species to climate change • (IPCC Report) Photo: Bob Martinka

3. Siting BMPs: Opportunity Areas: Existing corridors, ROWs, degraded lands, and areas with co- locating opportunities Exclusion & Avoidance Areas: Critical & core habitats for T&E species, wildlife corridors and linkages, protected wetlands and rivers Special Recreation Management Areas National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Monuments Wilderness Areas and areas with wilderness characteristics National Conservation Areas other lands within BLM National LandscapeConservation System National Historic and National Scenic Trails

4. BMPs Construction: Species-specific and site-specific plans to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts Crews employ professional third-party monitors with authority to stop work where protections are violated Mitigation Guidance: Enhance long-term health and viability of the populations Protection at least throughout life of project Replace acre for acre (varies with habitat, geography, legal protection, nature of impact) Equivalent habitat same geographic area

5. To have your transmission vegetables consumed they have to be prepared right Invite early, meaningful engagement of diverse stakeholders with planning and siting. Incorporate environmental concerns and constraints throughout transmission planning Budget adequately for addressing environmental constraints