3.6.4.2 Applicant Recommendations

area; and a request to use the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) protocol for determining ecological site descriptions (ESD) instead of ground-truthing the GAP/Landfire vegetation layer. Black Canyon held a virtual joint public-agency meeting on July 21, 2020 and has continued consultation with stakeholders since that time. Black Canyon distributed its proposed resource study plans for the Project on August 3, 2020, and March 23, 2021. Black Canyon distributed the DLA on June 6, 2022. Responses to stakeholder comments and Black Canyon’s Record of Consultation are provided as Appendix A. BLM, USFWS, WGFD, FERC, and USEPA provided comments on botanical resources in their comments on the DLA. Responses to comments on the DLA are provided in Appendix L.

3.6.4.2 Applicant Recommendations

As described in Table 2.1-5, the following PM&Es are applicable to botanical resources:

• Hazardous Substances Spill Prevention and Cleanup Plan: Black Canyon proposes to develop and implement a Hazardous Substances Spill Prevention and

Cleanup Plan to address potential issues resulting from spills of hazardous substances or fuels during construction, operation, or maintenance. • Pre- and Post-Construction Stream Flow Monitoring: Black Canyon proposes to conduct pre-construction and post-construction monitoring of water flow in Number

One Gulch, Number Two Gulch, and Dry Lake Creek. In the event that reduced streamflows are identified post-construction, Black Canyon will work with the BLM and other agencies (as applicable) to identify mitigation measures. • Transmission Line Design: During final design, Black Canyon will complete designs of transmission facilities (including locations of transmission towers and access roads) in a manner that minimizes surface disturbing activity in identified 100-year floodplains, areas within 500 feet of perennial waters and wetland/riparian areas and areas within 100 feet from the inner gorge of ephemeral channels, as specified in the BLM Rawlins

Field Office RMP. If transmission structures cannot be located outside the buffers,

Black Canyon will consult with BLM on steps to identify reasonable mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts to water features. • Habitat Restoration, Reclamation, and Enhancement Plan: Black Canyon will develop and implement a Habitat Revegetation, Restoration, and Management

Enhancement Plan to identify measures that could be reasonably implemented for management, avoidance, and mitigation of potential habitat and associated vegetation losses during construction and operation of the Project. • Biological Resources Protection Training Program: Black Canyon proposes to develop a biological resources protection training program. The program is intended to help inform construction workers and other Project staff of the sensitive biological (botanical and wildlife) resources in the area. • Pre-Construction Surveys: Prior to construction, Black Canyon will complete botanical and wildlife surveys and habitat assessments. These surveys will be conducted by trained botanists and biologists in area that will be disturbed by the

Project. • Noxious Weed Management Plan: Black Canyon proposes to develop and implement a Noxious Weed Management Plan for construction of the Project. This plan will include measures to reduce the spread or introduction of noxious weed and