Desktop critical issues memo and constraints map (free)
- Site and project
- Wetlands and waters
- Flood zones
- Listed species and critical habitat
- Protected and conservation lands
- Historic places
Small solar and storage developers screening sites
Where is the site boundary?
Free desktop critical issues analysis for a solar or storage site: wetlands, flood zones, species, protected lands and historic places in one memo.
- Free to read
- No sign-up until the draft
- Hands off to the right door
ePlan fills in
- Wetlands
- Flood zone
- Listed species
- Critical habitat
- Protected lands
How it works
Desktop critical issues memo and constraints map, from one answer
- Upload the site boundary and tell us the technology and size.
- ePlan clips wetland, flood, species, protected land and historic layers to the site.
- Need the federal review next? Start a NEPA environmental assessment draft.
What you get
Desktop critical issues memo and constraints map and 3 more documents
The check is free. The paperwork after it is drafted at the NEPA environmental assessment door.
Solar farm site report
- Distance to transmission
- Slope
- Flood zone
- Credit timing
Bird, bat and eagle risk screen
- Species in the area
- Eagle nests
- Habitat that draws birds
- Permit options
NEPA environmental assessment draft
- Purpose and need
- Alternatives
- Affected environment
- Environmental consequences
- Agencies consulted
From public data
What ePlan fills in, and from where
- WetlandsUSFWS National Wetlands Inventory
- Flood zoneFEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Listed speciesUSFWS IPaC
- Critical habitatUSFWS ECOS critical habitat
- Protected landsUSGS PAD-US
- Historic placesNational Register of Historic Places
90 days
is how long formal Endangered Species Act consultation runs once started, unless extended
Source: 50 CFR 402.14(e), eCFR
Ready for the paperwork?
Draft a NEPA environmental assessment and FONSI, or an EIS outline, that follows a reference document. Free to read; every unconfirmed fact is marked.
Questions
Critical Issues Analysis: what people ask
What does IPaC tell me?
IPaC is the Fish and Wildlife Service's project planning tool. It gives project proponents information to help determine whether a project will affect federally listed species or designated critical habitat.
When is Endangered Species Act consultation required?
When a federal agency's action may affect listed species or critical habitat, formal consultation is required unless FWS agrees in writing that the action is not likely to adversely affect them. Formal consultation concludes within 90 days unless extended.
Can solar go in a flood zone?
It can, says DOE, but all electrical equipment must sit above the projected flood level, which can raise installation and insurance costs. Sites that don't flood are usually a better fit.
The rules this door follows
Related doors
Other projects people start from here
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What are you proposing, and where?
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Which agency needs the DBE program?
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Class VI Permit Application Checklist
Which state and site is the well in?
Grant writers for towns and nonprofits
Community profile map and table
What area does the project serve?
Grant writers on hazard mitigation applications
BCA inputs checklist
Where is the mitigation project?
Forest Service · categorical exclusions
Forest Service CE finder
Which Forest Service CE fits your project?
Critical Issues Analysis: check it free
Answer it and ePlan opens the NEPA environmental assessment door, which drafts the paperwork.