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Sterling Solar Generating Facility Area Plan May 7, 2010 Needle Mountain Power, LLC.

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Sterling Solar Generating Facility

Area Plan

Submitted By: NEEDLE MOUNTAIN POWER, LLC.

MAY 7, 2010


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Table of Contents

I. THE PROJECT……………………….………………………………………………………………4

II. PROJECT SUMMARY…………………………………………………………………..……….4

a. Site Elements…………………………………………………..………………………4 1. Isolation 2. Climate 3. Soils 4. Slope 5. Geology and Seismicity 6. Vegetation 7. Water resources‐Current Sterling Area Plan 8. Transmission

b. The Solar Generation Facility…………………………..….………….….…….8

c. Goal and Policies ……………………………………..………………………….…..8

III. STERLING AREA PLAN ……………………………………….………………….……………..9

a. Existing Area Plan …………………………………………………….……………..10

b. Amending Area Plan ……………………………….…………..……..……………11

c. Proposed Land Use Designations………………………..……….…………..11

d. Energy Zoning (E)…………………………………………………………..…..…….11

e. Heavy industrial Zoning (MX)……………………….………………….……….11

f. Phasing……………………………………………………………….…..………..……..12

g. Economic Development………………………………………………..…….……12

IV. ENVIROMENTIAL…………………………………………………………….…………….……..14

a. Water Resources………….…………………………………….……….……….…..14

b. NEPA………………………………………………………………………….………….….14

c. Air Quality……………………………………………………………….………………..15


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d. Biology………………………………………………………………………….………..…16

V. SITE INFRASTRUCURE…………………………………………………..……..………..………16

a. Water and Waste Water……………………………………………………….……16

b. Storm and Waste Water…………………………………………………..………..17

c. Evaporation Ponds……………………………………………………………….…….17

d. Circulation and Transportation………………………………………..………..…17

VI. MAPS, PICTURES and Other Documents

a. Existing Sterling Area Plan Map……………………………………………..……10

b. Mohave County Well Map…………………………………………………………...7

c. Land Ownership Map…………………………………………………………………..19

d. Transmission Power Lines and Land Use………………………..………..….20

e. Stirling Energy’s “SunCatcher”…………………………..………….…………….21

f. ADWR extension letter……………………………………………..….………………22

g. Notification Area…………………………………………………….………...…………23

h. Existing Sterling area Plan Land Uses by Section……………..…….24 &25

VII. APPENDIX a. Stirling Energy Systems “SunCatcher”: Solar Energy 101

b. NREL 2006 Solar Resources


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I. THE PROJECT

NEEDLE MOUNTAIN POWER, LLC. Proposes to develop The Sterling Solar Generating Facility which, when fully operational, will produce 1200 Megawatts of gross output using Stirling Energy’s “SunCatcher” a high efficiency low water use technology which has minimal impact on other natural resources.

II. SUMMARY: STERLING AREA PLAN

The site is located 19 miles north of Lake Havasu City, Mohave County, AZ and is bordered on the south by interstate 40 and BLM lands on the north. The western border is a mix of private, AZ State Trust and BLM land, and the eastern border is private land. There is one section containing 640 acres of AZ State Trust land (Section 36—Township 16 ½ North, range 20 ½ West) close to the center of the project. Other AZ State Trust Lands in the northern portion of section 16 and section 14, Township 16 North, Range 20 West and in section 15 and section 14 Township 16 North. Range 20 ½ West, Gila and Salt River Baseline and Meridian are included in the Project. An application to lease these properties has been submitted to the AZ State Lands Department. See addendum 1 for legal descriptions The Amended Sterling Area Plan would be divided into two land use designations, as follows;

1. The Solar Generation (Energy land use designation area) contains approximately

9600+‐ acres of land that is ideal for solar generation. NMP is in the process of obtaining leases to one parcel of AZ State Trust Land and is seeking additional acreage of private land which would be included in the amended area plan to Heavy Industrial

2. The Heavy Industrial land use designation area, which currently has mainly a Light

Industrial land use designation and contains approximately 2100+‐ acres. The El Paso Natural Gas lines and the BNSF Railroad run through the property and interstate 40 is the southern boundary. The area is Ideal for an industrial and Manufacturing park NMP is in the process of obtaining leases to three parcels of AZ State Trust Land in this area

A. Site Elements

1. Isolation

The Sterling Solar Generating Facility is located within an area with excellent sunlight isolation. Annual energy generation at the site exceeds 300,000 kw‐hrs. Per acre (See Appendix)


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2. Climate

The average annual rainfall at Sterling Solar Generating Facility is less than 5 inches with slightly higher rainfall in the summer months compared to the winter months. The average recorded daily rainfall in Golden Shores is 4.7 inches. There is no recorded average snowfall in the area. The sunny climate in the summer months has an average temperature of 92.33 degrees (F) and winter temperatures average 53.67 degrees (F)

3. Soils

During the BLM land exchange in 1994 a soils study was required as part of the exchange. The soils are comprised of medium to coarse textured soil gently sloping to the southwest into floodplains and alluvial fans. The subject lands are situated on alluvial valley fill that was deposited by the Colorado River and the Sacramento Wash. The thickness of these sediments may range to 200‐700 feet and there is no bedrock exposed throughout the area. The area contains several rolling hills, on one of which, Sterling Solar Generating Facility plans to erect a 1 million gallon water storage tank to allow gravity flow water pressure to serve the entire property. Areas that receive rain runoff from adjacent upland such as the wilderness area will support vegetation for seasonal grazing and riparian vegetation along washes and can provide good habitat for wildlife species.

4. Slope

Elevations range from about 550 in the southwest corner to about 1060 on the easternmost boundary. The slope within the Sterling Solar Generating Facility Area Plan is level to 4 percent sloping to the southwest which is Ideal for placing a solar generation facility. Runoff drains into the Sacrament and Cottonwood Washes which flow into the Colorado River.

5. Geology and Seismicity

The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Area Plan is located in an area with low potential for Seismic activity; the earth‐quake peak ground acceleration that has a 10 percent chance of being exceeded in 50 years has a value of between 4 and 5 percent. The nearest fault with known Holocene (younger than 10,000 years ago) surface faulting is the Hurricane fault zone, which is located approximately 80 miles northeast of the site. The Sterling Solar Generating Facility is in Seismic Zone “C” per 2007 IBC.


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6. Vegetation

Vegetation data was acquired from the Browne and Lowe vegetation database available through Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD). Vegetation classes within the Area Plan include:

Semidesert Grassland: Includes a variety of summer‐active perennial grasses. Black grama (Bouteloua chondrosioides) and tobosa grass (Hilaria mutica) are the most diagnostic grass dominant in semidesert grassland. Vegetation within the Area Plan is composed entirely of Semidesert Grassland.

7. Water Resources‐‐ Current Sterling Area Plan

The current Sterling Area Plan is located within south western portion of the Sacramento Valley water basin. This area extends from Yucca on the south to Golden Valley on the north, is bound on the west by the Colorado River and Black Mountains, and is bound on the east by Hualapai Mountains and Cerbat Mountains. The basin fill consists of the three groups of alluvial fill found in many of the basins of the Basin and Range Province, the lower Older Alluvium, the Intermediate Alluvium, and the upper Younger Alluvium. The Older Alluvium is the major aquifer as the Intermediate and Younger Alluvium are usually above the ground water table. Below or forming a part of the Older Alluvium Groundwater sources includes one Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) registered well (55‐3713). Information about the ADWR registered well is provided in Table 1. The complete ADWR water studies from 1999 are available.

Plan Final 26 JULY 99 of the Arizona Water Atlas shows an increase in the Sacramento Valley Basin agricultural water demand from 8,230 acre‐feet/year in 1999. The increase of agricultural water demand may correlate with a negative net water‐level change in portions of the Sacramento Valley water basin, however, wells in proximity to the Sterling Area Plan have experienced a net water‐level increase from water in year 1996 to 2006. The Project will comply with all applicable ADWR Regulations.

TABLE-1

ADWR Registered Wells within the Site Well Depth Water Pump Draw Down Owner Registry ID Level Rate

55‐3713 880 ft 52 ft 200 GPM 0 ft Topock Mesa LTD. Partnership 3301 Monte Villa Parkway #101

Bothell, Washington98021


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8. Transmission

The Sterling Solar Generating Area Plan has Two (2) 230‐Kv Transmission lines operated by the Western Area Power Administration that cross the private lands of the project. The Interconnection Switchyard and Substation will be located all on private land and require no easements from BLM or State or other private land owners.

B. The Sterling Solar Generating Facility

NEEDLE MOUNTAIN POWER, LLC. Has made every effort to research and use the most appropriate technology possible in its desire to provided renewable energy generation at its site in Mohave County. The Sterling Solar Generating Facility when fully operational in 4‐6 years will produce 1200 Megawatts of gross output using the Stirling Energy’s “SunCatcher” a high efficiency low water use technology which will be gentle on the environment and conserve our valuable natural resources.

The Stirling Energy Co’s “Stirling Engine” known as the “SunCatcher” uses no water in the production of electricity, water is only used for the cleaning of the mirrors on a monthly basis and the generating equipment emits zero carbon into the atmosphere

C. Goals of the Sterling Solar Generating Facility

Goal: To provide clean renewable energy.

Policy: Work with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure that environmental and cultural requirements can be met, while building an economically feasible solar generating facility.

Goal: To implement the goals and policies of the Mohave County General Plan to the fullest extent possible while developing, constructing and operating the proposed Project.

Policy: Work closely with the Mohave County staff, elected officials, and community residents to formulate a plan that represents the best implementation of the Project in concert with the General Plan. The following list is comprised of Goals and Policies from the General Plan that the Sterling Solar Generating Facility Area Plan complements. The following list is comprised of Goals and Policies from the General Plan that the Sterling Solar Generating Facility Area Plan complements.

Policy 6.4 The County should support and encourage solar and wind energy.


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Goal Implementation; The proposed Sterling Solar Generating Facility is a 1,200 Megawatt, utility‐sized Solar Generating Facility.

Policy 10.4: Locations for commercial and Industrial uses should identified to support the County’s economic development objectives, including diversification of the economic base. Policy 21.4: Mohave County should encourage design of commercial and industrial projects that incorporate natural features of the site that use native vegetation and design themes, recycle gray‐water and / or harvest rainwater, and that support use of alternative energy sources, as set forth in the development Regulations Policy 21.6: Mohave County should promote increased industrial development in the vicinity of airports in Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City and Colorado City as well the Interstate 40 Corridor Goal Implementation; The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project will provide significant employment opportunities for County residents during the construction phase up to a maximum of approximately 1,300 jobs during 4 to 6 years, and will maintain approximately 400 to 500 full‐time jobs during operation. It will not require any extension of public services for electricity, water, or sewage.

Goal implementation: The project area has been screened as being ideal for the location of a solar generating facility. Additionally, there are no residences within the Site vicinity, and only five residences within 1/2 miles of the proposed Sterling Solar Generating Facility.

Policy 36.12: Mohave County should pursue and support industries that have smaller environmental footprints as measured by their use of less water and energy resources as well as their creation of fewer emissions when compared to traditional industry.

Goal Implementation: The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project will utilize the Stirling Energy’s “SunCatcher” type Solar Power as the primary fuel source for electrical generation. The “SunCatcher” generating units produce zero emissions compared to conventional fossil fuel generating faculties.

Policy 37.1: The Land Use Element and Area Plans should identify areas designated for future commercial and industrial development, including sites for renewable energy development. The Area Plans may include additional policies defining the appropriate types of non‐residential development.

Goal Implementation: The project area has been screened as being ideal for the location of the “SunCatcher” solar generating technology. The Industrial portion which currently has a Light Industrial land use designation and contains approximately 2100+‐ acres, has El Paso Natural Gas pipelines, the BNSF Railroad that run through the property and interstate 40 is the southern boundary, Ideal for a industrial and manufacturing park


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III STERLING AREA PLAN

A. Existing Area Plan‐‐Land Zoning Designations

The existing Sterling Area Plan was developed in accordance with the 1995 Mohave County General Plan. The Site referred to as “The Sterling Plateau” consists of vacant land that has not been disturbed. According to the Mohave County General Plan, a portion of the Site is located within a Rural Development Area (RDA) and is classified as A‐R/36A Agricultural Residential with a minimum area of 36 acres. The majority of the site is within the current Sterling Area Plan Land use and is designated as a planned mixed use development for a series of 8 Villages with residential homes, golf courses, lakes and commercial uses (see land use Exhibit). The Site consists of A‐R/36A Agricultural Residential with a minimum area of 36 acres. The mixed use portion of the Sterling Area Plan also has an approved Community Facility District (CFD) for public Infrastructure development for $400 million approved April 7, 2008 by Mohave County Board of Supervisors. The Sections include 22, 23, 27, 26, 25 34, 35 in Township 16 ½ North, Range 20 ½ West and Sections 1, 2, 3 and the northern Portions of SECTION 11 and 12 in Township 16 North, Range 20 ½ West and SECTION 30, 32, Southern ½ of SECTION 31 except for the south eastern 40 acres and the South West Portion of SECTION 33 in Township 16 ½ North, Range 20 West, and SECTION 6 in Township 16 North, Range 20 West Gila and Salt River Baseline and Meridian.

The Industrial and Manufacturing Area referred to as the “Sacramento Station” portion includes portions of Sections 10, 11, 12 and the portion of Section 13 that is bordered by I‐40 on the south in Township 16 North, Range 20 ½ West and the northern portions of Sections 18, 17, 15 which border I‐40 on the south in Township 16 North, Range 20 West and the portion north of I‐40 of Section 18 in Township 16 North, Range 19 West, Gila and Salt River Baseline and Meridian. This area also has an approved Community Facility District (CFD) for public Infrastructure development for $250 million, approved April 7, 2008 by Mohave County Board of Supervisors.

Existing Sterling Area Plan


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B. Proposed General Plan Amendment and Area Plan Designations The amended Area Plan should be thought of in two segments. The first is the Solar Generating Area referred to by the developers as the “Sterling Plateau” and the second is the Industrial and Manufacturing area referred to by the developer as “The Sacramento Station”. “THE STERLING PLATEAU” On the Sterling Solar Generating Facility “Sterling Plateau” the proposed land use designation change within the project boundary is from Mixed Use and High, Medium and Low Density Residential land use, and other land uses, as defined in the Sterling Area Plan to Heavy Industrial Land use designation to allow for a Renewable Energy (E) overlay zoning district (See Land Use Table in appendix). The Sterling Solar Generating Facility is a single‐purpose project that will be comprised of approximately 10,000 – 13,000 acres of Energy Overlay land that will be used to construct and operate a concentrating solar power generating facility. Elements within the Site include solar fields, power blocks, technical and non‐technical buildings, retention ponds, rainwater catch basins, evaporation ponds, waste water treatment, water treatment, water storage tanks, on site housing, sub‐station, a visitors center, substation and switching station interconnection with the Western Area Power Administration powerlines and septic tanks located within the technical and non‐technical locations within the Site. Because the area plan will consist of a single industrial facility, any public facilities deemed as public safety will be incorporated within the area plan.

The proposed amendments will consist of all of Sections 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36 of Township 16 ½ North, Range 20 ½ West and all Sections 1, 2, 3, and the Northern portion of section 11 and 12 of Township 16 North, Range 20 ½ West and all of Sections 19, 29,30,31, 32, and the south west portion of 33, of Township 16 ½ North, Range 20 West and all of Section 6 Township 16 North, Range 20 West from Mixed Use and High and Low Density Residential land use as defined in the Sterling Area Plan to Heavy Industrial to allow for a ”Heavy Industrial” Zoning.

“THE SCRAMENTO STATION “ The Sterling Solar Generating Facility “The Sacramento Station” proposed amendments will also incorporate additional lands in Section 10, 11, 12, 13 of Township 16 North, Range 20 ½ West and the northern portions of Section 15, 17, 18 of Township 16 North, Range 20 West and the northern portion of section 18 Township 16 North, Range 19 West with proposed new land uses designated of Heavy Industrial which will allow for “Heavy Manufacturing” (MX) land use designation.


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The Amendment would also include Land in the process of being leased from the Arizona State Land Trust; all of Section 36 Township 16 ½ North, Range 20 ½ West as Renewable Energy (E) Zoning Overlay District. And all of Section 15 North of Interstate 40 and all of Sec 14 owned by Arizona State Land Trust North of Interstate 40 in Township 16 North, Range 20 ½ West, and the acreage north of Interstate 40 in sections 14 and 16 in Township 16 North, Range 20 West which will allow for Heavy Manufacturing (MX) Zoning.

C. Summary Of Benefits

These land use designation changes are intended to create jobs, increase the county tax base, increase sale tax revenues and allow for the continued development of Renewable Energy industries, clean industry and manufacturing and related industries. Ideally, a Federal Free Trade Zone may be established and could create good paying jobs. A Renewable Energy Incentive District per ARS 11‐254.07 is also planned.

D. Phasing

Phasing is not anticipated at this time as the project will continually be developed as capacity on the Western Area Power Authority (WAPA) transmission grid allows.

E. Economic Development

The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project will have a direct and indirect economic impact within Mohave County. The following economic metrics can be used to measure the direct and indirect economic impact of dollars spent in a given region:

1. Gross State Output – The total value of goods and services produced within

the state.

2. Earnings‐The value of wages and benefits earned by workers in the region.

3. Employment – Full and part‐time jobs.

4. Fiscal‐Impact to tax receipts by the County, State and Local Governments. The economic impacts of Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project can be divided into the construction and operation periods. During the construction phase of the project, there is a direct economic impact from the portion of goods and services for the project purchased from local vendors. There are also indirect economic impacts, which include employment created by purchases from vendors and multiplier impacts in the regional economy. During the operation phase of the project, there is a direct impact from permanent jobs created by the facility and annual purchases of


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goods and services to support operations and maintenance of the facility. There are also multiplier impacts created by the annual facility operations and maintenance expenditures. According to the 2009 Solar Energy and Economics Outlook (Patton 2009), the massive level of solar power plant construction in Arizona over the next 20 years generates the lion’s share of solar power’s economic benefits in terms of employment, wages and value added. The annual amount of direct labor used on solar construction and installation projects will increase from 565 jobs in 2010 to a peak 16,530 jobs in 2025. The amount of wages generated by solar power construction and installation will be significant. The total annual wages (direct, indirect and induced) will rise from $51 million in 2010 to a peak of $1,560 million in 2025. The cumulative value of wages over the period 2010 to 2030 amounts to $13.5 billion. The value added created by solar power construction and installation will also be significant. The total annual value added direct, indirect and induced) increases from $74 million in 2010 to a peak of $2,240 million in 2025. The cumulative amount of wages from 2010 to 2030 amounts to $19.4 billion.

The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project can serve as a magnet to draw other solar projects to Mohave County, allowing Mohave County to gain a larger percentage of the projected state‐wide economic benefits related to Solar Generation. The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project will employ up to a maximum of approximately 1300 construction personnel at its peak and approximately 350 to 500 operational jobs within Mohave County during operations of the facility. The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project will represent an increase to Mohave County’s overall tax base by $6 million dollar annually.

Goal Implementation: Generate increased revenues for Mohave County and job opportunities for local residents through industrial development of the Sterling Solar Generation Facility.

Policy: Participate with state and local economic development officials to promote job and vending opportunities associated with the construction and operation of the Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project.


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IV. ENVIRORMENTAL

A. Water Resources

NEEDLE MOUNTAIIN POWER, LLC, recognizes that water is a precious resource in Mohave County, therefore it is exercising due diligence in selecting the best low water use technology to preserve our groundwater resources. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has determined, based on hydro‐geological studies and other information, that 100 years of adequate water for 8,300 acre feet of water per year from the Sacramento Valley Basin aquifer. This supply is adequate to support The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Project in addition to the current committed demand for water in the region. The Project will comply with all applicable ADWR Regulations. Needle Mountain Power, LLC. understands that the statement of water adequacy from ADWR is a critical precursor for development plans and includes that letter in its package (See Appendix). As a matter of general policy, Needle Mountain Power, LLC. is open to exploring feasible technologies and conservation techniques that minimize the impact the project has on groundwater resources. For purposes of its water use projections, the project is calculating that consumption will be less than what 500 average households would use annually. The prior land use analysis of adequate water supply based on a different and more intensive use for the property which has been approved by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. It is anticipated that the prorated share of water for this project will be approximately 500 acre feet / year. Goal: Minimize the impact of the project on groundwater resources.

Policy: Explore technologies and conservation techniques that minimize impact to groundwater resources while still maintaining the technical and economic feasibility of the Project.

B. NEPA

NEEDLE MOUNTAIIN POWER, LLC, recognizes that compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and related laws and regulations must be accomplished before project construction can begin. To prepare for the necessary analyses, NMP has retained the services of a firm that specializes in obtaining environmental clearances. Existing documentation has been collected and reviewed, including the extensive record used by BLM in developing the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the 1994 land exchange decision. In addition consultation has been initiated with the Arizona Department of Game and Fish as well as the US Fish and Wildlife Service.


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It is NMP’s expectation that the Western Area Power Administration will be the Lead Federal Agency for environmental compliance activities. NMP and its consultants will work closely with staff from Western to complete necessary analyses and prepare necessary documents.

C. Air Quality

The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Area Plan consists of the “SunCatcher” a self contained solar power generator. The primary fuel source for this facility will be conversion of the heat energy of natural sunlight into AC power. In addition, other fuel may be used in the plant for facility startup, up to approximately 1% of the annual solar energy input. Other fuel sources such as portable equipment using Natural Gas Heaters could also be required for freeze protection as well as for maintaining equipment during down time, But because of the Temperatures do not generally get to the hard freeze in the area this use will very minimal if at all. The Project will likely not require a Non Title‐V Air Permit; because the Sterling Solar Generating Facility is not located within a non‐attainment area. Construction and maintenance equipment will meet all applicable air quality requirements.

Air quality impacts resulting from fugitive dust emissions from the subject lands will be lessened by paving currently unpaved roads that have been installed by the developer in the project area. Dust/dirt affects the performance of the “SunCatcher” solar panels. Therefore, after development of the solar fields, the ground surface may be treated with an eco‐friendly binding agent or “tackified” to reduce potential fugitive dust. In addition to minimizing the effects this dust would have on the “SunCatcher” units, this would also significantly reduce the amount of fugitive dust from these lands that could affect local air quality.

The Clean Air Act is the law that defines the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) responsibilities for protecting and improving the nation's air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer. The Clean Air Act, which was last amended in 1990, requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. The Clean Air Act established two types of standards. Primary standards set limits to protect public health, including the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards set limits to protect public welfare, including protection against visibility impairment, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings.

EPA has set NAAQS for six principal pollutants, which are called "criteria" pollutants, including ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) measured as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), lead (Pb), and particulate matter less than 10 and 2.5 microns in diameter (PM10 and PM2.5, respectively) (EPA 2009). Areas of the country that persistently exceed the NAAQS for criteria pollutant may be designated as “non‐attainment areas”, which would require an implementation plan to reach attainment of the criteria pollutant.


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In addition, the Clean Air Act, as amended, defined areas for additional regulation of PM and SO2. Class I areas are specifically designated natural areas that include national parks, wildernesses, and other protected Federal areas. Class II areas are all other areas that are not designated Class I, and include urban areas as well as natural areas that have not been designated as Class I. The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Area Plan is not located within a non‐attainment area nor a Class I area. The closest Class I area is located approximately 70 miles north, and is associated with the Grand Canyon National Park.

The Project will apply for and operate within the constraints of an air permit from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

Goal Implementation: To reduce the dust during all phases of construction.

Policy: Create a BMP that addresses dust control. Policy: Educate workers in dust control policy

D. Biology

The 1994 BLM EA includes the following:

“A threatened and endangered species survey showed no special status plants are known to existing area. The only special status animal species that occurs is the desert tortoise. This property is classified as Category III Desert Tortoise habitat due to low desert tortoise densities and BLM‘s management capability with the checkerboard land pattern. Category III Habitat is not essential to maintenance of a viable desert tortoise population”.

In recent years, the AZ Department of Transportation has been evaluating possible corridors

for the extension of US‐95 north of I‐40. The ADOT consultants have investigated a one‐mile wide corridor that crosses north and east of the Sterling Property and they found no desert tortoises in that corridor. Although this information is helpful, a full biological survey of the entire Sterling Property is needed and will be conducted in the fall of 2010. Until that survey is completed, biological issues associated with the Project cannot be fully addressed.

V. SITE INFRASTRUCTURE

A. Water and Waste Water Systems

The Sterling Solar Generating Facility water system will include systems for the supply of de‐mineralized water for the cleaning of the mirror panels, and also potable water for the plant facilities. In order to supply the facility with water of the required quality, a water treatment plant will be a component of the facility. The water treatment plant will supply water by mechanical and chemical treatment of water collected from an external water source (wells)


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pumped to at least a 1 million gallon storage tank for gravity feed to the site. The Project will continue to provide water at no cost to neighboring residences who wish to haul water from the pick‐up point (to be determined) to their property. The small amount of wastewater from the site will be contained using approved on site septic system in accordance with applicable regulations.

The Sterling Solar Generating Facility shall be covered by an on site wastewater treatment plan, in accordance with existing environmental regulations, with the intention to reuse as much wastewater as possible. The reuse of would satisfy the intent of Mohave County’s Policy 43.9 “The County should encourage developers to recycle gray water and rainwater onsite and/or use treated effluent for landscape irrigation and other non‐potable uses including fountains, water features, commercial car and truck washes, and fire suppression systems to name a few.”

B. Storm Water and Waste Water Systems

The storm water system would consist generally of open ditches, including all necessary ponds, gutters, gullies, traps, catch pits, etc., for the collection, recharge, and evaporation/ discharge of the clean storm water from the surface of the plant site. For the design of the drainage system, the rates of rainfall indicated by the local meteorological records as well as the effective runoff coefficient for different surfaces of the site (natural habitat, roofs, roads, paved areas, free uncovered areas, etc.) will be considered, and incorporated in the design. The volume of the retention basins will be determined in the detailed design phase of the project, with consideration of the effective site level based on a detailed topographical survey of the site.

The domestic waste water will be collected and treated in septic tanks located within the Project boundary.

C. Evaporation Ponds

Evaporation ponds will be a necessary component in the reuse treatment process. The purpose of pond treatment is to minimize the effluents and to recycle the water as much as possible. The effluent, concentrate from reverse osmosis, and other similar wastewaters will be collected and discharged into evaporation ponds where the water evaporates naturally and can be mixed with runoff; the remaining components will be retained in the evaporation ponds for the life of the project, and disposed of upon decommissioning.

D. Circulation / Transportation

Interstate 40 is a major East‐West transportation corridor in Arizona. The Sterling Solar Generating Facility Area Plans southern boundary is Interstate 40. The project plans to utilize and improve the current Needle Mountain Road interchange as the primary entrance into


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the project from I‐40. The road going north from the Needle Mountain Road interchange will be improved to handle heavy equipment and will include an overpass over the BNSF Railroad tracks and the Sacramento Wash. This access is intended to bring in the Heavy equipment, construction materials and tools, and additional labor required for power plant construction. The Initial access to the Property is Oatman Rd (Mohave 1) at Polaris Road (Section 23 T16N, R21W south of Golden Shores and will become a secondary access to the property when the Needle Mountain Road interchange can be upgraded. A traffic study will be performed and the consultation process has been initiated with ADOT.

After the site is constructed, traffic circulation will be associated with approximately 300 to 500 full time employees accessing the Sterling Solar Generating Facility from Needle Mountain Rd. A new access road that would parallel the north side of interstate 40 from Needle Mountain Road to AZ Highway 95 is planned. This road will provide access to the industrial area along Sacramento Wash and will be used for transportation of materials associated with plant operation.

Goal: Construct and maintain safe access to the site from existing Federal, State, County and private roads.

Policy: Work with ADOT and Mohave County to develop access roads according to Mohave County Road Standards.


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Land Ownership Map


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Transmission Power Lines And Land Use Map


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Stirling Energy’s “SunCatcher”


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ADWR EXTENSION OF AN ANALYSIS OF ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY


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NOTIFICATION AREA


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Existing Sterling Area Plan Land Uses by Section Township Range Section Existing Land Use

16.5N 20.5W 22 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 22 Public Parks 16.5N 20.5W 23 Low Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 23 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 23 Public Parks 16.5N 20.5W 25 Low Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 25 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 25 Suburban Residential 16.5N 20.5W 25 Public Parks 16.5N 20.5W 25 Neighborhood Commercial 16.5N 20.5W 26 Low Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 26 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 26 Suburban Residential 16.5N 20.5W 26 Public Parks 16.5N 20.5W 26 Neighborhood Commercial 16.5N 20.5W 27 Low Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 27 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 27 Suburban Residential 16.5N 20.5W 27 Public Parks 16.5N 20.5W 34 Low Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 34 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 34 Suburban Residential 16.5N 20.5W 34 Public Parks 16.5N 20.5W 35 Low Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 35 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20.5W 35 Suburban Residential 16.5N 20.5W 35 Public Parks 16.5N 20.5W 35 Neighborhood Commercial 16.5N 20.5W 36 Rural Development Area 16.5N 20W 19 Rural Development Area 16.5N 20W 29 Rural Development Area 16.5N 20W 30 High Density Residential 16.5N 20W 30 Low Density Residential 16.5N 20W 30 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20W 30 Suburban Residential 16.5N 20W 30 Public Parks 16.5N 20W 31 High Density Residential 16.5N 20W 31 Low Density Residential 16.5N 20W 31 Medium Density Residential 16.5N 20W 31 Neighborhood Commercial 16.5N 20W 31 Public Parks 16.5N 20W 31 Rural Development Area 16.5N 20W 32 Public Parks 16.5N 20W 32 Neighborhood Commercial 16.5N 20W 32 Mixed Use


25

Existing Sterling Area Plan Land Uses by Section Township Range Section Existing Land Use

16.5N 20W 33 Public Parks 16.5N 20W 33 General Commercial 16N 20.5W 1 Medium Density Residential 16N 20.5W 1 Neighborhood Commercial 16N 20.5W 1 General Commercial 16N 20.5W 1 Public Parks 16N 20.5W 1 Mixed Use 16N 20.5W 2 Medium Density Residential 16N 20.5W 2 High Density Residential 16N 20.5W 2 Neighborhood Commercial 16N 20.5W 2 Public Parks 16N 20.5W 2 Mixed Use 16N 20.5W 3 Medium Density Residential 16N 20.5W 3 High Density Residential 16N 20.5W 3 General Commercial 16N 20.5W 3 Public Parks 16N 20.5W 3 Mixed Use 16N 20.5W 10 Public Parks 16N 20.5W 10 Mixed Use 16N 20.5W 11 Public Parks 16N 20.5W 11 Mixed Use 16N 20.5W 12 Public Parks 16N 20.5W 12 Mixed Use 16N 20.5W 12 General Commercial 16N 20.5W 13 Public Parks 16N 20.5W 13 Mixed Use 16N 20.5W 13 Light Industrial 16N 20.5W 14 Rural Development Area 16N 20.5W 15 Rural Development Area 16N 20W 6 High Density Residential 16N 20W 6 Medium Density Residential 16N 20W 6 Low Density Residential 16N 20W 6 Mixed Use 16N 20W 6 Public Parks 16N 20W 14 Rural Development Area 16N 20W 15 Public Parks 16N 20W 15 Light Industrial 16N 20W 15 Mixed Use 16N 20W 16 Rural Development Area 16N 20W 17 Light Industrial 16N 20W 17 Public Parks 16N 20W 18 Light Industrial 16N 20W 18 Public Parks 16N 19W 18 Light Industrial 16N 19W 18 Public Parks


26