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Home My WebLink About5.1 - Susan Hearne - October 27th BOS meeting item #5.1 - Feedback Requested on Cenergy Power's Proposed Community Benefits Agreement.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying.. From:Susan Hearne To:Teeter, Doug Cc:Clerk of the Board Subject:October 27th BOS meeting item #5.1 9:45 am - Timed Item - Feedback Requested on Cenergy Power"s Proposed Community Benefits Agreement as Part of their Solar Project State Permitting Application Cenergy Power has a proposed 1,700 acre utility-scale... Date:Monday, October 26, 2026 10:05:52 AM Attachments:Screenshot 2024-01-31 at 11.02.57 AM.png October 22, 2026 To: Butte County Board of Supervisors 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200 Oroville, CA 95965 Subject: Formal Environmental Concerns — Proposed Solar Development at 2000 Skyway, Chico (Nance Canyon) North Chico Solar: Deer Migration, Butte Creek, Tree Removal, Volcanic Bedrock, Blasting, Drilling, and Wildfire Safety Dear Members of the Butte County Board of Supervisors: I am writing to express serious concerns regarding the proposed large-scale solar development at 2000 Skyway, Chico, in the Nance Canyon area. My concerns involve the potential destruction of wildlife habitat, interference with established deer migration routes, removal of mature trees, impacts on the Butte Creek watershed, disturbance of volcanic bedrock, and increased wildfire hazards. I understand that the proposed development may occupy approximately two square miles (1,280 acres), accommodate as many as 500,000 solar panels, and provide a wildlife corridor. I request that the County verify these figures and make the supporting environmental and necessary plans publicly available. Before any Community Benefits Agreement is considered, I respectfully request the County advocate for more information. We all need written answers to the following questions. 1. Protection of the East Tehama Deer Herd and Wildlife Migration The Eastern Tehama mule deer herd is one of California's most significant migratory deer populations. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) research identifies the importance of migration corridors, winter ranges, and stopover areas for the herd's survival. CDFW has also documented deer movement along Skyway involving the Bucks Mountain– Mooretown deer herd. An industrial scale solar facility surrounded by security fencing will permanently alter the movement of deer and other wildlife. How can the proposed project adequately accommodate wildlife movement through a development covering approximately 1,280 acres? seasonal movement patterns, and the consequences of installing extensive perimeter fencing. The County should require the proposed project footprint and wildlife corridor to be compared with CDFW migration maps, winter ranges, and stopover areas. CDFW should independently evaluate whether the proposed corridor will maintain functional wildlife connectivity. 2. Compliance With Butte County Deer Protection Ordinances Butte County Code Section 24-37, Deer Herd Migration Overlay Zone, establishes protections for migratory deer habitat, including deer-friendly fencing standards where applicable. Butte County General Plan Goal COS-10 also addresses the survival of migratory deer herds and the protection of their seasonal ranges. I request a written determination identifying which deer protection ordinances and General Plan policies apply to this property. Will the project's security fencing comply with these protections, and what scientific evidence establishes that the proposed wildlife passage is sufficient? 3. Protection of Butte Creek and Its Watershed Butte County Code Section 24-34.1, Butte Creek Canyon Overlay Zone, recognizes the importance of protecting salmon, steelhead, the East Tehama deer herd, and other sensitive wildlife within the designated area. The County should determine whether the proposed development affects protected waterways, seasonal streams, riparian habitat, or drainages connected to Butte Creek. What will prevent grading, excavation, soil disturbance, and vegetation removal from increasing erosion and sedimentation into surrounding waterways? I request a detailed watershed and stormwater analysis addressing both construction and long- term operation. This would include a study on the dust and silt that will affect Butte Creek and its federally protected salmon 4. Tree Removal — Chainsaws, Bulldozers, and Burning How many mature oak trees, other native trees, and acres of natural vegetation will be removed to accommodate this solar development? Exactly how will these trees be removed? Will workers use chainsaws, bulldozers, excavators, mechanical tree cutters, or other heavy equipment? Will the trees and brush be burned in piles, chipped, mulched, or hauled away? Will any open burning occur on the property? If so, who will authorize it, and what measures will prevent an escaped fire? plan. Given the devastating wildfire history of the Paradise and Chico foothills, equipment- generated sparks, chainsaw use, dry vegetation, and burning activities must be carefully evaluated. 5. How Will Approximately 500,000 Solar Panels Be Secured Into the Lava Cap? This is an additional major concern that deserves a detailed engineering explanation. The proposed property reportedly contains extensive areas of lava cap, volcanic rock, or shallow bedrock. If approximately 500,000 solar panels are to be installed across this landscape, how will the supporting structures be anchored into the ground? Two million holes drilled? I request specific answers to the following: · Will blasting or explosives be used to fracture volcanic rock or prepare foundations? · Will contractors use large industrial drilling equipment to penetrate the lava cap? · Will hydraulic rock breakers, jackhammers, pile drivers, or other heavy equipment be required? · How many foundation holes, driven piles, ground anchors, or other ground penetrations are anticipated, and how deep will they extend? · Will the volcanic bedrock be excavated, fractured, crushed, or removed? · What alternative foundation methods have been evaluated to minimize disturbance of the existing rock formations? · How much noise, vibration, dust, and heavy-truck traffic will these operations generate? · Could drilling, blasting, or rock fracturing affect seasonal springs, groundwater movement, natural drainage patterns, or erosion? · What precautions will prevent sparks from rock drilling, cutting, and heavy machinery from igniting surrounding dry vegetation? · How will sustained construction noise and vibration affect deer migration, nesting birds, and other wildlife? Will blasting be necessary or permitted anywhere on this property? If blasting is proposed, the public should be informed of the anticipated locations, frequency, safety procedures, fire-prevention requirements, and potential impacts on neighboring properties and wildlife. The number of panels alone does not establish the number of foundations required. Therefore, the County should understand the actual panel-support design and the total number and depth of proposed ground penetrations before agreeing to any CBA. Before CBA approval, I request a site-specific geotechnical investigation and foundation  identifying bedrock conditions, construction methods, excavation quantities, and anticipated environmental impacts. The environmental review must address these construction activities rather than considering only the completed solar facility. 6. Wildfire Risk and Emergency Safety The proposed development is in a region with a history of high fire danger. In fact, it is a high fire serverity zone. Construction involving chainsaws, drilling, rock breaking, heavy machinery, electrical equipment, and potentially blasting or open burning presents ignition hazards that deserve careful review. What specific fire-prevention measures will be required during construction? Will work be suspended during Red Flag Warnings or other dangerous fire-weather conditions? What emergency access routes, firefighting water supplies, and evacuation protections will be available? The County should require a comprehensive construction fire-prevention and emergency- response plan reviewed by the appropriate fire authorities prior to agreeing to a CBA. This does not even take into consideration the concern of battery systems. 7. Request for Environmental Review and Public Accountability Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), potentially significant environmental impacts must be evaluated, and feasible mitigation measures and alternatives considered. It is pre-mature for the County to consider a CBA without first understanding what it will mean for its citizens, the landscape and its wildlife. I respectfully request that the Board of Supervisors ask for: 1. A comprehensive environmental review, including an Environmental Impact Report. 2. Obtain written recommendations from CDFW concerning deer migration. 3. Require a complete tree-removal and vegetation-disposal plan, specifically addressing chainsaws, heavy machinery, and any proposed burning. 4. Require a geological and geotechnical report explaining how the solar structures will be anchored into the lava cap, including whether blasting, drilling, or rock breaking will be necessary. 5. Require evaluation of wildfire risks, groundwater and drainage impacts, construction noise, vibration, dust, and cumulative habitat loss. 6. Make all biological studies, geological reports, construction plans, and proposed mitigation measures available for meaningful public review before the County gives any nod toward this project. Conclusion The potential conversion of approximately two square miles of natural foothill habitat into an industrial-scale solar facility raises substantial questions about the long-term consequences for wildlife, waterways, geology, and public safety. The public deserves to know not only what this project will look like when completed, but exactly how it will be constructed. Will thousands of holes be drilled into volcanic rock? Will blasting be necessary? Will mature trees be cut down with chainsaws and burned? Will deer be forced into a narrow passage surrounded by solar panels and fencing? These questions deserve clear, documented answers before irreversible land disturbance begins. I support responsible renewable energy development, but such development must be evaluated carefully and designed to protect Butte County's natural resources and surrounding communities. I respectfully request that the Board question this project and insist on clear data through a transparent, scientifically supported environmental review and is informed about all potentially significant impacts as required by law. Please enter this letter into the official public record for all proceedings concerning the proposed solar development at 2000 Skyway/Nance Canyon, and provide a written response to the concerns raised. Thank you for your attention. Respectfully, Susan Hearne 2068 Talbert Dr #300 Chico, CA 95928 530-228-5480