Does this project impact any endangered species?

The Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP), a division of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife, determined the project will result in a “take” of habitat for six species of moths. Between January, 2021 and June, 2022, SunPower, the Town and the Wannacomet Water Company collaborated with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife to evaluate all viable options to mitigate the environmental impact of the project and develop a Conservation management Plan.  After 18 months of work exhausting all viable options, including looking at properties owned by the Town, Wannacomet Water Company, the State of Massachusetts and on-island conservation groups, the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife have provided the option of paying a fee which will be used to enhance the habitat of the species impacted by the project development during the project term, until the site is returned to its existing habitat after the project is removed.

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1. How was the project awarded?
2. Who will own the project?
3. What is the proposed scope and scale of the project?
4. What clean energy benefits will the project provide?
5. What economic benefits does the project provide?
6. Is solar a permissible use on water company land held for water supply purposes?
7. How much land will need to be clear cut to accommodate this project and how will the clearing be conducted and managed?
8. Does this project impact any endangered species?
9. What approvals does the developer require before constructing the project?
10. Will the project impact the island’s aquifer/water supply?
11. Does the project pose a toxicity risk to the public water supply (i.e. PFAS/Gen-x)?
12. What happens to the project components after the 25-year project term?