Louisiana Wildlife Federation supports regulations and rules for utility-scale solar development in Louisiana that are protective of the state’s fish and wildlife, specifically wildlife-tolerant fencing or no fencing, use of native plants, promotion of agrivoltaics potential, and ongoing site-specific local stakeholder engagement for siting and development. LWF supports the imposition of a fee on utility-scale solar projects on public lands that would be dedicated for habitat and wildlife program needs around the state as mitigation for wildlife and fisheries habitat loss due to solar construction. Read more about LWF’s position and information resources HERE.
More than 160 utility-scale solar projects either under construction, planned, or in development in Louisiana. It’s time to revisit best practices to protect wildlife, fish, and native habitats as these massive installations are sited and constructed.
Things to consider when siting new solar installations:
- Minimizing habitat fragmentation
- Avoiding sensitive habitat areas or areas with species of concern
- Avoiding impacts to streams and wetlands
- Prioritizing locations of degraded lands and avoid productive farmland
- Reducing barriers to wildlife movement through unfenced passageways or wildlife-friendly fencing practices
- Providing habitat on site through vegetation diversity, the use of native vegetation and avoiding unnecessary vegetation clearing
- Avoiding or minimizing impacts in Important Bird Areas
- Identifying any species of concern in the area and developing a plan to avoid impact
- Reducing potential impact to migratory birds through burying lines where possible, or co-locating collector and generation tie lines, use avian-safe pole designs
- Lighting around and in facilities should be limited to safe operation and be shielded or pointed downward to avoid attracting birds and bats
- Developing a vegetation management plan
- Encouraging the development of multi-use operation for facilities whenever possible including agrivoltaics (agriculture + solar), providing pollinator habitat with reduced mowing and herbicide application, and considering wildlife in the area with application of wildlife friendly fences or other measures
LWF provided recommendations in August 2024 during a special state legislative hearing. We continue to push for best practices, using lessons learned from other areas of the region that welcomed solar projects in rural areas long used for agriculture or grazing or forests. When converting land use for hundreds or even thousands of acres of land, it’s crucial to understand the impact it has locally and give each site local consideration while providing for input.