Notice seeking public comment - Hawk Solar, LLC for Incidental Take Authorization

Notice seeking public comment - Hawk Solar, LLC for Incidental Take Authorization Pursuant to Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 1080 of the Illinois Administrative Code, notice is hereby given that Hawk Solar LLC, 30 W Hubbard St. Suite 400, Chicago, IL – 60654 has submitted a Conservation Plan to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to apply for authorization for the taking of the Illinois chorus frog (Pseudacris illinoensis), Illinois mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) and plains hog-nosed snake (Heterodon nasicus) incidental to the Hawk Solar project. The project is located in Tazewell County, Illinois. The project is located approximately two miles southwest of the Village of Green Valley, Illinois on the south side of County Road 500 N, approximately 0.3 miles east of the intersection of County Road 500 N/Hilst Road and Wagonseller Road in Section 5, Township 22 North, Range 05 West in Tazewell County approximately 11 miles south of the Illinois River. The Project consists of a photovoltaic solar energy project including a site access road, the solar arrays, two pads for inverters with transformers and associated equipment, the interconnecting cabling, cabling connecting the step-up transformers to the power grid and project site fence. Take of Illinois chorus frog, Illinois mud turtle and plains hog-nosed snake may result during the Project as a result of this work. Illinois chorus frog, Illinois mud turtle and plains hog-nosed snake are protected under the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act (520 ILCS 10) and are known to occur within the vicinity of the Project. In order to minimize and mitigate for the take of Illinois chorus frog, Illinois mud turtle and plains hog-nosed snake incidental to Hawk Solar project, efforts to minimize impacts to the species during construction include installation of proper erosion control measures to minimize land disturbance, planting native seed mixes to reestablish native plants and signage to educate site personnel on avoidance of the species. A mitigation fee of $12,162 will be required of Hawk Solar, LLC and will be contributed to the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund to benefit the recovery of the Illinois chorus frog, Illinois mud turtle, and plains hog-nosed snake. A copy of the Project Conservation Plan is available for inspection by the Public at the following location(s): Forman Valley Public Library, 404 S Harrison St, Manito, IL 61546 The Conservation Plan is also available on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Incidental Take Authorization website, accessed at https://dnr2.illinois.gov/ITA/ (ITA #296). Comments pertaining to the conservation plan should be sent: via email to DNR.ITACoordinator@illinois.gov OR: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Resource Conservation, Incidental Take Authorization Coordinator, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702 Comments will be accepted through November 7, 2025. September 24, October 1, 8 2025 LILS0373169