HomeMy WebLinkAboutHellman Solar PV Electrical System Project CommentFebruary 6th, 2026
RE: Hellman Solar PV Electrical System Project
To Whom it May Concern,
I am writing this letter to express my concern over the proposed Solar Panel Construction Project
at Hellman Ranch. The proposed construction site is adjacent to a large swath of extremely sensitive
wetland habitat. This habitat is vital to endangered bird and plant species and is also the site of a
successful restoration process. According to the guidelines expressed in CEQA, this project should
absolutely be subject to an Environmental Impact Report before approval by the City Council. The
sensitive nature of the adjacent coastal wetland habitat, and the project sites proximity to multiple state
and county water resources both contribute to the potential for long-term impacts on the site’s
environment.
Coastal wetland habitat provides vital ecosystem services and within densely populated areas
like Orange County these resources are seriously limited. Any construction or modification of
infrastructure that is near these essential habitats needs to be very carefully considered and only
approved if necessary. The Hellman Ranch Solar panel project does not fall within this category. The
potential for major disruptions to the coastal wetland ecosystem within the adjacent property is
moderate to high with any construction project and especially one of this scale.
Beyond the potential for pollution and environmental degradation during the construction of
these proposed solar panels, there is ample evidence that shows that the presence of solar panels can
have a significant change on a localized ecosystem and its inhabitants. Studies have shown that ground
mounted photovoltaic solar panels had a negative effect on six local species of bat surveyed within the
United Kingdom, including the Common Pipistrelle a native species to the proposed site location. 1 There
is also a growing consensus within the ecological community that solar energy facilities and their
infrastructure cause more direct harm to a variety of avian species than previously thought. The
indiscriminate nature of solar flux injuries causes fatality in many avian taxa including federally
endangered subspecies like the Ridgeways Rail. Waterbirds are particularly at risk near infrastructure
that include photovoltaic cells which reflect polarized light, as are insectivorous species that are
attracted to the increase in insect activity near the PV cell infrastructure. 2 The coastal wetland habitat
that is adjacent to the Hellman Ranch Property supports federally protected endangered species
including Belding ’s Savannah Sparrow, California Least Tern, and Ridgway’s Rail. There have been
significant efforts across federal, state, and local nonprofit organizations to restore and protect the
habitat for these species. For the years of conservation work that has taken place to be mitigated and
potentially reversed by a construction project that supports the expansion of the oil and gas industry is
truly sad for Orange and Los Angeles County residents.
I hope that you and the other city council members seriously consider the effects and
implications of this decision on the residents of your community and stop this project from moving
forward. This coastal wetland habitat is loved and cherished by the local citizens and threatening the
sanctity of this natural resource seems entirely unnecessary and feels like a step in the wrong direction.
Sincerely,
Eryn Oelstrom
1 https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2664.14474
2 https://academic.oup.com/condor/article/118/2/411/5153228