SW4220502_Stormwater Narrative_20220514

Date: February 7, 2022
Project: Snow Camp Solar, LLC
353 Clark Road
Snow Camp, North Carolina 27349
Alamance County
PROJECT NARRATIVE
CYPRESSCREEK
RENEWABLES
The purpose of this narrative is to summarize the as -built improvements for the Snow Camp Solar, LLC project ("Project"), which
was built in early 2016; discuss post -construction drainage conditions and address NC DEMLR's Notice of Violation (NOC-2021-
PC-0227) letter from Ms. Annette Lucas dated April 12, 2021. As per the NOC letter, Ms. Lucas stated that "...this site never
obtained a post -construction stormwater management permit and is therefore in violation..." The CCR Engineering Team has
confirmed that the project Applicant/Engineer of Record did not obtain the requisite permit and contacted Ms. Lucas regarding
submitting a modified Post Construction Stormwater Management Permit application package to demonstrate compliance after
the fact. (Note: it is understood the Ms. Lucas is no longer employed at NC DEMLR.) CCR has gathered the available project
documentation, completed the NC DEMLR stormwater management application forms, and issued a fee payment check with
the goal of bringing the operational solar facility into compliance.
The project is an 8.21-Megawatt (MW) AC (6.0 MW DC) solar power generation facility located on a 25.33-acre project footprint
(fence area) within a 76.87-acre lease area in Alamance County. The facility consists of fixed tilt solar photovoltaic (PV) panel
tables supported on driven steel piles (posts) and pad -mounted inverters. The solar PV system is connected to the Randolph
Electric Membership Corporation (RAEMC) utility electric grid at a Point of Interconnection (P01), north of the main array fields
(See As -Built ALTA Survey). No significant site grading was performed — only minimal vegetation clearing, utility trenching,
subgrade preparation for a gravel access drive and concrete equipment pads. A chain link perimeter fence encloses the facility.
The solar site is functioning adequately as a Low -Density Project with stormwater released as dispersed flow. The project site
areas are completely vegetated and match pre -construction terrain, except for a gravel drive and concrete equipment pads. The
site's existing sloping topography directs overland sheet flow drainage to surrounding downstream areas - i.e., Jurisdictional
("JD") Tributaries, Ponds and Wetlands (per Wetland Delineation Report). The unnamed JD -tributaries flow to Reedy Branch
(WS-V; Cape Fear River Basin). A 50-foot riparian buffer is required along the JD Tributaries and Pond since the project is
located within the Jordan Lake Watershed of North Carolina. The main site area slopes radially from a highpoint elevation of
619 feet: (1) to the north, a 7-ft drop to 590 feet; (2) to the west and south, a 29-ft drop to elevation 590 feet; and (3) to east, a
17-ft elevation drop to elevation 602 feet. Downstream vegetation areas provide natural stormwater treatment and dissipation
of runoff prior to discharging to the ditch/stream. Onsite, the grass areas beneath the solar panels and between rows allow for
rainwater infiltration, runoff dissipation, and dispersal as overland sheet flow.
The proiect does not meet the design criteria for a Disconnected Impervious System (DIS) since the project calculated
Disconnection Length is only 72.6% of the total solar panel width, which is below the minimum 80% threshold required by
NCDEQ Stormwater Design Manual Section E-6 (See BUA Calculations Package: Row Spacing: 8.83-ft; Solar Panel Width:
12.17-ft; Slope: 6%, average). Per the submitted As -Built Structural Plans (RBI Solar, Rack Section Detail Al on Sheet S-301),
the solar panel heights are below 10-ft; therefore, complying with Recommendation 6.
The CCR Operations and Maintenance (0&M) Team performs regular inspections on a quarterly basis. 0&M personnel perform
grass mowing; minor seeding/replanting of bare areas; debris and trash removal; panel washing/cleaning; onsite road repairs;
and electrical equipment testing. The submitted Operation & Maintenance Agreement will enhance and/or reinforce the
Maintenance Plan that is already in -place; thereby, meeting Post -Construction Stormwater Permit requirements for a Low -
Density project.
Cypress Creek Renewables, 5310 S. Alston Ave. Bldg. 300 Durham, NC 27513 919.240.4815