HomeMy WebLinkAbout20161217 Ver 2_Restoration Plan Update_20180329Scarbrauqh, Anthon
From:
Hayes, Tim <Tim.Hayes@duke-energy.com>
Sent:
Thursday, March 29, 2018 4:18 PM
To:
Barnes, Kyle ; Scarbraugh, Anthony
Cc:
McNay, Tom; Hooper, Matt; Johnston, Charlie; Snead, Paul B
Subject:
[External] Duke Energy Renewables Windsor Solar Update
Attachments:
Duke Windsor Solar Restoration Plan Update Transmittal Letter (03292018).pdf; Duke
Windsor Solar Restoration Plan (Dec2017).pdf
Kyle and Anthony, Please find attached a transmittal letter and an updated wetland restoration plan for Duke Energy
Renewables' Windsor Solar Project. Hard copies will be mailed to you as well. Thanks.
Tim
Timothy A. Hayes
Director, Environmental
Duke Energy Renewables
301 Home Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47803
Office: (812)231-6771
Cell: (317)902-2432
ti m. havesOdu ke-energv.com
(' DUKE
ENERGY®
RENEWABLES
March 29, 2018
Kyle Barnes
Regulatory Project Manager
US Army — Corps of Engineers
Washington Regulatory Field Office
2407 W. 5a' Street
Washington, NC 27889
Anthony Scarbraugh
Environmental Senior Specialist
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDENR
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, North Carolina 27889
Re: Windsor Solar Project
Dear Mr. Barnes and Mr. Scarbraugh:
Timothy A. Hayes
Environmental Director
Duke Energy Renewables
301 Home Avenue
Terre Haute, M 47803
This letter is to update you on our current planning and timeline for the wetlands and waters
restoration activities at Duke Energy Renewables' (Duke) Windsor Solar Project. Duke has
recently received the following CWA Section 404 and 401 documents:
U.S Army Corps Wilmington District, SAW-2016-02000, February 23, 2018
"Notification of Unauthorized Activity; Permit Noncompliance"
N.C. Division of Water Resources, DWR # 16-1217 V2, February 27, 2018
"After The Fact Approval of Water Quality Certification With Additional Conditions"
In addition, the Army Corps has received from the Great Dismal Swamp Restoration Bank,
LLC, the "Compensatory Mitigation Responsibility Transfer Form ", (dated March 12, 2018)
indicating Duke Energy Renewables' payment of the assigned compensatory mitigation.
In regards to the Army Corps' Notification, Duke has met with Sun Energy 1 at the site this
week to discuss construction sequencing for removal of solar panels, removal of fill, grading,
and restoration planting. Our intention is to begin work on April 9s' and complete the planting
no later than May 31 st. Note that this would extend beyond the 30 days cited in the Corps'
Notification. This proposed schedule is very weather dependent; particularly the restoration
planting schedule. We want to ensure the tree planting is done during conditions to maximize
their survival and growth.
To address several comments in DWR's Certification, please refer to the revised "Wetland
Restoration Plan". This Plan is attached. Of note, the Plan:
a) removes red maple,
b) extends the planting date to May 31, 2018, and
c) substitutes larger, containerized plants for bare -root stock.
We also acknowledge your request for an onsite meeting prior to replanting to assess site
conditions. Due to the vagaries of construction and weather, we cannot identify a precise date
at this time, but we will contact you both once work progresses and we get closer.
Please note that Duke staff will be present on site each work day for the duration of the solar
panel removal, fill removal and restoration activities. As always, Duke intends to fully comply
or exceed the requirements given by your agencies in this matter.
In closing, Duke sincerely appreciates the time and effort from all parties and agencies
necessary to have reached a balanced solution, one which will restore ecological functionality
while maintaining solar energy generation. We're excited to be moving forward.
Please contact me at 812/231-6771 or Tom McNay at 513/287-2029 if you have questions or
need further information.
Thank you again for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Timothy A. Hayes
Environmental Director
Cc: Tom McNay — VP DER NC Solar, LLC
Matt Hooper — Project Management - Duke Energy
Charlie Johnston — Environmental Services — Duke Energy
Paul Snead — Environmental Services — Duke Energy