20230306 Ver 1_More Info Received_20230518

Kimley»)Horn
May 18, 2023
Ms. Rebecca Chandler
North Carolina Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office
450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300
Winston-Salem, NC 27105-7401
Mr. Billy Standridge
US Army Corps of Engineers
Washington Regulatory Field Office
2407 West Fifth Street
Washington, NC 27889
RE: Response to NCDWR Request for Additional Information
Bear Branch Solar Site (Action ID: SAW-2019-02160)
Walnut Cove, Stokes County, North Carolina
Dear Ms. Chandler and Mr. Standridge,
On behalf of our client, the Capital Power Corporation, Kimley-Horn is submitting the attached
(additional) information for the above referenced Project per the North Carolina Division of Water
Resources (NCDWR) letter received via email and dated April 27, 2023. The request for additional
information provided comments and requested multiple pieces of additional information and
clarification.
Below is an outline of the NCDWR comments, along with a brief narrative addressing each comment.
1. Do you have any photos of the existing crossing for impact site #1 and the existing crossing?
Please see the attached photo pages of the existing crossing for impact site #1.
2. Regarding the Wildlife Resources Commission's comments — has a decommissioning plan
been developed for the site?
Please see the attached Zoning Approval from the Stokes County Planning & Community
Development department. Section 2 of this Zoning Approval outlines the decommissioning
requirements and timeline for the Site.
3. Stormwater- the PCN indicates that it will be managed by improvements to land cover within
the site. Please elaborate on that, and please also provide more details on construction stage
sediment erosion control measures including the timing in which they will be implemented
relative to start of construction. As WRC has indicated, adequate and routinely maintained
sediment control measures are particularly important given the aquatic species in the area.
All erosion control measures have been designed in accordance with NCDEQ specifications.
Use of sediment basins, skimmer basins, temporary seeding and super silt fence have been
implemented in the design phase. Historically, this parcel was used for timber farming and the
curve numbers associated with the "Wooded Land Cover" condition are higher than the values

Kimley»)Horn
Page 2
associated with "Meadow Land Cover" condition. Theoretically, after the land cover change to
Meadow, there would be a reduction of runoff once permanent vegetation is in place and the
Site is stabilized. Upon completion of grading and site construction, temporary erosion control
measures will be decommissioned/stabilized in an effort to maintain drainage patterns and
promote sheet flow.
If you need any additional information to assist in your review of this RFI Response Package, feel free
to contact me at 919-678-4155or [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
/-- IoZ7 P"
Jason Hartshorn, PWS

Bear Branch Solar Site — Impact Site 1 Photos
Walnut Cove, Stokes County, North Carolina Page 1 of 2 Kimleyl Horn
May 2023

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On June 2, 2020 the Stokes County Board of Commissioners approved rezoning request
#20-158 submitted by Bear Branch Solar LLC to rezone approximately 499.4 acres of
land owned by Wilson Samuel Farms of Stokes LLC from RA (Residential Agricultural)
to M-1-CZ (Light Manufacturing Conditional Zoning) for a 35 MW ac "Utility Scale
Solar Photovoltaic Facility". The parcel identification number is 6974159192 and the
site is located in Sauratown Township on the east side of Tuttle Rd. (SR# 1717)
approximately 850 ft. south of the intersection of Fulp Rd. (SR# 1719) and Tuttle Rd.
(SR# 1717) in Walnut Cove, NC.
The Board of Commissioners approved the rezoning request with the following
conditions:
1. Jobs and Local Contracts
The applicant shall coordinate with the Stokes County Economic Development by
providing a timely list of all services, materials and jobs that will be needed during the
construction and maintenance phases of the project so that local qualified businesses and
individuals can have the opportunity to bid on any contract.
2. Decommissioning
At least one (1) year prior to the expiration date of the ground lease agreement utilized by
the solar energy facility, the owner of the facility shall set aside decommissioning security
in the amount of one -hundred ten percent (110%) of the decommissioning cost of the
facility. Such decommissioning cost shall be estimated by a North Carolina licensed
engineer and shall include the cost to decommission the solar energy facility (as described
below) and net out the resale or salvage value of any components of the solar energy
facility.
Decommissioning of the solar energy facility shall include the removal of all non -utility
owned equipment, structures, fencing, foundations, and conduiting, including equipment
that may be buried below grade. Decommissioning shall also include removal of all
graveled areas and access roads, if any, unless the property owner requests that they remain
in place, as well as reseeding of all disturbed areas.
Decommissioning shall be completed within one -hundred twenty (120) days after the
expiration of the ground lease agreement.
Decommissioning security shall be in favor of the property owner and in the form of cash
deposited into an escrow account, performance bond, or letter of credit. Details of the
decommissioning security and engineer's decommissioning cost estimate shall be provided
to the county manager within thirty (30) days of the date that the decommissioning security
has been set aside.

3. Recycling
Recycling. As part of decommissioning, the owner of the facility shall fully recycle all
materials as reasonably possible.
4. Vegetative Buffer
The applicant shall leave a minimum seventy-five foot (75') vegetative buffer along the
general western boundary of the property. The vegetative buffer shall remain in its
undisturbed and natural state. On all other boundaries the panels shall be reasonably
concealed from view by either natural vegetation or planted evergreen vegetation. When
relying on existing vegetation, the buffer shall be no less than 50 feet in width. When using
planted vegetation to conceal the fence and panels in locations where there is no view from
a residential structure, the applicant shall plant a staggered double row of evergreens. In
locations where the facilities can be viewed from a residential structure other than the
western boundary, the applicant shall use three rows of evergreens, staggered. When using
planted vegetation to conceal the facility, the vegetative buffer shall be no less than 20 feet
in width. The final landscaping plans shall be approved by the Planning Director or his
designee to ensure compliance with this condition.
5. Panel Setback
There shall be a minimum one -hundred seventy-five foot( 175) ft. setback between any
panel and the general western boundary of the property.
6. Maintenance
The applicant shall post a prominent sign at the property entrance. The sign shall contain
the name and contact information of the person or company responsible for owning and
operating the facility so that any issue can immediately be reported.
7. Site Plan
The applicant/developer shall submit a final site plan showing a detail layout of the facility
including location of all solar panels and associated equipment, including access points,
interior service roads, setbacks and vegetative buffers existing and planted.