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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAbundant - SEAF Part 1 w attach 8-26-19_signed Short Environmental Assessment Form Part I -Project Information Instructions for Completing Part 1—Project Information. The applicant or project sponsor is responsible for the completion of Part 1. Responses become part of the application for approval or funding,are subject to public review,and may be subject to further verification. Complete Part 1 based on information currently available. If additional research or investigation would be needed to fully respond to any item,please answer as thoroughly as possible based on current information. Complete all items in Part 1.You may also provide any additional information which you believe will be needed by or useful to the lead agency;attach additional pages as necessary to supplement any item. Part 1—Project and Sponsor Information Name of Action or Project: Groton Solar Array Project Location(describe,and attach a location map): Tax Parcel ID: 20.-1-31.22, 704 Cortland Road,Town of Groton,Tompkins County(see location map&site drawing) Brief Description of Proposed Action: Abundant Solar Power(Groton),LLC plans to install a 5.0 MW-AC solar farm on approximately 40.3-acres of vacant farmland(tax parcel ID: 20.-1-31.22),located Cortland Road in the Town of Groton. The 36.1-acre project area will consist of about 2,254 free-standing,tracking solar tables (total of 27,048 modules/panels)to be installed on vacant farmland. Anchored into the ground via H-piles,each row of solar tables will be about 5.5 ft. in height,6.5 ft.in width and of variable length. The solar panels will occupy approximately 13.2 acres of the project site and the ground disturbance will be limited to about 15.3 acres. Low-growth pollinator-friendly seed mix will be planted underneath and in between the solar tables. For utility connection,both underground and overhead electrical lines will be installed as required by the utility company. Other project elements include:25-ft. rear and side setbacks,30-ft.front setback,agricultural fencing,security gate,small operational&control structures,and mostly unimproved access roads.Abundant Solar Power(Groton),LLC will participate in the NYSERDA NY-Sun Initiative to provide clean energy to local businesses and residences. Name of Applicant or Sponsor: Telephone: 585-520-1048 Abundant Solar Power, Inc.,on behalf of Abundant Solar Power(Groton),LLC,which is to be formed. Contact:Richard Lu E-Mail: Address: 700 W Metro Park City/PO: State: Zip Code: Rochester NY 14623 1. Does the proposed action only involve the legislative adoption of a plan,local law,ordinance, NO YES administrative rule,or regulation? If Yes,attach a narrative description of the intent of the proposed action and the environmental resources that ❑ may be affected in the municipality and proceed to Part 2. If no,continue to question 2. 2. Does the proposed action require a permit,approval or funding from any other government Agency? NO I YES If Yes,list agency(s)name and permit or approval:See below ❑ 3. a. Total acreage of the site of the proposed action? +/-36.1 acres b.Total acreage to be physically disturbed? +/-15.3 acres c. Total acreage(project site and any contiguous properties)owned or controlled by the applicant or project sponsor? +/-40.3 acres 4. Check all land uses that occur on,are adjoining or near the proposed action: 5. ❑Urban 0 Rural(non-agriculture) ❑ Industrial ❑ Commercial m Residential(suburban) ❑ Forest m Agriculture ❑ Aquatic ❑ Other(Specify): ❑Parkland 2.Town Board-Decommissioning Agreement Approval,Special Use Permit; Town Planning Board-Site Plan Approval;County IDA-PILOT Agreement; NYSERDA-Funding;SHPO sign-off; NYSDOT-Work Permit; Page 1 of 3 SEAF 2019 NYSDEC-Wetland Permit(possible);US Army Corps-Wetlands Permit(possible) 5. Is the proposed action, NO YES N/A a. A permitted use under the zoning regulations? ❑ 7 ❑ b. Consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan? ❑ 0 ❑ NO YES 6. Is the proposed action consistent with the predominant character of the existing built or natural landscape? ❑✓ ❑ 7. Is the site of the proposed action located in,or does it adjoin,a state listed Critical Environmental Area? NO YES If Yes,identify: [Z] ❑ NO YES S. a. Will the proposed action result in a substantial increase in traffic above present levels? NO ❑ b. Are public transportation services available at or near the site of the proposed action? 0 ❑ c. Are any pedestrian accommodations or bicycle routes available on or near the site of the proposed ❑ action? 9. Does the proposed action meet or exceed the state energy code requirements? NO YES If the proposed action will exceed requirements,describe design features and technologies: Not applicable 7 ❑ 10. Will the proposed action connect to an existing public/private water supply? NO YES If No,describe method for providing potable water: Not applicable F,/1 ❑ 11. Will the proposed action connect to existing wastewater utilities? NO YES If No,describe method for providing wastewater treatment: Not applicable Fv(] ❑ 12. a.Does the project site contain,or is it substantially contiguous to,a building,archaeological site,or district NO YES which is listed on the National or State Register of Historic Places,or that has been determined by the ❑ Commissioner of the NYS Office of Parks,Recreation and Historic Preservation to be eligible for listing on the 71 State Register of Historic Places? Pending SHPO consultation b.Is the project site,or any portion of it,located in or adjacent to an area designated as sensitive for ❑ archaeological sites on the NY State Historic Preservation Office(SHPO)archaeological site inventory? 13. a. Does any portion of the site of the proposed action,or lands adjoining the proposed action,contain NO YES wetlands or other waterbodies regulated by a federal,state or local agency? ❑ b.Would the proposed action physically alter,or encroach into,any existing wetland or waterbody? 7 If Yes,identify the wetland or waterbody and extent of alterations in square feet or acres: No mapped State Wetlands.An approximately 0.22-acre Federal Freshwater Pond is located to the southeast of the project site. Additionally,an approximately 0.62-acre Federal Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland is located to the northeast of the project site. Neither Federal wetland identified above are included within the project area. Page 2 of 3 14. Identify the typical habitat types that occur on,or are likely to be found on the project site. Check all that apply: ❑Shoreline 0 Forest ©Agricultural/grasslands ❑ Early mid-successional ❑Wetland ❑ Urban ❑ Suburban 15. Does the site of the proposed action contain any species of animal,or associated habitats,listed by the State or NO YES Federal government as threatened or endangered? U.S.Fish&Wildlife Service(USFWS)listed the threatened Northern Long-eared Bat(NLEB)as a potential species of concern at the project site on Augu t W1 ❑ 23,2019.But,NYSDEC indicated the Town of Groton does not contain a confirmed NLEB occupied habitat. See attached USFWS list and NYSDEC map. 16. Is the project site located in the 100-year flood plan? NO YES ❑✓ ❑ 17. Will the proposed action create storm water discharge,either from point or non-point sources? NO YES If Yes, ❑ ❑✓ a. Will storm water discharges flow to adjacent properties? ❑ ❑✓ b. Will storm water discharges be directed to established conveyance systems(runoff and storm drains)? ❑ ❑✓ If Yes,briefly describe: SWPPP pending 18. Does the proposed action include construction or other activities that would result in the impoundment of water NO YES or other liquids(e.g.,retention pond,waste lagoon,dam)? If Yes,explain the purpose and size of the impoundment: ❑ ❑ 19. Has the site of the proposed action or an adjoining property been the location of an active or closed solid waste NO YES management facility? If Yes,describe: 20.Has the site of the proposed action or an adjoining property been the subject of remediation(ongoing or NO YES completed) for hazardous waste? If Yes,describe: ❑ ❑ I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE IS TRUE AND ACCURATE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE Abundant Solar Power,Inc.,on behalf of Abundant Solar Power(Groton),LLC, Applicant/sponsor/name: which is to be formed. Contact:Richard Lu Date: 8/27/2019 Signature: Title:CEO PRINT FORM Page 3 of 3 .. 4 a Legend Project Site N `o y l•_••_•j Municipal Boundaries 0 1,000 2,000 Feet 1:24,000 Corners \ p ° STR JET p• 489.\ `" EXTENSION {•_ ° 1 J 1212 o`• 1424 I w o n1400 rsl em I 50) 1, i5 on I { as on -a - m o Y . 8 222 ` n!Town of Groto •� ° ° o ��•- j Village of Grotonon � • U T- p t I J nes Corneas El- 1424 Lu 0 o 0 rnca U 2 ! I N Ln 1 - o ar C rn N 3 ao Sources: LaBella m G ROTO N USGS MAP ` 1.USGS Quads:CUGIR xered uy partnersn,p, 3.Munici TIGER Municipal SOLAR ARRAY GROTON QUAD O Municipal Boundaries:NYS GIS ABUNDANT SOLAR Office 2018 � 4.Parcel Boundaries:NYS GIS POWER, LLC LaBella Project No: 2190750.01 FIGURE 1 Date:AUGUST 2019 a 4 sa m $n g w R� 9 S O K I I d(d E IaISq Ads i BRJSn___R—- I o z m�.�€❑ a "a wa I r_ � mmaa`a ®� i s - � I sl I _ —_____- —.—— —III T I - IA NI II II y I ®II II I ®i o I III I r u= iREES/BWSx d I I � �� 9� I I � I I � � I I �a a,�a'3s"am d LJ m 31H.a o s. m mom,,�mgm> /I _ = o o z �mwm u PQ a y 7 m z y -O m� m �.�m< 14