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Water - Related Impacts <br />35 <br />Question- Can chemicals that might be contained in solar PV threaten public drinking water systems? <br />Will flooding occur in cases where trees must be removed in order to install the solar arrays? How do we <br />ensure that wetland resources are protected? <br />Bottom Line. Rules are in place to ensure that ground- mounted solar arrays are installed in ways that <br />protect of public water supply, wetlands, and other water resource areas. All solar panels are contained <br />in a solid matrix, are insoluble and are enclosed Therefore releases are not a concern <br />More Information- Because trees offer multiple water management, cooling and climate benefits, clear <br />cutting of trees for the installation of ground- mounted solar PV is discouraged For projects that do <br />propose to alter trees, the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) has thresholds for the <br />proposed alteration of a certain number of acres of land, the size of electrical facilities, and other criteria <br />that trigger state review of proposed projects Clear cutting of trees and other aspects of proposed <br />projects would be reviewed through an Environmental Notification Form /Environmental Impact <br />Statement if thresholds are triggered <br />MassDEP has determined that the installation of solar arrays can be compatible with the operation and <br />protection of public drinking water systems This includes the installation of solar arrays within Zone I, <br />which is a 400 -foot protective radius around a public ground water well Solar projects proposed on <br />lands owned by public water systems outside Zone I may be approved subject to standard best <br />management practices, such as proper labeling, storage, use, and disposal of products MassDEP has a <br />guidance /review process in place to ensure that the installation of ground- mounted solar PV in these <br />areas protects public water supplies <br />Installing solar arrays on undeveloped land can preserve the permeable nature of the land surface <br />provided the project design minimizes disturbance to natural vegetative cover, avoids concentrated <br />runoff, and precipitation is otherwise recharged into the ground to the greatest extent <br />practicable Storm water flow, as well as information about site- specific soils and slope, is taken into <br />account during the design and installation of solar arrays <br />MassDEP discourages installation of ground- mounted solar PV systems in wetland areas, including <br />riverfront locations Solar projects within wetland areas are unlikely to comply with the performance <br />standards in the Wetlands Protection Act regulations If a solar installation is proposed in a wetland, a <br />riverfront area, a floodplain, or within 100 feet of certain wetlands, the project proponent must file a <br />notice of intent (or application to work in wetland areas) with the local Conservation Commission, which <br />administers the Wetlands Protection Act at the municipal level Copies should also go to MassDEP Solar <br />installations may be sited near, but outside of wetlands, in a manner that protects the functions of <br />wetlands and that minimizes impacts from associated activities such as access and <br />maintenance Ancillary structures related to construction of a solar installation or transmission of power <br />may be permitted to cross rivers and streams using best design and management practices <br />20 <br />