Agenda - 09-01-2015 - 5b - Laserfiche WebLink

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13 r V Norte Carolina Wildlife, Resources Commission , Gordon IV[yers, l xecutive Director' MEMORANDUM `1"O: Lyn Hardison, Environmental assistance and SEPA Coordinator NCDENR Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Services FROM: Shari L. Bryant, Western Piedmont Coordinator Habitat Conservation DATE: 27 May 2015. SUBJECT: Request for Review of Development Application for Solar-Facility Located Off White Cross Road, Orange;County, DENIM.Project No. 15-0596 Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission(NCWRC) have reviewed the subject dOCUment and we are familiar with the habitat values of the area. Our cornments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife,Coordination Act(48 Stat.40 t., as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667c), and North Carolina General Statutes(G,S. 113-131 et sect.). White Crtass Solar, LLC proposes to construct a solar array on a 35.8 acre parcel on White Cross Road, The facility will include photovoltaic cells ii-iounted on posts and two gravel parking spaces. The facility will be fenced and area: beneath the solar panels will be planted with grass or alfalfa. Erosion control measures and -environmental buffers will be maintained and the site will comply with County stormwater regulations. Utility and transmission lines will be placed undergmmd to the extent feasible, Electricity generated by the faeility wilt to be sold to Duke Energy. Wildcat Branch, a tributary to Collins Creek in the Cape Fear River basin flows along the eastern boundary of the site. In addition, there is a wetland located adjacent to the stream channel. The southern portion of the site strains to Terrells(Ferrells)Creek, There are records for the federal species of conctrn and state endangered brook floater-(Alasmidonto varicrosa):in Collins Creek. According to Sheet C1001,the site is p€-irnarfly forested,, and a minimu€n 65-foot riparian buffer will be maintained along the stream, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently listed the Northern long;-eared hat (AS yotrs sepenlrionalis) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Northern long-eared bat may be present within or in the vicinity of the project site. Th.crefore,the project may impact this species and consultation with the U.S. fish and Wildlife Service may be required. For more information, please see. ltttp' �tG��« fry . � 1� i�l.te�t.17 !<r€ ucl nnItlul `i;It1�rlrt� In� �ITIcti�'(:L 13,}ttcTLl or contact the U.S. Irish and Wildlife Service at(919) 856-4520 to ensure that any issues related to this species are addressed. Mailing Andress: Division of Inland Fisheries - I721 Mail Service Center A Raleigh,NC 27699-1721 Telephone: (919) 707-0220 - Fax: (919) 707-002.8