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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20 Exhibit C - DCR Ltr dated September 22, 2018Matthew J. Strickler Secrelary gfNatural Resources a Clyde E. Cristman Director COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION Marjorie Siwy Timmons Group 1001 Boulders Parkway, Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23225 Re: 41147, Foxglove Solar- Two Project Sites Rochelle Altholz Deputy Director of Administration and Finance Russell W. Baxter rJePlffy" Direclor of Dain:Wdy & 1.7 M IPIaln Alunagenrcm anti Soil ciF kVare+ i:ertasxr+xuinn Thomas L. Smith Depul Director of Operatians September 22, 2018 Dear Ms. Siwy: s searched its ta The Department of Conservation and Recreation's Di araea outlined on ieritage © submitted map Naturaltics herit heritage System for occurrences of natural heritage resource from the resources are defined as the habitat of rare, threatened, or endangered plant and animal species, unique or exemplary natural communities, and significant geologic formations. This project is situated on karst-formingThe �Tsagirtia DCit karstis characterized staff screened this project against the Virginia holes, caves, disappearing streams, and large springs. Speleological Survey (VSS) database and the Virginia DMME sinkhole coverage for documented sensitive karst features and caves. n sites are The Ogdens Conservation Site is located within further miles oreview f the rfor possible conservoject sites. ation action because for eof the representing key areas of the landscape that warrant natural heritage resources and habitat thesupport. inlude the element and, where poss bleervation sites are polygons t tsar associated d habitat,are plant, animal, or natural community designed Conservation sites are n a and buffer or other adjacent land thought necessary far toeleamednpumc�r of eltement occurrences they contain; on biodiversity significance ranking based an the rarity, quality, a scale of 1-5, 1 being most significant. OgConservation nssignificance. The natural gheritage resources significanceconcern at ranking of B1, which represents a site of outstanding this site are: Hu s Hill Cave beetle G1/S1/NL/NL Pseudanophthalmus parvicollis pA G2G3/S2S3/NL/LE Forttigens botli?neri Bigger's Cae amAppalachian 'amgsnailphipod /N G2G4/S1S2/NLL Stygobromus biggersi G3/SNR/NL/NL Significant cave dens Cave nd he dens The more northwestern ur the two sites f from this sitewill negatively ed into BuffallogMarsh Runaandteventually make its way Conservation Site. All surface runofflow this ue into Ogdens Cave. Water that makes its way into the edens caveats home to theter besAppalachian Spring state h ch is a Spring. This spring also feeds into Ogden g is state listed species, and coordination with Da a beetle isabout his onendangered of the rarest inithe state. It is only known from two nded. The cave is also home to the Hupps Hill Cave Beetle. 600 East Main Street, 24th Floor I Richmond, Virginia 23219 1 804-786-6124 EXHIBIT State Parks • Soil and Water Consenwlion • Outdoor Recreation PlanningC. Natural Heritage • Dam Safety and Floodplaift Management • Land Conservaf _ locations. One of these locations is Ogdens Cave. Recent work with this species by DCR, Division of r site Natural Heritage's Karst Program indicateslocatithe beetle may be comletely extiated from the on- The karst Program a cantly condo ted st study on l'�erare cave leaving Ogdens Cave as its only know loc beetles in Virginia for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. BY ed on the s id y it is extremely likely that DCR will recommend to US Fish and l tconsider listing this ta from speeiesand we are currently in ns Cave also ins discussion with the USFWS about this topic. aOe be the develapmentaof aBo� energy project at thegorthwestem ased on the resources that may be impacted at Ogdensy site, this location is not recommended. Impacts could be severe for the resources that inhabit this cave and the groundwater they depend on. The project site to the southeast also could impact Ogdens Cave but not as severely. Most of the water from this site would be captured by the watersheds to the southeast ctl h� gd o the � � �f ershed. Most of the the site DCR recommends st rn site should overlay the recharge zone for Vaucluse Spring d y adherence to proper standard erosion and sediment control measures including best management practices to ensure drainage from the project sitedoes not used fareth�s review for thves or ese sitesoles hat' possible ytha sinkholesile no nthatles are are shown an the pMME sinkhole coverage not delineated may be encountered on the sites. If sinkholes do occur within the project area they should be avoided to help reduce any potential impact from the development of a solar farm at this location. Most of the water on these two sites will make its way into a very fragile hat depender system. oit. f herbicides and or pesticidon in this es could have dramatically detrimental consequences to the speciesP are to be used on the site for maintenance the potential impact to groundwater resources should be taken into account in the selection process. No known caves are within the two project footprints provided for this review. If karst features such as sinkholes, caves, disappearing�streams,g4 � l prndorffprd c.viare iniaencountered to deco ant and project, please coordinate with Wil Orndorff minimize adverse impacts. Discharge of runoff to sinkholes or sinking streams, #1 ngo� in tiles, and petition of cave entrances can lead to surface collapse, flooding, erosion and sedimentation, gr and degradation of subterranean habitat for natural heritage resources. if the project involves filling or "improvement" of sinkholes or cave openings, DCR would like detailed location information and copies of the design specifications. In cases where sinkhole improvement is for storm water discharge, copies of VDOT Form EQ -120 will suffice. ment of Game and and In addition, Buffalo Marsh Run, which and � ��� Endangered eated s Water" iy the gslnia and adjacent to the project area. The Fisheries (VDGIF) as a "Threaten g species associated with the Buffalo Marsh Run T & E Water is the Appalachian springsnail. Due to the legal status of the Appalachian springsnail, DCR recommends coordination with Virginia's regulatory authority for the management and protection of his spec also recommends the development of anGIF. to ensure compliance with tinvasihe ve nie Endangered Species Act (VA ST §§ 29.1-563 } species management plan for the project and the planting of native pollinator plants in the buffer areas of the planned facility which bloom throughout the spring and summer. heast Please note, Ogdens Cave Natural Area Preserve T ler U located DCR1mately 2.1 miles southwest of the Shenandoah Valley Region Steward att{540) project site. For more information, please contact y rg 332-9226 or t lenurefdcr Virginia. ov. Under a Memorandum of Agreement established between the Virginia Department off gr al impaciculture ts on Consstateumer Services (VDACS) and the DCR, DCR represents VDACS in comments regarding p p listed threatened and endangered plant and insect species. The current activity will not affect any documented state -listed plants or insects. New and updated information is continually added to Biotics. Please re -submit a completed order form and project trap for an update on this natural heritage information if the scope of the project changes and/or six months has passed before it is utilized. A fee of $250.00 has been assessed for the service of providing this information. Please find attached an invoice for that amount. Please return one copy of the invoice along with your remittance made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia, DCR Finance, 600 East Main Street, 24"' Floor, Richmond, VA 23219. Payment is due within thirty days of the invoice date. Late payment may result in the suspension of project review service for future projects. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) maintains a database of wildlife locations, including threatened and endangered species, trout streams, and anadromous fish waters that may contain information not documented in this letter. Their database may be accessed from htt ://vafwis.orgJfwis1 or contact Ernie Aschenbach at 804-367-2733 or Ernie Aschenbach d if.vir inia.rM. According to the information currently in our files, Meadow Brook and Middle Marsh Brook, which have been designated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) as "Threatened and Endangered Species Waters" for the Wood turtle are within 2 miles of the project area. Therefore, DCR recommends coordination with Virginia's regulatory authority for the management and protection of this species, the VDGIF, to ensure compliance with the Virginia Endangered Species Act (VA ST §§ 29.1-563 — 570). Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at 804-371-2708. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. Sincerely, � f r S. Rend Hypes Project Review Coordinator Cc: Ernie Aschenbach, VDGIF Wil Orndorff, DCR-Karst Tyler Urgo, DCR- Shenandoah Valley Region Steward