Attached is a copy of the Indiana Rule 5 Stormwater Runoff Permit for the Grandview Indiana Commercial Solar Project.
We would normally post this on our sister site at NoSolarWind.org however the attached file is too large for the web program used on that site.
Therefore this 873 page document is being uploaded here.
Due to the vast amount of information contained in this file, we could really use as much help as possible from individuals to look through it and then copy and paste individual paragraphs or sections that can be used to assist us and others in our fight to prevent this project from being built on land that has never been legally approved for use as a Solar Project, as of 6/2/23.
So, if you would like to assist us in reviewing this Document, after downloading this 238 MB file from this website, please go to our sister site at: https://nosolarwind.org/viewtopic.php?t=696 in order to make any posts or reviews regarding the data or to download the smaller SIX page inspection report mentioned in the breaking news below.
BREAKING NEWS: As of 5/31/23 a representative from the State of Indiana has Declared the Solar Developers Stormwater Plan to have SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES.
As such the Solar Developer was informed NOT to file a Notice of Intent or COMMENCE Land-disturbing activities, until the deficiencies are adequately addressed and an acceptable plan review is completed.
Below are a few of the points that failed inspection.
- The drainage areas and site characteristics in many locations exceed the capacity of
silt fence. Silt fence capacity is extremely limited (i.e. Limited to 1⁄4 acre drainage area per 100 ln ft of silt fence installation “on the
contour”, and further restricted by slope steepness.) Silt fence failures are expected. - “Rock Overflow Structures” are specified to be installed within the perimeter silt fence. The structures are comprised solely of 1 1⁄2-
inch filter stone and do not include larger structural stone to prevent failure of the measure. - Consider more robust measures in locations where silt fence is not applicable due to site characteristics. (i.e. Measures such as
rock berms, sediment traps, sediment basins, etc.) - The plans indicate two (2) stormwater basins are to be installed. The plans do not appear to include run-off controls to divert
sediment laden run-off to the basins during the site grading phase of the project. - Sheet C703 includes a standard drawing for “Riser Pond Outlet”. The measure does not meet the CSGP requirement of withdraw
of water from the surface of the water column. - The plans identify the construction of numerous gravel access roadways. (3000 cy of cut, 2000 cy of fill) It is assumed that topsoil
will be removed, and grading will take place to establish firm subgrades, etc. as components of access roadway construction.
Stormwater quality measures were not indicated for the land-disturbing activities for gravel access roadway construction, soil
stockpiling, disposal, etc. - The plans identify “Stream Drainage Crossings” within proposed access roadways. Crossings include a “Low Water Crossing” and
installation of dual 24” diameter culverts at a separate crossing. Details could not be found regarding other permits and
authorizations that may be required. (i.e. USACE 404, IDEM 401, local drainage board, etc.) Measures/methodologies were not
included to “isolate the work area” for installation of the stream drainage crossings. - The plans identify construction of a “Berm”. The details on sheet C700 specify a 12-inch deep ditch is to be excavated on the
upslope side of the berm. Stormwater quality measures could not be located for the berm/ditch construction activity. - The plans identify a location adjacent to the east side of N County Rd 350 that will be utilized for job site trailers, material storage,
equipment storage, fuel, parking, etc. (8940 cy of cut, 8460 cy of fill) The provided topography indicates stormwater drainage
from the northeast will flow towards/onto this area. The drawing indicates grading limits at the perimeter of the area along with
planned topography changes throught the area. Adequate stormwater quality measures were not included. - The plans identify the installation of fiber rolls at locations that are upslope of planned land-disturbing operations. Please explain
the purpose as these measures are typically implemented as sediment control measures and are installed downslope of the land-
disturbing operations or within final graded areas - Sheet C702 includes details for installation of erosion control blanket. Two details are included: Channel Installation and Slope
Installation. Erosion control blanket is available in a multitude of options to “fit” site characteristics. Including: blanket structural
components, material composition, lifespan of the product, permanent turf reinforcement or temporary, etc. Blanket details and
minimum specifications must be included in order to allow the on-site contractor to obtain and install the correct product in the
correct locations to meet the plan designer’s requirements. (i.e. Blanket that is appropriate for slope stabilization may likely not be
appropriate for channel installations) - The rate of stormwater run-off and/or volume from the project site must meet local requirements to address stormwater quantity
as established by ordinance or other regulatory mechanism. - the post-development run-off discharge from the project site must not exceed the pre-development discharge based on the two-year, ten-year, and one-hundred-year peak storm events. Provide verification that the stormwater run-off and/or volume from the project site either
meets local requirements or the CSGP.
Bottom line here from a non-expert, is this "plan" must go back to the engineers to be redesigned or find a more professional group of engineers.
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Below is an example of the type of information contained in the large 873 page document in case anyone wants to help review and analyze any portion of the entire 800+ page document.
Section 5.3 Soil Information..
Based off the review of Terracon Geotechnical Report with a report date of Aug 1, 2022, the near surface soils could become unstable with typical earthwork and construction traffic, especially after precipitation events.
Effective drainage should be implemented early in the construction sequence and maintained after construction to reduce potential issues.
If possible, the grading should be performed during the warmer and drier times of the year.
If grading is performed during the wetter months, an increased risk for possible undercutting and replacement of
unstable subgrade will exist.
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Re: Grandview Rule 5 Stormwater Runoff Permit: 6.2 Historical Property Preservation
Notice the RE subject that is listed on this reply.
16 archaeological sites (12Sp413–12Sp420, 12Sp422–12Sp425, 12Sp527, and 12Sp529–12Sp531) were previously recorded within the project area.
These archaeological sites were documented in the mid-1980s and there is inconsistent location information for most of them.
Therefore, a limited phase 1a archaeological survey was conducted to determine if the archaeological sites were accurately mapped, and to provide a preliminary examination of the sites’ extent and integrity.
This limited fieldwork was also intended assess the risk of project construction activities disturbing significant archaeological deposits at these locations.
Of the 16 site locations investigated, nine had no artifacts found at them at all.
(NOTE: What this report does NOT state is what was found in 50% of the sites that did NOT have any artifacts.)
If federal permitting is required for the project, it is recommended that a Phase 1a archaeological survey be conducted for any jurisdictional areas that would be affected by project-related ground disturbance.
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Re: Grandview Rule 5 Stormwater Runoff Permit 7.2.3 Land Use
Post by David H » Fri Jun 02, 2023 9:12 am
Following construction, the site will operate as a solar energy generation facility, comprising over:
1793 acres of PV array, access roads, PV Inverters, a project substation, OH power transmission line and perimeter fence.
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Re: Grandview Rule 5 Stormwater Runoff Permit: 7.4 Construction Activity Description
Notice the RE subject that is listed on this reply.
- Preliminary tree clearing and grubbing may be required before grading activities commence.
- There will be minimal grading of the access road for an equipment entrance.
- Additional grading will be performed to allow for tracker installation to meet requirements for even grade.
- Solar panels will be installed on piles that will be driven into the ground.
- Inverter skids will be mounted on drive posts or concrete pads, and trenching will be done to install conduits and the
underground collection system.
- A fence will be installed around the perimeter.
- The project is expected to be constructed primarily with wheeled equipment but tracked vehicles will be used for pile driving and possibly some other activities depending on ground conditions at the time of construction.
- Non-grading construction activity will likely result in soils disturbance from wheeled and tracked equipment and vehicles
- Construction activity should be managed by the permittee to maintain less than 200 acres of disturbance at any given time.
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Post by David H » Fri Jun 02, 2023 9:21 am
The Grandview Solar Project will be completed in a rolling phase operation.
- First of the block phases to commence construction is located to the west of the main laydown area segmented by
County Road 350E and bordered to the west by County Road 300E. - Construction will then proceed to the east of County Road 350E , bordered to the east by Highway 245 and south by the
Ohio River. - Construction will then proceed north into project sections bordered to the north by County Road 550 N and west by County Road 350E.
- Final phased construction sections are located to the northwest of the main laydown area, segmented by County Road 600N and bordered to the west by County 350E.
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Re: Grandview Rule 5 Stormwater Runoff Permit: 8.0 Receiving Waters
Post by David H » Fri Jun 02, 2023 9:26 am
Onsite runoff is split into 15 drainage areas based on discharge locations and flow paths.
Project traverses across the following watersheds:
- Sandy Creek (HUC 12: 051402010702),
- Honey Creek (HUC 12: 051402010801),
- City of Rockport-Ohio River (HUC: 051402010805),
- South Yellow River Creek Fork-Ohio River (HUC 12: 051402010703)
The site has four ultimate discharge locations, all which ultimately drain to the Ohio River, which is located to the southeast of the project and flows south
Westwood performed the wetland delineation for the project and surrounding area with a Report
dated 2/04/2023.
According to the report, the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) data mapped:
- two (2) freshwater emergent wetlands,
- five (5) freshwater forested/shrub wetlands,
- seventeen (17) freshwater ponds and
- seventeen (17) riverine wetlands within the Project Area. H)
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Re: Grandview Rule 5 Stormwater Runoff Permit: 10.2 Soil and Material Stockpile
After clearing and grubbing, the operator(s) should strip and stockpile topsoil material for
reapplication on all future permanent pervious surfaces.
- Topsoil (the soil which is on the surface prior to construction) varies in depth and must be separated from subsoils during clearing, grading and excavations or fill.
- Contractor shall avoid mixing or contaminating topsoil with subsoils for all future pervious areas.
- Temporarily stabilize topsoil stockpiles, as required, as detailed in section 10.4.
- During final grading, reapplication of the preserved topsoil should be completed by a wide-pad dozer and other equipment to minimize compaction of the topsoil material.
- Stockpile placement should be considered and planned by the contractor and updated in the plan set as construction progresses.
- Place stockpiles in areas to minimize rework.
- Never place stockpiles in swales, ditches, surface waters, buffer zones or outside of permitted disturbed
limits of the project area.
NOTE: The reason these RULES are important is because MANY contractors WILL disregard them and therefore it is up to local residents to be the watchdogs and video record EVERY occasion or infraction of these rules and report it to your local BZA, County Attorney, Attorney General or a Private Attorney if all Elected Officials refuse to abide by their own laws.
We understand this may seem like a lot of time, energy and stress, however what is the future of your home and possibly the future of your children's and grandchildren's neighborhood or community worth as well as their future health?
Here is the entire PDF file.
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