1 Impact Evaluation for Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat of the proposed Skunk Hill Road Solar, LLC property (AP 18, Lot 8, 13 and 14) located south of Skunk Hill Road and west of Arcadia Road in Hopkinton, Rhode Island Wildlife Habitats and Wildlife At least one-half of the total land proposed for this solar installation is mapped within an Ecological Land unit that has wildlife habitat Value and Vulnerability as mapped by the RIDEM as defined by the RI Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) as a Conservation Opportunity Area (See Figure 1). An Ecological Land Unit is defined in the WAP as “landscapes with high biodiversity that tend to be more resilient to disturbances and are able to continue delivering important ecosystem services.” The physical characteristics of the soil types and topography play a large part in the vegetative diversity that provides diverse wildlife habitat. These Ecological Land Units will become more resilient to climate change. This Ecological Land Unit is comprised of the following wildlife habitats: 1) Wetland Complex. The Skunk Hill Road Solar LLC property is interspersed with wooded Swamp predominately vegetated by both deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs (See Figure 2). Red maple (Acer rubrum), high bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), sweet pepper bush (Clethra alnifolia), and skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) would be typical species observed in Rhode Island swamps. Perennial Rivers with 100 foot and 200 foot Riverbank Wetlands were noted within the wetland complex. This tributary River flows to the southeast and eventually enters the Wood River. This wetland complex provide habitat for both obligate wetland species such as amphibians and reptiles; and habitat for other wildlife species that would travel the stream corridors and would use the wetlands for food and cover. 2) Vernal Pools. Vernal pools are widely recognized as critical habitat for a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. In forested regions of New England, most of these wetlands hold water from a few weeks to several months each year. The most successful pools have forested overstory. In this case, these pools would be located within the wetland complex. The amphibians such as wood frogs, peepers, and spotted salamanders that use these breeding pools only do so for a few weeks in the early spring, leaving their young to mature in the pool. The adults return to the upland forested habitat, the females
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
1
Impact Evaluation for Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat of the proposed Skunk Hill Road
Solar, LLC property (AP 18, Lot 8, 13 and 14) located south of Skunk Hill Road and west
of Arcadia Road in Hopkinton, Rhode Island
Wildlife Habitats and Wildlife
At least one-half of the total land proposed for this solar installation is mapped within an
Ecological Land unit that has wildlife habitat Value and Vulnerability as mapped by the RIDEM
as defined by the RI Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) as a Conservation Opportunity Area (See
Figure 1). An Ecological Land Unit is defined in the WAP as “landscapes with high biodiversity
that tend to be more resilient to disturbances and are able to continue delivering important
ecosystem services.” The physical characteristics of the soil types and topography play a large
part in the vegetative diversity that provides diverse wildlife habitat. These Ecological Land
Units will become more resilient to climate change. This Ecological Land Unit is comprised of
the following wildlife habitats:
1) Wetland Complex. The Skunk Hill Road Solar LLC property is interspersed with
wooded Swamp predominately vegetated by both deciduous and coniferous trees and
shrubs (See Figure 2). Red maple (Acer rubrum), high bush blueberry (Vaccinium
corymbosum), sweet pepper bush (Clethra alnifolia), and skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus
foetidus) would be typical species observed in Rhode Island swamps. Perennial Rivers
with 100 foot and 200 foot Riverbank Wetlands were noted within the wetland complex.
This tributary River flows to the southeast and eventually enters the Wood River. This
wetland complex provide habitat for both obligate wetland species such as amphibians
and reptiles; and habitat for other wildlife species that would travel the stream corridors
and would use the wetlands for food and cover.
2) Vernal Pools. Vernal pools are widely recognized as critical habitat for a variety of
vertebrate and invertebrate animals. In forested regions of New England, most of these
wetlands hold water from a few weeks to several months each year. The most successful
pools have forested overstory. In this case, these pools would be located within the
wetland complex. The amphibians such as wood frogs, peepers, and spotted salamanders
that use these breeding pools only do so for a few weeks in the early spring, leaving their
young to mature in the pool. The adults return to the upland forested habitat, the females
2
salamanders traveling up to 370 meters from the breeding pool and the males a lesser
distance (Mitchell, J.C. et al, 2007 with revisions 9/2009). Wetland regulations, even if
successful in protecting the wetland, may do little to maintain pool-breeding amphibian
populations unless adjacent upland terrestrial habitat also is protected.
3) Upland Forest. As it pertains to this proposed project, the upland forest is over 100
acres in size and is partially bordered by the above-mentioned wetland complex. It is
primarily a mixed deciduous forest (oak and maple) interspersed with white pine (Pinus
strobus). The reaches of this forested land go far beyond the boundaries of this parcel to
provide an unfragmented area of forest greater than 250 acres but less than 500 acres.
Mammals expected to use this area would be deer, bobcat, red fox, voles, fishers,
squirrels (red and grey) and several species of bats. Besides the common large and small
brown bats, the upland forest may be habitat for the Northern Long Eared Bat (NLEB).
Trees are the breeding habitat for NLEB and the bat is federally protected. To date no
surveys have been performed in this area to confirm their presence. A survey could be
required if there is Federal money supporting this project. Note that the bobcat is a Rhode
Island Threatened species and it is presently being studied by the RIDEM. Avian species
are numerous. Spring and fall migrating warblers and other bird species will use this area
as a resting, breeding, and feeding site.
4) Agricultural Field. At the northern portion of the site abutting Skunk Hill Road are two
open fields. The soils indicated for both fields are Prime and Statewide Important
agricultural soils. The eastern field is Tisbury silt loam and Enfield silt loams (Tb, EfA,
EfB). The TB and EfA soils are Prime agricultural soils and the EfB is a Statewide
Important agricultural soil. The western field is underlain by Woodbridge fine sandy
loam (WhA) that is also classified as a Prime agricultural soil (See Figure 3). In this day
of encouraging small farms and local food supply it seems counterproductive to cover
these prime agricultural sites with solar panels, most likely grading and selling the loam
in the process. The RIDEM “Freshwater Wetlands Program and Stormwater Construction
Permitting Ground-Mounted Solar Array Guidance” issued June 2021 discourage the use
of farmland for siting ground-mounted solar arrays. Most of the wildlife previously
mentioned would also use this open habitat as part of their home range. The edge
between the field to forest boundary would be particularly valuable habitat to many avian
species for perching and feeding, including hawks. The fields would also be hunting
grounds for fisher, fox, and bobcat for small mammals.
Forest Fragmentation
The entire project has been mapped within an area of unfragmented forest greater than 250 acres
but less than 500 acres (See Figure 4). Forest Fragmentation is the breaking up of a large
forested area into smaller forested parcels. Properties that abut the area were omitted from this
designation had developed land with structures, agricultural land, and other unforested clearings.
This area appears to be one of only six such sized forest areas in Hopkinton. The high value of
protecting these large forested areas is for diverse wildlife habitat, protection of groundwater and
surface water quality, diversity of vegetation, and these woodland units act as a carbon sink that
aides in climate change resiliency. There are a number of larger mammals and migratory birds
3
that will not den, nest or breed unless such large unfragmented areas are available to them.
These include mammals such as bobcat and fisher, and avian migratory species such as scarlet
tanager, wood thrush, hairy woodpecker, and many others.
Also related to the diversity of the project area are the areas within the site that are part of the
Resilient and Connected Network as determined by The Nature Conservancy (See Figure 5).
These areas have a recognized Biodiversity Value and high topoclimatic diversity (See Figure 6).
Development of this site with the proposed clearing of over two-thirds of it will remove almost
all native vegetation within this parcel except for the majority of the wetlands, streams, and the
associated 50 foot Perimeter Wetland, 100 foot Riverbank Wetland, and 200 foot Riverbank
Wetland areas that encircle most of the proposed solar sites. Not only does this remove all but a
fringe of wildlife habitat on the upland portions of this site, this will cause a removal of forest, let
alone a mere fragmentation of forest, within the Ecological Land Unit.
In addition, the proposed project will completely change the topography of the site by grading
and leveling to provide a suitable level surface for installation of the solar panels. The proposed
construction site is underlain by several seasonal high water table soils (See Figure 4) such as
Woodbridge very stony (WoB), Woodbridge extremely stony (WrB), and Sutton stony fine
sandy loam (SuB). The predominant soil type is Charlton-Canton Rock Outcrop Complex (CaC)
with greater than 15% slopes (Figure 3). All of the soil types within the forested areas of this
project area range from stony to extremely stony to outcrops with 3-8% (B) or greater than 15%
slopes (C and D). In my opinion, the construction is going to involve a lot of stone removal and
possibly even blasting to create the terrain necessary for the installation and access to the
proposed solar panels. Exposed soils on steep slopes will require correctly installed sediment and
erosion controls to prevent the highly erosion prone soils from impacting downslope areas and
wetlands.
Water Quality Impacts
The loss of the forested habitat on this site has significant potential to have impacts on ground
and surface water quality. The entire site is a ground water recharge area. Currently the
groundwater water quality rating is GA, indicating that the groundwater is “presumed to be
suitable for drinking water without treatment.” The entire area is also a Sole Source Aquifer
indicating that the residents in this area obtain their drinking water from individual wells. In
addition, the current assigned Surface Water Quality A indicates that the stream waters are
suitable for primary and secondary recreational sports and support of viable fish and wildlife
habitat.
RIDEM “Freshwater Wetlands Program and Stormwater Construction Permitting Ground-
Mounted Solar Array Guidance” issued June 2021 states that “The clearing of forests and other
green spaces (including farmland) for the siting for ground-mounted solar arrays is strongly
discouraged.” Instead RIDEM suggests siting them on already cleared or disturbed areas as
closed landfills, commercial/industrial developed lots, and other like areas.
4
On August 27, 2021, I reviewed the application package for the Skunk Hill Road Solar, LLC
before the Town of Hopkinton’s Planning Board.
A complete list of References will be provided upon request
The majority of the information presented in this report was taken from the RIDEM
Environmental Resource maps with overlays.
5
Figure 1. Ecological Land Units at Plat 18, Lots 8, 13 & 14, Skunk Hill Road, Hopkinton, Rhode Island
6
Figure 2. RIDEM Wetland Mapping Units in the Vicinity of Plat 18, Lots 8, 13 & 14, Skunk Hill Road,
Hopkinton, Rhode Island
River
Please Note: The wetland delineation contained in the application package is the RIDEM verified
wetland edge and is more accurate than the RIGIS Wetland overlay shown above.
7
Figure 3. Soil Mapping Units in the Vicinity of Plat 18, Lots 8, 13 & 14, Skunk Hill Road, Hopkinton,
Rhode Island
The Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for the State of Rhode Island: Bristol, Kent, Newport,
Providence, and Washington Counties (NRCS, 2012)
Soil Unit Name Abbreviation Percent Slope Agricultural Soil Hydric Soil
Canton-Charlton-Rock outcrop complex CaC 3 to 15 No No
Canton-Charlton-Rock outcrop complex CaD 15 to 35 No No
Enfield silt loam EfA 0 to 3 Yes- prime No
Enfield silt loam EfB 3 to 8 Yes- SI No
Hinckley gravelly sandy loam, rolling HkC 3 to 15 Yes- SI No
Merrimac sandy loam MmA 0 to 3 Yes- prime No
Pits, Gravel Pg 0 to 25 No No
Ridgebury, Whitman, And Leicester extremely stony fine sandy loams Rf 0 to 3 No Yes- wetland
Scarboro mucky sandy loam Sb 0 to 3 No Yes- wetland
Sutton very stony fine sandy loam SuB 0 to 8 No Seasonal High-Water Table
Tisbury silt loam Tb 0 to 3 Yes- prime Seasonal High-Water Table
Walpole sandy loam Wa 0 to 3 Yes- SI Yes- wetland
Woodbridge fine sandy loam WhA 0 to 3 Yes- prime No
Woodbridge very stony fine sandy loam WoB 0 to 8 No Seasonal High-Water Table
8
Figure 4. Unfragmented Forested Block at Plat 18, Lots 8, 13 & 14, Skunk Hill Road, Hopkinton, Rhode
Island
9
Figure 5. The Nature Conservancy Resilient & Connected Network in the Vicinity of Plat 18, Lots 8, 13
& 14, Skunk Hill Road, Hopkinton, Rhode Island
River
10
Impact Evaluation for Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat of the proposed Skunk Hill Road
Solar, LLC property (AP 18, Lot 8, 13 and 14) located south of Skunk Hill Road and west
of Arcadia Road in Hopkinton, Rhode Island
Wildlife Habitats and Wildlife
At least one-half of the total land proposed for this solar installation is mapped within an
Ecological Land unit that has wildlife habitat Value and Vulnerability as mapped by the RIDEM
as defined by the RI Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) as a Conservation Opportunity Area (See
Figure 1). An Ecological Land Unit is defined in the WAP as “landscapes with high biodiversity
that tend to be more resilient to disturbances and are able to continue delivering important
ecosystem services.” The physical characteristics of the soil types and topography play a large
part in the vegetative diversity that provides diverse wildlife habitat. These Ecological Land
Units will become more resilient to climate change. This Ecological Land Unit is comprised of
the following wildlife habitats:
1) Wetland Complex. The Skunk Hill Road Solar LLC property is interspersed with
wooded Swamp predominately vegetated by both deciduous and coniferous trees and
shrubs (See Figure 2). Red maple (Acer rubrum), high bush blueberry (Vaccinium
corymbosum), sweet pepper bush (Clethra alnifolia), and skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus
foetidus) would be typical species observed in Rhode Island swamps. Perennial Rivers
with 100 foot and 200 foot Riverbank Wetlands were noted within the wetland complex.
This tributary River flows to the southeast and eventually enters the Wood River. This
wetland complex provide habitat for both obligate wetland species such as amphibians
and reptiles; and habitat for other wildlife species that would travel the stream corridors
and would use the wetlands for food and cover.
2) Vernal Pools. Vernal pools are widely recognized as critical habitat for a variety of
vertebrate and invertebrate animals. In forested regions of New England, most of these
wetlands hold water from a few weeks to several months each year. The most successful
pools have forested overstory. In this case, these pools would be located within the
wetland complex. The amphibians such as wood frogs, peepers, and spotted salamanders
that use these breeding pools only do so for a few weeks in the early spring, leaving their
young to mature in the pool. The adults return to the upland forested habitat, the females
2
salamanders traveling up to 370 meters from the breeding pool and the males a lesser
distance (Mitchell, J.C. et al, 2007 with revisions 9/2009). Wetland regulations, even if
successful in protecting the wetland, may do little to maintain pool-breeding amphibian
populations unless adjacent upland terrestrial habitat also is protected.
3) Upland Forest. As it pertains to this proposed project, the upland forest is over 100
acres in size and is partially bordered by the above-mentioned wetland complex. It is
primarily a mixed deciduous forest (oak and maple) interspersed with white pine (Pinus
strobus). The reaches of this forested land go far beyond the boundaries of this parcel to
provide an unfragmented area of forest greater than 250 acres but less than 500 acres.
Mammals expected to use this area would be deer, bobcat, red fox, voles, fishers,
squirrels (red and grey) and several species of bats. Besides the common large and small
brown bats, the upland forest may be habitat for the Northern Long Eared Bat (NLEB).
Trees are the breeding habitat for NLEB and the bat is federally protected. To date no
surveys have been performed in this area to confirm their presence. A survey could be
required if there is Federal money supporting this project. Note that the bobcat is a Rhode
Island Threatened species and it is presently being studied by the RIDEM. Avian species
are numerous. Spring and fall migrating warblers and other bird species will use this area
as a resting, breeding, and feeding site.
4) Agricultural Field. At the northern portion of the site abutting Skunk Hill Road are two
open fields. The soils indicated for both fields are Prime and Statewide Important
agricultural soils. The eastern field is Tisbury silt loam and Enfield silt loams (Tb, EfA,
EfB). The TB and EfA soils are Prime agricultural soils and the EfB is a Statewide
Important agricultural soil. The western field is underlain by Woodbridge fine sandy
loam (WhA) that is also classified as a Prime agricultural soil (See Figure 3). In this day
of encouraging small farms and local food supply it seems counterproductive to cover
these prime agricultural sites with solar panels, most likely grading and selling the loam
in the process. The RIDEM “Freshwater Wetlands Program and Stormwater Construction
Permitting Ground-Mounted Solar Array Guidance” issued June 2021 discourage the use
of farmland for siting ground-mounted solar arrays. Most of the wildlife previously
mentioned would also use this open habitat as part of their home range. The edge
between the field to forest boundary would be particularly valuable habitat to many avian
species for perching and feeding, including hawks. The fields would also be hunting
grounds for fisher, fox, and bobcat for small mammals.
Forest Fragmentation
The entire project has been mapped within an area of unfragmented forest greater than 250 acres
but less than 500 acres (See Figure 4). Forest Fragmentation is the breaking up of a large
forested area into smaller forested parcels. Properties that abut the area were omitted from this
designation had developed land with structures, agricultural land, and other unforested clearings.
This area appears to be one of only six such sized forest areas in Hopkinton. The high value of
protecting these large forested areas is for diverse wildlife habitat, protection of groundwater and
surface water quality, diversity of vegetation, and these woodland units act as a carbon sink that
aides in climate change resiliency. There are a number of larger mammals and migratory birds
3
that will not den, nest or breed unless such large unfragmented areas are available to them.
These include mammals such as bobcat and fisher, and avian migratory species such as scarlet
tanager, wood thrush, hairy woodpecker, and many others.
Also related to the diversity of the project area are the areas within the site that are part of the
Resilient and Connected Network as determined by The Nature Conservancy (See Figure 5).
These areas have a recognized Biodiversity Value and high topoclimatic diversity (See Figure 6).
Development of this site with the proposed clearing of over two-thirds of it will remove almost
all native vegetation within this parcel except for the majority of the wetlands, streams, and the
associated 50 foot Perimeter Wetland, 100 foot Riverbank Wetland, and 200 foot Riverbank
Wetland areas that encircle most of the proposed solar sites. Not only does this remove all but a
fringe of wildlife habitat on the upland portions of this site, this will cause a removal of forest, let
alone a mere fragmentation of forest, within the Ecological Land Unit.
In addition, the proposed project will completely change the topography of the site by grading
and leveling to provide a suitable level surface for installation of the solar panels. The proposed
construction site is underlain by several seasonal high water table soils (See Figure 4) such as
Woodbridge very stony (WoB), Woodbridge extremely stony (WrB), and Sutton stony fine
sandy loam (SuB). The predominant soil type is Charlton-Canton Rock Outcrop Complex (CaC)
with greater than 15% slopes (Figure 3). All of the soil types within the forested areas of this
project area range from stony to extremely stony to outcrops with 3-8% (B) or greater than 15%
slopes (C and D). In my opinion, the construction is going to involve a lot of stone removal and
possibly even blasting to create the terrain necessary for the installation and access to the
proposed solar panels. Exposed soils on steep slopes will require correctly installed sediment and
erosion controls to prevent the highly erosion prone soils from impacting downslope areas and
wetlands.
Water Quality Impacts
The loss of the forested habitat on this site has significant potential to have impacts on ground
and surface water quality. The entire site is a ground water recharge area. Currently the
groundwater water quality rating is GA, indicating that the groundwater is “presumed to be
suitable for drinking water without treatment.” The entire area is also a Sole Source Aquifer
indicating that the residents in this area obtain their drinking water from individual wells. In
addition, the current assigned Surface Water Quality A indicates that the stream waters are
suitable for primary and secondary recreational sports and support of viable fish and wildlife
habitat.
RIDEM “Freshwater Wetlands Program and Stormwater Construction Permitting Ground-
Mounted Solar Array Guidance” issued June 2021 states that “The clearing of forests and other
green spaces (including farmland) for the siting for ground-mounted solar arrays is strongly
discouraged.” Instead RIDEM suggests siting them on already cleared or disturbed areas as
closed landfills, commercial/industrial developed lots, and other like areas.
4
On August 27, 2021, I reviewed the application package for the Skunk Hill Road Solar, LLC
before the Town of Hopkinton’s Planning Board.
A complete list of References will be provided upon request
The majority of the information presented in this report was taken from the RIDEM
Environmental Resource maps with overlays.
5
Figure 1. Ecological Land Units at Plat 18, Lots 8, 13 & 14, Skunk Hill Road, Hopkinton, Rhode Island
6
Figure 2. RIDEM Wetland Mapping Units in the Vicinity of Plat 18, Lots 8, 13 & 14, Skunk Hill Road,
Hopkinton, Rhode Island
River
Please Note: The wetland delineation contained in the application package is the RIDEM verified
wetland edge and is more accurate than the RIGIS Wetland overlay shown above.
7
Figure 3. Soil Mapping Units in the Vicinity of Plat 18, Lots 8, 13 & 14, Skunk Hill Road, Hopkinton,
Rhode Island
The Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database for the State of Rhode Island: Bristol, Kent, Newport,
Providence, and Washington Counties (NRCS, 2012)
Soil Unit Name Abbreviation Percent Slope Agricultural Soil Hydric Soil
Canton-Charlton-Rock outcrop complex CaC 3 to 15 No No
Canton-Charlton-Rock outcrop complex CaD 15 to 35 No No
Enfield silt loam EfA 0 to 3 Yes- prime No
Enfield silt loam EfB 3 to 8 Yes- SI No
Hinckley gravelly sandy loam, rolling HkC 3 to 15 Yes- SI No
Merrimac sandy loam MmA 0 to 3 Yes- prime No
Pits, Gravel Pg 0 to 25 No No
Ridgebury, Whitman, And Leicester extremely stony fine sandy loams Rf 0 to 3 No Yes- wetland
Scarboro mucky sandy loam Sb 0 to 3 No Yes- wetland
Sutton very stony fine sandy loam SuB 0 to 8 No Seasonal High-Water Table
Tisbury silt loam Tb 0 to 3 Yes- prime Seasonal High-Water Table
Walpole sandy loam Wa 0 to 3 Yes- SI Yes- wetland
Woodbridge fine sandy loam WhA 0 to 3 Yes- prime No
Woodbridge very stony fine sandy loam WoB 0 to 8 No Seasonal High-Water Table
8
Figure 4. Unfragmented Forested Block at Plat 18, Lots 8, 13 & 14, Skunk Hill Road, Hopkinton, Rhode
Island
9
Figure 5. The Nature Conservancy Resilient & Connected Network in the Vicinity of Plat 18, Lots 8, 13
& 14, Skunk Hill Road, Hopkinton, Rhode Island
River
10
Related Documents
