Projects

Solar Array Projects

Coastal Resources, Inc. (CRI) conducted environmental services for four solar array projects proposed by Standard Solar, Inc., and located in Prince George’s and Carroll Counties, MD.  CRI completed wetland delineations using the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region within the full limits of all study areas.  A detailed wetland delineation report was prepared for each project summarizing all identified resources and including datasheets, mapping, and photographs of each resource.

CRI conducted a forest stand characterization and specimen tree (DBH greater than or equal to 30 inches) survey in accordance with the Environmental Technical Manual (M-NCPPC, 2018) or the Carroll County Forest Conservation Manual (Carroll County, 2011) as appropriate.  CRI GPS-located and identified species, size, and condition of specimen trees and characterized forest stands noting successional stage, dominant and co-dominant species, common understory and herbaceous species, percent canopy closure, prevalence of downed woody debris, presence of invasive species, and basal area within the project sites.  A report was completed summarizing the methods and results which included mapping of the delineated forest stands and specimen trees. 

CRI coordinated with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for information on federal and state-listed rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) species and fisheries resources, and completed the USFWS Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) review process for each project.  Specific project descriptions and results are summarized below:

Hall Property Solar Project is located along Croom Road, Upper Marlboro, MD. The purpose of the project is to assist the sponsoring agencies with their commitment to environmental stewardship by installing solar panels within the 11-acre parcel, which is dominated by agriculture fields. During the field investigations, no wetlands and watercourses were found, and five forest stands, and two specimen trees were identified.  CRI submitted a simplified Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) plan in addition to an NRI Equivalency Letter and Woodland Conservation Exemption request which were both approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Department.

Clagett Property Solar Project is located along William Beanes Road, in Upper Marlboro, MD. The purpose of the project is to assist the sponsoring agencies with their commitment to environmental stewardship by installing solar panels within the 259-acre parcel which consists of agriculture fields and forest.  During the field investigations, 27 wetlands, 25 watercourses, and one open water system were delineated.  A total of four forest stands and 353 specimen trees were identified.  CRI will submit a NRI plan and Tree Conservation Plan (TCP) for review and approval by the Prince George’s County Planning Department. A floodplain study was also required by Prince George’s County due to the presence of a previously mapped FEMA floodplain on the property. CRI prepared the existing 100-year hydrology for multiple watersheds using GISHydro and TR-20.  The proposed 100-year hydrology was determined using the Prince George’s County Ultimate Land Use data and incorporating the minor changes to the watershed as a result of the solar installation.  The hydrology for each watershed was calibrated using the Maryland Hydrology Panel’s Application of Hydrologic Methods in Maryland, Fifth Edition (2020). CRI used the culvert information available in ArcGIS and the calibrated hydrology to produce a HEC RAS model of each watershed. The resulting 100-year floodplain was mapped for all areas where the drainage areas exceeded 50 acres. CRI prepared the floodplain maps and a report according to Prince George’s County standards and submitted to the County floodplain manager for review and approval. 

M-NCPPC Randall Farm Maintenance Facility Solar Project is located along Ritchie-Marlboro Road, in Upper Marlboro, MD. The purpose of the project is to provide electricity for the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation facility. The project consists of installing solar panels within approximately 8 acres of open field. During field investigations two wetlands, three streams, six forest stands, and five specimen trees were identified within the study area.  CRI prepared a full NRI plan and a TCP. In addition, CRI coordinated the forest mitigation requirements.  Both the NRI and TCP were submitted to and approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Department.   

South Carroll High School Solar Project is located along West Old Liberty Road in Sykesville, Maryland. The purpose of the project is to provide electricity to the Board of Education through an approximately 6.5-acre solar array installed in an open field.  During field investigations no wetlands or stream were identified within the study area. A total of two forest stands and two specimen trees were identified.  CRI prepared a Forest Stand Delineation (FSD) and Forest Conservation Plan (FCP).  In addition, CRI   coordinated the forest mitigation requirements for the project which was met by expanding an existing forest conservation easement on the property.  Both the FSD and FCP were submitted to and approved by the Carroll County Bureau of Resource Management.

Location:

Prince George’s & Carroll Counties, MD

Client:

Becker Morgan Group, Inc.

Key Services:

  • Wetland Delineation 
  • Natural Resource Inventory, Forest Stand Delineation, and Tree Survey 
  • Agency Coordination