Harvey Solar works diligently to provide accurate, well-vetted information about solar, the Project, and its potential impacts on the Hartford Township community. Internet sources, whether research publications, periodicals, or social media must be carefully reviewed for accuracy. The information below is intended to respond to many of the concerns and statements shared online and on social media. Harvey Solar believes it is important to address these statements and provide factual clarity to the community.

Common Incorrect Statements Regarding Risk to Property

You may read online or hear in your community similar inaccurate statements regarding potential property damage.

“Construction will cause damage to farm tiles, leading to drainage and flooding issues for residential lots and neighboring farms.”

“This drilling will damage farm tiles, which act as an irrigation system for our local farmers. Fractured and cracked farm tiles will lead to rain-induced flooding in farm fields and residential lots. This flooding will destroy parts of our farmers' crops and lead to a loss of revenue for them.”

FACTS AND CREDIBLE SOURCES

Harvey Solar will not cause flooding or drainage that damages neighbors’ property. Harvey Solar will improve, not worsen, surface drainage and erosion in the area because annually disturbed farm fields instead will be grass fields – grass will be maintained even under the solar panels.[1]

Harvey Solar will be subject to a stormwater permit issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, which applies guidance specific to the post-construction stormwater drainage aspects of solar farms.[2] Additionally, OPSB routinely imposes licensing conditions to address potential issues related to drainage impacts and stormwater management.[3]

Farm drain tile is an important agricultural resource and Harvey Solar has made agreements with the landowners who will host the solar panels to protect the drain tile during construction or restore it as part of the decommissioning of the facility.[4]  Harvey Solar has already made preliminary engineering determinations of drain tile locations associated with the project.[5]       

With respect to neighbors, Harvey has committed in writing to avoid any adverse effect on “main” drain tile and to avoid or promptly repair any damage to any other tile (such as lateral or pattern tile) whose improper functioning may affect neighbors.  Harvey Solar fully expects that this commitment will be made a legal requirement in its permit.[6]

Harvey Solar has and will continue to work with the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District and interested neighbors to address concerns that may be unique or specific to the drainage of each parcel to be used for the project.

Resources:

[1] Hull and Associates, LLC, Preliminary Stormwater Assessment, Application Exhibit K, OPSB Case No. 21-0164-EL-BGN, available at:

 http://dis.puc.state.oh.us/TiffToPDf/A1001001A21H06B01450A00578.pdf

[2] Ohio EPA, NPDES Permit No. OHC00005 and Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water, “Guidance on Post-Construction Stormwater Controls for Solar Panel Arrays” (October 2019), available at: https://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/storm/Guidance%20on%20Post-Construction%20Storm%20Water%20Controls%20for%20Solar%20Panel%20Arrays.pdf?ver=2019-10-22-122431-753.

[3] Opinion, Order and Certificate, OPSB Case No. 20-1288-EL-BGN, Section VII.(20), available at: http://dis.puc.state.oh.us/TiffToPDf/A1001001A21C18B40239E01280.pdf

[4] Farm drain tile is not an “irrigation system.”  Farm tile performs the opposite function of irrigation: it removes water so as to lower the water table and improve crop yields.

[5] Hull and Associates, LLC, Preliminary Drain Tile Assessment, Exhibit Y to Application, OPSB Case No. 21-0164-EL-BGN, available at: http://dis.puc.state.oh.us/CaseRecord.aspx?CaseNo=21-0164-EL-BGN. 

[6] Application for a Certificate of Compatibility and Public Need by Harvey Solar I, LLC, OPSB Case No, 21-0164-EL-BGN, Section VIII.E.2, available at: http://dis.puc.state.oh.us/TiffToPDf/A1001001A21H06A91409E00537.pdf