Restoration Ecologist Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) Cheyenne, Wyoming
Presentation Description: Community opposition may cause siting and permitting delays when farmland is converted to a utility-scale solar facility. Some communities are concerned a facility will hasten long-term land degradation. Developing a revegetation plan that includes the use of regionally appropriate sustainable vegetation, such as native grassland, has the potential to alleviate concerns and/or opposition. A revegetation plan demonstrates that the land—soil and vegetation–will be better than what it was before construction. Farming alters soil and vegetation to an extreme because of excess fertilizer application and soil compaction from heavy machinery. Careful consideration of these factors in the plan, addressed primarily through pre-construction soil testing and analysis, can guide revegetation efforts and increase chances for success. This presentation will review elements to consider in the revegetation plan when farmland conversion will occur and opportunities to enhance ecosystem soil and vegetation.
