No. To minimize the amount of earth that must be disturbed and graded, Swiftwater Solar has been designed to be built on the flattest portions of the project site. In addition, the land beneath and around the solar panels will be planted with native grasses, which will help stabilize the soil and prevent runoff.

The project is required by law to receive state approval of a stormwater management plan that ensures no excess sediment or water volume can flow into nearby waterways or neighboring properties. In addition, Swiftwater Solar will comply with all federal, state, and local laws, including those related to stormwater and runoff management.

Before the project begins construction, it will be required to receive a Stormwater Permit from the Monroe County Soil Conservation District and the Pennsylvania DEP. The application for the permit is being prepared by a licensed, third-party civil engineer. The application will include a full analysis of the project’s anticipated impacts to water flow, considering the hydrology and topography of the project site and the specifics of the project’s design, and it will propose a set of best practice management techniques to ensure runoff from the project does not impact neighbors, existing infrastructure, or waterways. Construction of the project will not begin until both the Monroe County Conservation District and Pennsylvania DEP have approved the Stormwater Permit Application.