The Peru Gazette

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Development

HamilSun Community Solar, LLC – HamilSun Community Solar Farm

Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Business Service (RBS), USDA

ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Business Service (RBS) – USDA RD, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) in connection with the possible impacts related to a project proposed by HamilSun Community Solar, LLC, of Clinton County, NY. The proposal is for the construction of the HamilSun Community Solar Farm – 2 megawatt (MW)-AC on 12 acres of an existing 194.5-acre parcel at 286 Mannix Road, in the Town of Peru, NY. HamilSun Community Solar LLC has submitted an application to RBS for funding of the proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: To obtain copies of the Environmental Assessment or for further information, contact John T. Helgren, P.E., State Environmental Coordinator, NY State Office – Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 North Main Street, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 218-3523, john.helgren@usda.gov. The EA is also available for public review at Hamilsuncommunitysolar.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

An environmental assessment was prepared by Thomas J. LaBombard PE, for RBS that describes the project, assesses the proposed project’s environmental impacts, and summarizes as applicable any mitigation measures used to minimize environmental effects.

If implemented, the proposed project will convert fallow farmland. Given that the proposed project occurs in an NYS Agricultural District, the solar farm would be constructed in compliance with the Guidelines for Solar Energy Projects – Construction Mitigation for Agricultural Lands as issued by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and all applicable Federal environmental laws and regulations. The project is designed to avoid all identified wetland areas. In accordance with USDA Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Use Policy, the purpose of this notice is to inform the public of this conversion or effect, and request comments concerning the proposal, alternative actions that would avoid these impacts, and methods that could be used to minimize these impacts.

RBS has conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental assessment and believes that it accurately assesses the impacts of the proposed project. No significant impacts are expected as a result of the construction of the project.

Questions and comments should be sent to RBS at the address provided. RBS will accept questions and comments on the environmental assessment for 14 days from the date of publication of this notice.

Any final action by RBS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by 7 CFR Part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures.

A general location map of the proposal is shown below.