Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/17/2025

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3. Overview of Vegetation Establishment and Management 3.1. Vegetative Goals The primary vegetative goal is to establish permanent vegetation that does not interfere with solar production. This solar site is being planted with 100% native species. The species chosen produce an emphasis on native pollinator habitat to achieve and maintain the Habitat Friendly Solar status. 3.2. Contribution of Native Habitat on Solar Sites Economical production of power is the foremost goal of solar sites. There is a parallel opportunity to provide critically important native pollinator -friendly habitat throughout the array while capitalizing on the long-term low maintenance needs of native vegetation. Establishing prairies and other native plant communities within the confines of solar sites provides a tremendous opportunity to restore ecosystems that have been severely degraded or eliminated across all areas of the country. Native plants have profound root systems, many reaching 12 or more feet deep into the soil. Rainwater follows those roots into the ground, helping to reduce water runoff and promote the drainage of standing water into an aquifer. Those deep roots also stabilize the soil, preventing erosion from rain and wind. The plants provide seeds for songbirds, cover for game birds and, of course, provide blossoms and host plants for our beloved butterflies and other nectar -loving insects. Native grasses and forbs will be selected based on their ecological appropriateness to the specific conditions of this site, with consideration to their mature height to not interfere with panel productivity. These species will not require irrigation, fertilizer, or other soil amendments. The contribution to habitat restoration cannot be overstated given the acreage impacted and lifespan of the project. atNatural Resource Services 6