A confidential client began the process of building a solar energy system in March 2016. The company hired Barr mid-project to assist with meeting environmental compliance requirements in the project's construction stormwater general permit, agricultural-impact mitigation plan (AIMP), and Minnesota Public Utility Commission (PUC) permit. The project also had an independent, full-time, third-party inspector reporting to the state.
Initially, Barr worked to improve communication and cohesion among the contractors, owners, and stakeholders by training contractors in the basics of environmental rules, providing updates to the owner’s site representatives, communicating directly with the state inspector, and providing direction to stormwater BMP (best management practice) crews.
Barr provided owner representation for the PUC permit; stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) inspections; site monitoring to oversee contractors in sensitive areas; native-prairie expertise to assist with final restoration; wetland delineation and restoration; communications with state and local officials; enforcement-action support; civil engineering support for drainage features; and inspection of tracker pilings to check for stress due to frost.
(stock photo shown above)