GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING A SOLAR ELECTRICAL GENERATION FACILITY RECLAMATION PLAN
1. Description of present use of the site.
2. Describe the proposed alternate use of the land (all equipment to be installed above and underground, structures, fencing, etc.).
3. Duration of the alternate use of the property (specify termination date).
4. Address ownership of the property (lease or sale).
5. Describe how the subject property will be reclaimed to its previous agricultural condition, specifically:
A) Timeline for completion of reclamation after solar facility lease has termed (identify phasing if needed); and
B) Handling of any hazardous chemicals/materials to be removed; and
C) Removal of all equipment, structures, buildings and improvements at and above-grade; and
D) Removal of any below-grade foundations;
E) Removal of any below-grade infrastructure (cables/lines, etc.) that are no longer deemed necessary by the local public utility company; and
F) Detail any grading necessary to return the site to original grade; and
G) Type of crops to be planted; and
H) Irrigation system details to be used (existing wells, pumps, etc. should remain throughout the solar facility use).
6. A Site Plan shall be submitted along with the text of the Reclamation Plan showing the location of equipment, structures, above and underground utilities, fencing, buffer area, reclamation phasing, etc.
7. An engineering cost estimate of reclaiming the site to its previous agricultural condition shall be submitted for review and approval.
8. Financial assurances equal to the cost of reclaiming the land to its previous agricultural condition shall be submitted to ensure the reclamation is performed according to the approved plan. Financial assurances shall be made to the County of Fresno and may take the form of cash, letter of credit or bond that complies with Section 66499 of the California Government Code, et. seq.
9. Evidence that all owners of record have been notified of the proposed Reclamation Plan.
STANDARD INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS FOR ALL UTILITY-GRADE PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECTS
- Applicants must work to achieve a minimum 50-foot buffer from the edges of the property boundaries to the closest structural improvements or equipment (excluding fencing). Required setbacks will be included in this buffer.
- Salvage value estimates cannot be included to offset the estimated reclamation costs provided in the engineer’s estimates.
- The following condition of approval will be included for all projects: The reclamation plan shall be revised to provide for an annual increase in costs at 3% or tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or other mechanism acceptable to the Department of Public Work’s and Planning.