Public Notice Announcing the Availability of an Environmental Assessment

Public Notice Announcing the Availability of an Environmental Assessment US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business Services (RBS) Minke Solar, LLC: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Rural Business Services, USDA ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Business Services, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, is issuing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in connection with possible impacts related to a project proposed by the Minke Solar, LLC (Applicant). The applicant is proposing the construction of a solar facility (Project) located at 30110 South Molalla Forest Road, Molalla, Oregon in Clackamas County, Oregon. The proposed Project consists of approximately 16.9-acre portion of a larger 17.05-acre parcel in Marion County. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Beyer, State Environmental Coordinator at (503) 414-3368, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 1801, Portland, Oregon 97204 michael.beyer@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Applicant’s proposed project would use ground-mounted, fixed tilt solar arrays, consisting of photovoltaic (PV) modules, inverters, and associated racking and electrical equipment. The Project would would sell this energy to Portland General Electric (PGE) under a long-term fixed power purchase agreement. When constructed, the solar arrays and associated components would be no more than 10 feet in height and would be surrounded by 7-foot tall chain link security fence. The facility will be located on privately-owned property in Clackamas County, Oregon. Environmental Resources Management, Inc., prepared an Environmental Assessment 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. 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. Dated: April 30, 2020 Michael Beyer, State Environmental Coordinator Published May 12, 15 & 19, 2020. BT164074

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