CUMBERLAND — Given last year’s flood that devastated Westernport and surrounding areas, possible impacts on local terrain from construction of various proposed solar projects should be considered, Kit Pepper Lescallette said.
Lescallette, an Allegany County commissioner candidate, was at a recent county meeting where she spoke of ventures including the state’s largest solar project, which is set for Western Maryland.
The Jade Meadow III solar project is a proposed 300-megawatt facility to be built near Westernport and Barton in Allegany and Garrett counties.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the project includes roughly 6,000 acres.
Additional proposed solar projects in Allegany County include arrays on Cash Valley Road in LaVale, Parrot Eyes Lane in Oldtown, McMullen Highway Southwest in Cresaptown and Collins Drive Southwest in Rawlings.
“A comprehensive watershed study must include land prioritization and flood risk mapping across the entire watershed,” Lescallette said.
“It should show where water travels, how quickly it moves, which areas are most critical to flood resiliency and what infrastructure is at risk.”
She spoke of the Dan’s Mountain wind project, brought online last year, which included hydraulic analysis that warned development could increase runoff and flooding risks for Braddock Run and Georges Creek.
“But it was not considered,” Lescallette said. “Overall, there is no doubt that the windmills were approved in some very questionable circumstances.”
She said drainage challenges in the area must be addressed.
“What I’m talking about is not opposing solar or wind energy,” Lescallette said. “It’s about understanding where the water will go before approving more major land disturbances.”
She asked the county commissioners to consider an emergency 90-day pause on county permits, approvals and recommendations for projects that include substantial clearing, grading or drainage challenges in elevated areas, and secure a county-wide watershed study and infrastructure plan.
“As we reduce our vulnerability to flooding, we can also make Allegany County more attractive to businesses and people looking to invest here,” Lescallette said. “It could be the most effective economic development decision you can make.”