Dodge Center Date of Inspection 20161114 Start/End Time 12:00 pm Assembly complete, CCTV cabling and trenching, Decompaction equipment testing Partly cloudy, temperature in the low to mid-40 s Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar) and Ryan Molsee (Enel). Equipment and methods to meet de-compaction needs were tried and assessed. A disk was found to be inadequate as there was not enough weight to push the disk through the compacted areas. A small chisel/ripper was found to achieve the best results. A John Deere 6400 with three-point attachment was used to control the depth of the implement. One pass with the chisel achieved was sufficient in softer areas, but the chisel floated on more compacted areas, resulting in only one to two inches of scarification over a severely compacted zone. Additional passes with the chisel improved results. There was an extended discussion on the methods and steps needed to complete final restoration work. Power will be required to a site in order to rotate the panels and provide adequate work space for the equipment. Prior to de-compaction, all interior silt fences and similar erosion and sediment control devices will need to be removed or placed so that they will not interfere with the work. General site clean up to remove trash, soil and imported material piles, reclaim laydown yards, residual spoil piled under arrays, etc. must occur prior to de-compaction. Approximately two to three days will be necessary to de-compact most sites. Following de-compaction, the sites will need to be stabilized with straw mulch or equivalent, and seeded with a cover crop or final seed mix. Dodge Center 20161114
Given the amount of pre-work necessary to finalize the restoration measures, most of these activities will likely occur in Spring, 2017. The only compliance item noted at the time of the site visit was the presence of subsoils and aggregate that was improperly added to the topsoil stockpile at the lower laydown yard in the northern portion of the site. Subsoils and aggregate added to the topsoil stockpile. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Remove subsoils and other material from the topsoil stockpile. Photos: Photo 1: Subsoil and other non-topsoil material added to topsoil stockpile on northern end of the site. Dodge Center 20161114
West Faribault Date of Inspection 20161114 Start/End Time 3:30 pm Piles, inverters, SCADA, assembly, material delivery. Mostly cloudy, temperature in the upper 40s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar). Site is in very good condition. There is little rutting and soils are well segregated throughout the site, including re-work on the PCU and SCADA conduits. Two dewatering setups used felt sediment bags that have not been effective at other sites; however, due to the low volume and velocity of pumping activities, only a minor amount of sediment was observed on the bags and the issue is not considered to be significant. No compliance items were observed. No significant issues were observed. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: None. West Faribault 20161114
Chisago Date of Inspection 20161115 Start/End Time 7:00 am Assembly complete, placement of ground wire around facilities, commissioning later this week. Cloudy/overcast, temperature in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar), Jacob Thompson (Barr), and Ryan Molsee (Enel). Site is in good condition. Assembly of the site is complete. Some trash remains onsite and Toby (Biosar site manager) stated that a cleanup day is planned for tomorrow. No compliance concerns were noted. None. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: None. Chisago 20161115
Lawrence Creek Date of Inspection 20161115 Start/End Time 8:30 am POI boring in progress, assembly complete, commissioning later this week. Mostly cloudy, temperature in the low to mid 40s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Jacob Thompson (Barr Engineering), Ryan Molsee (Enel), and Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar). Site is in good condition. There are a number of cleanup items required before restoration takes place, such as open trench pits, piles of aggregate, scattered construction mats, subsoils on surface, spoil pile remnants under panels, etc. Subsoil spoils were found to have been spread over two travel routes. Brandon (Biosar assistant site manager) said that he was relatively new to the site and wasn t sure why the spoils were spread. Subsoil material spread over topsoil on two travel routes. Various piles of aggregate, small spoil piles under arrays, etc. remaining on topsoil surface. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Reclaim/remove all subsoils, small spoil piles, imported aggregate and rock material from topsoil surface prior to restoration activities. Lawrence Creek 20161115
Photos: Photo 1: Subsoil spoils spread over travel route between arrays. Photo 2: One of several residual material piles that still need to be removed from site. Lawrence Creek 20161115
Hastings Date of Inspection 20161115 Start/End Time 10:45 am Assembly, pile driving, pile drilling, material deliveries, inverters, SCADA, trenching and cabling. Partly cloudy, temperature in the low 50s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Ryan Molsee (Enel), Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar), and Jacob Thompson (Barr). Site was in good condition. Area that requires additional grading to achieve proper pile reveal height has a trench interfering with that work; grading will be complete after trench is backfilled. A large area near the entrance access road has been cleared of topsoil in order to permanently stockpile excess subsoil and rock that was removed from trenches. The stockpile will be capped with topsoil soon. Trenches have very good separation of soil horizons. One spoil pile was found to contain both topsoil and subsoil. The materials were not mixed and will be separated when removed from this location. Crews are doing a good job of utilizing a limited number of designated access routes through the site. Mulching of the site to stabilize soils is being held up by pile remediation work at the top of the slope. No compliance items were noted. No significant compliance were noted. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: None. Hastings 20161115
Pine Island Date of Inspection 20161115 Start/End Time 1:30 pm Piles, inverter and SCADA housing set, trenching, assembly. Mostly cloudy, temperature in the low to mid 50s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection included Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar), Jacob Thompson (Barr) and Ryan Molsee (Enel). The main part of the site is in reasonably good condition. Ruts have been back bladed and have dried out. The south side of the site is still inundated with significant ruts. Two drain tiles were damaged during the excavation of the MV trench through the middle of the site. Both tiles were repaired. The southernmost tile contained flowing water and the northern was dry. Both tiles were also flushed but each backed water within 30 seconds to three minutes, indicating that there is a blockage further down the system. The northern tile was blocked up-gradient from the trench as well. Drain tile damage or blockages are likely causing the inundation in the southern part of the site and the drainage system should be assessed by a qualified tile contractor prior to final restoration to ensure the system is working properly. Trash control on the site is adequate. We discussed work strategies with Rob (Biosar site manager) in preparation for the incoming weather event and wet working conditions that will likely result. Blockage of drain tile system. Pine Island 111516
Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Drain tile system will need to be assessed by a qualified contractor prior to final restoration to determine the repairs or replacement necessary to ensure the system is functioning properly. Pine Island 111516
Eastwood Date of Inspection 20161116 Start/End Time 7:00 am Piles, deliveries, inverters, trenching, cabling, SCADA, assembly. Clear, temperature in the upper 20s to low 30s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar), Ryan Molsee (Enel), and Mandy Bohnenblust (Barr). There is a significant amount of deep rutting through the western portion of the site resulting from material staging and assembly activities. Rutting is exacerbated by continually saturated sections of the work area that may be indicative of damaged drain tile. A drain tile contractor is scheduled to investigate the site for needed tile repairs next week. Topsoils in this area of the site are deep enough that deep ruts are not posing a concern for soil horizon mixing. Trash on this site is reasonably well controlled; some personal trash items were observed on the northern side of the parking area, but the green straps and plastic that can interfere with restoration equipment were largely contained. Spoils are well separated in the trenched areas. Broken drain tiles that were discovered or caused by trenching activities have been repaired. Workers are dewatering several open trenches into the northernmost trench on the east side of the project. Improper dewatering setups have been identified on this site previously. According to Joe (Biosar site manager), Blattner personnel have been informed repeatedly that the sediment bags that were on hand were not adequately filtering pumped water, and that dewatering activities were to stop until suitable filter bags were obtained. Blattner refused to stop pumping and instructed their crews to continue dewatering. This was confirmed by Blattner manager, Craig Arneson. A large felt-type bag that was not filtering properly was found last week on the southern edge of the site, behind and adjacent to the unstabilized subsoil stockpile. This setup was found to still be in place Eastwood 20161116
and had been used recently. Several other areas of subsoil sediment from dewatering were observed along the ends of trenches on the eastern edge of the site. Some areas where sediment had accumulated were rutted, causing loss of the subsoil sediment into the topsoil. A dewatering bag that contained a large amount of sediment had subsoil material covering its surface. It was assumed to have burst or otherwise failed according to Joe. In the northeast corner of the site, a 4-inch hose was found to have discharged beyond the perimeter fence and outside of any perimeter sediment control. Ruts were present outside of the perimeter fence, presumably from removing a sediment bag. According to Joe, it was believed that a filter bag was used in this area for a time but was not monitored, resulting in a burst filter bag and an unknown amount of unfiltered dewatering. A significant amount of inches-deep subsoil sediment was found in the area, extending approximately 100 feet west from the discharge point and 60 feet north beyond the perimeter fence. All sediment is believed to have remained on project-owned property. The issue was addressed with Blattner site personnel who were instructed to obtain sediment bags that sufficiently filtered pumped water, and to continually monitor the dewatering setup to ensure that discharged water was adequately treated. Potential drain tile issue in chronically wet portions of the western side of the site. Subsoils remaining on topsoil surface in some areas. Improper dewatering setups. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Continue corrective items identified during last week s inspection. Remove excess subsoils when conditions are suitable. Drain tile contractor is coming to investigate potential drain tile damages next week; repairs are likely to be made next spring. Sediment from improper dewatering setups will need to be removed when site conditions allow. Obtain and implemented sediment bags that sufficiently treat pumped water. Ensure that pumped water is clear when discharging from the site. Continually monitor dewatering setups to ensure that water treatment is adequate and sediment bags are changed before they fail. Eastwood 20161116
Photos: Photo 1: Excess subsoils at risk of being incorporated into topsoil due to work in saturated conditions. Photo 2: Chronically saturated conditions on western side of site may be indicative of damaged draintile. Eastwood 20161116
Photos: Photo 3: Deep ruts and compaction will need to be addressed when site conditions allow or at time of restoration. Photo 4: Dewatering setup adjacent to unsecured subsoil stockpile. Eastwood 20161116
Photos: Photo 5: One of several areas of sediment observed to have resulted from improper dewatering setups. Photo 6: Dewatering setup discharging outside of perimeter fence, beyond any sediment control device. Eastwood 20161116
Photos: Photo 7: Sediment deposits from improper dewatering setup extended well beyond the perimeter fence. Eastwood 20161116
Lake Emily Date of Inspection 20161116 Start/End Time 9:30 am Piles, inverters, SCADA excavations, trenching and cabling, assembly. Mostly clear, temperature in the lower 40s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Mandy Bohnenblust (Barr), Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar), and Ryan Molsee (Enel). Site is dry and is in good condition. All trenches on the site have been excavated with good separation of soil horizons. Approximately 25-30% of the excavated trench had been backfilled at the time of our site visit. We discussed the planned work activities for the upcoming week and the expected wet site conditions with Mark Smiley (Biosar). Paula suggested staging modules in the arrays while conditions were still dry to the extent possible to minimize rutting. Also, workers were parking on the access road and driving into the laydown yard along the road shoulder. If this practice continues while conditions are wet, extensive rutting and mixing of road material with soils can be expected. There were a minimal number of small construction mats onsite at the time of inspection, but these will be removed from site and there are no plans to utilize mats at this location. Drain tile strikes have been repaired as they have been encountered during trenching activities. An unknown number of tiles have been impacted by piles, but at least some level of interference is expected. Tile strike investigation and repair will likely occur in the spring. No compliance items were noted at this time. Lake Emily 20161116
No compliance items were noted at this time. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: None. Lake Emily 20161116
West Waconia Date of Inspection 20161116 Start/End Time 11:30 am Piles, inverters, setting SCADA house, cabling, trenching, assembly. Clear, temperature in the upper 50s to 60 degrees.. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Mandy Bohnenblust (Barr), Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar), and Ryan Molsee (Enel). Site condition has improved since last week due to drier conditions. Ruts have been mostly filled and smoothed. There is a high degree of compaction in some areas that will be addressed during restoration. There also continues to be some mixing of excavated material, and removal of subsoil spoil piles that were displaced by sand during backfilling will be necessary. The dewatering set up was being actively monitored when we arrived. The sediment bag was adequate and although a minor amount of scouring was noted at first, controls were being added and the pump velocity lowered to eliminate the issue. Discharge area had newly installed perimeter controls. All panels have been staged in the field, and access roads are matted which should help reduce the likelihood of significant site impacts due to working in wet conditions next week. There is a significant amount of trash, including the green packing straps and plastic wrapping that can become lodged in mud and cause issues with restoration equipment. Trash is becoming excessive in assembly areas. West Waconia 20161109
Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Consolidate trash and remove prior to wet and freezing conditions next week. West Waconia 20161109
Montrose Date of Inspection 20161116 Start/End Time 2:30 pm Assembly complete, trenching and cabling for POI in progress, commissioning next week. Mostly clear, temperature near 60 degrees. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspections included Ryan Molsee (Enel), Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar), and Mandy Bohnenblust (Barr). The site was in good condition overall. Crane mats have been removed from portions of the access road and the laydown yard in preparation of site completion. Subsoils that have been documented in the prior two inspections have not yet been cleaned up from the topsoil surface. A small amount of trash remains onsite but cleanup efforts are good overall. A significant amount of standing water is still present in the southeast portion of the site and may result from a damaged drain tile. Standing water after an extended period of dry weather may indicate a damaged drain tile. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Investigate potential for drain tile damage. Remove accumulated subsoils from soil surface that were identified in previous inspections. Montrose 20161116
Lake Pulaski Date of Inspection 20161116 Start/End Time 3:45 pm Grading, piles, inverters, SCADA, assembly, material deliveries. Partly cloudy, temperature in the upper 50s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today Ryan Molsee (Enel), Paula Fitzgerald (Biosar), and Mandy Bohnenblust (Barr). The site is in relatively good condition overall and Dane (Biosar site manager) has encountered no major issues. There are a couple of very deep ruts in the lowest area of the site where a lull sank into the saturated soils. Due to deep topsoil in this area no soil mixing was observed to have occurred. Areas of the site that were significantly impacted during the previous rain event will likely need to be remulched to provide soil stability through the winter. Trash is well controlled. We discussed the need to be proactive in planning work activities with the incoming weather expected to again create wet work conditions. No new or significant compliance issues were noted. No significant new issues were noted. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: None. Lake Pulaski 20161116
Albany Date of Inspection 20161117 Start/End Time 7:00 am Piles, Trenching, Inverters, SCADA, Cables, Racking, Assembly, POI Trenching Mostly cloudy, 42 degrees. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Karl Everett (Biosar), Ryan Molsee (Enel) and Jacob Thompson (Barr). Site was in good condition. Crews have scheduled a cleanup day today to ensure trash is contained ahead of expected snow and freezing conditions. Trenching activities for the POI trench had good soil separation; the crew did a good job of reclaiming spoils off of the grassed areas when backfilling without damaging the ground surface. There was some mixing of access road material and fabric with soils in backfilled trench along the south side of the access road west of SCADA and adjacent PCU. Fabric will need to be removed from the trenched area and road material recovered to the extent possible. Some fabric and road material in backfilled trench along central access road west of SCADA house. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Remove fabric from backfilled trench; assess the area during restoration to determine if additional topsoil is needed. Albany 20161117
Photos: Photo 1: Fabric and road material in backfilled trench west of SCADA house. Albany 20161117
Paynesville Date of Inspection 20161117 Start/End Time 9:30 am Piles installed, trenching, cabling, inverters, SCADA work, assembly, deliveries. Overcast, temperature in the low 40s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Karl Everett (Biosar), Jacob Thompson (Barr), and Ryan Molsee (Enel). Site is in the same condition as was reported last week. We discussed removing trash, smoothing ruts and staging materials to the extent possible in preparation for the incoming precipitation event and subsequent freeze with Mark (Biosar site manager). No new compliance items noted. No new compliance items noted. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: None Albany 20161117
Atwater Date of Inspection 20161117 Start/End Time 11:45 am Piles, Inverters, Equipment Demob, Assembly. Cloudy, temperature in the upper 40s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Jacob Thompson (Barr), Ryan Molsee (Enel), and Karl Everett (Biosar). Site is in good condition. The straw mulch that was observed during last week s inspection was found to be insufficiently secured. The underlying soils were too compacted for the disk to properly anchor the straw, and the mulch was observed being blown off of some areas and building up in others. Additional disking or other method to secure the mulch may be required. Straw mulch was insufficiently anchored. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Effects of the incoming weather event will be observed and the area will be reassessed to determine the best action to take. Atwater 20161117
Photos: Photo 1: Water bubbling to the surface at location of newly installed telecommunications cable. Atwater 20161117
Annandale Date of Inspection 20161117 Start/End Time 1:50 pm Piles, inverters, SCADA, assembly nearly complete, POI trenching. Mostly cloudy, temperature in the mid 50s. Additional personnel accompanying me on the site inspection today included Jacob Thompson (Barr), Karl Everett (Biosar), and Ryan Molsee (Enel). Site is in good condition overall. Crews were working on the POI trench at the time of the inspection. Trash is well controlled through most of the site. No new compliance items were noted, though potential for erosion related issues was discussed with Nate (Biosar site manager) in preparation for incoming precipitation event. No new compliance items were noted. Corrective actions discussed onsite included: Proactive steps to reduce likelihood of serious precipitation-related compliance items. Annandale 20161117