9.a Argo Navis Staff Report to CC 01.17.20
STAFF REPORT
To: Scandia City Council
Meeting Date: January 21, 2020
From: Merritt Clapp-Smith, Planner
RE: Application for purchase of wetland mitigation credits by BHE Renewables for the Argo
Navis Community Solar Garden
Background:
In 2018, during a heavy rain event, there was a large wash out of sand and soil from the Argo
Navis Community Solar Garden site. The runoff coursed down a nearby ravine, scouring it and
leaving soil deposits, before washing into the St. Croix River. Following the event, there has
been detailed evaluation of the event impacts and restoration options. Restoration has been
ongoing to prevent future wash outs.
Attached are BHE Renewables’s WCA Notice of Application (NOA), and Wetland Replacement
Application for the Argo Navis site. BHE Renewables proposes to purchase wetland mitigation
credits related to the 2018 stormwater discharge at the Argo Navis site. The application
represents many months of coordination and fulfills the recommendations of the WCA TEP.
Since this is a Wetland Replacement Application, the Notice of Decision (NOD, which will be
prepared after the 15-day comment period) must be voted on by the Scandia City Council.
Details:
A memo from Jay Riggs of the Washington Conservation District (WCD) provides background
information and recommends approval of the replacement application.
Options:
1) Approve application as presented
2) Make modifications to conditions
3) Take no action on application
Recommendation:
Approve the application as recommended by WCD.