4.a9 comments - national park service 042116IN REPLY REFER TO
April 21, 2016
L7615 (SACN)
United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
St Croix National Scenic Rivenkay
401 Hamilton Street
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin 54024-4708
City of Scandia
Attention: Neil Soltis, City Administrator
14717 209" St. N.
Scandia, Minnesota 55073
n.soltls@cI.scandia.mn.us
Dear Mr. Soltis:
This is in response to the City of Scandia's request for comments on a proposed solar garden.
Argo Navis Community Solar Gardens, LLC (ANCSG) has requested a Conditional Use Permit
(CUP) and a variance to construct up to a 3 megawatt community solar garden (Project) on the
site of a reclaimed and existing gravel mine. The gravel mine is located within New Scandia
Township, in Washington County, Minnesota adjacent to the west boundary of the St. Croix
National Scenic Riverway (Riverway). To accommodate the Project, ANCSG has requested a
variance to the City of Scandia's required 600 -foot setback from Riverway boundary. The
request is that the setback be reduced to 150 -feet.
The Riverway was established in 1972 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA) (Public
Law 90-542) to protect its scenic -aesthetic and other resource values for enjoyment by this and
future generations. It is a unit of the National Park System managed by the National Park Service
(NPS). The 600 -foot setback was established by the City of Scandia to protect the Riverway
from adjacent development. According to the materials submitted by ANCSG the variance is
needed to avoid seep grades on the site. Further, the materials indicate that ANCSG has analyzed
a number of design scenarios and determined that the proposed design, which would require the
variance, would have the least environmental impact.
It is unclear whether ANCSG has considered a design scenario that would reduce the overall size
of the Project so that it would fit within the confines of the gravel pit and still meet the 600 -foot
setback. The NPS requests that the City of Scandia explore this option before considering the
variance request.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment. We look forward to continuing to work with
the City of Scandia to protect the Riverway. If you have any questions, please call Jill Medland
of our staff at 715-483-2284.
Sincerely,
lie Galonska
Acting Superintendent
cc:
Sherri Buss
Planner, City of Scandia
sherri.buss rkkda
Deb Ryun
Executive Director
St. Croix River Association
debryun,' f..scramail.com