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c. Ground cover and buffer areas - The following provisions shall be met related to the clearing of <br />existing vegetation and establishment of vegetated ground cover. Additional requirements may apply <br />as required by Model Community. <br />1. Large-scale removal of mature trees on the site is <br />discouraged. Model Community may set additional <br />restrictions on tree clearing or require mitigation for <br />cleared trees. <br />2. The project site design shall include the installation <br />and establishment of ground cover meeting the <br />beneficial habitat standard consistent with Minnesota <br />Statutes, section 216B.1642, or successor statutes and <br />guidance as set by the Minnesota Board of Water and <br />Soil Resources (BWSR). <br />3. The applicant shall submit a planting plan <br />accompanied by a completed "Project Planning <br />Assessment Form" provided by BWSR for review by <br />BWSR or the County SWCD. <br />4. Beneficial habitat standards shall be maintained on <br />the site for the duration of operation, until the site is <br />decommissioned. The owner of the solar array shall <br />complete BWSR's "Established Project Assessment <br />Form" at year 4 and every 3 years after that, and <br />allow the County SWCD to conduct a site visit to verify <br />compliance. <br />5. Model Community may require submittal of <br />inspection fee at the time of the initial permit <br />application to support ongoing inspection of the <br />beneficial habitat ground cover. <br />6. The applicant shall submit a financial guarantee in <br />the form of a letter of credit, cash deposit or bond in <br />favor of the Community equal to one hundred twenty- <br />five (125) percent of the costs to meet the beneficial <br />habitat standard. The financial guarantee shall remain <br />in effect until vegetation is sufficiently established. <br />d. Foundations - A qualified engineer shall certify that <br />the foundation and design of the solar panel racking and <br />support is within accepted professional standards, given <br />local soil and climate conditions. <br />e. Power and communication lines - Power and <br />communication lines running between banks of solar panels and to nearby electric substations or <br />interconnections with buildings shall be buried underground. Exemptions may be granted by Model <br />Community in instances where shallow bedrock, water courses, or other elements of the natural <br />landscape interfere with the ability to bury lines, or distance makes undergrounding infeasible, at the <br />discretion of the zoning administrator. <br />Minnesota Model Solar Ordinance <br />