Public Notice

Public Notice New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Notice of Complete Application Date: 12/05/2025 Applicant: HILLS SOLAR NY LLC 100 King Street West Suite 1000 Toronto, ON M5X1A9 CAN Facility: Hills Farm Solar Project 479 Burrell Road Manheim, NY 13365 Application ID: 6-2136-00074/00002 Permits Applied for: 1 – Article 11 Endangered/Threatened Species (Incidental Take) 1- Section 401 – Clean Water Act Water Quality Certification Project is located: in the Town of Manheim, Herkimer County Project Description: The applicant proposes to construct a 20 MW AC ground-mounted solar energy generation facility on 157 acres of land located off Burrell Road in the Town of Manheim, Herkimer County. The project involves 1597 square feet of permanent impacts and 1200 square feet of temporary impacts to federally regulated wetlands for two access road crossings and solar racking installation. 180 square feet of permanent impacts and 175 square feet of temporary impacts to a Class C tributary to Crum Creek, is associated with one of the access road crossings. The project location is known to be occupied by Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius), a state listed threatened species. An Incidental Take Permit is required because the Department has determined the project will result in a "take" of the species pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0535 and 6 NYCRR Part 182 through the adverse modification of occupied habitat. The applicant has developed a Net Conservation Benefit Plan (NCBP) which includes the following proposed mitigation measures: a 35-year management agreement of 68.3 acres of suitable off-site habitat for Northern Harrier, initial vegetation management to enhance suitable habitat, annual vegetation monitoring, species surveys during breeding and wintering seasons, and ongoing habitat management. Availability of Application Documents: Filed application documents, and Department draft permits where applicable, are available for inspection during normal business hours at the address of the contact person. To ensure timely service at the time of inspection, it is recommended that an appointment be made with the Contact Person. SEQR Lead Agency: Manheim Town Planning Board State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination Cultural resource lists and maps have been checked. The proposed activity is not in an area of identified archaeological sensitivity and no known registered eligible or inventoried archaeological sites or historic structures were identified or documented for the project location. No further review in accordance with SHPA is required. DEC Commissioner Policy 29, Environmental Justice and Permitting (CP-29): It has been determined that the proposed action is not subject to CP-29. Availability for Public Comment: Comments on this project must be submitted in writing to the Contact Person no later than 12/26/2025 or 16 days after the publication date of this notice, whichever is later. Contact Person: Kristina L Markey NYSDEC State Office Bldg - 207 Genesee St. Utica, NY 13501-2885 (315) 793-2741 December 10 2025 LNYS0420466