CULPEPER UPDATE:
As some of you may be aware, Citizens for Responsible Solar originated in Culpeper and we are still working with our elected officials with the hope they will create a strong solar ordinance to protect the community. 
 
The Raccoon Ford area of Culpeper is bounded to its east by the Rapidan River and its expansive bottomland meadows, collectively forming the Rapidan River basin. This low lying area is criss-crossed by multiple tributaries and creeks, including Summerduck Run, Cedar Run, and Potato Run. At times of only moderate rainfall the ground rapidly becomes sodden, the runs flood their banks and become fast moving currents. As they flow downhill, they meet a swollen Rapidan River causing the low lying area to be engulfed in flood water. As local residents know these are not isolated instances. On average, such flooding events take place over 10 times a year. 
 
This fragile wetlands ecosystem makes up a critical part of the wider Chesapeake Bay Watershed and forms one of its best-protected river corridors. The expansive removal of tree root systems from slow percolating soil combined with the installation of thousands of impervious solar panels a few hundred yards upstream, will cause significantly increased stormwater runoff / levels of flooding and sediment pollution. Maroon Solar’s development poses an existential threat to this delicate habitat and the extensive farming practices that take place in Racoon Ford.