WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – A rare ecosystem could be at risk if plans for a new solar farm continue as is.
The habitat is what’s called an “Alvar community,” a place where unique plants and animals prosper.
The town of Lyme is home to one, but wildlife experts say it could be in danger if plans for a new solar farm move forward.
“At the globally rare level, Alvar plant communities are designated as globally imperiled, which is the most rare condition,” said Todd Bittner, Natural Areas Director for Cornell Botanic Gardens.
You’d find one such Alvar community in Jefferson County. Just outside of Chaumont in the town of Lyme.
While not in season right now, at certain times of the year, this Alvar ecosystem has plant life that’s rare to find.
Plants like the Indian Paintbrush.
“It has some kind of, it looks like a flame coming off the top of a plant from a distance, and if you’re not in an Alvar plant community, you’re not going to find it,” said Bittner.
It’s plant life like that that nature groups are concerned would be destroyed if energy company AES built its proposed Limestone solar farm. Construction would overlap with the ecosystem.
It’s not just plant life that’s rare here; some animals are too.
Retired DEC wildlife biologist and resident birder Irene Mazzocchi says very rare birds like the short-eared owl often come here for the winter, and occasionally nest here.
Mazzocchi says that for all wildlife, they like to have 80 to 100 acres for breeding and winter habitats.
“To put these solar projects in these big open fields, I really have a concern with. I am not against solar at all. I’ve got solar panels at my house. I just believe they need to be placed in an area that makes sense,” said Irene Mazzocchi.
Where the short-eared owl and other local wildlife would go if the solar farm were built is impossible to say. AES was going to submit plans for state approval last September, but at a meeting last night, a member of Lyme’s Responsible Solar committee says AES officials said the plans would be submitted this Summer. We reached out to AES for comment, but did not hear back.
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