Paddlefish Solar road use, decommissioning agreement fails after lack of details
By HOLLY GASKILL
Without specific details, a road use and decommissioning agreement for Paddlefish Solar has fallen flat.
County Attorney Ted Storer said he’s had discussions with a management group for Paddlefish Solar, and they’ve been resistant to providing details about the specific roadways and plans.
“I’ve been promised a final form of the decommissioning agreement, as opposed to anything with details about the specific roads, which I understand is their standard business practice, just to get an idea that everybody’s in agreement with the terminology,” Storer said.
“Outlining the roads, at the beginning of this, has not been something that Paddlefish has been willing to do,” County Engineer Nate Rumschlag echoed. “They’re just like, ‘Here are the terms of engagement, and then once we’re fine, we’re going to start telling you the roads we are going to be on.’ I’ve never been able to get an actual list of what roads and bridges they’ll be crossing.”
In response, Commissioner Mike Vanover asked if there was a reason they would withhold this information. Storer said he didn’t believe there was a reason and didn’t advise proceeding without this information.
Surveyor Jarrod Hahn said he had been contacted by a surveyor for the project, but that the area they were looking over was too broad to process within a short return.
Rumschlag added that he would be willing to outline areas they couldn’t cross with heavy equipment, but wouldn’t know where to start, given where their leased equipment may be coming in.
Storer said he, as well as Hahn, Rumschlag and Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar, wanted the opportunity to review the potential use of certain roads and possible impacts.
“It’s premature for them to ask how we feel at this point,” Commissioner Jeff Stringer said.
Because of this, Storer requested to remove the agreement from the next agenda until more details were available.
Later, Storer suggested the commissioners consider conducting regular business updates and decision-making in separate public meetings, potentially allowing officials and employees time to prepare for the items separately. Storer stated no action was required but made note of the possibility.
holly@news-banner.com
