Landscape Maintenance Plan
Crossroads Solar Grazing Center
Morrow County, Ohio
Prepared for:
Crossroads Solar, LLC 1105 Navasota Street Austin, TX 78702
Contact: Patrick Buckley, Vice President, Development (713) 962-2933 patrick@openroadrenewables.com
Prepared by:
Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services, D.P.C. 5 E. Long St. Suite 700 Columbus, OH 43215 www.edrdpc.com
July 2025
1.0 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
This Landscape Maintenance Plan (the “Plan”) has been prepared for the Crossroads Solar Grazing Center (“Crossroads”). Crossroads is proposing to construct a combined utility-scale solar energy and sheep grazing facility in Cardington, Lincoln, and Westfield Townships in Morrow County, Ohio (the “Project” or the “Facility”). The project will use rows of ground-mounted solar panels to supply up to 94 megawatts AC (MWAC) of wholesale power to the existing electric grid while also providing pasture for livestock. All of the Project’s above-ground infrastructure will be located within agricultural-style fences, which also will confine the livestock and protect them from predators. The fenced area will be up to 559 acres (the “Solar & Grazing Area”) of an area totaling approximately 726 acres (the “Project Area”). This Plan is provided to guide vegetation installation, vegetation establishment, and long-term management of vegetative buffers on the Facility site outside of the Facility fence line. Refer to the Project Vegetation Management Plan for guidance pertaining to vegetation within the Solar & Grazing Area, and tree clearing and protection. The vegetation’s establishment and long-term success can be improved through best management practices including the control of soil erosion and sedimentation, proper initial installation of plant material, and management of invasive species and noxious weeds. The Plan is provided to support stable vegetative cover that facilitates efficient Facility operation, provides ecological benefits, and complies with all Ohio Power Siting Board regulations and required permits
This Plan is intended to provide guidelines for the management of on-site vegetation over the life of the Facility. Understanding that site characteristics and conditions can be variable, proper vegetation management requires evaluation and possible adjustment in response to the vegetation’s health, growth, and/or Facility management situations Consequently, the recommendations included in this Plan should be routinely revisited and adjusted as necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
2.0 INSTALLATION OF PERIMETER LANDSCAPING
Vegetation to be installed for the purpose of visual impact mitigation includes seeding to establish a uniform herbaceous groundcover planting, and installation of woody plant material in selected locations for visual screening and ecological buffer restoration. Objectives for plant species selection, establishment, and management include: 1) maintain at least 70% uniform vegetative cover of the desired plant community, 2) improve ecological benefits by enhancing species diversity and encouraging the development of native and/or beneficial plant species, 3) minimize the presence of common noxious weeds and invasive plant species, 4) meet Facility operational criteria regarding limitation of mature vegetation height 5) meet local climactic requirements, and 6) match existing vegetation character and density.
2.1 Soil Testing and Evaluation
Soil samples collected on January 8, 2025, from three sample sites within the Facility area were tested on January 13th, 2025 by The Pennsylvania State University Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory to determine nutrient levels and soil chemistry. These tests informed the recommendations for plant material selection for visual impact mitigation plantings as well as supplemental fertilization or soil amendments that would facilitate the establishment of naturalized vegetation.
The location of the soil samples collected are indicated in Appendix A Soil Sample Location Map.
2.2 Vegetative Buffer Tree and Shrub Installation
Trees and shrubs are intended to be installed for the purpose of visually screening the Facility and restoring ecological buffers around the Facility site. EDR understands that Crossroads intends to install these plantings in accordance with the final planting plans for the Facility. Crossroads has prepared a Preliminary Landscape Plan, provided under a separate cover, that outlines the mitigation design methodology, planting module designs including example plant palettes, and proposed mitigation locations.
2.2.1 Tree and Shrub Planting
At the time of installation, EDR recommends that all underground utilities be marked prior to digging to ensure safe installation and determine any areas where the presence of underground utilities may impact the intended landscape buffering layout. Any field adjustments deemed necessary by the contractor should be reviewed and approved by Crossroads with efforts made to retain the intended mitigation strategy as constraints allow.
2.2.2
Plant Source and Certification
Crossroads aims to procure plant material of regionally local genetic provenance, to the extent practicable. Species shall be true to scientific name (rather than the common name). EDR recommends that the installer provide plant material source and grower certification tags to the Applicant for review prior to installation
2.2.3 Installation Schedule
Trees and shrubs should be planted during the fall season or in the cycle of dormancy. For deciduous species, this period occurs between leaf drop in fall and bud break in spring. In the case of conifers and broadleaf evergreen species, trees should be installed during the optimal planting period: early spring, or early fall.
2.2.4 Installation Methods
Crossroads plans to install trees according to standard industry best practices to promote establishment and long-term health and vigor. Trees should be installed plumb or straight from all viewpoints. Tree planting pits should be backfilled with on-site soil that has been amended according to the recommendations of a qualified soil testing agency and mulched to retain moisture and insulate tree roots from extreme temperatures. Tree staking should be used for evergreen trees where and/or if the site is exposed to high winds Stakes are only beneficial for a short period and should be removed after one calendar year has elapsed.
Soil disturbance within the planting area that does not receive mulch is expected to be seeded, optimally with the selected buffer seed mix. Over time, it is anticipated that native and/or beneficial plant species growth covers the mulched tree pits.
2.2.5 Pruning
EDR recommends that the pruning of newly planted trees and shrubs be performed only to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
3.0 VEGETATIVE BUFFER ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT
More intensive management practices during the establishment period are necessary to promote development of the preferred vegetation community and keep invasive species at bay, reducing the need for longer-term management interventions. Subsequent management of the established plantings is intended to focus on vegetation community maintenance, with regular inspection and evaluation The anticipated cycle of vegetation management on the Facility site is outlined as follows.
3.1 Vegetation Assessment Criteria
Criteria used to evaluate the essential vegetation conditions include absolute cover and relative cover of species seeded and planted. Absolute cover describes the percentage of total vegetation coverage of the ground surface by any plant species, based on visual assessment within sample plots. Relative cover is the percentage of seeded and planted species’ coverage relative to all species within the same plot. Refer to the Project Vegetation Management Plan for general Facility vegetation coverage goals
3.2 Vegetative Buffer Tree and Shrub Establishment and Management
Proper establishment and continued management are critical to the survival and long-term health of the vegetative buffers installed for visual impact mitigation along the periphery of the arrays. EDR recommends that an independent maintenance schedule for woody vegetation (trees and shrubs) be maintained to support the successful establishment of the plantings so that they may reach their intended size and form to meet the Facility screening requirements.
3.2.1 Watering
Soil moisture is critical during the establishment period to improve plant survival and growth rates. Slow-release watering bags or temporary drip-irrigation systems may be used during the establishment period. Generally, during the first growing season, new trees may require up to 30 gallons, and shrubs up to 10 gallons, of total water per week Supplemental watering may be required during prolonged periods of heat or drought conditions. Adjustments to watering schedules may be made to account for current environmental conditions such as recent rainfall, humidity, high winds, and cloud cover
3.2.2 Monitoring for Pests and Disease
Crossroads intends to inspect trees and shrubs seasonally for physical damage, insect infestation, fungus, or disease, and follow current best management practices to address treatment. If found to be necessary, treatment plans may extend through the growing season. If pests or disease are observed to be present, a certified arborist should be engaged as necessary to develop a strategy
to restore the health of the affected trees and/or shrubs. Diseased or damaged trees and shrubs should be evaluated and treated to alleviate the identified problem or removed and replaced when treatment is not a viable option. Adjacent vegetation should be monitored throughout treatment to ensure the identified problem is contained. Refer to the Project Vegetation Management Plan for guidance on application of pesticides to confirm compatibility with the site’s pollinator forage and habitat goals. Documentation of all treatments administered should be maintained, including strategy, timing, and follow-up needs. Replacement plantings for dead trees and shrubs should be scheduled during the following growing season or the period optimal for survival of each species.
3.2.3 Fertilization, Pruning, and Replacement Protocol
Regular monitoring and maintenance are expected to improve the longevity of planted trees and shrubs and allow proper establishment of the planted vegetative buffers. Following the first growing season, fertilization and pruning may be used as needed to manage tree health, develop structure, reduce risk of failure, and provide clearance to structures. If found to be necessary, pruning should be consistent with each species’ natural growth habit and be performed as needed under the direction of a certified arborist. Trees with greater than 50% crown die-back should be evaluated for removal and replacement. When replacing trees or shrubs, the Applicant intends to replace them with the same or functionally similar species of the same caliper or size as initially installed to maintain the effectiveness of the visual screening.
3.3 Vegetative Invasive Species Control
Management of invasive and noxious species, as identified in Appendix A of the Project Vegetation Management Plan, will be conducted as necessary in response to changing conditions on the site. EDR recommends regular monitoring over the course of the growing season (April-September) be conducted to inform decisions on appropriate mowing or herbicide specifications. The presence of weeds is expected to diminish as the preferred vegetative community becomes established
Crossroads intends to maintain a record of weeds or invasive species treated, areas of site treated with herbicide, the method and amount of product used, and the dates of application. Herbicide and pesticide use must be performed by qualified, commercially licensed applicators in compliance with state and federal requirements governing use, distribution, and record-keeping for all phases of vegetation management. This record-keeping allows the contractor and/or Crossroads to evaluate the success of treatment and improve the effectiveness of future applications
3.4 Native Vegetative Species Competition Control
Seeds and root stock from many different species exist within the soil on site. Other species can also migrate into the site via seed dispersal by wind, animals, water flow, or by vegetative runners. Agronomically, these are referred to as “volunteer” plants and may be considered undesirable. Undesired vegetation may be removed via mowing, herbicide treatment, or hand pulling A qualified contractor must be engaged to perform selective species control and removal work. Minimum contractor qualifications should include documented experience of similar work and trade or professional certifications specific to plant and vegetation management (e.g., certified pesticide applicator)
3.5 Native Woody Vegetation Height Control
Woody plant volunteers are generally capable of growing to heights that can create shade, which can not only interfere with the function of the solar panels but also shade out the desired plant community if left unmanaged. Unless it has been established for visual screening purposes or is otherwise designated as protected vegetation, Crossroads intends to remove native woody vegetation from the Facility as a routine maintenance practice
4.0 VISUAL IMPACT MITIGATION VEGETATION QUALITY TARGETS
On-going evaluation is an important step in the maintenance of the site’s vegetation. Because each planting area has a unique ecology and each plant species has different requirements, it is important to review and document which species are thriving, or even dominating, and which are not. The evaluation also identifies which prescribed maintenance techniques have been most successful. Results of this evaluation can be used to help inform future management and maintain a healthy and diverse, desirable plant community to achieve the intent of the screening plan.
4.1 Management Goals for Weeds, Invasive Plants, and Nuisance Insects
It is the Applicant’s intention to control noxious weeds and invasive plant species regulated by the State of Ohio; EDR recommends implementing a management and monitoring plan with the goal of fully eradicating those species on the site. Invasive and undesirable weed species may be controlled by mowing or herbicide treatment at a frequency sufficient to prevent seed development or vegetative migration. Assessment and treatment of invasive species, such as weed or insect infestations, may be achieved through an integrated pest management plan developed during the establishment period.
REFERENCES
U S Environmental Protection Agency. 2022. Level III Ecoregion of Ohio. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregion-download-files-state-region-5
U S Fish and Wildlife Service. 2022. National Wetlands Inventory. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.html
