Photovoltaic Solar Project at the Durango, Colorado, Disposal Site, La Plata County
LM prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE/EA-1770) that evaluated two vaction alternatives related to the installation, operation, and removal of a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system on the Durango, Colorado, Disposal Site and the No Action Alternative. Alternative 1 evaluated the use of the 18-acre (ac) vegetated surface of the disposal cell for the installation of a PV system. The second action alternative (Alternative 2, the Preferred Action) considered the use of the surface of the disposal cell but also the use of approximately 3.5 ac of previously disturbed areas adjacent to the disposal cell. Under this alternative, which is the maximum solar development scenario, approximately 21 ac of the disposal site will contain solar panels. Based on preliminary estimates, it could support a potential to generate 4.5 megawatts or more of energy.
