By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher
LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — The long-awaited inspection report from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) recent inspection of the Silicon Ranch Solar Farm construction site is now available. According to the report, the February 13 inspection found multiple erosion control deficiencies at the Moore County construction site, including what inspectors described as sediment loss and unauthorized discharges from several storm water basins.
The TDEC inspection took place following three complaints from local citizens.
The eight-page compliance report, issued by TDEC’s Division of Water Resources following a routine inspection under the project’s General NPDES storm water permit (Tracking No. TNR183282), states that evidence of sediment in receiving streams was not observed on the day of the inspection. However, inspectors noted that “based on previous pictures and information provided during inspection it is likely sediment made it to downstream waters.”
Among the most serious findings, inspectors documented sediment loss and unauthorized discharge at Basin 1, Basin 2 and Basin 16. The report states that water pumped from Basin 2 to assist with pipe repairs may have contributed to turbid discharges from Basin 1. Inspectors also noted that a pipe in Basin 2 froze during a previous cold weather event, which may have contributed to sediment loss. Cleanup below silt fencing was required in multiple locations.
In total, 28 of the project’s 35 stormwater basins were inspected. The report identifies numerous maintenance issues across multiple zones, including silt fence repairs, basin cleanouts where sediment exceeded 50 percent capacity, stabilization of inactive areas, and the installation of riprap or vegetation below basin outfall structures. Inspectors specifically required stabilization measures in several areas downgradient of discharge pipes to ensure outfall sampling accurately represents stormwater leaving each drainage area.
TDEC also requested two months of inspection records and rainfall data for Basins 1, 2 and 16 for further evaluation of sediment discharges that occurred prior to the February 13 visit. Additionally, inspectors directed that any inactive areas on site for more than 14 days be stabilized in accordance with permit requirements.
The report does not include a formal Notice of Violation but requests that the permittee, LPL Solar, provide a status update once all repairs and maintenance have been completed. The compliance document was signed by TDEC inspector Alex Fleming of the agency’s Columbia Environmental Field Office on Feb. 13, 2026.
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Silicon Ranch, county engineer say no violation issued; corrective work underway
The Times reached out to Silicon Ranch officials after TDEC filed the inspection report. CEO Reagan Farr said the inspection findings were consistent with what the company anticipated, stressing that the state did not find Silicon Ranch to be out of compliance with its storm water permit. No formal Notice of Violation (NOV) was issued, and TDEC did not impose a 30-day enforcement ultimatum, he said.
Farr added that storm water best management practices at the site are continuously monitored, updated, and adjusted to prevent sediment from entering local waterways.
“I only expect the conditions at the site to improve as spring approaches and grass grows throughout the site,” he stated.
Farr also emphasized that, as landowner, Silicon Ranch remains aligned with Moore County in the goal of adhering to the project’s storm water permit requirements.
Tony Grow — the environmental engineer tasked with protecting Moore County’s interest during the solar farm construction — agreed that no Notice of Violation was issued following the Feb. 13 inspection.
“For such a large-scale project, it’s going fairly smoothly,” he said, noting that winter weather conditions can increase runoff challenges.
He added that significant corrective work has already taken place and that grading is now complete. The project has entered stabilization and seeding phases, which he said should further reduce erosion concerns. Grow continues to monitor the site at least weekly and after major rain events.
Grow characterized the findings as not uncommon for a construction project of this size and said Silicon Ranch has invested substantial resources into addressing storm water control issues identified during inspections.•
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