Quinebaug Solar Project

Quinebaug River Valley, Connecticut

In 2018 and 2019, FBE's Dr. Kevin Ryan led field surveys for two of New England's rarest amphibians, the pure-diploid blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) and the eastern spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus holbrookii). This study was in support of a proposed 50-megawatt AC solar energy project ("Quinebaug Solar") at a 460-acre site in the Quinebaug River valley in eastern Connecticut. This project also included a vernal pool survey and a general herpetological inventory of the entire site. FBE developed reports synthesizing the field data and drafted a herpetofauna avoidance and mitigation plan for the project. Dr. Ryan also provided expert testimony to the Connecticut Siting Council on behalf of the project.