Western Maryland Power Plant Siting Study: Comparison of Soil Characteristics, Agricultural Productivities and Proximity to Cultural Resources at Three Candidate Sites

摘要

This document is one of a series of technical reports prepared for the Western Maryland Power Plant Siting Study. Agricultural productivity and proximity to cultural resources are compared for the three remaining candidate sites (FP-12 in Frederick County, WP-14 and WP-26 in Washington County). Construction and operation of an 1800 MW, coal-fired power plant will use about 800 to 1100 acres of land. Impacts on agricultural productivity would be greatest at FP-12, least at WP-26 and intermediate at WP-14. A total of 118 acres surveyed by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) at FP-12 in early 1984 are classified as Prime Farmland. No Prime Farmland would be consumed by a power plant at WP-26 and WP-14. Based on a survey of cultural resources prepared by the Maryland Historical Trust, FP-12 either contains or is adjacent to the highest overall density and significance of known and predicted historic sites.