$($again$,$ this question concerns the below fact pattern repeated from previous questions. Any new fact is in bold$)$

Jack Straw owns the tract $($shown below$)$ located on the Cape Fear River in Lee County. The land is in a part of Lee County that is zoned $"$R$-$A $($Residential Agricultural$)."$ According to the Unified Development Ordinance $($UDO$)$ for Lee County, the only allowable uses of land in an RA zone are farming, forestry, residential living, and home$-$based businesses.

Jack has been approached by Cypress Strata Solar, LLC to develop a solar facility, and two sites on his land are proposed $($see map$).$ Assume that Jack's site is suitable according to the NC Utilities Commission's most recent request $($RFP$)$ for proposed solar sites. Assume also that solar facilities are considered a "light industrial" use under Lee County's UDO. Assume also also that this particular site $-$ as an energy facility $-$ requires a federal permit issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission $($FERC$).$ The next four questions concern issues associated with this proposed project.

QUESTION $($related to the previous question$)$: The solar developer $-$ based on your counsel regarding the wet area $-$ has consulted with the Army Corps of Engineers $($ACE$)$ and the NC Department of Environmental Quality $($DEQ$)-$ and both have confirmed that this is a federal jurisdictional wetland, requiring a $404$ permit if it is to be disturbed.

Assuming the wetland has a contiuous surface connection to the river, and is therefore jurisdicutional, as part of your $404$ permit application, which below is likely least beneficial to your application?

Question $17$Select one:

a$.$

An engineers report showing no significant degradation in water quality downstream of the wetland

b$.$

Off$-$set credits purchased from the broker of a mitigation bank located in Georgia

c$.$

A proposal to expand the wetland area on site

d$.$

A report from a wildlife biologist showing no disturbance of habitat related to a listed endangered species