IBM Glen Damaged by Water From Neighboring Solar Farm Project

Stormwater from a large-scale solar project now under construction has been causing damage to the iconic IBM Glen in the town of Union.

Thousands of trees were cut down late last year to clear the site for the solar farm off Robinson Hill Road. It’s being built on land owned by Homestead Village Development Group.

The IBM Glen wilderness area is owned by the Waterman Conservation Education Center. Executive director Christopher Audette said shortly after work began for the solar project, it was clear that the drainage system at the site was insufficient.

Audette told WNBF News stormwater pouring from the property above the Glen caused erosion and damage to the trails and a stream at the nature preserve.

People walking the trails noticed the trouble and contacted Audette. He got in touch with town officials and the state Department of Environmental Conservation to have the problem addressed.

Audette said a new project manager apparently was put in charge of the construction operation. Some minor changes were made but they did not correct the drainage trouble.

Audette said the water runoff was causing softening of a trail and scouring of a ditch. It also resulted in the accumulation of a significant amount of sediment that could have caused environmental damage.

Audette said a stop-work order was issued May 21. It’s not known whether the order remains in effect. No activity was observed at the construction site Wednesday.

In a statement, Audette wrote that conservation center officials are hoping the solar project developer “shifts their attention back to fixing their impact on the IBM Glen.” He expressed appreciation “to the Town of Union and DEC for their enforcement actions that resulted in a stop work order earlier this year.”

Town supervisor Robert Mack said he was not aware of any order issued by the town.

Brian Lucas, a town code enforcement official, declined to comment on any action taken regarding the solar project.

Bill Walsh of Homestead Village Development Group and Walsh & Sons Construction could not be reached for comment.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A view of the construction site adjacent to the IBM Glen on September 17, 2025. 

OUR PREVIOUS VISIT: A look at what was happening at the project site in October 2024.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.