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1 <br /> Although tourism does not comprise a major portion of the economy in the immediate project area, <br /> Baker Park Reserve does offer camping and other recreational uses that might be considered <br /> tourism destinations. Impacts to recreational uses in the Baker Park Reserve are discussed in <br /> Section 5.9. <br /> According to United States Geological Survey topographic maps the nearest mining resource,an <br /> inactive gravel pit,is located approximately four miles east of the Project. Because no existing <br /> gravel,rock,and aggregate resources are being mined within or near the project route itself,no <br /> impacts are anticipated. Because of the number of transportation resources,presence of residential <br /> areas,and the Baker Park Reserve,it is unlikely that the discovery of currently unknown mineral <br /> would result in development of such resources for extraction. <br /> Mitigation Measures 1 <br /> Because no impacts to agricultural, forestry or mining resources are anticipated,no mitigation is <br /> discussed. Potential impacts to tourism are related to recreational resources,mitigation measures are <br /> discussed in Section 5.9. <br /> 5.11 Geology&Soils <br /> Bedrock in the project area varies from 100 to 400 feet below the surface. The project area is <br /> underlain by Cambrian sandstone (MnDNR,2011). Soils are formed in deposits of glacial till left by <br /> the Des Moines lobe.The soils in the project area are predominantly poorly drained hydric wetland <br /> soils of the Klossner,Houghton,and Muskego associations (Xcel Energy,2011a). <br /> No geologic impacts are anticipated from the Project. As excavation for foundations for both the ' <br /> substation and transmission structures would be approximately 25 feet. <br /> Based on preliminary grading plans for the substation site,Xcel Energy estimates that grading would <br /> require approximately 15,700 cubic yards of cut and,depending upon the dimensions of a berm that <br /> may be constructed at the substation site,between 3,800 and 6,100 cubic yards of fill (Xcel Energy, <br /> personal communication,November 18,2011). Temporary short-term disturbance of soils would <br /> result from site clearing and excavation activities at the substation site and structure locations, <br /> pulling and tensioning sites,setup areas and during transport of crews,machinery,materials and <br /> equipment over access routes (primarily along transmission right-of-way). <br /> Construction activities can increase erosion by removing vegetation,disturbing soil and exposing <br /> sediment to the elements. The eroded soil can quickly become a sedimentation problem when wind <br /> and rain carry the soil off the construction site and sediment is deposited in surface waters unless <br /> stabilized. In addition to erosion,the hydric soils in the project area are susceptible to compaction <br /> Mitigation Measures , <br /> Typical conditions of a high-voltage transmission line route permit require the applicant to utilize <br /> erosion control techniques throughout the duration of the project to achieve vegetation <br /> establishment and,ultimately, final stabilization. HVTL permits also typically require that contours <br /> be graded so that all surfaces drain naturally,blend with the natural terrain,and are left in a <br /> condition that will facilitate re-vegetation,provide for proper drainage,and prevent erosion. All <br /> areas disturbed during construction of the facilities must be returned to their pre-construction <br /> condition. <br /> 1 <br /> Environmental Assessment <br /> PUC Docket E002/TL-11-223 Page 44 <br />