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United States Department of Hgricuiture <br />o MRCS <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service <br />375 Jackson Street, Suite 600 <br />St. Paul, MAN 55101-1854 <br />January 20, 2011 <br />Mr. Chris Rogers <br />Xcel Energy <br />414 Nicollet Mall <br />Minneapolis, MN 55441-1993 <br />IN REPLY REFER TO: Excel Energy — Orono Substation Expansion <br />Dear Mr, Rogers: <br />The Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) has reviewed the above - <br />referenced project. The project sponsors are not USDA program benefit recipients, thus the <br />wetland conservation provisions of the 1985 Food Security act, as amended, are not applicable. <br />It should be noted, however, that actions by a non -USDA participant third party (project sponsor) <br />which impact agricultural wetlands owned or operated by USDA participants, may jeopardize <br />the owner/operator's USDA eligibility. If such impacts are anticipated, the owner/operator <br />should contact the county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to consider an application for a <br />third party exemption. <br />The following agencies may have federal or state wetlands, cultural resources, water quality or <br />threatened and endangered species jurisdiction in the proposed project, and should be consulted. <br />■ Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) — Clean Water Act <br />• US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) — Endangered Species Act <br />• Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) - Minnesota Wetlands Conservation Act <br />• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) <br />• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPGA) <br />• State Historic Preservation Officer/State Archaeologist (SHPO) <br />Finally, if as a result of your proposal you are affecting agricultural lands, and if any federal <br />monies are involved, it is a requirement that a Farmland Policy Protection Act (FPPA) site <br />assessment be appropriately filed, Because of the location and type of activity proposed, this <br />project may impact agricultural lands. If so, you should submit a Farmland Conversion Impact <br />Rating form (Form AD -1006) for each Minnesota county with part one (1) filled out. Along <br />with the AD -1006, send a detailed map of the area impacted. We will then complete the form <br />and mail it back to you. FPPA land evaluations are conducted by local MRCS personnel who <br />review the project for possible effects on unique, prime or statewide important farmland, You <br />can find the FPPA form AD -1046 at htt :Ilwww.nres.usda.gov/pro,r4ms/f al. Please refer <br />Helping People Help the Land <br />An Equal Opporturrily Provider and Employer <br />