Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

Home Browse Search

An active BNSF railroad line is located north of the Project. While no direct impacts from the Project are expected to the BNSF railroad, the Proposed Route includes placement of new transmission structures approximately five feet from railroad right-of-way. Xcel Energy is discussing sharing of railroad right-of-way for transmission line overhang with BNSF. Except for the existing transmission Line 0831 crossing U.S. Highway 12, the Metropolitan Council forcemain, and the BNSF railroad line, the Proposed Route avoids these services. At this time no current or future transportation or utility corridor projects are known to exist. Mitigative Measures With the exception of existing Line 0831 crossing U.S. Highway 12, Metropolitan Council forcemain and BNSF railroad, the proposed Project will not directly affect public services. The proposed new 115 kV transmission line will not cross the BNSF railroad, U.S. Highway 12, County Road 6 or other local roads, thus no disruptions to these transportation corridors are expected. Construction related vehicles will utilize U.S. Highway 12 and County Road 6; however, any increase in traffic is expected to be minor. Therefore, no mitigative measures are proposed. 6.3 Land -Based Economics 6.3.1 Agriculture Hennepin County has strong economic ties to agricultural production. According to the 2007 United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") Census of Agriculture, Hennepin County has 582 individual farms, marking a 7% decrease in total number of farms over the previous five years. Agricultural lands cover 66,558 acres, representing approximately 73% of all lands in Hennepin County with an average farm size of 114 acres. Hennepin County ranks among the top 20 counties in nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod (ranking 3rd statewide) land uses; and horses, ponies, mules, burros and donkeys (ranking 3rd Statewide). Over $51 million was generated from both crop and livestock sales in 2007. While Hennepin County is primarily agricultural, the entire Project site and proposed transmission route is located outside of actively cultivated tracts. As discussed in Section 6.2.2, the nearest farmstead is located 1/2 mile south of the Project. Construction activities associated with the proposed Project are not located within or near any farm lands. Mitigative Measures No impacts to agriculture anticipated from the Project. Therefore, no mitigative measures are proposed. 6.3.2 Forestry There are no forested areas where tree species are harvested along the proposed transmission line route or the Orono Substation replacement site. The primary tree cover in the area is associated with waterways, homesteads and Baker Park Reserve. No economically significant forestry resources are located along the proposed transmission line route or at the Orono Substation site. Orono Project June 7, 2011 MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 50