Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

Home Browse Search

Mitigative Measures No forest or commercial logging impacts from the Project are expected. Therefore, no mitigative measures are proposed. 6.3.3 Tourism Primary tourism activities in the region include camping, recreational use of the regions lakes for fishing and boating, bicycling, cross country skiing and hunting on private lands. The Baker Park Reserve is the only park in the immediate area of the Project that could be considered a tourist area. However, the proposed Project does not cross any lands owned or used by the park (see Figures B.2 and B.7 in Appendix B). Besides Baker Park Reserve, areas west and north of the Project are primarily rural residential and agricultural. Areas south and east of the Project are primarily rural and urban residential. Mitigative Measures No effects on tourism are anticipated from the Project. Therefore, no mitigative measures are proposed. 6.3.4 Mining According to MnDOT county pit maps for Hennepin County, there is one inactive gravel pit located approximately four miles east of the Project site. Because no existing gravel and rock resources are being utilized within or near the Project site or proposed transmission line route, no impacts are anticipated. Unknown resources that may exist near the Project would be situated in close proximity to existing transportation rights-of-way, making development of mining resources unlikely. Mitigative Measures No effects on mining are expected from the Project. Therefore, no mitigative measures are proposed. 6.4 Archaeological and Historic Resources In response to an Xcel Energy request for comment, the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office ("SHPO") commented on the proposed Project in a letter dated October 21, 2010 (see Appendix C.7). The SHPO requested that an archaeological survey for the Project be completed prior to the beginning of construction activities. To further assess the potential for archaeological and historic resources to be present near the Project, Xcel Energy engaged URS Corporation ("URS") to conduct a Phase Ia background research/literature review for the proposed Project and prepared a Phase Ia Report. A copy of the Phase 1a Report has been included with this Application as Appendix E. Portions of the Phase Ia report have been omitted due to information considered confidential and not readily available to the general public. URS reviewed previously recorded cultural resource properties at the SHPO. In addition, historical maps, historic aerial photographs, and additional online resources were used to review the recent cultural and environmental history of Project site. Orono Project June 7, 2011 MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 51