Environmental Assis for Orono Substation Expansion

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Initial transmission line survey. Xcel Energy provides notification to property owners along the permitted route requesting permission for survey crews to conduct preliminary survey work on the property. The survey is performed to establish the right-of-way boundaries, locate natural and man- made features along and within the right-of-way, establish the transmission centerline and determine elevations for use during detailed design. Permission may also be requested at this time to obtain soil samples to assess soil conditions and to determine appropriate foundation design. During the initial survey the survey crew, with permission of the property owner, may place surveyor's stakes to mark the tentative or anticipated structure locations, thereby allowing the landowner to see where the structures may be located on the property. The right-of-way boundary may also be delineated showing the area that is required for safe operation of the transmission line. Easement acquisition. Xcel Energy collects land value data and based on the impact of the easement or purchase to the market value of each parcel develops a fair market value offer. The offer of compensation is based on the specific attributes of each property, the amount of easement area, design of the transmission line, and other factors, as appropriate. The right-of-way agent will then contact the property owner(s) to present the easement offer and discuss the amount of just compensation for the rights to construct, operate, access, and maintain the transmission facilities within the easement area. The landowner is then allowed time to consider the offer and to present any additional material that the property owner believes is relevant to determining the property's value. Almost any aspect of the easement is negotiable (Minnesota Department of Commerce, 2011c) Eminent domain. If a negotiated settlement cannot be reached, it may be necessary for the applicant to file for eminent domain, pursuant to Minnesota Statute Chapter 117. In the eminent domain process, a judicial proceeding would commence to determine the scope of the applicant's easement and an independent commission would determine the value of the easement taken. Under Minnesota Statute 117.036, subdivision 2(a), Xcel Energy, as the acquiring authority, must obtain at least one appraisal for the property proposed to be acquired if it intends to use eminent domain proceedings to acquire a right-of-way. If the landowner desires a second opinion on the fair market value of the property, the landowner may have an appraisal made and receive reimbursement from the applicant per Minnesota Statute 117.036 subdivision 2(b). Pre -construction owner contact. Prior to construction, the right-of-way agent would contact the owner of each parcel along the route to discuss the construction schedule and any additional requirements not discussed during the time of the easement acquisition. To ensure safe construction and operation, special consideration may be needed for fences, crops, or livestock. In each case the right-of-way agent assists in coordinating the process. 4.2 Transmission Line Structures Construction of the transmission line would require the acquisition and preparation of rights-of-way for the transmission line, establishment of work and staging areas, installation of new single pole tangent and specialty structures, removal and reconstruction of portions of existing transmission lines, installation of safety structures at road and other utility crossings. Environmental Assessment PUC Docket E002/TL-11-223 Page 15