Environmental Assis for Orono Substation Expansion

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Because the operating voltage of the Project exceeds 23,000 volts, the Project is considered a "high- voltage transmission line" under Section 14-36 of the Orono City Code (Orono, n.d.). The City Code defines an expectation that utility service lines be placed underground to serve residential, commercial, or industrial customers in newly platted areas; however the Project is part of a regional transmission upgrade and does not directly serve end-use consumers. Section 14-66(b) specifically exempts high-voltage transmission lines from underground placement. Orono has established a shoreland overlay district to provide appropriate standards for use and development of shorelands in order to preserve water quality as well as the economic, recreational and natural environmental values of the shorelands and waters they surround. The actual limits of the Shoreland Overlay District depend upon the ordinary high water level (OHWL) of the waterbodies in question. Although the OHWL has not been delineated the approximate boundaries of the district, based on an Orono map (City of Orono, 2011), are shown in Appendix B (Figure B-3). As shown in Figure B-3, several structures for both the Xcel Energy Proposed Route and the Baker Park Reserve Alternative appear to he within Orono's Shoreland Overlay District. Under Orono's Municipal Code structures constructed within the Shoreland Overlay District must meet certain setbacks from public waters and roads. The code requires setbacks of 150 feet from the OHWL of Natural Environment lakes, including Lake Katrina and 100 feet from the OHWL of tributaries, including Painter Creek. The code also requires that structures be setback 30 feet from federal, state, county, public or private road rights-of-way. The City's Community Management Plan (City of Orono, 2010a) addresses Private Utilities under Community Management Plan, Part 4F, Public Services Plan. Most of the language in this section addresses utility service to new developments. As noted above, the Project is part of a regional transmission grid, and does not serve a particular development. Mitigation Measures Because no impact to land use or zoning is anticipated, no mitigation is proposed. Compliance with setbacks required under Orono's Shoreland Overlay District would require that structures in Baker Park Preserve be set back at least 30 feet from MnDOT ROW along U.S. Highway 12. 5.9 Recreation Although Orono has many parks providing a variety of recreational activities, Baker Park Reserve is the recreational resource closest to the Project. Both routes would replace one structure within the Baker Park Reserve, while the Baker Park Reserve Route Alternative would result in installation of an additional three structures in the park. The Baker Park Reserve, part of the Three Rivers Park District, is comprised of approximately 2,700 acres in the cities of Orono and Medina. The southern portion of Baker Park Reserve is north and across U.S. Highway 12 from the Proposed Route; the Baker Park Reserve Route Alternative crosses through the park for approximately 940 feet. Baker Park provides a variety of recreational activities including hiking, camping, boating and canoeing, golfing, biking, and winter sports (Three Rivers park District, 2011). The Park Gun Club is also located within the Baker Park Reserve Environmental Assessment PUC Docket E002/TL-11-223 Page 42