Environmental Assis for Orono Substation Expansion

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With the Xcel Energy Proposed Route direct impacts to Baker Park Reserve would be replacement of Structure 076 on the existing Xcel Energy Line 0831; indirect impact would be visual, although most likely limited to the western portion of the Project. Depending upon the setback required from public road ROW, discussed further in Section 5.8, the Baker Park Reserve Alternative would be centered either 10 or 30 feet outside the U.S. Highway 12 ROW and require an acquisition of an easement of 47.5 and 67.5 feet in width. Low -growing vegetation would be allowed to repopulate the easement after the line is constructed, but trees would not be allowed to re-establish within the easement. Under this alternative approximately 0.6 to 0.9 acres of trees would be cleared, depending upon the location of the centerline in relation to MnDOT ROW (Xcel Energy, personal communications, November 16 and 28, 2011). The route in this area would not cross any of the recreational paths, but would be visible to users of the park. More detailed information on vegetation impacts in provided in 5.14. Neither route would impact the Park Gun Club. Mitigation Measures The Xcel Energy Proposed Alternative would not directly impact recreational resources. The primary mitigation strategy to minimize recreation impacts is to minimize the amount of tree clearing required and to shield the route from recreational users of the Baker Park Reserve. The route for the Baker Park Reserve Alternative has been designed to overlap right-of-way with MnDOT to minimize the amount of tree clearing required. As with any landowner, Xcel Energy would be required to compensate Three Rivers Park District or otherwise mitigate for the loss of vegetation and park land. Three Rivers Park District Policy XII states diversion of Park District property must be in the best interest of the Park District and where all other alternatives have been exhausted, and where diversion poses no threat to the Park District natural or recreation resources. Land and Water Conservation Fund rules and regulations may apply to the proposed easement area. Property acquired and/or developed using Land and Water Conservation Funds may not be wholly or partly converted to other than public outdoor recreation uses without the approval of National Park Service pursuant to Section 6(f)(3) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and associated regulations. The conversion provisions of Section 6(f (3), 36 CFR Part 59, and these guidelines apply to each area or facility for which Land and Water Conservation Fund assistance is obtained, regardless of the extent of participation of the program in the assisted area or facility and consistent with the contractual agreement between National Park Service and the State (Three Rivers Park District, personal communication, November 23, 2011). 5.10 Land Based Economies Land use and land cover in the project area consist primarily of rural residential, undeveloped wetland and woodland, transportation and regional parkland. While Hennepin County does have a strong agricultural base, the Project Area does not contain any cultivated lands or pastures. No impacts to Agricultural uses are anticipated. There are no federal, state, or locally designated forests or commercial logging operations located within the Project location. Although there are forested areas along both routes, there is no forest production in the Project location. No impacts to forestry are anticipated from the Project. Vegetation clearing is discussed in Section 5.14. Environmental Assessment PUC Docket E002/TL-11-223 Page 43