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9. During the scoping process, members of the public requested further evaluation of a route alternative that minimized impacts to private property by shifting the route burden to public lands. The Baker Park Reserve Route Alternative evaluated in the EA is the same as Alternative Route 2 described in Appendix G of the Route Permit Application. The Baker Park Reserve Route Alternative follows the same route as the Xcel Energy Proposed Route for the first 866 feet out of the substation, but continues northward for approximately 326 feet across the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad, U.S. Highway 12, and an existing Xcel Energy distribution line. Upon exiting U.S. Highway 12 right-of-way, the route enters the Three Rivers Park District's Baker Park Reserve. From here the route continues westerly approximately 974 feet across Baker Park Reserve property connecting to existing Xcel Energy 115 kV transmission Line 0831. The route would then cross back over to the south side of U.S. Highway 12. As with the Xcel Energy Proposed Route described above this alternative would also include the relocation of transmission line 0831. The total length of this alternative with the relocation of Transmission Line 0831 is the same as the Xcel Energy Proposed Route, approximately 0.6 miles.10 10. During the Scoping Process, four site alternatives to expanding the Orono Substation were proposed. • Alternative Substation Site 1: This site is comprised of three small parcels owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) between U.S. Highway 12 and Sixth Avenue South and is zoned the same as Xcel Energy's current substation site. These parcels are not large enough for development of the proposed substation of 1.6 acres and additional area necessary for setbacks. The actual developable area of these parcels is likely to be further reduced based on observed wetlands on the parcels and possible additional setbacks or buffers from U.S. Highway 12. The estimated length of transmission line from this site is approximately 0.54 miles, or approximately 0.15 miles more than Xcel Energy's proposed route. • Alternative Substation Site 2: This site is comprised of three parcels owned by the Park Gun Club. This site is zoned as "Rural Residential, one home to 2 acres." The Park Gun Club is a nonconforming use in that location and is prevented from making any changes to its current use, including the layout of the shooting range. It does not appear that there is sufficient space within the parcel to locate both the gun club with its current layout and the substation, resulting in a likely displacement of Gun Club. Orono zoning does not permit gun clubs within the city; the club would not be able to re-locate within Orono. Anecdotal information indicates that gun clubs are very difficult to 10 Ex. 12 at p.7(EA) 4