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impacts to the value of nearby homes, the Kallivayalils' comments identify parcels that <br /> that they assert are more appropriate for the project.22 <br /> Boe Carlson, Acting Superintendent of the Three Rivers Park District, submitted <br /> comments as the owner and operator of the Baker Regional Park Reserve. <br /> Superintendent Carlson wrote to oppose the Baker Reserve routing alternative. He <br /> asserts that routing the transmission line through the park reserve would violate the <br /> Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, the restrictive covenants placed on the uses <br /> for reserve land, and the mission, policies and practices of the Reserve. Additionally, <br /> Superintendent Carlson argues that because of the adverse impacts associated with <br /> this route alternative — particularly to habitat — that this alternative is an inferior choice to <br /> other routing options.23 <br /> By way of a follow-on letter, Kelly Grissman, Senior Manager of Planning for the <br /> Three Rivers Park District, asserted that the kind of noise assessments made with <br /> respect to the proposed substation, should likewise be made as to the noise impacts <br /> that would occur if the proposed transmission line were routed along the Baker Reserve <br /> routing alternative. Ms. Grissman urges the Commission to direct that these <br /> assessments be undertaken if the Baker Reserve routing alternative is "seriously being <br /> considered as a viable option ...." She asserts that the removal of buffer areas <br /> associated with the proposed alternative would trigger undue noise impacts to those <br /> using the park reserve.24 <br /> Michael P. Gafforn, Assistant City Administrator, submitted comments on behalf <br /> of the City of Orono. Like many of the residents of the Huntington Farms neighborhood, <br /> the City expressed concerns over the visual impacts of the proposed substation. <br /> Specifically, it urged the Commission to condition any approval of the application on the <br /> installation of effective, natural measures to screen the visual impacts of the proposed <br /> substation. In its comments it detailed a number of interventions that it regards as <br /> necessary — such as the installation of trees of certain types and height. Additionally, <br /> the City seeks an opportunity to have its engineer review finalized site plans before <br /> project construction begins.25 <br /> Jamie Schrenzel, Principal Planner for the Minnesota Department of Natural <br /> Resources' Environmental Review Unit, submitted comments on behalf of the <br /> Department. She urged greater coordination between agency permitting activities, in <br /> general, and as to this project in particular, because the mitigation measures raise <br /> matters of common concern. Specifically, Ms. Schrenzel recommended that the <br /> mitigation plans require compliance with the winter construction methods required by <br /> Minn. R. 6135.1300, deployment of Swan Flight Diverters along the transmission line <br /> 22 See, Comments of Michael and Leena Kallivayalil (December 16, 2011). <br /> 23 See, Comments of the Three Rivers Park District (January 5, 2012). <br /> 24 See, Comments of the Three Rivers Park District (January 31, 2012). <br /> 25 See, Comments of the City of Orono(January 6, 2012). <br /> 5 <br />