Agenda - Council - 06/25/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Enterprise Park to Crooked Lake 115 kV Transmission Line March 2012 Environmental Assessment These impacts may disrupt a generally passive experience felt by residents and visitors in the Project area. More long-term indirect impacts would be associated with the placement of the poles and the potential loss of trees, and as a result, the sentiments associated with these resources. The long-term indirect impacts likely would occur once the transmission line and substations were in operation. In areas where trees would be removed, the transmission lines and poles would be visible to resident and interested/participant viewers. Minimal direct and indirect impacts are anticipated in the locations of the Enterprise Park and Crooked Lake substations. Activities associated with the modifications would be consistent with the overall industrial atmosphere, albeit noticeable to some existing users. Mitigation - Aesthetics While the new transmission line is proposed for an area that is substantially developed, there will be areas where the Project will create a visual contrast to surrounding land uses. The Applicant has stated it will work with landowners to identify concerns related to the proposed transmission line and upgraded substations. In general, mitigation includes enhancing positive effects as well as minimizing or eliminating negative effects. Mitigation will include, to the extent practicable and within sound engineering practices, the following: • Locating structures, right-of-way and other disturbed areas after considering input from landowners or land management agencies to minimize visual impacts. • Taking care to preserve the natural landscape by constructing and operating the line to prevent any unnecessary destruction of the natural surroundings. • Paralleling or sharing existing transmission lines and other rights -of -way, wherever such actions do not violate sound engineering principles or system reliability criteria. • Placing structures at the maximum feasible distance from highway, trail and water crossings. • Compensating landowners for removal of any mature yard trees, either through easement negotiations or on a separate basis. 5.1.3. Noise There are two potential sources of audible noise from the Project: the conductors on the transmission line and the equipment located within each of the substations. Noise levels are measured on a logarithmic scale in units of decibels. Because human hearing is not equally sensitive to all frequencies of sound, it is customary to apply a weighting factor so the overall measured sound pressure level will relate as closely as possible to the ear's perception of the sound. The A -weighting network is typically used and the measured sound level is expressed in units of decibels A -weighted (dBA). In general terms, a noise level change of 3 dBA or less is imperceptible to human hearing. A 5-dBA or more change in noise level is clearly noticeable. A 10-dBA change in noise level is perceived as a doubling of noise loudness 25