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

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Enterprise Park to Crooked Lake 115 kV Transmission Line March 2012 Environmental Assessment increasing the distance between transmission and distribution lines through re -locating distribution lines underground, placing the transmission line on the opposite side of the road as existing distribution lines, or increasing the vertical distance between the transmission line phase conductor and under -built distribution line Enhanced grounding would reduce stray voltage potential through connecting counterpoises to the distribution neutral wire and/or transmission shield wire. Mitigation — Safety and Health Potential effects of the Project on safety and health would be avoided through adherence to industry design standards and compliance with federal regulations, including NESC standards. No conclusive health or safety concerns have been identified with EMF exposure, although potential health and safety effects would be minimized through maximizing the distance between the transmission line and residences. Significant impacts from stray voltage are not anticipated from the Project. However, the Applicant would address stray voltage issues on a case -by -case basis. The three primary methods to reduce or eliminate stray voltage are cancellation, separation, and enhanced grounding. The specific techniques used to address stray voltage would depend on whether existing distribution lines are buried underground, located on the opposite side of the street as the Project structures, or re -located to the Project structures as under -built lines. To ensure the safety of persons in the proximity of high voltage transmission lines, the NESC requires that any discharge be less than five (5) milliAmperes (mA). 5.2. Environmental Setting The Project area is a highly developed Twin Cities metropolitan suburb with residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout the Project area. Significant roadway infrastructure typical of a suburban area has been developed throughout the Project area. Hydrologic features in close proximity to the proposed transmission line include: • The Rum River, which would be crossed by the transmission line in Sections 25 and 36 of Township 32N Range 25W. • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) Public Water Wetland (115W) located in Sections 25 and 36 of Township 32N Range 25W. • MnDNR Public Water Wetland (116W) located in Sections 26 and 35 of Township 32N Range 25W. A mix of suburban type groundcover, consisting primarily of turf grasses on developed lots and voluntary weed growth on undeveloped lots, is present in the Project area. The physiographic features (topography, soils, geology and farmland) are typical of this area and do not preclude the development of this Project. Blanding's turtles and creek heelsplitters (mussels) are both found in the vicinity of the Project. Blanding's turtles have a Minnesota status of "threatened" and creek heelsplitters have a Minnesota status of "special concern." Neither species is indicated as having a federal status. 41