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

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Enterprise Park to Crooked Lake 115 kV Transmission Line March 2012 Environmental Assessment animals would be displaced is dependent on the species and the tolerance level of each individual. Based on the availability and suitability of other unaffected and similar habitat within and near the Project area, the potential temporary impacts to wildlife are not expected to cause a change in listing status or a detectable change in local populations. In addition to temporary and permanent construction impacts to fauna, transmission lines also have the potential to impact birds through electrocution and collision after construction is complete. Electrocution risk is addressed in structure design elements that provide adequate clearance for perching birds. Mitigation — Fauna Avian protection standards that minimize the risk of bird electrocution are well documented in the following resources: the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee's (APLIC's) Suggested Practices for Avian Protection on Power Lines: The State of the Art in 2006 (APLIC 2006), APLIC's Mitigating Bird Collisions with Power Lines: The State of the Art in 1994 (APLIC 1994), and APLIC's and USFWS' Avian Protection Plan (APP) Guidelines (APLIC and USFWS 2005). The structure designs used for this Project are consistent with the recommendations of these resources in that they provide adequate clearance from energized conductors to grounded surfaces and to other conductors. As such, avian electrocution risk is considered minimal and is not addressed in further detail. Conversely, avian collisions with new transmission lines are possible, and risk is assessed through an analysis of line span locations relative to surrounding habitats and bird movement. Risk is characterized on a site -specific basis by evaluating surrounding habitat, reviewing bird concentration and movement patterns, and examining structure configurations. Habitats are characterized by identifying historical and active nest sites, bird concentration areas, foraging areas, roost sites, and rookeries. Potential collision risk is highest at spans or structures located in rural areas with native vegetation where the line crosses habitats typically used by area birds (e.g., rivers and wetlands) and human influence in the immediate vicinity is limited. The Route crosses the Rum River, a potential avian use area. Several mitigation strategies and measures can be used to minimize temporary, permanent, and avian impacts. To mitigate potential impacts to wildlife the transmission line would span designated habitat, conservation areas, or other sensitive habitats wherever practical. In areas where complete spanning is not possible, the Applicant would minimize the number of structures placed in high quality wildlife habitat and would work with the MnDNR and USFWS to come up with appropriate mitigation. Additionally, the Applicant has proposed to use construction mats to avoid soil compaction where appropriate (e.g., in wetland habitats). Areas temporarily disturbed by construction activities may be restored to pre -construction contours and allowed to re - vegetate naturally, subject to landowner approval. The MnDNR encourages wildlife friendly erosion control mesh to be used during and following construction activities. Plastic mesh, particularly when placed where there are known locations of reptiles or amphibians, may be detrimental or even fatal to wildlife. The Applicant will address avian issues by working with MnDNR and USFWS to identify areas that may require marking transmission line shield wires and/or the use of 50