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3.0 ALTERNATIVES Sections 3.1 through 3.3 and 3.5 have not been changed. 3.4 ALTERNATIVE Di AVOID ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES When the Draft EIS was prepared, an archaeological study of the site had been partially completed but could not continue due to winter weather. In the Draft EIS an alternative that would avoid disturbing an archaeological site, if one were found, was considered. The archaeological survey of the in May 1986 and no significant sites were found. Therefore, longer be considered. project site was completed historic or archaeological this alternative would no , \ I 3.6 REDUCE IMPACT ON WILDLIFE The Minnesota DNR, in their comments on the Draft EIS, suggested an alternative that would place development at the southern edge of the project site, between the proposed east-west road and the railroad tracks. They also suggested leaving the wooded upland area undeveloped to preserve wildlife habitat. Development in the southern part of the project site would create several land use conflicts. The current plans for the project show commercial development in this area. The City of Ramsey has been encouraging development of commercial and industrial land uses along the T.H. 10/169 strip. Current development plans would be compatible with this city policy but development of housing units would not. \ . Homes in this area would also be impacted by the railroad tracks in the southern part of the site. These tracks are heavily used and could be objectionable to homeowners. Finally, the wooded uplands north of Lake Itasca would make more desirable home sites from an aesthetic standpoint than the flatter land south of Lake Itasca which is currently used as cropland and is not wooded. While development of the southern part of the site instead of the wooded uplands is not favored, other plans to enhance or preserve wildlife habitat in the area is discussed in Section 11. , \ -16-