REPORT APPENDIX C FOR EA
Appendix C
Agency Correspondence
TBPLS Firm No. 10074302
January 9, 2018
Name
Address
RE: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental Assessment of a 115
kV Transmission Line in the Cities of Chaska and Chanhassen, Carver County, Minnesota
Westwood Professional Services Inc., working on behalf of Northern States Power Company, (Xcel Energy) a
Minnesota Corporation, is requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental
Assessment for construction of an intended approximately 1.5-mile, 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line with
approximately 18 structures and associated features in the Cities of Chaska and Chanhassen, Carver County,
Minnesota. See attached Overview Map. The project will serve electricity to the City of Chaska’s Lake
Hazeltine Substation. Pursuant to Minn. R. 7850.5300, Xcel Energy has applied for approval of this project
from the local units of government that have jurisdiction over the route—Chaska and Chanhassen. The
Cities and Chaska and Chanhassen have agreed that Chaska will serve as the lead responsible government
unit for purposes of preparing the environmental assessment, and Westwood Professional Services Inc. is
assisting in the development of the environmental assessment.
Project Location
The Project site is located in Carver County, Minnesota, beginning in Chanhassen and ending at the Lake
Hazeltine Substation in Chaska. It spans from the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Carver County
Road 18 (Lyman Boulevard) and County Road 15 (Audubon Road) in the city of Chanhassen to the new Lake
Hazeltine Substation located south of Columbia Court North in the city of Chaska. The transmission line is
located in portions of Section 22, Township 116N, Range 23W and the north half of Section 21, Township
116N, R23W.
The proposed transmission line will be located in an area of agricultural and industrial land, adjacent to
railroad and county roads. The project crosses wetlands adjacent to the railroad and the north shore of Lake
Hazeltine, south of the city of Chaska’s Lake Hazeltine Substation near where the proposed transmission line
would connect to the substation.
Project Need
The city of Chaska is constructing the Lake Hazeltine Substation to serve 50 megawatts (MW) of electrical
load, including 24 MW to replace the removed Downtown Chaska Substation, and to serve the customers on
the north end of Chaska made up of primarily Industrial customers. In order to provide electric service to
Chaska’s Lake Hazeltine substation, a new transmission line is required to connect to the existing Xcel
Energy transmission line located along the east side of County Road 15 (Audubon Road).
Project Description
January 9, 20188
Page 2
Xcel Energy proposes to construct an approximately 1.5-mile long, double circuit, 115 kV transmission line
on 18 structures and associated facilities. As shown on the overview map and Figures NH-273998-1 through
NH-273998-3, the proposed transmission line route will connect tangent to, and extend from, the existing
transmission line along the southeast side of the intersection of County Road 18 (Lyman Boulevard) and
County Road 15 (Audubon Road) in Chanhassen. It will run approximately 80 feet southwest of, and parallel
to, County Road 18 (Lyman Boulevard) for approximately 0.62 miles to the south side of the Twin Cities and
Western Railroad tracks. The transmission line will then turn to the southwest It will run parallel to the
railroad right-of-way for approximately 0.54 miles to the north shore of Lake Hazeltine. The transmission
line will turn to the northwest, cross the railroad tracks and run for approximately 0.24 miles where it will
connect to, and end at, Chaska’s Lake Hazeltine Substation located along the west side of Columbia Court
North in Chaska.
The proposed transmission line will use single pole, horizontal or braced post structures composed of self-
weathering steel. The structures will be approximately 80-110 feet high with a span length of approximately
300-550 feet. Structures will be constructed using approximately 6 to 10-foot diameter reinforced concrete
pier foundations.
Please review this information and provide me comments, questions or concerns you may have regarding
the proposed route and substation site within 30 days of the date of this letter. If you have any questions,
you can reach Brian Sullivan at (612) 330-5925 or Brian.E.Sullivan@xcelenergy.com or Tom Braman at 952-
906-7447 or tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Sincerely,
WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Tom Braman
Sr. Environmental Scientist
Enclosure:
cc: Brian Sullivan
First Name Last Name Email Company Name Address Delivery Method View Trade Secret Service List Name
Becky Balk becky.balk@state.mn.us MN Department of Agriculture 625 North Robert Street St. Paul,MN 551552538 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Sarah Beimers sarah.beimers@mnhs.org Minnesota Historical Society 345 Kellogg Boulevard West St. Paul,MN 55102 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
David Bell david.bell@state.mn.us MN Department of Health POB 64975 St. Paul,MN 55164 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Melissa Cerda melissa.cerda@state.mn.us Indian Affairs Council 161 St Anthony Ave #919 St. Paul,MN 55103 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Randall Doneen randall.doneen@state.mn.us MN DNR 500 LafayeƩe Rd, PO Box 25 Saint Paul,MN 55155 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Todd Green Todd.A.Green@state.mn.us Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry 443 LafayeƩe Rd N St. Paul,MN 55155-4341 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Amanda Gronhovd amanda.gronhovd@state.mn.us Office of the State Archaeologist Fort Snelling History Center St. Paul,MN 55111 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Kari Howe kari.howe@state.mn.us DEED 332 Minnesota St, #E200 1ST NaƟonal Bank Bldg St. Paul,MN 55101 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Dean Hunter Dean.Hunter@state.mn.us MN Department of Labor & Industry 443 LafayeƩe Rd N St. Paul,MN 55155-4341 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Chad Konickson chad.konickson@usace.army.mil U.S.Army Corps of Engineers 180 5th St # 700 Saint Paul,MN 55101 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Stacy Kotch Stacy.Kotch@state.mn.us MN Department of Transportation 395 John Ireland Blvd. St. Paul,MN 55155 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Scott McKown scott.mckown@state.mn.us MN Department of Labor & Industry 443 LafayeƩe Rd N St. Paul,MN 55155-4341 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Scott McLellan scott.mclellan@state.mn.us MN Department of Labor & Industry 443 LafayeƩe Rd N St. Paul,MN 55155-4341 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Debra Moynihan debra.moynihan@state.mn.us MN Department of Transportation 395 John Ireland Blvd MS 620 St. Paul,MN 55155-1899 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Bob Patton bob.patton@state.mn.us MN Department of Agriculture 625 Robert St N Saint Paul,MN 55155-2538 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Margaret Rheude Margaret_Rheude@fws.gov U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Twin CiƟes Ecological Services Field Oĸce 4101 American Blvd. E. Bloomington,MN 55425 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Cynthia Warzecha cynthia.warzecha@state.mn.us MN DNR 500 LafayeƩe Road Box 25 St. Paul,Minnesota 55155-4040 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Bruce West Bruce.West@state.mn.us Office of Pipeline Safety Department of Public Safety 445 Minnesota St St. Paul,MN 55101 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Kenneth Westlake westlake.kenneth@epa.gov US Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Planning & EvaluaƟon Unit 77 W Jackson Blvd. Mailstop B-19J Chicago,IL 60604-3590 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
John Williamson John.Williamson@state.mn.us MN Department of Labor and Industry 443 LafayeƩe Rd N St. Paul,MN 55155-4341 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
Jonathan Wolfgram Jonathan.Wolfgram@state.mn.us Office of Pipeline Safety Minnesota Department of Public Safety 445 Minnesota Street Suite 147 St. Paul,MN 55101-1547 Electronic Service No SPL_SL__Agency Reps
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Page 1 of 1
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Division of Ecological & Water Resources
500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
St. Paul, MN 55155‐4025
August 2, 2017
Correspondence # ERDB 20180049
Mr. Tom Braman
Westwood Professional Services, Inc.
7699 Anagram Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
RE: Natural Heritage Review of the proposed 115 kV Transmission Line to Hazeltine Substation,
T116N R23W Sections 21 & 22; Carver County
Dear Mr. Braman,
As requested, the above project has been reviewed for potential effects to known occurrences of rare features.
Given the project details that were provided with the data request form, I do not believe the proposed project
will negatively affect any known occurrences of rare features.
The Natural Heritage Information System (NHIS), a collection of databases that contains information about
Minnesota’s rare natural features, is maintained by the Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Department
of Natural Resources. The NHIS is continually updated as new information becomes available, and is the most
complete source of data on Minnesota's rare or otherwise significant species, native plant communities, and other
natural features. However, the NHIS is not an exhaustive inventory and thus does not represent all of the
occurrences of rare features within the state. Therefore, ecologically significant features for which we have no
records may exist within the project area. If additional information becomes available regarding rare features
in the vicinity of the project, further review may be necessary.
For environmental review purposes, the results of this Natural Heritage Review are valid for one year; the results
are only valid for the project location (noted above) and the project description provided on the NHIS Data
Request Form. Please contact me if project details change or for an updated review if construction has not
occurred within one year.
The Natural Heritage Review does not constitute review or approval by the Department of Natural Resources as
a whole. Instead, it identifies issues regarding known occurrences of rare features and potential effects to these
rare features. To determine whether there are other natural resource concerns associated with the proposed
project, please contact your DNR Regional Environmental Assessment Ecologist (contact information available at
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/ereview/erp_regioncontacts.html). Please be aware that additional site
assessments or review may be required.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources • Ecological & Water Resources
500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
Thank you for consulting us on this matter, and for your interest in preserving Minnesota's rare natural resources.
Please include a copy of this letter in any state or local license or permit application. An invoice will be mailed to
you under separate cover.
Sincerely,
Samantha Bump
Natural Heritage Review Specialist
Samantha.Bump@state.mn.us
1
Tom Braman
From:Sherman, Tod (DOT) <tod.sherman@state.mn.us>
Sent:Wednesday, January 10, 2018 10:16 AM
To:Tom Braman
Cc:Kotch Egstad, Stacy (DOT); Moynihan, Debra (DOT); Elliott, Lisa (DOT); Pansch, Joshua
(DOT); Wiltgen, Jennifer (DOT); Scheffing, Karen (DOT)
Subject:Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental
Assessment of a transmission line in Carver County, MN
Hi Tom:
Thank you for submitting the exhibits for an upcoming EA for proposed transmission lines in Chanhassen and
Chaska. MnDOT has reviewed the exhibits and has no concerns or comments.
Thank You, Tod
Tod Sherman, Planning Director
MnDOT Metro District
1500 W. County Road B-2
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 234-7794
tod.sherman@state.mn.us
From: Tom Braman [mailto:Tom.Braman@westwoodps.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2018 7:12 PM
To: Moynihan, Debra (DOT) <debra.moynihan@state.mn.us>
Subject: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental Assessment of a transmission line
in Carver County, MN
Dear Debra,
The attached letter and exhibits are being emailed to you requesting your agency comments for preparation of an
Environmental Assessment for a proposed transmission line in Chanhassen and Chaska, Minnesota.
Please review the attached information and provide me comments, questions or concerns you may have regarding the
proposed route and substation site within 30 days of the date of this letter. If you have any questions,
you can reach Brian Sullivan at (612) 330-5925 or Brian.E.Sullivan@xcelenergy.com or Tom Braman at 952-906-7447 or
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Kind regards,
Tom Braman
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Direct (952) 906-7447
Main (952) 937-5150
Cell (952) 240-6226
Fax (952) 937-5822
1
Tom Braman
From:Tom Braman
Sent:Wednesday, January 10, 2018 2:50 PM
To:'Rheude, Margaret'
Subject:RE: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental
Assessment of a transmission line in Carver County, MN
Attachments:180110 to regulators.zip
Margaret,
Attached are 3 shape files zipped you requested. They show the following:
Feature Shapefile
1. Transmission centerline: T-CL_FID2369_170927
2. 18 structures: Structures_5507_BLC-SCO_115kV_Loop_to_LHZ_Route_09-27-17
3. Proposed right-of-way PL_ROW_xxLinePlanViewD_Rev11080105
They are all in NAD 84 UTM 15 N coordinate system
Kind regards,
Tom Braman
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Direct (952) 906-7447
Main (952) 937-5150
Cell (952) 240-6226
Fax (952) 937-5822
Westwood Multi-Disciplined Surveying & Engineering
7699 Anagram Drive | Eden Prairie, MN 55344
westwoodps.com
(888) 937-5150
From: Rheude, Margaret [mailto:margaret_rheude@fws.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 7:42 AM
To: Tom Braman <Tom.Braman@westwoodps.com>
Subject: Re: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental Assessment of a transmission
line in Carver County, MN
Hi Tom,
Just wanted to let you know I received your email. Are you able to send me a shapefile of the proposed
project? That would help with my review.
Thank you,
Mags Rheude
On Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 7:14 PM, Tom Braman <Tom.Braman@westwoodps.com> wrote:
Dear Margaret,
2
The attached letter and exhibits are being emailed to you requesting your agency comments for preparation of
an Environmental Assessment for a proposed transmission line in Chanhassen and Chaska, Minnesota.
Please review the attached information and provide me comments, questions or concerns you may have
regarding the proposed route and substation site within 30 days of the date of this letter. If you have any
questions,
you can reach Brian Sullivan at (612) 330-5925 or Brian.E.Sullivan@xcelenergy.com or Tom Braman at 952-
906-7447 or tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Kind regards,
Tom Braman
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Direct (952) 906-7447
Main (952) 937-5150
Cell (952) 240-6226
Fax (952) 937-5822
Westwood Multi-Disciplined Surveying & Engineering
7699 Anagram Drive | Eden Prairie, MN 55344
westwoodps.com
(888) 937-5150
--
Mags Rheude
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Twin Cities Field Office
4101 American Blvd E
Bloomington MN 55425
(952) 252-0092, ext. 202 New Number!
margaret_rheude@fws.gov
*Work Schedule: M, W,Th, 7:00a-3:30p, T, 8:00a-4:30p. Off Fridays
1
Tom Braman
From:Wolfgram, Jonathan (DPS) <jonathan.wolfgram@state.mn.us>
Sent:Thursday, January 11, 2018 9:44 AM
To:Tom Braman
Cc:West, Bruce (DPS)
Subject:RE: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental
Assessment of a transmission line in Carver County, MN
Tom,
The Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety (MNOPS) has received your notification. MNOPS does have any regulatory
oversight regarding these types of projects. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or require
further assistance.
Thank you,
Jon Wolfgram, P.E.
Chief Engineer
Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety
Phone: 651.201.7234 (direct)
651.398.6976 (mobile)
Email: Jonathan.Wolfgram@state.mn.us
From: Tom Braman [mailto:Tom.Braman@westwoodps.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 7:25 PM
To: Wolfgram, Jonathan (DPS) <jonathan.wolfgram@state.mn.us>
Subject: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental Assessment of a transmission line
in Carver County, MN
Dear Jonathan,
The attached letter and exhibits are being emailed to you requesting your agency comments for preparation of an
Environmental Assessment for a proposed transmission line in Chanhassen and Chaska, Minnesota.
Please review the attached information and provide me comments, questions or concerns you may have regarding the
proposed route and substation site within 30 days of the date of this letter. If you have any questions,
you can reach Brian Sullivan at (612) 330-5925 or Brian.E.Sullivan@xcelenergy.com or Tom Braman at 952-906-7447 or
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Kind regards,
Tom Braman
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Direct (952) 906-7447
Main (952) 937-5150
Cell (952) 240-6226
Fax (952) 937-5822
Westwood Multi-Disciplined Surveying & Engineering
7699 Anagram Drive | Eden Prairie, MN 55344
1
Tom Braman
From:Tom Braman
Sent:Monday, January 29, 2018 10:32 AM
To:'Westlake, Kenneth'
Subject:RE: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental
Assessment of a transmission line in Carver County, MN
Kenneth,
In response to your comment below, the proposed transmission line project will have 18 structures and permanent
wetland impact for construction installation of 8 of the proposed transmission structures. For each of the 8 structures in
wetlands impact will be for the reinforced concrete foundation which will be less than 10 feet in diameter or 79 square
feet each. This will likely require a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit. I have submitted the 1-9-2018 email request
you received for comments to the USACE St. Paul District.
Tom Braman
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Direct (952) 906-7447
Main (952) 937-5150
Cell (952) 240-6226
Fax (952) 937-5822
Westwood Multi-Disciplined Surveying & Engineering
7699 Anagram Drive | Eden Prairie, MN 55344
westwoodps.com
(888) 937-5150
From: Westlake, Kenneth [mailto:westlake.kenneth@epa.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 9:41 AM
To: Tom Braman <Tom.Braman@westwoodps.com>
Subject: RE: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental Assessment of a transmission
line in Carver County, MN
Mr. Braman,
Thank you for your letter and attachments. Your letter references that this Environmental Assessment will be prepared
under Minnesota state law. Will this project involve any federal actions that would trigger the National Environmental
Policy Act? If yes, what actions are they, and by what lead federal agency(ies)? My office focuses our limited
environmental review resources on federal actions requiring a federal lead agency to comply with NEPA. If the project is
being undertaken solely under state law, EPA would not engage in scoping comments or review of the EA. I look forward
to your reply. Thanks.
Ken Westlake
Kenneth A. Westlake
Chief, National Environmental Policy Act Implementation Section (E-19J)
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W. Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604
312-886-2910
2
westlake.kenneth@epa.gov
From: Tom Braman [mailto:Tom.Braman@westwoodps.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 7:20 PM
To: Westlake, Kenneth <westlake.kenneth@epa.gov>
Subject: Requesting regulatory agency comments for preparation of an Environmental Assessment of a transmission line
in Carver County, MN
Dear Kenneth,
The attached letter and exhibits are being emailed to you requesting your agency comments for preparation of an
Environmental Assessment for a proposed transmission line in Chanhassen and Chaska, Minnesota.
Please review the attached information and provide me comments, questions or concerns you may have regarding the
proposed route and substation site within 30 days of the date of this letter. If you have any questions,
you can reach Brian Sullivan at (612) 330-5925 or Brian.E.Sullivan@xcelenergy.com or Tom Braman at 952-906-7447 or
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Kind regards,
Tom Braman
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
tom.braman@westwoodps.com
Direct (952) 906-7447
Main (952) 937-5150
Cell (952) 240-6226
Fax (952) 937-5822
Westwood Multi-Disciplined Surveying & Engineering
7699 Anagram Drive | Eden Prairie, MN 55344
westwoodps.com
(888) 937-5150
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources • Ecological and Water Resources
1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Ecological and Water Resource
1200 Warner Road
St. Paul, MN 55106
February 2, 2018 Transmitted Electronically
Re: 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line in the Cities of Chaska and Chanhassen, Carver County, Minnesota
Dear Tom Braman,
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has received your letter (dated Jan. 9, 2018) requesting
regulatory agency comments for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) of a 115 kV transmission
line in the cities of Chaska and Chanhassen, located in Caver County, Minnesota. The EA should include
discussions on alternative routes analysis and potential impacts to water resources, habitat, and wildlife. It
should also include mention of permitting requirements.
The Minnesota Geospatial Commons website (https://gisdata.mn.gov) houses GIS data layers that are available
to the public. As part of review and preparation for the EA, some data layers that should be utilized for review of
this project in order to help analyze potential impacts to natural resources include: Central Region Regionally
Significant Ecological Areas, MBS Sites of Biodiversity Significance, and Public Waters. There are many other
useful layers available, this is just a list of some that should be reviewed in preparation of the EA.
As this is a transmission line the EA should discuss use of bird diverters, and proposed locations on where these
might be placed in order to minimize potential impacts to birds. The DNR recommends “swan type” bird
diverters be used, and that they be placed per manufactures guidelines.
DNR recommends that a Natural Heritage Information System (NHIS) data review be conducted to determine if
any records of rare species or rare natural resource features are located in proximity to the project. This can be
conducted either by DNR Endangered Species Review staff, or by a license holder with concurrence from DNR
staff. If the review determines that rare species/rare features may be impacted, the EA should discuss these
features, as well as what mitigation measures will be employed to avoid and minimize impacts.
• To request a DNR review, the NHIS Data Request Form and rate information, see the DNR website at
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nhnrp/nhis.html (link at bottom of page). The turn-around time is
typically four weeks. If the review determines that rare species may be impacted, avoidance
recommendations will be provided. In addition, further instructions on subsequent procedure and
protocols for survey requirements may be provided.
• To request a concurrence from DNR, your agency must hold a license for the DNR rare features
database. Submit your assessment of rare species and natural resource features with potential project
impacts, and request a concurrence from Lisa Joyal, Endangered Species Review Coordinator
(lisa.joyal@state.mn.us, 651-259-5109). The concurrence normally takes about 2 weeks. Additional data
layers that should be reviewed are MBS native plant communities, karst and calcareous fen features,
Sites of Biodiversity Significance, and Regionally Significant Ecological Areas. These public data layers can
be accessed online from to the MN Geospatial Commons at https://gisdata.mn.gov/.
• The NHIS dataset is continually updated as new information becomes available and will include current
records and surveys. An NHIS review is considered valid if performed within one year of project
implementation. Questions regarding this process should be directed to Lisa Joyal.
2
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources • Ecological and Water Resources
1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106
Permits
The proposed transmission line, as depicted in the provided map, crosses a DNR public water. The DNR Division
of Lands & Minerals is responsible for granting permission to companies that propose to cross public lands and
waters with utility infrastructure projects. As a condition of the License, bird diverters may be required. For
information on obtaining a License, please contact Jean Zoch (jean.zoch@state.mn.us). More information can be
found on DNR’s Utility Crossing License Website: http://dnr.state.mn.us/permits/utility_crossing/index.html
A DNR Water Appropriation Permit is required for projects if dewatering occurs in volumes that exceed 10,000
gallons per day, or one million gallons per year. For utility projects, this is often needed during the installation of
utility structures. More information can be found on DNR’s water use permits website.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/appropriations/permits.html.
On behalf of the DNR, thank you for the consideration of our comments.
Sincerely,
/s/ Rebecca Horton
Environmental Assessment Ecologist, Central Region
CC: Lisa Joyal, Jean Zoch, Joe Richter
OFFICE OF THE STATE ARCHAEOLOGIST
FORT SNELLING HISTORY CENTER,
200 TOWER AVENUE, ST. PAUL, MN
HTTP://MN.GOV/ADMIN/ARCHAEOLOGIST
January 30, 2018
Tom Braman
Sr. Environmental Scientist
Westwood Professional Services
7699 Anagram Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
RE: Request for regulatory agency comments for preparation of and Environmental Assessment of a 115
kV Transmission Line in the Cities of Chaska and Chanhassen, Carver County, Minnesota
Dear Mr. Braman:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments for the preparation of an Environmental
Assessment for the above listed project. Although no recorded archaeological sites are currently
recoded within the proposed project area, several are within one mile of the project corridor. Due to the
number of recorded sites in the area, and the project’s proximity to Lake Hazeltine, the project area has
a high potential for containing additional unrecorded archaeological sites. Thus, I recommend that a
qualified archaeologist conduct a survey prior to construction. The Minnesota State Historic
Preservation Office maintains a list of qualified archaeologists at:
http://www.mnhs.org/shpo/preservation-directory.
Please call or email if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Amanda Gronhovd
State Archaeologist
Fort Snelling History Center
200 Tower Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55111
Amanda.Gronhovd@state.mn.us
612-725-2411