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BACKGROUND <br />SITE C 0 N T E X T within close proximity. The Kelley Farm, a registered national historic landmark is <br />Situated in the southeast portion of located just south of the study area along the banks of the Mississippi River off of <br />Elk River, the initial FAST project area Highway 10169. <br />comprised nearly 70o acres. With the Just north of the study area a large commercial center exists at the intersections of <br />addition of the second phase, the land Highway 169 and Main Street and extends north to School Street and includes Wal- <br />west ofHighway 10169 totalling 23o acres Mart and Home Depot as major retail anchors. Great River Energy has a power plant <br />the overall project area has grown to 93o and satellite offices located northwest of the study area across Highway 169 and has <br />an ongoing operation with the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Plant in the southern portion <br />acres. <br />of the study area to produce energy from pelletized waste created at the plant. <br />The project area is bound by the <br />Mississippi River to the west with State <br />Highway 10169 bisecting the study area <br />running parallel to the river. Along the <br />northern edge of the project area a range <br />of land uses exist from office and industrial <br />uses west of Twin Lakes Parkway to high <br />and low density housing and parkland <br />toward the northeast. Much of the land <br />to the east and south of the project area is <br />owned by Cargill Corporation, nearly 750 <br />contiguous acres. About half of the land, <br />mostly to the south, is currently utilized as <br />agricultural research with the remaining <br />land area comprised of a large wetland <br />complex which defines the majority of <br />the eastern edge of the project area and <br />extends in to the site. <br />The Burlington Northern Sante-Fe rail <br />line also bisects the site moving from <br />northwest to southeast and carries a large <br />number of heavy rail trains each day in <br />addition to the Northstar commuter train. <br />The Northstar station is located in the <br />center of the study area, approximately <br />two miles from Downtown Elk River to <br />the northwest. <br />A number of community parks are <br />adjacent to the study area. Hillside City <br />Park, Kliever Marsh Park, Kliever Lake <br />Fields, Babcock Memorial Park and the <br />Youth Athletic Complex (YAC) are all <br />Figure z.t Site Context Map <br />~} 17131. CN2r1U@ Focused Area 57udy <br />