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November 8, 2011 <br />Page 7 of 7 <br />there are no historic sites in proximity of the study area (page 58), and we would like to see <br />this statement corrected to reflect the Kelley Farm location. Further, your AUAR makes <br />reference, on page 58, to information about archaeological historic or architectural sites in <br />Appendix B, and there is no information within Appendix B regarding historic sites. <br />Response to Comment #1-The information from SHPO was mistakenly omitted from <br />the Draft AUAR and has been included in the Final AUAR. No information regarding the <br />Oliver H. Kelley Farm was noted in the database search for the area. Information about <br />the site has been added to the Final AUAR. <br />Comment #2: Further, the AUAR traffic analysis makes no mention of the Kelley Farm as a <br />traffic generator. The City needs to consider that the Kelley Farm hosts a large number of <br />visitors each year, and conducts a number of educational activities that bring in busloads of <br />school children and tour groups. Further, the Kelley Farm is planning to expand educational <br />programs in the near future. It also hosts events and festivals that can attract large numbers of <br />visitors at specific times. We suggest that your planning team get in touch with the site <br />manager, Emily Ogran, at the Oliver Kelley Farm (763-441-6896), and that your AUAR reflect <br />the Kelley Farm as an important neighbor. <br />Response to Comment #2 -The traffic analysis looked at average conditions on the <br />roadway system, which would include the day to day operation of the Kelley Farm. <br />Any growth in average daily attendance would be included with the general traffic <br />background growth for the area. The Final AUAR has been revised to include <br />discussion about the Kelley Farm. <br />Comment #3: To protect the historic setting and feeling of the Oliver H. Kelley Farm, it is <br />important to protect the rural and agricultural vistas and views to and from the farm. Historic <br />interpretation activities on the farm are based on the 1860s time period, and visual incursions <br />from other time periods have the potential to diminish the effectiveness of Kelley Farm <br />programs. Therefore, we request that you analyze what visual impacts the various <br />development alternatives in the study area may have on this National Historic Landmark. <br />Response to Comment #3 - We acknowledge the comment and have revised the Final <br />AUAR to state that if this analysis becomes required as part of a federal action such as a <br />permit or other federal involvement that analysis would be completed at that time. <br />Comment #4: In terms of archaeological sites, there are no known sites in the study area. <br />However, we regard the Mississippi River corridor as an area of high probability for <br />archaeological sites. We do not agree with the statement found on page 85 of the AUAR, that <br />due to past agricultural use, intact sites are unlikely. Generally speaking, agricultural use <br />affects only the plow zone, and the soils below the plow zone can and often do contain intact <br />archaeological sites. Based on the proximity of the study area to the Mississippi River, it is our <br />recommendation that the portion of the study area located between the Mississippi River and <br />Highway 10 be surveyed by a qualified archaeologist prior to finalizing redevelopment plans <br />for the area. <br />Minneapolis ^ St. Cloud <br />Equal Opportunity Employer <br />N: IPub/ic BodieslCity CouncillCounci/ RCAIAgenda Packetll /-21-10111Comment Responses.docx <br />