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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for Sherburne County was <br />contacted to determine if any prime or unique farmlands or lands within an agricultural <br />preserve were located on the Site. According to Edward Musielewicz, District <br />Conservationalist, 6.05 acres of statewide important soils are located on the Site. A map <br />showing the areas of these soils is included as Figure 9 in Attachment A. The soil <br />identified as important is the Sanbum fine sandy loam, located in the northearn portion <br />of the Site. The Sanburn soil unit is directly adjacent to and includes some gravel <br />deposits and will be partially mined. Special consideration will be given to these areas as <br />not to disturb the topsoil or unnecessarily excavate these areas within the setback. <br /> <br />The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the Minnesota Historical Society was <br />requested to review their records for information regarding any historic properties or <br />archaeological sites that may be present near the Site. The response is provided in <br />Attachment D and indicates there were no inventoried historic properties or <br />archaeological sites found for the search area. However, if any archeological artifacts are <br />discovered during mining activities, operations will be stopped and the City will be <br />notified. Appropriate investigation of any discovered archeological sites would be <br />required. <br /> <br />26. <br /> <br />Visual impacts. Will the project create adverse visual impacts during construction <br />or operation? Such as glare from intense lights, lights visible in wilderness areas and <br />large visible plumes from cooling towers or exhaust stacks? __Yes X No <br />If yes, explain. <br /> <br />Visual impacts from intense lights will be minimized by hours of operation (daylight <br />hours). A majority of the mining area will be screened from adjacent highway to the <br />west by trees and topography. During the fall, winter and spring when foliage is minimal <br />or absent, visual impacts will remain screened from the adjacent highway to the west by <br />topography.. <br /> <br />27. <br /> <br />Compatibility with plans and land use regulations. Is the project subject to an <br />adopted local comprehensive plan, land use plan or regulation, or other applicable <br />land use, water, or resource management plan of a local, regional, state or federal <br />agency? <br /> <br />X Yes __No. If yes, describe the plan, discuss its compatibility with the project <br />and explain how any conflicts will be resolved. If no, explain. <br /> <br />The Site is currently zoned for Agricultural Conservation. According to the City of Elk <br />River Zoning Map (January 2002) the properties adjacent to the north, south and west of <br />the Site and across Trunk Highway 169 to the west of the Site are zoned for Agricultural <br />Conservation with Mineral Excavation. Active mines are operating in each of these <br />areas, which are included in the Mining District. The property adjacent to the east is <br />zoned for agricultural conservation and is currently undeveloped. The City of Elk River <br />recognizes mineral excavation as an appropriate and compatible interim land use for <br />agricultural conservation zoned areas. <br /> <br />19 <br /> <br /> <br />