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• Comments—The project may have localized impacts on natural vegetation, rare or important species and waterbody and wetland impacts. This project will not significantly affect natural vegetation or threatened or endangered species. Wetland impacts can most effectively be addressed through he Wetland Conservation Act process. Greater effects on the natural and human environment come from the cumulative effects of these projects. Response - Staff concurs that this project by itself does not have.potential for significant environmental effects. No wetlands are proposed to be altered for this project. Staff is recommending run-off is treated and retained prior to discharging to natural waterbodies. In addition staff is recommending buffer strips (natural vegetation) are retained adjacent to the large wetland complex to the north of the project. Staff further agrees that the cumulative impacts of projects have a greater potential for significant environmental effects. These cumulative impacts should be identified, as well as mitigated measures through the Comprehensive Plan Process (e.g. the transportation plan not causing a reduction in air quality in localized areas, a total dislocation of wildlife, the protection of rare plant communities. etc.). State Historic Preservation Office - letter dated October 15, 2002 from Britta L. • Bloomberg. Comment—There are no known properties on the National or State Register of Historic Places and no known or suspected archeological properties in the area that will be affect by this project. This comment letter does not address the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Response - Staff does not know of or suspect any historic or archeological properties in this area. Staff will be contacting the developer requiring Section 106 if they use any federal funding or the project requires a permit or license from the federal government. RECOMMENDATION Staff feels that the EAW accurately describes the project and the potential environmental effects. Mitigation measures to reduce the environmental effects have been identified by the EAW and will be incorporated into the plans for the project. Staff recommends a negative declaration on the need for an EIS on the Elk River Station. A resolution (draft) to this effect, which includes findings of fact for this decision, is attached. II/