Mitigation measures to avoid or reduce impacts to land use from an energy transmission project.
The following are examples of mitigation measures that could be applied to reduce land use impacts of a project depending on site- and project-specific conditions. Impacts to land use are related to the project footprint (e.g., land disturbance and modification), project emissions (e.g., fugitive), and the physical presence of the project facilities (e.g., compatibility of the project with existing land uses). Many impacts can be reduced or avoided when considered during the siting and design of a project during the site evaluation phase.
Develop a final set of mitigation measures for any project in consultation with the appropriate federal resource management agencies and stakeholders. Conduct these consultations in the project development process and preferably prior to final project siting and design.
Siting and Design Mitigation Measures
Siting and design considerations that mitigate impacts include:
Consult with Department of Defense to identify and address any issues regarding the energy transmission project and military operations.
Notify the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) early in the planning process to identify air safety measures.
Contact local stakeholders early in the process to identify sensitive land uses, issues, and local plans and ordinances.
Establish a reclamation plan to ensure that all temporary impact areas are restored.
Consolidate infrastructure requirements (transmission, roads) for efficient use of land.
Distribute a proposed schedule of construction activities to all potentially affected landowners and nearby residents so they know when they might experience construction-related disruptions.
Minimize the amount of land disturbance, and develop and implement stringent erosion and dust control practices.
General Mitigation Measures
General mitigation practices and principles that could apply to any or all phases of an energy transmission project include:
Keep gates and fences closed and in good repair to contain livestock.
Project Phase-Specific Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures specific to a particular phase of an energy transmission project include:
Site Evaluation
Conduct a preblast inspection of privately owned structures near any blast site (e.g., less than 500 feet). Notify each affected landowner about the blasting before it is conducted.
Construction
Repair underground drainage tile damage on agricultural lands.
Repair compacted or rutted agricultural lands.
Dewater open trenches in a manner that does not damage adjacent agricultural land. If this cannot be done, compensate the landowner appropriately.
Compensate farmers or ranchers for crop or forage losses and restore compacted soils.
