Subpart
1.
Topography.
With regard to topography:
A. avoid steep slopes;
B. avoid scenic intrusions into stream
valleys and open exposures of water;
C. avoid scenic intrusions by avoiding ridge
crests and high points; and
D.
avoid creating tunnel vistas by, for example, building deflections into the
route or using acceptable screening techniques.
Subp. 2.
Vegetation.
With regard to vegetation:
A. avoid wetlands; and
B. run along fringe of forests rather than
through them, but if it is necessary to route through forests, then utilize
open areas in order to minimize destruction of commercial forest
resources.
Subp. 3.
Soil.
With regard to soil characteristics:
A. avoid soils whose high susceptibility to
erosion would create sedimentation and pollution problems during and after
construction;
B. avoid areas of
plastic soils which would be subject to extensive slippage; and
C. avoid areas with high water tables,
especially if construction requires excavation.
Subp. 4.
Crossing public waters.
With regard to crossing of public waters:
A. avoid streams, but if that is not feasible
and prudent, cross at the narrowest places wherever feasible and prudent, or at
existing crossings of roads, bridges, or utilities; and
B. avoid lakes, but where there is no
feasible and prudent alternative route, minimize the extent of encroachment by
crossing under the water.
Crossings on or under the beds of streams designated by the
commissioner as trout waters shall be avoided unless there is no feasible
alternative. When unavoidable, maximum efforts shall be taken to minimize
damage to trout habitat.
Subp. 5.
Special use areas.
With regard to special use areas, which are those areas
designated under Minnesota Statutes, section
84.033,
as scientific and natural areas; those areas designated pursuant to Minnesota
Statutes, section
103F.325,
as units of the Minnesota Wild and Scenic River System; and those areas subject
to special regulation for recreational, scenic, natural, scientific, or
environmental purposes:
A. avoid them,
but if there is no feasible alternative route, then utilities shall be placed
underground; and
B. locate such
crossings with existing public facilities such as roads and
utilities.