MNDOT Adequacy Determination - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

1vlr. Derrell. Turner The Paul Bunyan Trail Is a multi- purpose trail (bicycling, in -fine skating, walking, and snowmobiling) that parallels the highway through the project area. the tra7 follows the farmer Burlington Northam Railroad grade, which has a 140 -foot wide right -of. -way, and is owned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR). The current Preferred Alternative Will affect approximately flour miles of the trail. Because the trail. crosses the current highway and parallels the highway throughout the project area, any modificatioh of the highway will affect the tral. In addition to the trail, the Brainerd and Northern Minnesota Ralhmay Corridor (Burlington Northern Railroad grade), currently occupied by the Paul Runyan Regional Trail, was determined to be eligible for the National•Registbr of Historic Places. It'represents a remnant of the railroad era that accelerated the expansion of the logging industryin nQrthem Minnesota, promoted agriculture, enhanced tourism, and created a corridor for the growth of many small towns. The Department would concur with the determination that there are no feasible or prudent avoidance alternatives. several mitigation measures were proposed that would impact the Paul Bunyan Regional Trail. MNDOT agreed to relocatethe trail corridorwithin the area impacted by the project to maintain the trail continuity throughout the project area, MnDNR has informally concurred with this mitilgation.approach. Other mitigation includes shifting the highway alignment or moving Impediments to the existing frail to maintain the continuity, In addition, FHWA and MnDOT have determined that the project will have an adverse effect on the Brainerd and Northern Minnesota Railway Corridor. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the State Historic Preservation Offce'r (SHPO) Was executed on the original impacts in January of 2005; and an amendment fo the MOA was executed in July 2010 for the additional Impacts associated with the new Preferred Altemative. The Department would concur that all possible planning needed to minimize potential harm to this resource has been employed. The Department has a continuing interest in working with FHWA and MNDOT to ensure Impact$ to resources of concern to the Department are adequately addressed. For continued (Q.nsultation and coordination with the issues concerning Section 4(f) resources, please contact Regional Environmental Coordinator Nick Chevance, Midwest Regional Office, National Park Service, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 58102 -4228; telephone 402 - 861- 1844.Wa appreciate the opportunity to provide these comments. Sin ly, Willie R, Taylor Director,. Office of the Environmental Policy and Compliance cc- (next page) TH 371 Nisswa to Pine River 13 1. Adequacy Determination October 2016