Impacts to natural resources will be kept to a minimum. Wetland impacts will be mitigated with replacement. Storm-water infiltration basins and/or ditches will likely be needed to treat storm-water runoff from the project. Mitigating impacts to Big Comfort Lake and Little Comfort Lake will include close coordination with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District regarding improvements to water quality and mitigation of any physical impacts.
Air Quality
Air quality is anticipated to be improved as a result of free-flowing traffic (less idling time) coupled with higher fuel efficiency standards in the future.
Noise Study and Noise Walls
Traffic noise measurements have been collected and models are being developed based on the project design and traffic volume forecasts to predict future traffic noise levels. Noise walls will be evaluated at locations where noise levels approach or exceed Federal noise abatement criteria.