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i~ <br />1 <br />6.2.2 Avoidance <br />^ Once lt has been determined that a project is or is not water-dependent, and that no <br />other practicable alternatives exist, permit approval depends on a determination of <br />' whether adverse impacts have been avoided to the extent possible. The process of <br />mitigation of environmental impacts must first address the possibility of total <br />avoidance of impacts. If impacts are deemed by the Corps and the EPA to be <br />unavoidable, the issue of minimization of impacts will be considered and the process <br />of development of mitigation alternatives can begin. <br />' 6.2.3 Minimization <br />Once lt has been determined that wetlands have been avoided to the maximum <br />extent possible, the Corps will require that wetland impacts be minimized. This <br />means that roads must be situated in the least damaging alignments, mine <br />' excavation and stockpile sites must be placed outside of wetlands, and that other <br />construction activities be located in the least damaging locations. <br />t 6.2.4 Mitigation <br />' Compensatory mitigation of unavoidable wetland impacts is required to insure no net <br />lass of wetland resources by project implementation. Mitigation can include wetland <br />aeation, restoration, or enhancement. Mitigation to impact ratios of 1.5:1 to 2:1 are <br />' common. When reviewing mitigation proposals, the Corps first requires consideration <br />of all on-site mtigation possibilities. If lt is deemed that on-site options are not <br />' available or feasible, off-site compensation will be considered. <br />6,2.5 Nationwide Permits <br />' The nationwide permitting program contains thirty-seven permits which pre-authorize <br />routine activities occurring in wetlands or waters of the U.S. Minor road crossings of <br />' drainages aze authorized by nationwide permit r«14. Conditions of this permit include: <br />1) that the aossing be bridged, culverted, or otherwise designed to avoid restriction <br />of expected high flows, 2) that the assoaated fill does not extend into wetlands <br />' beyond 200 feet combined on either side of the annual high water elevation, and 3) <br />that no more than 1!3 of a surface acre of wetland or water is disturbed by the <br />t construction action. Mitigation is suggested for wetland impacts. As with all Section <br />404 permits, avoidance and minimization must be considered. <br />A nationwide #14 permlt authorization has been issued for the haul road crossing of <br />the St. Vrain River (permit authorization No. 199380521 dated 9 August 1993). <br />' 10 <br /> <br />