As stated by the applicant, “Utility standards require permanent, dedicated access to all substations for routine and emergency service needs. As the surrounding area is/will be a densely populated residential area, safety concerns and easement requirements prohibit dedication of permanent easement through the previously master planned neighborhood. Although total avoidance prevents feasibly achieving the project purpose, wetland impacts have been minimized to the greatest extent practicable. The proposed access road width of 50 feet is the minimum necessary to accommodate utility maintenance vehicles. Despite a higher maintenance cost, the pervious material proposed for the road construction will minimize hydrologic impacts that are typically associated with asphalt or concrete. Furthermore, the wetlands proposed for fill have already been impacted by conversion from forested to herbaceous. They are routinely disturbed for mechanical and/or chemical vegetative maintenance. Proposing access road construction within these lower value wetlands will avoid impacts to higher value, still forested/natural aquatic resources.”