04/29/2020 EB Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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o Red Oak —Sugar Mapie —Basswood —(Bitternut Hickory) Forest o Southern Dry-Mesic Oak (Maple) Woodland o Tamarack Swamp (Southern) o Willow— Dogwood Shrub Swamp (GIS shapefiles of MBS Sites of Biodiversity Significance and DNR Native Plant Communities can be downloaded from the MN Geosoatial Commons. Please contact me if you do not have access to the appropriate mapping services.) We encourage you to consider project alternatives that would avoid or minimize disturbance to these ecologically significant areas. Actions to minimize disturbance may include, butane not limited to, the following recommendations: o Minimize vehicular disturbance in the MBS Sites (allow only vehicles/equipment necessary for construction activities); o Do not park equipment or stockpile supplies in the MBS Sites; o Do not place spoil within MBS Sites or other sensitive areas; o Retain a buffer between proposed activities and the MBS Sites; o If possible, conduct the work under frozen ground conditions; o Use effective erosion prevention and sediment control measures; o Inspect and clean all equipment prior to bringing it to the site to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species; o As much as possible, operate within already -disturbed areas; o Revegetate disturbed soil with native species suitable to the local habitat as soon after construction as possible; and o Use only weed -free mulches, topsoils, and seed mixes. Of particular concern are birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and crown vetch (Coronilla varia), two invasive species that are sold commercially and are problematic in prairies and disturbed open areas. • If the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) is applicable to this project, please note that Prairie Rich Fen may qualify as a "rare natural community' under this Act. Minnesota Rules, part 8420.0515, subpart 3 states that a wetland replacement plan for activities that modify a rare natural community must be denied if the local government unit determines the proposed activities will permanently adversely affect the natural community. State -listed Species • Blanding's turtles (Emydoideo blandingii), a state -listed threatened species, have been reported in the vicinity of the proposed project. Blanding's turtles use upland areas up to and over a mile distant from wetlands, waterbodies, and watercourses. Uplands are used for nesting, basking, periods of dormancy, and traveling between wetlands. Factors believed to contribute to the decline of this species include collisions with vehicles, wetland drainage and degradation, and the development of upland habitat. Any added fatality can be detrimental to populations of Blami ng's turtles, as these turtles have a low reproduction rate that depends upon a high survival rate to maintain population levels. For additional information, see the Blanding's turtle fact sheet, which describes the habitat use and life history of this species. The fact sheet also provides two lists of recommendations for avoiding and minimizing impacts to this rare turtle. Refer to the both list of recommendations for projects within the Page 2 of 4