08-01-2022 Council Work Session Packet

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aALLIANT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET 11 Robinson Sod Farm PAGE22 In addition to IPaC, the USFWS Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Map indicates that the project site falls within the Low Potential Zone. The low potential zones are those where the bumble bee will not likely be present and the high potential zones are the areas the bumble bee will likely be present (USFWS, 2022c). The rusty patched bumble bee, a federally endangered bee, occupies grasslands and tallgrass prairie areas and feeds on a variety of flowering plants throughout the spring to fall until it goes into hibernation in the winter (USFWS, 2017). Table 10. Federal Rare Wildlife and Plant Species Within the Project Site Northern long- Myotis Forests during spring and eared bat septentrionalis LT Special Concern summer, caves and mines P (roost trees) during winter Monarch Danaus Fields and parks where butterfly plexippus C Watchlist milkweed and native N plants are common Rusty patched Grasslands and tallgrass bumble bee Bombus affinis E Special Concern prairie, flowering plants IN 1 Federal Status Codes: LT = Listed Threatened; C = Candidate f 2Habitat Codes: N = No, no records of species within study area and no suitable habitat is present c. Discuss how the identified fish, wildlife, plant communities, rare features and ecosystems may be affected by the project. Include a discussion on introduction and spread of invasive species from the project construction and operation. Separately discuss effects to known threatened and endangered species. The project is expected to convert approximately 140 acres of sod farm, including existing sod farm operation buildings, into a residential development. The residential development will include new public roads, homes, stormwater basins, and maintained lawns/landscaping. During construction of the site, mobile wildlife present on the project site will likely disperse to adjacent and/or similar habitats. However, less mobile species may likely experience more adverse effects from construction. Once construction is completed, the project will likely displace those wildlife species dependent on agricultural cropland for habitat. Additionally, the development is not expected to have substantial effect on rare state and federally listed species and sensitive natural environments. Based on the habitat descriptions for the state listed rare plants and animals within 1 mile of the project site, it is unlikely that this site provides suitable habitat for these species to become established and exist on site. The site undergoes routine disturbance to vegetation and soil due to the sod farming practices, the hydrology is manipulated through private and public drainage systems, and any potential wetlands present on site have been farmed.