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o When possible, conduct work under frozen ground conditions. <br />o Use effective erosion prevention and sediment control measures. <br />o Inspect and clean equipment prior to operation and follow recommendations to prevent <br />the spread of invasive species. <br />o Revegetate disturbed soil with native species suitable to the local habitat as soon after <br />construction as possible. <br />o Use only weed -free mulches, topsoils, and seed mixes. Of particular concern are birdsfoot <br />trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and crown vetch (Coronilla varia), two invasive species that are <br />sold commercially and are problematic in prairies and disturbed open areas. <br />MBS Sites of Biodiversity Significance and DNR Native Plant Communities can be viewed using <br />the Explore page in Minnesota Conservation Explorer or their GIS shapefiles can be downloaded <br />from the MN Geospatial Commons. Please contact the NH Review Team if you need assistance <br />accessing the data. Reference the MBS Site Biodiversity Significance and Native Plant Community <br />websites for information on interpreting the data. To receive a list of MBS Sites of Biodiversity <br />Significance and DNR Native Plant Communities in the vicinity of your project, create a <br />Conservation Planning Report using the Explore Tab in Minnesota Conservation Explorer. <br />• If the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) is applicable to this project, please note that native plant <br />communities with a Conservation Status Rank of S1 through S3 or wetlands within High or <br />Outstanding MBS Sites of Biodiversity Significance may qualify as Rare Natural Communities <br />(RNC) under WCA. Minnesota Rules, part 8420.0515, subpart 3 states that a wetland replacement <br />plan for activities that modify a RNC must be denied if the local government unit determines the <br />proposed activities will permanently adversely affect the RNC. If the proposed project includes a <br />wetland replacement plan under WCA, please contact your DNR Regional Ecologist for further <br />evaluation. Please visit WCA Program Guidance and Information for additional information, <br />including the Rare Natural Communities Technical Guidance. <br />State -listed Species <br />• Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state -listed threatened species, have been <br />documented in the direct vicinity of the proposed project. Blanding's turtles use upland areas up <br />to and over a mile distant from wetlands, waterbodies, and watercourses. Uplands are used for <br />nesting, basking, periods of dormancy, and traveling between wetlands. Factors believed to <br />contribute to the decline of this species include collisions with vehicles, wetland drainage and <br />degradation, and the development of upland habitat. Any added mortality can be detrimental to <br />populations of Blanding's turtles, as these turtles have a low reproduction rate that depends <br />upon a high survival rate to maintain population levels. <br />This project has the potential to impact this rare turtle through direct fatalities and habitat <br />disturbance/destruction due to excavation, fill, and other construction activities associated with <br />Page 2of5 <br />