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the project. Minnesota's Endangered Species Statute (Minnesota Statutes, section 84.0895) and <br />associated Rules (Minnesota Rules, part 6212.1800 to 6212.2300 and 6134) prohibit the take of <br />threatened or endangered species without a permit. Given the project details and the potential <br />for a take of a Blanding's turtle, an avoidance plan is required. <br />We do not currently have a template for avoidance plans. The plan needs to: <br />o Provide a description of the project activities and construction methods, <br />o Identify measures that will be taken to avoid take and minimize disturbance to the <br />species, and <br />o Include a map of disturbance areas. This can include a map of potential Blanding's turtle <br />summer, winter, and nesting habitat overlayed with timing of project impacts. <br />Measures to avoid or minimize disturbance include, but are not limited to, the following: <br />o Avoidance of suitable habitat, <br />o Timing the impacts to avoid incidental take, <br />o The recommendations listed in the Blanding's turtle fact sheet, <br />o Training for construction crew. <br />Please submit the completed avoidance plan to the NH Review Team <br />(Reports.NHIS@state.mn.us). <br />• Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri), a bird species of special concern has been documented nesting in <br />the vicinity of the proposed project. Forster's terns are found in wetlands with a mixture of <br />emergent vegetation and open water. They nest in colonies on floating vegetation or muskrat <br />houses. Potential concerns include construction disturbance during the breeding season and loss <br />or degradation of habitat. The DNR recommends that initial disturbance to suitable habitat is <br />avoided from April 15-July 15. <br />• The tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), state -listed as a species special concern, has been <br />documented in the vicinity of the proposed project. During the active season (approximately <br />April -November) bats roost underneath bark, in cavities, or in crevices of both live and dead <br />trees. Tree removal can negatively impact bats by destroying roosting habitat, especially during <br />the pup rearing season when females are forming maternity roosting colonies and the pups <br />cannot yet fly. To minimize these impacts, the DNR recommends that tree removal be avoided <br />from June 1 through August 15. <br />• Please visit the DNR Rare Species Guide for more information on the habitat use of these species <br />and recommended measures to avoid or minimize impacts. <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />