08-04-25 - City Council Work Session Agenda

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Lino Lakes - Mapping Northwest Main-161280000.3 MCE-2025-00120 Page 2 of 4 that any botanical survey needs to be conducted during the appropriate time of the year, which may be limited. Please consult Review.NHIS@state.mn.us if you have any questions regarding this process. • Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state -listed threatened species, have been documented 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 mortality can be detrimental to populations of Blanding's turtles, as these turtles have a low reproduction rate that depends upon a high survival rate to maintain population levels. This project has the potential to impact this rare turtle through direct fatalities and habitat disturbance/destruction due to activities associated with the proposed project. Minnesota's Endangered Species Statute (Minnesota Statutes, section 84.0895) and associated Rules (Minnesota Rules, part 6212.1800 to 6212.2300 and 6134) prohibit the take of threatened or endangered species without a permit. As such, the following avoidance measures are required: o Avoid wetland and aquatic impacts during hibernation season, between September 15 and April 15, if the area is suitable for hibernation. o Limit erosion and sediment control to wildlife friendly erosion control. o Check bare ground within construction areas for turtles before the use of heavy equipment or any ground disturbance. o Inspect trenches, holes, or depressions prior to starting work each day and immediately prior to filling. Upon completion, holes and trenches must be filled. o The Blanding's turtle flyer must be given to all contractors working in the area. o Report any sightings using the DNR Plant and Animal Observation Form. o If turtles are in imminent danger, move them by hand out of harm's way; otherwise, they are to be left undisturbed. Directions on how to move turtles safely can be found at Helping Turtles Across the Road. Additional Blanding's turtle avoidance measures may include, but are not limited to, the following recommendations: o Recommendations from List 1 of the Blanding's turtle fact sheet. If greater protection for turtles is desired, implement recommendations from List 2. o Nesting occurs in open (grassy or brushy) sandy uplands. Blanding's turtles have been known to nest in residential areas, farm fields, and areas of exposed soil/sand/sediment (including soil stockpiles and gravel pads). To minimize impacts: ■ Avoid impacts to potential nesting habitat from June 1 through September 15, or ■ Exclude Blanding's turtles from potential nesting habitat from May 15 through July 15. To exclude turtles from potential nesting habitat: Install a barrier, buried 10 inches, around suitable nesting habitat. ■ See the Blanding's turtle fact sheet for more information regarding nesting. o Minimize impacts to small, vegetated temporary wetlands (Types 2 & 3) as much as possible. o Avoid hydro -mulch products that contain any materials with synthetic (plastic) fiber additives, as the fibers can re -suspend and flow into waterbodies. Page 106 of 617