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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 1200 Warner Road St. Paul, Minnesota 55106 651.772.7900 November 21, 2006 Mr. Jeff Smyser, City Planner City of Lino Lakes 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, Minnesota 55014-1182 RE: Nature's Refuge Residential Subdivision Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) Dear Mr. Smyser. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has reviewed the EAW prepared for the Nature's Refuge residential development in the City of Lino Lakes. The document describes the project as a 250 -acre "conservation development." We compliment the City for taking a conservation approach to development. At the same time, however, we are concemed that the proposed ecological improvements rest on a management plan that we have not seen. Without knowing the details of that plan, we cannot determine whether the City will be able to accomplish those improvements. We offer the following comments for your consideration. Fish, wildlife and ecologically sensitive resources (Item No. 11) The EAW provides an excellent description of good quality, diverse habitat occupying a large portion of the site and notes the occurrences of five state - listed vascular plant species and one state - fisted animal species, the Blanding's turtle. Direct impacts resulting from the proposed project, particularly to the forest and grassland habitats, are substantial. As noted in the EAW, the project would result in a 56% deduction of forest area and a 66% reduction in grassland, and expose the remaining habitat areas to the effects of adjacent development. If this site is to provide any Blanding's turtle habitat, then some protected upland grassland area adjacent to the wetland would have to be left undeveloped and protected. It may be necessary to create more buffer adjacent to the wetland and manage it as dry prairie. The EAW also states that preservation, restoration and the long -term management of the remaining habitat areas will result in a positive effect, i.e., higher quality wildlife habitat. The EAW mentions a restoration and management plan, but does not include it. The City's cover letter (October 20, 2006) suggests that the City has not yet approved that plan. Additionally, the EAW does not identify an entity that would be responsible for implementing the plan. Without that information, and considering the extent of the project impacts, we cannot be confident that the project will in fact result in an acceptable level of habitat benefit. This is not a minor concern. An Equal Opportunity Employer Who Values Diversity DNR Information: 651 - 296 -6157 1 -538-646 -6367 TTY: 651- 296 -5464 1- 600 -657 -3929