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• • FINAL Saddle Club Rare Plant Survey 8 -20 -13 Introduction Emmons and Olivier Resources, Inc. (EOR) has been retained by Royal Oaks Realty, Inc. to conduct a rare plant species survey on a 40 acre parcel known as the Saddle Club. The site is located in Lino Lakes, Anoka County (SE % of SW 1/4 of Section 28, Township 31N, Range 22W) (Map 1). Services being provided by EOR to Royal Oaks Realty are limited to conducting the survey and providing a report documenting our findings. A wetland delineation was conducted at the site by Earth Science Associates, Inc. on 19 June 2013, and the site was surveyed by E.G. Rud and Sons, Inc. A tree inventory was also included as part of the survey conducted by E.G. Rud and Sons, Inc. The findings of this report are intended to be used for preliminary site planning purposes as well as inputs into the MnRAM used to define Wetland Management Corridors per the Rice Creek Watershed District and the City of Lino Lakes permitting requirements. This rare plant survey was not triggered by environmental review requirements. Although EOR coordinated with DNR staff in development of the survey protocol and targeted rare species, a Natural Heritage Database Request has not been submitted at the time this report was finalized. Survey Methods Desktop /Preparatory Work EOR conducted an initial desk top review of the site using current aerial photographs (Map 2), and topographic and soils maps (Map 3). EOR conducted an initial site visit on 18 July 2013 to determine habitats at the site in order to develop a list of rare species that may occur at the site. The site was found to contain a mosaic of habitats including grassland /prairie, wet meadows, open water marshes/ ponds, hardwood forests, and lowland forests that range from disturbed to fairly intact. A portion of the site was formerly used as horse pasture and stable. To determine which rare plant species may occur at the site, EOR consulted the MN DNR Rare Species Guide, MNTaxa: The State of Minnesota Vascular Plant Checklist (Anoka County), previous surveys within Anoka County (Husveth 2003), and the Minnesota Biological Survey Natural Community and Rare Species Map for Anoka and Ramsey County. A thorough documentation of each species life history characteristics and physical description was recorded to aid in the field survey. Descriptions of the targeted species and their habitats are based on the MN DNR Rare Species Guide. Based on the desktop review of the site, site visit, and the resources listed above, the rare plant species listed below were identified as having potential to occur at the site. Sea -beach needlegrass (Aristida tuberculosa) occurs exclusively in dry, loose sand in sand savannas, sand prairies, and dunes where vegetation is sparse. St. Lawrence grapefern (Botrychium rugulosum) grows in low, moist habitats in brushy or grassy areas and in open forest areas, as well as in mossy areas of Pinus banksiana (jack pine) or P. resinosa (red pine) forests. It also occurs in the transition zone between these habitats and adjacent habitats.