07/27/2005 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Threatened and Endangered Plant Survey Lois Lane Proposed Development Site Lino Lakes, Minnesota September 10, 2004 Survey Results: Page 2 of 3 Most of the 70 -acre subject property is moderately to highly disturbed from past and present land uses. The wetlands within the eastern one -third of the property are partially to effectively drained wetlands with dry to saturated organic peat soils. The vegetation of these wetlands is dominated by Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and offers little or no habitat for sensitive plant species. The western extent of the property is currently fallow old -field vegetation on dry sandy soils. This area was dominated by European forage grasses (such as Smooth Brome, Timothy, Kentucky Bluegrass) and Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculata). Although the degraded old -field was searched for Endangered and Threatened species of Dry Prairie habitats, it offered little or no habitat for sensitive plant species. A managed power line right -of -way transects the southern edge of the subject property. The vegetation of this right -of -way was similar to the old -field vegetation previously described, and no Endangered or Threatened plant species were detected within the managed right -of -way. The northern portion of the site is currently managed as a Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) and Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantation. Within this dense pine plantation, three plant species that are tracked by the Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Program were documented in several locations. These species include two species of grapefern: Botrychium dissectum (var. obliquum and var. dissectum), and Botrychium matricariifolium, and one orchid species, Liparis liliifolia. According to the University of Minnesota Herbarium Database, these are all the first documentation of these three species in Anoka County. Furthermore, the presence of Botrychium dissectum and Botrychium matricariifolium within the pine stands warranted a focused search for Botrychium rugulosum, a Minnesota Threatened species know to associate with other Botrychium species. After a thorough search of the pine stands and field checking several hundred Botrychium plants, no Botrychium rugulosum was documented on the site. Conclusions: No Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern vascular plant species were documented within the subject property during the July 8 and 9, 2004 surveys. Three species tracked by the Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Program were documented on the site ( Botrychium dissectum, Botrychium matricariifolium, and Liparis liliifolia). However, these plants species have no protected status and are therefore not protected under Minnesota Statutes 84.0895. Due to the disturbed nature of the subject property, there was little or no potential for most plant species listed as Endangered and Threatened in Minnesota to occur. • • •