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• • • Environmental Assessment Worksheet Nature's Refuge Conservation Development Lino Lakes, Anoka County, Minnesota Draft Document — September 25, 2006 Page 10 intermediate levels of physical disturbance, and at present they can be found growing in and adjacent to ATV trails in the wetlands. The project proposes to use more natural means of disturbance (e.g. prescribed burning) to encourage these species. The project was designed to minimize impact to these listed species, while restoring and conserving their habitat in perpetuity. The areas planned for residential construction were selected to avoid direct impacts to the large majority of known locations of listed species on site. A minority of identified locations of Viola lanceolata, and a smaller number of Fimbristylis autumnalis and Scirpus clintonii locations, occur within the proposed construction zone, requiring a DNR permit for taking these plants. Thus, these locations would be lost as habitat for these listed species. However, this loss would be mitigated by the creation of a wetland conservation area that would include most identified locations of these species, improve their habitat, and protect them in perpetuity. Under present conditions, it can be expected that these species' habitat would continue to degrade as invasive woody and herbaceous species continue to encroach on the wetlands, and as uncontrolled human use continues. The DNR Natural Heritage Database records one 1992 sighting of Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in Wetland 7 (see Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Database review letter, Attachment A). Other sightings of this species are not uncommon in the region. In fact, at a public hearing on this project a resident reported a recent sighting on or near the project site. This species requires both wetland and upland habitats. Seasonal wetlands can be good feeding habitat, but deeper basins with year -round surface water are habitat requirements. Thus, Wetlands 3 and 7 are the most important likely Blanding's turtles habitats on the site. Equally important is the upland surrounding these wetlands, as this species lays eggs in sandy, vegetated upland areas adjacent to their usual wetland habitats. Blanding's turtles frequently migrate overland between wetlands and nesting areas, and from wetland to wetland, placing them at considerable risk when crossing roads. The proposed project would not likely adversely affect wetland habitat for Blanding's turtles, but it could create additional risks to turtles moving overland because it would place roads and other human habitats in close proximity to Wetlands 7 and 3. Mitigation of these risks would include the conservation and improvement of upland areas surrounding these wetlands and buffering them from the build area. Also, the use of ribbon curbs will prevent turtles from becoming trapped on roads by high curbs. Nonetheless, the reduction of nesting habitat would restrict turtle nests to a fairly narrow zone near built areas, possibly making them more vulnerable to nest predators, such as raccoons, that can be favored by human activity. As recommended by the DNR, residents of the new subdivision would be informed via signage and flyers of the importance of avoiding impacts to Blanding's turtles and their habitats. 12. Physics: dredgin involve the physic; and impoundment No .tioi such as yes, 'identify water';souree.affected and give the DNR Protected Waters' Inventoiy numbers} if the esources affected are on the Pi I NIA . Describe alternatives considered and proposed mitigation meal hinimize impacts. The existing drainage area was estimated based upon the 2 ft contours supplied by the City of Lino Lakes as developed by Markhurd and Associates. This was based upon a flight and ground survey performed in the fall of 2005. In addition, available site specific survey information from E.G. Rudd was used to supplement this information to determine internal drainage boundaries and selected aerial photographs and the Anoka County soils map were reviewed. There are no MN DNR Protected Waters Wetlands on the property. The general landscape drainage is to the southeast, but most of the site is actually drained through constructed drainage ditches that connect several wetlands and lead westward past the west site boundary into the ditch system that turns southward and eventually southeastward to Marshan Lake. Pre- Settlement Conditions The site is the headwater of the watershed within the Anoka Sandplain. Unlike many other headwaters, this drainage is dominated by a groundwater system, is very flat, and lacks a naturally formed drainage network. The