12/20/2006 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Nature's Refuge DRAFT DECEMBER 14, 2006 EAW Record of Decision page 14 The Nature's Refuge site is on the north of CSAH 14. There is a crosswalk for the elementary school immediately east of the Nature's Refuge project site. Residents of the development could cross CSAH 14 in the crosswalk to access the regional trail on the south side of the road. In the future, CSAH 14 likely will be improved to four lanes. Conveying pedestrians and bicyclists to the signalized intersection of CSAH 14 /CSAH 23 would be the best way to cross CSAH 14 for access to the regional trail. For this reason, the City may consider a local trail on the north side of CSAH 14 to complement the regional trail on the south side. The City agrees that continued coordination with Anoka Parks and the Anoka County Highway Department should continue for the planning of the County's and City's trail systems to optimize the coordination of the two systems. Wildlife Habitat • Rod Kukonen comments that the suggestion that the bird population contains various songbirds such as the American Gold Finch and robin is extremely weak. He list numerous other species he has observed on the site. Response: While Item 11 of the EAW cites some examples of species observed, it does not pretend to be a complete list. Long term residents of the area surely have observed many more species than could be noted during site visits. The City recognizes the extensive wildlife diversity in this area of the community. It is the richness of habitat and ecological resources in the area that make it a good site for a conservation development project. • The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) comments that there will be substantial reduction of forest and grassland areas due to the project. To provide Blanding's turtle habitat, 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 DNR comments that the EAW mentions a restoration and management plan but does not include it. Nor does the EAW identify an entity that would be responsible for implementing the management plan. Without this information, DNR cannot be confident that the project will in fact result in an acceptable level of habitat benefit. •