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Adelaide Landing Residential Development EAW, Hugo January 31, 2017
<br />The DNR letter received on June 23, 2016, in response to the NHIS data request submitted by
<br />Westwood, identified several state listed and federally protected species, including the Blanding's
<br />turtle, trumpeter swan, and a caddisfly species (Ironoquia punctatissima) that have been reported in
<br />the vicinity of the proposed project. Given the abundance of wetland and sandy soils within the
<br />Project, Blanding's turtles could potentially utilize the Project area and surrounding wetlands.
<br />Trumpeter Swans typically require areas of open water with extensive cattail, sedges, or bulrushes
<br />beds. Few open water areas exist within the Project and more suitable habitat is located outside the
<br />Project in association with Bald Eagle Lake, Egg Lake, and Rice Lake. Although the wetland area
<br />within the Project provides habitat for caddisflies, it is unlikely the Ironoquia punctatissima will be
<br />found within the Project as the most recent record within a mile of the Project is from 1994. Also
<br />noted in this letter was the potential for bald eagle nests and northern long-eared bat (NLEB; Myotis
<br />septentrionalis) in the area. However, an eagle nest survey completed by Westwood Professional
<br />Services on July 6, 2016 did not find any eagle nests present within the Project area. There are no
<br />known NLEB roost trees or hibernacula located on or within one mile of the Project.
<br />The letter also identified portion of the Project as within a moderately ranked Central Region
<br />Regionally Significant Ecological Area (RESA). Furthermore, the letter identified two Sites of
<br />"Below" Biodiversity Significance along the northeast edge and southeast border of the Project.
<br />Native plant communities associated with these MBS areas include willow -dogwood shrub swamp
<br />and northern rich fen. The DNR letter also identified northern cattail marsh as a native community
<br />located within the Project area; however, due to Project boundary revisions, this area is no longer
<br />within the Project area. The DNR letter recommends avoidance and minimization of indirect
<br />impacts of these areas due to their local significance. The DNR Natural Heritage Review response
<br />letter is provided in Appendix C, along with Westwood's eagle nest survey summary memo.
<br />c) Discuss how the identified fish, wildlife, plant communities, rare features and ecosystems may be
<br />affected by the project. Include a discussion on introduction and spread of invasive species from the
<br />project construction and operation. Separately discuss effects to known threatened and endangered
<br />species.
<br />Project development is expected to convert approximately 134.6 acres of cultivated crop fields,
<br />grassland, woodland, shrub/scrub, and wetland area to single-family homes, roads and stormwater
<br />features. Conversion of agricultural fields, woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands to residential
<br />development may result in some local decline in wildlife abundance. Populations of species that
<br />depend primarily upon cropland and woodland remnants, such as ring-necked pheasants, wild turkey,
<br />and meadowlarks, will likely be displaced. Migratory birds are expected to respond to the
<br />development by looking for alternative nesting sites upon their return from wintering habitats.
<br />However, given the significant acreage of stormwater basins, wetlands, buffers, and parkland
<br />planned and preserved within the Project area, it is expected that migratory birds tolerant of urban
<br />areas will continue to utilize the area. Some songbirds that readily adapt to suburban habitats such as
<br />house finches, robins, and eastern bluebirds, may become more numerous. Non -migratory species
<br />with small home ranges such as small mammals may experience more adverse effects. These
<br />species will compete with other individuals of the same or other species to claim territories in
<br />neighboring habitats. However, it is anticipated that some of these non -migratory species will re-
<br />introduce into the park and open space portions of the project as those areas become established.
<br />Approximately 26 percent of the 217.5-acre project area will be open space (i.e. parkland, wetland
<br />buffer, stormwater basins, and woodland), which is expected to help mitigate adverse effects on
<br />wildlife. While cultivated croplands will be completely converted and removed as an available
<br />habitat type, it is anticipated that woodlands, wetlands, and stormwater basin areas will be increased
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