5.4. SR 09-07-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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wetlands to type 5 wetlands as a result of the shallow peat mining to occur in these areas. Prior to starting work, all wetlands will be delineated and marked as required. There is little tree cover in the areas of the proposed mining, therefore the removal of trees will be minimal. Mining is proposed in one small wooded area in the southern portion of the property at this time. Efforts to minimize impact from the proposed operation will include adherence to a proposed grading plan to control runoff and preparation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Upon completion of the mining, the Site will be restored to a natural condition. Additionally, the adjacent properties to the north, south and west; and the properties across Trunk Highway 169 to the west, are currently operating as mines, thus the potential for affecting any surrounding sensitive resources is minimal. b. Are any state-listed (endangered, threatened or special concern) species, rare plant communities or other sensitive ecological resources such as native prairie habitat, colonial waterbird nesting colonies or regionally rare plant communities on or near the site? X Yes No If yes, describe the resource and how it would be affected by the project. Indicate if a site survey of the resources has been conducted and describe the results. If the DNR Natural Heritage and Nongame Research program has been contacted give the correspondence reference number: (NHNRP Contract # ERDB 20030175) The Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program of the DNR was contacted to determine if there were any rare plant or animal species or significant natural features within an approximate one-mile radius of the Site. The database represents the most complete source of data on rare and significant natural features and species. The information in the database is generated from an ongoing county-by-county survey of such occurrences. A survey for Sherburne County has been completed. The DNR response is provided as Attachment C. The DNR information identifies three known occurrences of rare species or natural features for the area searched. The first is a rare feature occurrence noted as the Oak Woodland-Brushland (Central #4). According to the DNR, this feature is located within Section 3 northwest of the Site and is not anticipated to be affected by the project at the Site. The two remaining occurrences are rare species identified as Emydoidea blandingii (Blanding's Turtle). Two occurrences of the Blanding's Turtle have been documented in the general area of the Site. The first occurrence was in 1996 and was located south of the Site. The second occurrence was in June 2002, east of the Site. According to the DNR, Blanding's Turtles spend much of their time in shallow wetlands and nest in open, sandy uplands up to one mile from wetlands. Nesting occurs in June and eggs hatch in September. The young turtles then enter deep wetlands where they spend the winter in soft sediments. According to the DNR, no occurrences of the Blanding's Turtle have been documented on the Site. A site survey for Blanding's Turtles has not been conducted.