5.4. SR 09-07-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritag_e, gxn~ ,d N~ongame.,Res.earch Program, Box 25 ~vu Lafayette Koaa St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-40__ Phone: (651) 296-7863 Fax: (651) 296-1811 E-mail: sarah.hoffmann@dnr.state.mn.us May 12, 2004 Warren Tuel Liesch Associates, Inc. 13400 15th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55441 Re: Request for Natural Heritage information for vicinity of proposed Bebeau ~ravel Mine, T33N R26W Sections 10 & 11, Sherburne County NHNRP Contact#: ERDB 20040830 Dear Mr. Tuel, The Minnesota Natural Heritage database has been reviewed to determine if any rare plant or animal species or other significant natural features are known to occur within an approximate one-mile radius of the area indicated on the map enclosed with your information request. Based on this review, there are 3 known occurrences of rare species or natural communities in the area searched (for details, see enclosed database printout and explanation of selected fields). Following are specific comments for only those elements that may be impacted by the proposed project. Rare feature occurrences not listed below are not anticipated to be affected by the proposed project. Blanding' s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state-listed threatened species, are reported from the vicinity of the project area. The Blanding's Turtle records represent observations of individuals from a population. We do not know the size or the full extent of that population. Although we have no records from directly within the project area, it is possible that turtles exist in the area if there is suitable habitat on the site. Blanding's Turtles spend much of their time in shallow wetlands (1-3 feet deep), but they nest in open, sandy uplands up to 1 mile from wetlands. Nesting is in June and eggs hatch in September, at which time young turtles enter deep wetlands where they over-winter in soft sediments. Factors believed to contribute to .the decline of this species ~nclude wetland drainage and degradation, ,development on upland ~esting areas, and possibly collection for the pet trade. In addition, because of the tendency for Blanding' s Tuffies to travel long distances over land, they are often forced to cross roads in developed areas. Many of the records we have of Blanding's Turtles are from turtles killed crossing roads. For your information, I have attached a fact sheet and a flyer about the Blanding's Turtle. The fact sheet is intended to provide you with background information regarding habitat use, life history, and reasons for the species' decline, as well as recommendations for avoiding and minimizing impacts to this rare turtle. As you will note, there are two lists of recommendations. The first list contains recommendations to prevent harm to turtles during construction work, and is relative to all areas inhabited by Blanding's Turtles. Please refer to this first list of recommendations for your project. The second colunm expands on the first column, and contains greater protective measures to be considered for areas known to be of state-wide importance to Blanding's Turtles, or any area where greater protection for turtles is desired. Your project area is not within one of these priority DNR Information: 651-296-6157 · An Equal Opportunity Enlployer 1-888-646-6367 * TTY: 651-296-5484 · 1-800-657-3929 Printed on Recycled Paper Containing a Minimum ot' 10G Post-Consumer Waste