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The MN DNRs Natural Heritage Information System (NHIS) was queried for the project area and the vicinity within an approximately one mile radius of the Site. The results of the database search are included as Attachment 2, MN DNR Natural Heritage Review, and indicate that there are known occurrences of one state-listed threatened species, Blanding's Turtle, and one state- listed species of special concern, the gopher snake, within one mile of the Site. The query also identified one native plant community, Dry Baron Oak Savanna near the Site. In Minnesota, the statuses of rare species are legally designated in Minnesota Rules Chapter 6134 as endangered, threatened, and special concern species. A species is considered endangered if the species is threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range within Minnesota. A species is considered threatened if the species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range within Minnesota. A species is considered a special concern species if it is extremely uncommon in Minnesota, or has unique or highly specific habitat requirements and deserves careful monitoring of its status. Table 13-1 includes a list of one threatened and special concern species that were identified by the query of the NHIS database. None of the animals that were queried for the project area are listed as endangered. No threatened or endangered plants were listed within one mile of the project area. Table 13-1: Minnesota State-Listed Species Near the Project Site Species Type Common Name MN Status A Vertebrate Animal Blanding's Turtle Threatened B Vertebrate Animal Gophersnake Special Concern The following descriptions and pictures of the species listed in the above table are from MN DNR Rare Species Guiders a. Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) The Blanding's turtle was classified as a threatened species in Minnesota in 1984.The range of the Blanding's turtle was formerly more widespread in the eastern and central United States. Its range is now restricted to a small number of states centered on the Great Lakes region, New England and southeastern Canada. Minnesota lies on the northwestern periphery of its range. The Blanding's �� ` ► turtle has limited population growth due to its relatively low � mobility, high juvenile mortality rate, and low reproductive 15 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Rare Species Guide. 2012. Web. June 2012. <http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/index.html>. Environmental Assessment Worksheet Page 20 Elk River Sand and Gravel Mines:Tiller Corporation and Max Steininger, Inc.