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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Box 25 500 Lafayette Road It St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-4025 MNDNR Phone: (651) 259-5091 E-mail: samantha.bump@state.mn.us July 5, 2016 Correspondence#ERDB 20160452 Ms. Kirsten Pauly Sunde Engineering, PLLC 10830 Nesbitt Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55437 RE: Natural Heritage Review of the proposed Tiller/Steininger Non-metallic Mineral Mining, T33n R26W Section 3; Sherburne County Dear Ms. Pauly, As requested, the Minnesota Natural Heritage Information System has been queried to determine if any rare species or other significant natural features are known to occur within an approximate one-mile radius of the proposed project. Based on this query, rare features have been documented within the search area (for details, please visit the Rare Species Guide at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rse/index.html for more information on the biology, habitat use, and conservation measures of these rare species). Please note that the following rare features may be adversely affected by the proposed project: State-listed Species • Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state-listed threatened species, have been reported in the vicinity of the proposed project. Although we have no records from directly within the project site, turtles may use the site if it contains suitable habitat. Blanding's turtles use upland areas up to and over a mile distant from wetlands, as well as wetlands. Uplands are used for nesting, basking, periods of dormancy, and traveling between wetlands. Because of the tendency to travel long distances over land, Blanding's turtles regularly travel across roads and are therefore susceptible to collisions with vehicles. Any added mortality can be detrimental to populations of Blanding's turtles, as these turtles have a low reproduction rate that depends upon a high survival rate to maintain population levels. Other factors believed to contribute to the decline of this species include wetland drainage and degradation, and the development of upland habitat. For your information, I have attached a Blanding's turtle fact sheet that describes the habitat use and life history of this species. The fact sheet also provides two lists of recommendations for avoiding and minimizing impacts to this rare turtle. Please refer to the first list of recommendations for your project. In addition, if erosion control mesh will be used, the DNR recommends that the mesh be limited to wildlife-friendly materials (see enclosed fact sheet). If greater protection for turtles is desired, the second list of additional recommendations can also be implemented. www.mndnr.gov AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER