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September 26, 2016 <br />Mr. Chris Carlson <br />ERX Motor Park <br />10800 175th Ave. NW <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br />Minnesota Department of Natural Resources <br />Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Box 25 <br />500 Lafayette Road <br />St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-4025 <br />Phone: (651) 259-5091 E-mail: samantha.bump@state.mn.us <br />RE: Natural Heritage Review of the proposed ERX Motor Park, <br />T33N R26W Section 10; Sherburne County <br />Dear Mr. Carlson, <br />Correspondence # ERDB 20170104 <br />As requested, the Minnesota Natural Heritage Information System has been queried to determine <br />if any rare species or other significant natural features are known to occur within an approximate one - <br />mile radius of the proposed project. Based on this query, rare features have been documented within the <br />search area (for details, please visit the Rare Species Guide at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/index.html <br />for more information on the biology, habitat use, and conservation measures of these rare species). <br />Please note that the following rare features may be adversely affected by the proposed project: <br />State -listed Species <br />• Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state -listed threatened species, have been <br />reported from the vicinity of the proposed project and may be encountered on site. <br />Blanding's turtles use wetlands as well as upland areas up to and over a mile distant from <br />wetlands. Uplands are used for nesting, basking, periods of dormancy, and traveling between <br />wetlands. Because of the tendency to travel long distances over land, Blanding's turtles <br />regularly travel across roads and are therefore susceptible to collisions with vehicles. Any <br />added mortality can be detrimental to populations of Blanding's turtles, as these turtles have <br />a low reproduction rate that depends upon a high survival rate to maintain population levels. <br />Other factors believed to contribute to the decline of this species include wetland drainage <br />and degradation, and the development of upland habitat. <br />The development and operation of the proposed off-road racing truck track has the potential <br />to impact this rare turtle through direct fatalities or habitat disturbance/destruction. Actions <br />to avoid or minimize disturbance to this state -protected turtle may include, but are not <br />limited to, the following recommendations: <br />www.mndnr.gov <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />