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• 11. Fish, Wildlife, and Ecologically Sensitive Resources a. Describe fish and wildlife resources on or near the site and discuss how they would be affected by the project. Describe any measures to be taken to minimize or avoid adverse impacts. The draw down of the lake for the project will be gradual to minimize impacts on aquatic wildlife. A similar draw down was done in 1997 without adverse impacts, as observed by the DNR. The project is also proposed to be done in the fall of the year eliminating concerns regarding nesting waterfowl. The project avoids vegetated areas. The lake is an impoundment of the Elk River, which will continue its normal flow through the lake during the project. Fish and wildlife will be temporarily displaced to the river, but normal lake water levels will be restored prior to freeze-up. b. Are there any state listed endangered,threatened,or special-concern species;rare plant communities; colonial waterbird nesting colonies; native prairie or other rare habitat; or other sensitive ecological resources 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 was conducted. Describe measures to be taken to minimize or avoid adverse impacts. A search of the DNR Natural Heritage database was conducted and the following sensitive ecological resources were identified near the site: • Rare Community - Oak Forest (Central) Dry Subtype - This community was found in Section 20, Township 33, Range 26, Sherburne County , MN. It is located within one mile of the project, but not within the project boundaries and it will not be affected. Plant Species of Special Concern - Juniperus Horizontalis - This species was not identified within the project boundaries and will not be affected. Threatened Species - Blanding's Turtles - There have been four sightings of Blanding's within one mile of Lake Orono. The lake bottom lacks vegetation and the project area does not contain the protected bays where these turtles like to over winter. However, the city will strive to finish the project as soon as possible and bring the lake level back to normal as close to October 151 as possible (when the turtle start looking for winter habitat). Physical Impacts on Water Resources Will the project involve the physical or hydrologic alteration(dredging,filling,stream diversion,outfall structure, diking, impoundment)of any surface water (lake,pond,wetland,stream,drainage ditch)? _x_Yes_No If yes, identify the water resource to be affected and describe:the alteration, including the construction process; volumes of dredged or fill material; area affected; length of stream diversion;water surface area affected;timing and extent of fluctuations in the water surface elevations;spoils disposal sites; and proposed mitigation measures to minimize impacts. • Lake Orono is proposed to be dredged to restore its historic navigable depth. The lake will be restored to its pre-project boundaries and no wetlands are proposed to be impacted. For further details see #6 - "Description"