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3. Page 10, Stormwater. Blanding's turtles, a protected state-listed threatened species, have been documented within the vicinity of the project. Stormwater features may be colonized by Blanding's turtles in the area, therefore we recommend incorporating measures to avoid impacting this species into stormwater management. In years when the stormwater features will be dredged to remove excess sediment, please draw down water levels by September 15th in order to allow turtles to find overwintering habitat elsewhere. Response: The City will ultimately be responsible for management of the stormwater features in the future and will make every attempt to draw down water levels by September 15t" when feasible during years when stormwater features will be dredged. 4. Page 10, Stormwater. We recommend that BWSR-approved, weed-free, native seed mixes be used to the greatest degree possible in stormwater features and development landscaping in order to provide pollinator habitat. Native plants also require less irrigation and soil inputs than traditional landscaping. Response: Seeding of stormwater features will consist of a combination of BWSR approved MnDOT seed mixes as well as ISG custom designed seed mixes, both of which are weed-free native seed mixes. Seed mixes were chosen/designed on a feature-to-feature basis based on soils and planned hydrology for each stormwater feature. The specified MnDOT seed mixes match typical hydrological conditions for stormwater features. The ISG custom designed seed mixes are created by Plant Ecologists and utilize native species that are sand specialists or able to handle extreme hydrology events. All stormwater features will serve as pollinator habitat. Additionally, pollinator friendly habitat is also planned as part of the project in and around the trail system and other open spaces within the development. 5. Page 10, Stormwater. The significant increase in impervious surFaces will also increase the amount of road salt used in the project area. Chloride released into local lakes and streams does not break down, and instead accumulates in the environment, potentially reaching levels that are toxic to aquatic wildlife and plants. Consider promoting local business and city participation in the Smart Salting Training offered through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. There are a variety of classes available for road applicators, sidewalk applicators, and properry managers. More information and resources can be found at this website. Many winter maintenance staff who have attended the Smart Salting training — both from cities and counties and from private companies — have used their knowledge to reduce salt use and save money for their organizations. We encourage local governments to request that project proposers who wish to significantly increase impervious surFaces develop a chloride management plan that outlines what BMP's and strategies will be used to reduce chloride use within the project area, and then tie that plan to City 0&M agreements. We also encourage cities and counties to consider how they may participate in the Statewide Chloride Management Plan and provide public outreach to reduce the overuse of chloride. Here are some educational resources for residents as well as a sample ordinance regarding chloride use. Response: The City Trains plow drivers to the standards outlined in the Statewide Chloride Management Plan. The city also has their own chloride management plan and closely monitors the amount of salt applied during a storm event. 6. Page 15, Rare Features. This section should describe common wildlife that utilizes the project area. Response: According to the Ecological Classification System (ECS) adopted by the DNR, the project site is located within the Anoka Sandplain subsection. The ECS Subsection Profile for the Anoka Sand Plain lists well-known species within the subsections as sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, bobolinks, and lark sparrows. Page 2 of 4 952.426.0699 + ISGlnc.com