4.3 SR 03-20-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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b. Discuss how the identified fish, wildlife, plant communities, rare features and ecosystems may be affected by the project. Include a discussion on introduction and spread of invasive species from the project construction and operation. Separately discuss effects to known threatened and endangered species. Existing plant communities will be affected by the change in land use. Approximately 148 acres of wooded land will be cleared to allow for construction of the Project. Based o�r historic aerial photography approximately 62 of those wooded acres used to be cultivated for agricultural production through 2005, after which the land was left uncultivated and naturally developed into its current state. It should be noted that many of the trees onsite are fallen, damaged, or in poor co�dition. Additionally, an approximate 392 acres of unavoidable permanent wetland impacts are anticipated to occur as a result of construction of the Project including the ghost plat areas. This includes the following: Main Pro'ect Ghost Plats WCA Re z�lated Wetlands 2. 71 0.32 Minin Pond Incidental Wetlands 0.89 0.00 Since there are no critical habitats located within the Project site this change in la�d use should not result in any negative effects to any threatened or endangered species. Measures to prevent the spread of invasive species during construction include working in non- infested areas first before moving to infested areas, thoroughly cleaning equipment after working in infested areas and before mobilizing to a different portion of the project site or a different project and revegetating disturbed areas as soon as possible after construction is completed in an area. c. Identify measures that will be taken to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to fish, wildlife, plant communities, and sensitive ecological resources. Unavoidable wetland impacts will be minimized to the greatest extent feasible, considering the site constraints of each proposed wetland impact and surrounding area (such as special considerations per M1V Rules 8420. OSI S). It is estimated that the project may result in up to approximately 392 acres of permanent wetland impacts that will occur as a result of construction of the Project including the ghost plat areas. Wetland impacts were avoided to the extent possible during the preliminary design phase of the overall site pla� (ExhibitA). The final design will attempt to avoid and/or minimize impacts to the extent possible. Should unavoidable impacts remain, the proper permitting processes will be followed in accordance with the WCA and/or Section 404 of the Clean Water Act as applicable. This process would involve applying for a replacement plan potentially requiring compensatory mitigation. Th�e area of wetland impact and jurisdictional status of the wetlands will be determined by the proper governmental agency during the permitting process following conclusion of the environmental review process. Page 16