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Page 32 Table 24. USFWS Information Planning and Consultation (IPAC) Listed Species Common Name Scientific Name Status Critical Habitat Present Whooping Crane Grus americana Experimental Population, Non-Essential1 No Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Proposed Threatened No2 Western Regal Fritillary Argynnis idalia occidentalis Proposed Threatened No 1 For the purposes of consultation, non-essential experimental populations are treated as a proposed species on private land (no section 7(a) (2) requirements). 2 The IPaC species listed states, “there is proposed critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap with the critical habitat” (Appendix L). c) Discuss how the identified fish, wildlife, plant communities, rare features and ecosystems may be affected by the project including how current Minnesota climate trends and anticipated climate change in the general location of the project may influence the effects. 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 ± 162.56 acres of cropland/hayfields will be developed. A portion of the woodlands will also be impacted by project development. It is anticipated many mature trees will be avoided, specifically along the western hillslope. An effort will be made to preserve mature trees. The majority of the wetlands/open water will remain unaffected by project development. The habitat loss is largely already diminished by historic cultivation, annual tillage, and fertilizer/pesticide use. Wildlife is also constrained by the major roadways nearby. The greenway corridor planned throughout the residential development will provide refuge and habitat for birds and animals. State-Listed Endangered or Threatened Species The Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) uses grasslands and scattered perching sites (hedgerows, shrubs, or small trees) (34). While the majority of the forested bluffs/hillslopes would be preserved, the hayfields would be developed. The NHIS letter states that “recent surveys indicate that they are no longer using the project area so impacts to this species are not anticipated” (Appendix K). The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) utilizes “upland areas up to and over a mile distant from wetlands, waterbodies, and watercourses. Uplands are used for nesting, basking, periods of dormancy, and traveling between wetlands. Factors believed to contribute to the decline of this species include collisions with vehicles, wetland drainage and degradation, and the development of upland habitat” (Appendix K). The construction phase, potential wetland impacts, and site development may impact the Blanding’s turtle. The following section outlines mitigation measures to limit potential impacts during the construction phase. The Black sandshell (Ligumia recta) habitat within the Mississippi River is expected to be largely preserved (riffle and run areas dominated by sand or gravel) (36). The docks proposed are