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n , ,..., ~_~J~d it f! W! r(~. 'r~~l ;1 !!I Minnesota Department of Natural Resources :"',: ;SEP - 7 2005 I '_~.:! Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Box 25 i \ 500 Lafayette Road 1-. -"'-X;:;;~'O;/i.'~(" --._1 St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-40_ ~_.8.:...:l"~!;'Y.lE\~ ,~IC Phone: (651) 296-7863 Fax.: (651) 296-1811 E-mail: sarah.hoffmann@dnr.state.mn.us September 5,2005 Mr. Ross Abel John Oliver & Associates, Inc. 580 Dodge Avenue Elk River, MN 55330 Re: Request for Natural Heritage information for vicinity of proposed Holzem Property Residential Development, T33N R26W Section 25, Sherburne County NHN"RP Contact #: ER,DB 20060166 Dear 11r. Abel, The Minnesota Natural Heritage database has been reviewed to determine if any rare plant or animal species or other significant natural features are known to occur within an approximate one-mile radius of the area indicated on the map enclosed with your information request. Based on this review, there is 1 known occurrence of a rare species in the area searched (for details, see enclosed database printout and explanation of selected fields). Following are specific comments for that element. Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state-listed threatened species, have been reported from the vicinity of the project area. The Blanding's Turtle records represent observations of individuals from a population. We do not know the size or the full extent of that population. Although we have no records from directly within the project area, it is possible that turtles exist in the area if there is suitab Ie habitat on the site. Blanding's Turtles spend much oftheir time in shallow wetlands (1-3 feet deep), bu t they n est in open, sandy uplands up to 1 mile from wetlands. Nesting is in June and eggs hatch in September, at which time young turtles enter deep wetlands where they over-winter in soft sediments. Factors believed to contribute to the decline of this species include wetland drainage and degradation, development on upland nesting areas, and possibly collection for the pet trade. In addition, because of the tendency for Blanding's Turtles to travel long distances over land, they are often forced to cross roads in developed areas. Many of the records we have of Blanding's Turtles are from turtles killed crossing roads. For your information, I have attached a fact sheet and a flyer about the Blanding's Turtle. The fact sheet is intended to provide you with background information regarding habitat use, life history, and reasons for the species' decline, as well as recommendations for avoiding and minimizing impacts to this rare turtle. As you will note, there are two lists of recommendations. The first list contains recommendations to prevent harm to turtles during construction work, and is relative to all areas inhabited by B landing's Turtles. Please refer to this first list of rec 0 llU11 en dati oilS for your project. The second column expands on the first column, and contains greater protective measures to be considered for areas known to be of state-wide importance to B landing's Turtles, or any area where greater protection for turtles is desired. Your project area is not within one of these priority areas. The flyer. which should be given to all contractors working in the area, contains an illustrati on and description of the B landing's Turtle, as well as a su nmBJ}' of the recommendations pro~v.ided in the fact sheet. DNR InfofmCltinIl65J-29G-6157 · 1-888-646-6367 · TTY 651-296-548'" . 1-800-657-3929 .:\ri F.(~~j~([ r: 11: t 1 j; ) > ~. t' !nY. ~-:~ ~:W Pi i rt \'2 zi (': n R (: l::\ C it.' d P ~ 1 pc: i i! )\