5. SR 09-12-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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, '. . ;. ~~T~T~@U~ ~~DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 07 ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA . 55155-40 SOD LAFAYETIE ROAD . DNR INFORMA TION (612) 296-6157 c. . April 25, 1994 Richard C. Foster Riverside Development Company P.O. Box 279 Elk River, MN 55330 Re: Proposed mixed commercial I residential development project in Elk River; T33N R26W sections 26 & 27. Dear Mr. Foster: 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 one mile of the above referenced project. A printout with the results of this search is enclosed, along with an explanation of the format of the printout. As you can see, there is a record for an oak forest within the proposed project area. The oak forest was identified during 1989 survey work in connection with the Minnesota County Biological Survey (MeBS) as a good quality example of this vegetation type. A map of natural communities and rare species of Sherburne county produced as a result of the MeSS is also enclosed. The oak forest found within the project area, and described on the printout, has been pointed out by the placement of a yellow note on the map. In addition, I have enclosed an MeSS Site Summary Form with further information on the oak forest site located within the proposed project area. The MCBS is a joint project of the Natural Heritage and Nongame Wildlife Programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The survey gathers information, county-by-county, on sensitive natural habitats (plant communities), and rare plant and animal species, evaluates their importance and establishes priorities for their protection. Relatively undisturbed examples of natural communities such as oak forests are becoming increasingly rare. The Natural Heritage program supports protection of the highest quality remnants as important components of the state's natural biological diversity. There are also two records for the Blanding's turtle (Emvdoidea blandinoii), a state threatened species, from within the search area. In addition, the database contains two more Blanding's turtle records from just outside of the search area, in sections 32 and 33, T33N R26W. Although none of the records are from within the project area, it is possible that turtles exist in the area if there is suitable habitat on the site. I have attached a fact sheet about the Blanding's turtle from Minnesota's Endanaered Flora and Fauna, B. Coffin and L. Pfannmuller, eds. As the fact sheet AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER