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Elk River Station EAW
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<br />September 6, 2002
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<br />representing the Local Governmental Unit for the City of Elk River, confirmed that the delineated
<br />boundaries are acceptable for local administration of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act
<br />(WCA).
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<br />11. Fish, Wildlife, and Ecologically Sensitive Resources
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<br />a) Identi~.., fish and wildlife resources and habitats un or near the site and describe ho~v they would be
<br /> affected by the project. Describe any' measures to be taken to minimize or avoid impacts.
<br />
<br />Fish and wildlife resources on and near the site are directly related to the composition, quality,
<br />size, and connectivity of natural communities including grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands.
<br />The composition of the 31.9 acres of old field/grassland has been altered by years of agricultural
<br />practices. These historical farming practices have caused some wildlife species that would
<br />otherwise occur on the site to decline or become extirpated.
<br />
<br />Wildlife resources that exist th. roughout the site include species that have adapted to open lands,
<br />small woo~lots, and wet meadows, such as pheasant, meadowlark, field sparrow, cottontail, red
<br />fox, and white-tailed deer. The open fields provide seasonal food and cover for these species.
<br />The woodlands and wetlands provide habitat and cover for many species commonly found in the
<br />upper Midwest such as woodcock, thrushes, woodpeckers, raccoon, and amphibians. This
<br />wetland is part of a larger system that extends east, west, and north. A ditch along the' north
<br />property boundary extends north to Kleiver Marsh. The connectivity of this wetland provides a
<br />potential travel corridor for wildlife. Fisheries resources do not exist on the site.
<br />
<br />Project construction will convert approximately 31.9 acres of old field/grassland, 15.4 acres of
<br />woodland, and 3.8 acres of brushtand/grassland to streets, buildings, parking areas, lawn,
<br />landscaping, and stormwater ponding. Conversion of open fields to a more urbanized setting is
<br />expected to result in a decline in the type and number of wildlife species. Populations of species
<br />that depend upon cropland and grassland, such as ring-necked pheasants, will likely be
<br />displaced. Migratory birds are'expected to respond to the development by locating alternative
<br />nesting sites upon their return from wintering habitats. Some songbirds that readily adapt to
<br />suburban habitats may become more numerous. Non-migratory species with small home ranges,
<br />such as small mammals, will experience more adverse effects. These species will compete with
<br />other individuals of the same species to claim territories in neighboring habitats or succumb to
<br />mortality during project construction. Preservation of a. pproximately 15 acres of wetland, and 1.5
<br />acre§ of woodland, combihed with creation of about 2.6 acres of stormwater pOnding, is expected
<br />to help minimize adverse effects on Wildlife to some degree.
<br />
<br />Are any state-listed (endangered, threatened, or special concern) species, rare plant communities or other
<br />sensitive ecological resources such as native prairie habitat, colonial waterbird nesting colonies or
<br />regionally rare plant communities on or near the site? [] Yes [] No If yes, describe the resource and how
<br />it would be affected by the project. Indicate ifa site survey of the resources has been conducted and
<br />describe the results. If the DNR Nantral Heritage and Nongarne Research program has been contacted
<br />give the correspondence reference number: ERDB 20010847. Describe measures to minimize or avoid
<br />adverse impacts.
<br />
<br />No evidence of threatened, endangered, or rare plant or wildlife species was observed on the site
<br />during field reviews conducted in September 2001 and August 2002. The.Minnesota Department
<br />of Natural Resources (DNR) reviewed the Minnesota Natural Heritage database in March 2001 to
<br />determine if any rare plant or animal species or other significant natural features are known to
<br />occur within an approximate one-mile radius of the project site. The DNR identified two records
<br />of rare species or communities that occur near the site, including: (1) a dry oak savanna located
<br />about 0.25 mile east of the site, and (2) a loggerhead shrike observed roughly 1.2 miles
<br />southwest of the site, across the Mississippi River, in 1996. The dry oak savanna will not be
<br />affected by the development because project construction will not extend east of the property
<br />boundaries.
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<br />Page 6 W Westwood Professional Services, Inc.
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