Laserfiche WebLink
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources <br /> Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Box 25 <br /> <br /> 500 Lafaye'tte Road <br /> <br /> St. Pa.l, Minnesota 55155-40_ <br />Phone: (651) 296-7863 Fax: (651) 296-1811 E-mail: sarah.hoffmann@dnr.state.mn.us <br /> <br />August 19, 2002 <br /> <br />Jonathon Blaha <br />Liesch Associates, Inc. <br />13400 15t~ Avenue North <br />Plymouth, MN 55441 <br /> <br />Re: Request for Natural Heritage information for vicinity of proposed Schmidt Gravel Mine, T33N R26W <br />Section 10, Sherburne County <br />NHNRP 'Contact #: ERDB 20030175 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Blaha, <br /> <br /> The Minnesota Natural Heritage database has been reviewed to determine if any rare plant or <br />animal species or other significant natural features are 'known to occur within an approximate one-mile <br />radius of the area indicated on the map enclosed with your information request. Based on this review, there <br />are three known occurrences of rare species or natural communities in the area searched (for details, see <br />enclosed database printout and ex. planation of selected fields). Following are specific comments for only <br />those elements that may.be impacted by the proposed project. Rare feature occurrences not listed :below <br />are not anticipated to be affected bythe proposed project. , . <br /> <br /> · Blanding'.s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii),.astate,listed threatened sPeCies, are reported from the <br /> vicinity of the project area. The Blanding's Turtle records represent observations of individuals <br /> from a population. We do not know the size or the full extent of that population. Although we <br /> have no records from directly within the project area, it is possible that turtles exist in the area if <br /> there is suitable habitat on the site. Blanding's Turtles spend much of their time in shallow <br /> wetlands (1-3 feet deep), but they nest in open, sandy uplands up to 1 mile from wetlands. <br /> Nesting is in June and eggs hatch inSeptember, at which time young turtles enter deep wetlands <br /> where they over-winter in soft sediments. Factors believed to contribute to the decline of this <br /> species include ~,vefland drainage and degradation, development on upland nesting areas, and <br /> possibly collection for the pet trade. In addition, because of the' tendency for Blanding' s Turtles to <br /> travel long distances over land, they are often forced to cross roads in developed areas. Many of. <br /> the records we have of Blanding's Turtles are from turtles killed crossing roads. <br /> <br />For your information, I have attached a fact sheet and a flyer about the Blanding's Turtle. The fact <br />sheet is intended to provide you with background information regarding habitat use, life history, <br />and reasons for the species' decline, as well as recommendations for avoiding and minimizing <br />impacts to this rare turtle. As you will note; there are two lists of recommendations..The first list <br />contains recommendations to prevent harm to turtles during.constmction work, and is relative to <br />all areas inhabited by Blanding's Turtles. Please refer to this first list of recommendations for your <br />project. -The' second c61umu expands On the £rrst column, and contains greater protective measures <br />to be considered for areas known-to beof state-wide importance to Blanding!s Turtles, or-any area <br />where greater protection for turtles is desired. Your project area is not within one of these priority <br /> <br />DN'R Information: 651-296-6157 <br /> <br /> An Equal Opportunity Employer <br /> Who Values Diversity <br /> <br />· 1-888-646-6367 · TTY: 651-296-5484 · 1-800-657-3929 <br /> <br /> Printed on Recycted Paper Containing a <br /> Minimum of 10% Post-Consumer Waste <br /> <br /> <br />