Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/10/2002

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Aug',~st 14, 2001 Mr. James E. Norman City. Administrator City, efRamsey 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW Ramsey, Minnesota 55303 Threatened and Endangered Species Review: The Ponds Residential Development Project Nowthen Boulevard and St. Francis Boulevard NW (Highway 47) Ramsey, Minnesota ProSource Project No. 01-317 Dear Mr. Norman: ProSource Technologies, Inc. (ProSource) has recently received a .response letter from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding a Minnesota Natural Heritage Information System Data Request (threatened and endangered species). ProSource submitted this data request for areas surrounding the proposed "Ponds" residential development. Due to a prolonged turnaround time for this information, we were unable to incorporate the results of this data request in the report which was submitted to the City of Ramsey on August 3, 2001. However, prior to the report submittal, ProSource did complete an Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR)/NEPA Check Which is a regulatory database review. This EDR report, which was referenced in the August 3 submittal, revealed no threatened or endangered species on or immediately adjacent to the site. The Natural Heritage l~nformation System (NHIS) provides the most complete source of data on Minnesota's rare plants, animals, native plant communities, and other rare features. This evaluation examines a one mile radius from the project site. The results of this NHIS review indicate three known occurrences of rare species or natural communities in the vicinity of the proposed "Ponds" project. All three occurrences were individual repons ofBlanding's Turtle sightings. These observations were made in three different locations, all of which are more than a halfm/le'from the project site (see attached site location re. ap). The DNR. response stated that although there is no record of the turtles existing within the project site, turtle existence is possible because the site contains suitable habitat. The habitat of the Blanding's Turtle includes shallow wetlands (1-3 feet deep), and they typically nest in open, sandy uplands up to one mile from the wetlands. Although the observed Blanding's Turtles were not within or directly adjacent to the project boundaries, due to the similarities in habitat of the project area and that of the Blanding's Turtle, it is ProSource's recommendation that a limited biological survey be completed before the commencement of construction. As previously discussed, ProSource is prepared to provide this biological survey for the City of Rarnsey. A budget for this task can be provided upon request.