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

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~Phone: (651) 2%-.' .:'.:3 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Pro_m-am, Box 25 50{) L.H'ayeuc Rmld St. Paul. Minne:,uta 55155-41}__ Fax: (651) 296-1811 E-mail: sarah.hoffman@dnr.state.mn.us Au~aust 3, 2001 David Hennen ProSource Technologies 277 Coon Rapids Blvd., Suite 304 Coon Rapids, M:N 55433 Re: Request for Natural Heritage information for vicinity of proposed "The Ponds" Development, T32N R25W Sec. 25.& 26, Anoka County NI-t/qtLP Contact #: ERDB 20020057 Dear Mr. Hennen, 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 are 3 known occurrences of rare species or natural communities in the area searched (for details, see enclosed database printout and explanation of selected fields). Following are specific comments for only those elements. that may be impacted by the proposed project. Rare feature occurrences not listed below are not .anticipated to be affected by the proposed project. Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state-listed threatened species, are 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 suitable habitat on the site. For your information, I have attached 2 fact sheets about the Blanding's Turtle. As Ne fact sheets indicate, the turtles spend much of their time in shallow wetlands (1-3 feet deep)} but they nest in open, sandy uplands up to 1 mile from wetland. Nesting is in June and eggs hatch in ~eptember, 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 area.~, 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 Tuffies are from turtles killed crossing roads. An increase in the speed or amount of vehicular traffic along roads within or serving "The Ponds" development may result in increased turtle mortality. To minimize impacts to the species, it is recommended that project design and construction activities not adversely affect water quality or natural water levels in sun-ound!ng wetlands. Retaining adjacent sandy uplands for nesting and providing for safe travel between wetlands and uplands will further help this population to survive in the face of continuing fragmentation of its DN'R Information: 651-296-6157 ' 1-888-646-6367 ' TTY: 651-296-5484 · 1-800-657-3929 An EquaJ Opportunity Employer ~'~' Pnnted on P~ecyclefl Paper Containing a Who Value': Diversity ~"=~ -23- Minimum of 10% Post-Consumer Waste