Agenda - Council - 05/14/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Blanding's Turtle Habitat Survev Letter Page 2 of 2 Findings and Conclusions In ProSource's opinion, the park desig-nation of' the adjacent land surrounding the-wetlands and ponds is adequate to protect any remaining Blanding's Turtles within this area. However, if Blanding's Turtles are present in the adjacent wetlands, it would not be a large population. The existing development in the subject property area has already fragmented the surrounding habitat enough to m~e it unsuitable for the long-term survival of any Blanding's Turtle populations in this area. in addition, the existing development would prevent Blanding's Turtles from other known sites from migrating to the area of the subject property. The heavy oak woods on the western portion of the subject property is unsuitable nesting habitat for Blanding's Turtles. It is large enough and dense enough that Blanding's Turtles would avoid traveling through it to the open habitat on the eastern portion of the subject property. The majority of the open habitat was observed to consist of a tkick vegetative covering of brome and bluegrass. While this is sometimes used for'nesting, Blanding's Turtles prefer sparse vegetation and would likely avoid this area. While the site activities did not rule out the presence ofBlandm= s Turtles in the wetlands and ponds on the periphery of the subject property, in ProSource's opinion, the subject property itself does not appear to be suitable habitat for this turtle. ProSource is pleased to provide our services to the City of Ramsey. if you have any questions or concerns regarding the information presented within this letter, please feel free to call me at (763) 786-1445. Sincerely, proSource Technologies, Inc. Michael P. Whittington Sen/or Environmental Scientist Cc: James E. Norman-City of Ramsey Gregory A, Wheeler-ProSource ProSource 'Technologies, inc. May 7,2002 I I I I I I I I ! I i I I I -132-