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Potential Environmental Effects <br /> <br />1) <br /> <br />Harm to the natural habitat of the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), <br />listed on the Minnesota list of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern <br />species as a threatened species. <br /> <br />Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.0895, the Blanding's turtle is designated as <br />a threatened species (Minnesota Rules, part 6134.0200, subpart 3). Species <br />designated as threatened are "likely to become endangered within the foreseeable <br />future throughout all or a significant portion of its range (Minnesota Statutes, section <br />84.0895, subd. 3)." <br /> <br />The Blanding's turtle has been sited and documented with the DNR as living on the <br />property across Alpine Drive from this proposed development site. The Blanding's <br />turtle needs both wetland and upland habitats to complete their life cycle. The types <br />of wetlands used include ponds, marshes, shrub swamps and ditches. Nesting occurs <br />on undeveloped land upland from the wetland, they can travel as far as a mile away <br />from the wetland to find a dry upland sandy spot to nest. The Villas of Meadow Point <br />proposes a threat to the natural habitat of this threatened species as the land consists. <br />ora pond and wetland with plenty of high ground for nesting of this species. Care <br />must be taken in the development of this property, and we believe that an EAW is <br />necessary to help guide the decision-making process. <br /> <br />Attached is the Environmental Review Fact Sheet for the Blanding's turtle and <br />photographs of the turtle found on the property across from this proposed <br />development. <br /> <br />2) Reduce habitat for other wildlife <br /> <br />Ramsey's scattered wetlands and.remnant.woods provide important wildlife habitat. <br />These areas are heavily used by migrating songbirds and nesting waterfowl. The site <br />proposed by Allstate for development is one 'of the areas that still provides habitat. <br />We are concerned that tree loss and disruption of wetlands will further reduce the <br />amount of wildlife habitat available in Ramsey. Therefore, we believe an EAW is <br />necessary to understand the potential impacts of this development as well as <br />cumulative impacts. <br /> <br />3) Jeopardize water quality and supply <br /> <br />Wetlands serve a variety of functions, including flood control, water purification, <br />shoreline stabilization and erosion control. These are important services that would <br />be extremely costly if wetlands did not provide them for free. Despite their value, <br />wetlands continue to face destruction from drainage for agriculture and filling for <br />roads and other development. In fact, Minnesota lost 42% of its wetlands between <br />the 1970s and the 1980s (Dahl 1990). <br /> <br />-339- <br /> <br /> <br />