Agenda - Council - 10/22/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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According to US Department 'of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Survey of Anoka County, the soils at the Site consist primarily of Nymore loamy sand. The Nymore series consists of nearly level to steep, excessively drained soils formed in outwash sands. These soils are typically found on broad smooth flats and narrow hillsides adjacent to drainageways and large depressions in sandy outwash plains. Native vegetation consists of mixed oak forests and tall grass prairies. Permeability in this series is rapid, and the available water capacity is low. The organic content is low. The available nitrogen and potassium is low, and the phosphorous is medium. The water table in areas overlain by the Nymore series is generally at a depth of more than 6 feet below ground surface. Most areas of Nymore soils are under urban development, and some areas are cropped, forested or pastured. The major limitations of these soils is low available water capacity and the resulting hazards of droughtiness and soil blowing. Wildlife habitat ratings for this series range from very poor to fair. According to .the NRCS, the specific ratings for the potential as habitat for wildlife for this soil series is as follows: Open Land - Poor; Woodland - Fair; Wetland - Very Poor. A review of historical aerial photographs of the Site area for the years 1965, 1977,' 1985, 1993 and 200l was conducted to provide inf6rmation regarding the historical land use(s) of the Site and surrounding areas. The 1965 aerial photograph shows the majority of the Site 'as farmland with small wooded areas surrounding the two wetlands. The subsequent aerial photographs show a transition of land use from farmland to pasture/grazing land. In addition, the wooded areas appear to have increased in density and additional outbuildings and structures have been constructed on the Site. The areas surrounding the Site also show a transition from farmland to residential development in all directions from the Site. Nowthen Boulevard NW, Sunfish Lake Boulevard NW and 153rd Avenue NW have all been extended and/or improved over the years. 1) Harm to the Blanding's Habitat I I I I I I I I The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program Office's Minnesota Natural Heritage database states that the most recent sighting of a Blandings Turtle (Blanding's) in the proposed project area was in 1996. The. Blanding's was observed in a residential yard approximately .50 miles west (Township 32 North, Range 25 West, Section 22 of the Anoka 7.5 Minute Quadrangle) of the proposed project area (Site). NO recent Blanding's sightings in the proposed project area have been reported to the MDNR. In addition, there are no recorded sightings of Blanding's occurring on or immediately adjacent to the Site. The Site is separated from the area of the nearest turtle sighting by residential development and/or high traffic roads. The roads 'and development would generally keep turtles from migrating from the sighting location to the Site. The Site is also separated from the adjacent wetlands to the south and' east by residential development and/or high traffic roads, further restricting movement of Blanding's and other turtle species. The two wetlands situated on the Site are small in size, are primarily reed canary swales, and often do not hold water. The size of the wetlands on the Site are a limiting, factor, as Blanding's prefer calm, shallow water, rich in aquatic plants. The preferred nesting area for the Blanding's consists, of sandy uplands. The wetland areas on the Site are primarily surrounded by heavy oak woods. These areas are dense enough that Btanding's would avoid traveling through them, thus making these areas i~l~~ H~kans°n Anderson G:\PRIVATE\3000\3057\3057.03\3057-O3pt.do¢ Assoc._ __