Agenda - Council - 09/14/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF I DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES I 500 LAFAYETTE ROAD · ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA · 55155-40,~ DNR INFORMATION (612) 296-6157 ?ebr'..:'ary 26, 19c. 2 Steve Jankowski City of Ramsey 15153 Nowthen B!vd NW Ramsey, EN 55303 07 proposed extension cf !53rd Ave. in Ramsey, sec. 21, T32N R25W Dear Mr. Jankowski: Enclosed please find a print-out of records from the Natural Heritage database of known locations of Blanding's turtles (Emvdoidea blandinq~i), a state-threatened species, in T32N R25W, and an explanation of the format of the print-outs. Two of these records are from the immediate vicinity of the proposed project, suggesting that the wetland to be filled provides habitat for this species. I have talked to Joan Oa!!i, Regional Nongame Wildlife Specialist, and Jchn Muriaruy, a herpetologist with Hennepin Co. Parks about the above- referenued project in connection with potential impacts to Blanding's turtles. Tn~s species spends most of its time in shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation and some open wa=er, but during ~ay and June may move several hundred meters 'from %he we%lands tc nest in sandy uplands. A major reason for uhe decline in numbers cf this species is the. destruction of the wetland habitats in which the}, live. In addition, roadkil!s are an important source cf mortality for adults moving to and from nesting areas and between wetlands. You will note that one cf the records is from a road kill on Varolite Ave. _i~s~ recom.mendation is that wetland ~<~C be avoided. An alternative route tha: would appear to avoid wetland filling would be to connect 154th Ave to Cc. Rd. S3 with a straight east-west segment. Even with no wetland fi!!in~, %ne construction of a road north of %he wetland will increase the risk cf roadkil! if turtles move north from the we:land in search cf nest si~es. We ask that the use cf culverts under :he road that would serve as travel corridors be explored, combined with fencing along the wetland margin where it approaches the road that would exclude turtles from ~he roadway, while directing them to the culverts. Chain link fence with the bottom buried about a foot underground would be best. Regarding culverts, box culverts or 6' circular culverts would be preferable. These suggestions are based on the best available knowledge of the species' biology. The Natural Heritage database is maintained by the Natural Heritage Program and the Nongame Wildlife Program, units within the Sec:ion of ~qi!d!ife, Department of Natural Resources. It is the most complete source of data on Minnesota's rare, endangered, or o~herwise significant plant and animal species, pianu communities, and o~her natural features, and is used in fostering better understanding and protection of these rare features. The I I I I I I I I I I I I I AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER