Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/04/2017 - Special

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Pearson Farm Residential Development EAW Draft — March XX, 2017 13. Fish, Wildlife, Plant Communities and Sensitive Ecological Resources (Rare Features) a. Describe fish and wildlife resources as well as habitats and vegetation on or in near the site. Fish and wildlife resources on and near the site are related to the composition, quality, size, and connectivity of plant communities such as cultivated cropland, wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands. Vegetative cover types on the project area were mapped based on aerial photography, the wetland delineation, and field reviews (Figure 5). The project area is roughly 96% cropland, 2% tree rows, 1% wetland, and 1% grassland. Habitats in the project area are likely used by wildlife adapted to agricultural and suburban environments, such as white-tailed deer, songbirds, small mammals, and amphibians. The project area falls in the Anoka Sandplain Ecological Subsection of the MN DNR Ecological Classification System and the Anoka Sand Plain and Mississippi Valley Outwash of the Level IV Ecoregion of the U.S. EPA. This area consists of a flat, sandy lake plain and terraces along the Mississippi River. The area includes row crops, small grains, suburban development, wetlands, woodlands. Most of the project area has limited wildlife habitat value because it is occupied by annually tilled agricultural crops. Cropland consisted of corn, soybeans, and wheat during 2016. Wetlands in the project area were dominated by stunted crops, reed canary grass, and green bulrush (see Table 5). Tree rows included elm, aspen, boxelder, pines, and red cedar. Grassy field edges were dominated by smooth brome, and Kentucky bluegrass. b. Describe rare features such as state -listed (endangered, threatened or special concern) species, native plant communities, Minnesota County Biological Survey Sites of Biodiversity Significance, and other sensitive ecological resources on or within close proximity to the site. Provide the license agreement number (LA-732) and/or correspondence number (ERDB 2017 ) from which the data were obtained and attach the Natural Heritage letter from the DNR. Indicate if any additional habitat or species survey work has been conducted within the site and describe the results. The MN DNR queried the Natural Heritage Inventory System (NHIS) to assess whether known locations of rare plant or animal species or other significant natural features are known to occur within an approximate one -mile radius of the project area (Appendix C). Kjolhaug Environmental Services also queried a licensed copy of the NHIS database. The NHIS review identified six records of rare species and sensitive natural communities. Observations of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state threatened reptile, were recorded in 1989 and 1995 at locations north and east of the project area. One observation occurred on or near the Itasca Park and the other occurred in an area that currently includes a mix of cropland, suburban development, and wetland. Blanding's turtles prefer calm shallow water, rich aquatic vegetation, and select open grassy uplands with sandy soils for nesting. The project area includes potential Blanding's turtle habitat consisting of wetlands and sandy soils, but does not include much grassland. The best Blanding's turtle habitat 20