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

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Pearson Farm Residential Development EAW Draft — March XX, 2017 includes wetland complexes larger than 10 acres that are surrounded by open sandy uplands. Blanding's turtles do not typically lay eggs under forest cover. Other rare feature records included three observations of the black sandshell mussel (Ligumia recta), and one record of a silver maple floodplain forest. These features were found along the Mississippi River. The black sandshell is a state -listed special concern species. None of the NHIS records represent federally threatened and endangered species. Online information on rare species information maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was also reviewed for the project area. The project area falls within the occupied range of the federally threatened northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). The northern long-eared bat (NLEB) roosts and forages in forests during spring and summer and hibernates in caves and mines during winter., sometimes swarming in wooded areas near caves in autumn. The USFWS listed the NLEB as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) on April 2, 2015. Although the project area includes about 1.8 acres of woodland and is located in the white -nose syndrome zone defined under the Final 4(d) Rule, there are no known incidental, breeding, or hibernacula records of NLEBs occurring within one mile of the project area. c. Discuss how the identified fish, wildlife, plant communities, rare features and ecosystems may be affected by the project. Include a discussion on introduction and spread of invasive species from the project construction and operation. Separately discuss effects to known threatened and endangered species. Project development is expected to convert about 85.5 acres of cropland and 0.9 acres of trees to residential land uses, including roads, homes, lawns, landscaping, and stormwater ponding. The project may affect the number and type of wildlife species in the area, but changes in wildlife abundance are not expected to be regionally significant. The existing croplands provide wildlife food, but have limited value as wildlife cover. Wildlife species that depend on agricultural cropland will be displaced by the project. The project will likely have short-term negative effects and long- term positive effects on species adapted to suburban habitats. Non -migratory species with small home ranges such as small mammals may experience more adverse effects, including mortality during project construction. Development of the project area is not expected to have substantial effects on rare species and sensitive natural communities. Four of the six rare occurrences identified during the MN DNR NHIS review were associated with the Mississippi River, which is south of the project area and will not be physically affected by the project. These include three occurrences of black sandshell and one record of a silver maple floodplain forest. The project may have effects on Blanding' s turtles that may occur in the area. To minimize potential adverse effects on turtles and their mobility, the project will avoid most wetlands, implement stringent sediment and erosion controls, consider the use of surmountable curbs on roadways, and consider using erosion control materials constructed of organic fibers rather than plastic. The project is not considered likely to affect the northern long-eared bat (NLEB) because the project area includes mostly cropland, few trees, which is not considered characteristically suitable NLEB 21