Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/02/2018

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Response to Draft Scoping EAW Comments January 9, 2018 Page 3 MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES COMMENTS 1) As requested, the Minnesota Natural Heritage Information System has been queried to determine if any rare species or other significant natural features are known to occur within an approximate one -mile radius of the proposed project. Based on this query, rare features have been documented within the search area. Please note that the proposed project has the potential to negatively affect the following rare features in the following comments. Resaonse: The results of the NHIS will be included in the AUAR. 2) Ecologically Significant Areas: The proposed project overlaps with the North Metro Mississippi River Important Bird Area (IBA). Important Birds Areas, identified by Audubon Minnesota in partnership with the DNR, are part of an international conservation effort aimed at conserving critical bird habitats. They are voluntary and non- regulatory, but the designation does demonstrate the biological value of this surrounding area. The Mississippi Flyway is extremely important for all migratory birds. While the IBA boundaries and the proposed project boundary include disturbed land, the proposed development has the potential to further impact the Mississippi River and the IBA through the loss of wetlands and mature trees and through additional runoff due to increased impervious cover. Resaonse: Impacts of the proposed project will be assessed in the AUAR. Site design will seek to minimize impacts to wetlands and significant wooded areas where feasible, and the boundaries of the Mississippi River Important Bird Area (IBA) will be identified 3) State -listed Species: • The proposed project boundary is near an area of statewide importance to Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state -listed threatened species, and this rare turtle may be encountered on site. Blanding's turtles use wetlands as well as upland areas up to and over a mile distant from wetlands. Uplands are used for nesting, basking, periods of dormancy, and traveling between wetlands. Factors believed to contribute to the decline of this species include collisions with vehicles, wetland drainage and degradation, and the development of upland habitat. Any added fatality can be detrimental to populations of Blanding's turtles, as these turtles have a low reproduction rate that depends upon a high survival rate to maintain population levels. This project has the potential to impact this rare turtle through direct fatalities or habitat disturbance/destruction due to dewatering, excavation, fill, or other construction activities associated with the project. Actions to avoid or minimize disturbance to this state -protected turtle may include, but are not limited to, the following recommendations: 12800 Whitewater Drive, Suite 300, Minnetonka, MN 55343 1763.476.6010 2401 46th Avenue Southeast, Suite 202, Mandan, ND 58554 1701.204.6845 www.sambatek.com