Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/02/2018

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Response to Draft Scoping EAW Comments January 9, 2018 Page 5 4) Federally Protected Species: • The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), federally listed as threatened and state -listed as special concern, can be found throughout Minnesota. During the winter this species hibernates in caves and mines, and during the active season (approximately April -October) it roosts underneath bark, in cavities, or in crevices of both live and dead trees. Pup rearing is during June and July. Activities that may impact this species include, but are not limited to, wind farm operation, any disturbance to hibernacula, and destruction/degradation of habitat (including tree removal). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has published a final 4(d) rule that identifies prohibited take. To determine whether you need to contact the USFWS, please refer to the USFWS Key to the Northern Long -Eared Bat 4(d) Rule (see links below). Please note that the NHIS does not contain any known occurrences of northern long-eared bat roosts or hibernacula within an approximate one -mile radius of the proposed project. Response: Potential impacts to federally listed threatened and state -listed species of special concern wiil be assessed in the AUAR. The project will coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to confirm there are no known occurrences ofnorthem long-eared bat roosts or hibernacula within an approximate one -mile radius of the proposed project. If occurrences are identified, mitigation measures will be outlined in the AUAR, and/or tree removal in such areas will need to occur within permitted timeframes. 5) Environmental Review and Permitting: • The Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) should address whether the proposed project has the potential to adversely affect the above rare features and, if so, it should identify specific measures that will be taken to avoid or minimize disturbance. • Please include a copy of this letter in any state or local license or permit application. To the extent applicable, measures to avoid or minimize disturbance to the above rare features should be included as restrictions or conditions in any required permits or licenses. Response: The AUAR will assess impacts of the proposed project on rare features and will identify mitigation measures. 6) Landcover: The cover types table on page 5 shows that the AUAR boundary contains 51 acres of wooded/forest land. We suggest that trees and larger wooded areas be retained as much as possible. Aerial imagery and Minnesota Landcover maps shows two larger wooded areas within the project boundary (one in the northeast of the project area surrounding public water wetland 27-104 and one in the southwest of the project area north/northwest of 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