Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/02/2018

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Response to Draft Scoping EAW Comments January 9, 2018 Page 6 public water wetland 27-124), in addition to several smaller wooded areas. Preserving these wooded areas as parks/community green space should be considered. In addition to providing environmental benefits such as wildlife habitat and clean air and water, wooded areas within communities offer many benefits to residents including recreation and health benefits, as well as increased property values. The book Conserving Wooded Areas in Developing Communities: Best Management Practices in Minnesota is a great reference for community planners and developers to use when considering development that contains wooded areas, with information on benefits of wooded areas and trees, as well as best management practices to conserve wooded areas at the subdivision and lot levels. Response: The project will strive to avoid impacts to significant wooded areas and will comply with local ordinances. 7) Public waters: Public water wetlands are DNR Public Waters. Public Water Wetland, 27-104, is located within the proposed boundary and should be included on the list of DNR Public Waters present on site. As noted, Public Water Wetland 27-124 is also listed as a natural environment lake. Any development occurring near this waterbody will require a 150 foot setback and be subject to different zoning standards, per the City of Dayton's adopted shoreland zoning ordinance (City of Dayton Code of Ordinances Chapter 1000 Section 1001.8). Response: The project will comply with all applicable setbacks and ordinances. 8) Fish, wildlife, and rare features: The Natural Heritage review has been completed and a letter was sent on December 6, 2017 (attached). The letter provides information on rare features that may be negatively affected by the project along with suggestions on mitigation measures. Rare species identified in the letter include: Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state -listed threatened species; black sandshell (Ligumia recta), a state -listed mussel of special concern (documented in the Mississippi River); and the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), federally listed as threatened and state -listed as special concern (found throughout Minnesota). In addition, the North Metro Mississippi River Important Bird Area (IBA) overlaps the proposed project area. As noted on page 16 of the scoping EAW, the sensitive features identified in the Natural Heritage letter should be detailed in the AUAR and mitigation plans should be laid out to protect these resources. Cumulative potential effects on these features should also be addressed. Response: Impacts to rare species and habitat will be assessed in the AUAR and applicable mitigation measures will be included 12800 Whitewater Drive, Suite 300, Minnetonka, MN 55343 1763.476.6010 2401 46th Avenue Southeast, Suite 202, Mandan, ND 58554 1701.204.6845