Agenda - Council - 05/24/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a. Identify fish and wildlife resources and habitats on or near the site and describe how they would be affected by the project. Describe any measures to be taken to minimize or avoid impacts. Wildlife that would be expected on this site include Blanding's turtle, deer, coyote, turkey, raccoon, rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, and other birds common in the area. The proposed project will likely displace the wildlife population that uses the wetland areas for protection, food and cover. The wildlife will likely relocate to other nearby habitat in the area until construction is over. Some species may return after construction and some others may be permanently displaced. The main impact Urbanization has on plants and animals is a loss of habitat. This site has a considerable amount of wetland habitat area. Loss of suitable habitat can result from physical landscape modification by clearing and grubbing trees. Another way that urbanization affects wildlife is by fragment/n.g the habitat areas. This reduces the travel corridors necessary to some wildlife for escape routes and to reach food, water, and shelter. The construction crew will minimize the cutting of trees as much as feasible, in order tb retain.the wooded habitat. The preserved wetland area will provide travel corridors for wildlife movement. Imp-acts to wildlife have also been minimized by locating houses, roads and other infrastructure away from the wetlands to the greatest extent possible. b. Are any state-listed (endangered, threatened or special concern)'species, rare plant communities or other sensitive ecological resources such as native prairie habitat, colonial waterbird nesting colonies or regionally rare plant communities on or near the site?' If yes, describe the resource and how it would be affected by the project. Indicate if a site survey of the resources has been conducted and describe the results. If the DNR Natural Heritage and Non-game Research Program has been Contacted give the correspondence reference number. Describe measures to minimize or avoid adverse' impacts. [] No [] Yes DNR Natural Heritage and Non-game Research Program Correspondence Ret~rence No. ERDB 20050479 Five occurrences are listed within a 1 mile radius of this site: four occurrences of Bland!ng's turtle (Emydoidea 'blandingii), a state-listed threatened species, and one occurrence 9f Floodplain forest silver maple subtype #63. The project area is not in an area known to be of state-wide importance to Blanding's turtles or an area where greater protection for turtles is desired. A flyer on Blanding's turtles provided by the DNR will be distributed to all project contractors and new hoineownersl Turtles in imminent'danger will be moved, by hand, out ofharrd's way. Otherwise, Btanding's turtles and their nests will be left.undisturbed. Silt fencing will be put up around the construction site to. keep turtles out, and silt fence will b.e removed after the area has been revegetated. Fertilizer and pesticides will be minimized and sediment will be prevented from entering nearby streams and wetlands. Four inch high curbs at a 3:1 slope are preferred so that turtles can climb the curbs and will not be trapped on the street. Culverts between wetland areas will be larger than 36 inches and will be elliptical or flat-bottomed. Culverts under roads .crossing streams should, be oversized (at least twic~ as wide as the normal width of open water) and elliptical or flat-bottomed. Care will be takbn to fill' any trenches dug to place utilities, as trenches can trap turtles. Vegetation management in infrequently mowed areas - such as ditches, along utility access roads, and under power lines - should be done mechanically (chemicals should hot be used). Work should occur fall through spring (after October 1a and before June 1~). Cleating of trees will be kept to a minimum. -424- Will the project involve the physical or h'gdrologic alteration, such as dredging, filling, stream diversion, out-fall structure, diking, and impoundment, of any surface waters.such