Agenda - Council - 06/14/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

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. Wi ldli t~ species t~ically ~sociated with habitat of the ~e and qualiW present include Binding's m~le, white- tailed deer, ting-necked phe~ants, raccoons, coyote, turkey, squimel, occ~ional s~, some of the smaller rodents, such ~ field mice and meadow voles, crows, blackbird, robins, other birds common in the area, and cottontail rabbim. The proposed project will likely displace the wildlife population that '~es the wetland are~ for protection, ~bod and cover. The wildlife will likely relocam to other nearby habitat in the area ~til cons~uc/ion is over. Some species may remm after construction and some others may be pe~anently displaced. ~ese species should thrive in the wooded prese~es that are being maintained on the site and in the wetland and buffer me~. The main wildlife resource on the site is the adjacent wetl~ and Co~W ditches. Despite the presence of numerous ditches, the wetlands maintain T~e II, VI and VII characteristics. The ditches and wetlan~ provide a significant comdor tbr wildlife migration and protection. Thc main impact ~banization h~ on planm ~d animals is a loss of habitat. ~is site h~ a considerable amo~t of wetland habitat area. Loss of suitable habitat can result from physical lan~cape modification by cleahng and" b~ubbing trees. ~other way that urbanization affecm wildlife is by ~a~enting the habitat are~. This reduces the travel comdors necessa~ to some wildlife for escape routes ~d to reach food, water, and shelter. The construction crew will minimize the cu~ing of trees ~ much ~ possible, in order to retain the wooded habitat. The ditches will be prese~ed in their existing condition and the impact to the wetl~ will be minimized. The presc~ed wetland area will provide travel co~dors for wildlife movement. ~pacts to wildlife have also been minimized by locating ho~es, roa~ and other inff~truc~e away from the wetl~ds to the greatest extent . possible. Platted lots will have extra depth where po~ible to provide a b~er to the wetl~. This should allow for uplm~d areas [br ~ldlif~ during periods of high water in the wetl~d. 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 su~ey 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. DNR Natural Heht~e and Non-game Research Pro,am Co~espondence Reference No. E~B 20050354 Eight occu~ences o f B Ianding's tulle ~mydoidea bl~dingii), a state-listed threatened species, ~e listed within a I ~nile radi~ of this site. The project area is not in ~ area ~o~ to be of state-wide impo~ce m Blanding's tulles or an area where ~eater protection for ~les is desired. A flyer on Blanding's ~les provided by ~e DNR will be distributed to all project contractors and new homeome~. Tulles in i~inent danger will be moved, by hand, out ofha~'s way, Otherwise, Binding's turtles ~d their nes~ will be le~ undist~bed. Silt fencing will be put up around the construction site to keep tu~les out, and silt f6nce will be removed a~er the ~ea h~ been revcgctated. Fe~ilizer and pesticides will be minimized and sediment ~i!l be prevented 5om entehng nearby streams and wetlands. Four inch high c~bs at a 3:1 slope are prefe~ed so thru t~les can climb ~he curbs and will not be trapped on ~e street. C~!ve~s between wetland are~ will be larger th~n 36 inches and will be elliptical or flat~bottomed. Culverts under roads crossing, streams should be ovemized (at'le~t twice ~ wide ~ the no~a[ width of open water) and elliptical or flat-bottomed. Care will be t~en to fill any trenches dug to place utilities, ~ trenches can trap tt~tles. Vegetation management i~ in~equently mowed are~ - such ~ ditches, along utili~ access roads, and ~der power lines - should be done mechanically (chemicals should not be reed). Work should occ~ l~fll through sphng (aaer October 1" and before June 1"). Clemng of ~ees will be kept to a minimum.