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. Wildlit~ species typically associated with habitat of the type and quality present include Blanding's turtle, white- tailed deer, ring-necked pheasants, raccoons, coyote, turkey, squirrel, occasional skunks, some of the smaller rodents, such as field mice and meadow voles, crows, blackbirds, robins, other birds common in the area, and cottontail rabbits. The proposed project will likely displace the wildlife population that uses the wetland areas for protection, [bod 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. These species should thrive in the wooded preserves that are being maintained on the site and in the wetland and buffer areas. The main wildlife resource on the site is the adjacent Trott Brook and County ditches. Despite the presence of numerous ditches, the wetlands maintain Type II, VI and VII characteristics. The ditches and wetlands provide a significant corridor for wildlife migration and protection. The main impact urbanization has on plants and animals is a loss of habitat. This site has a considerable amot~nt 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 fragmenting 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 to retain the wooded habitat. The ditches will be preserved in their existing condition and the impact to the wetlands will be minimized. The prese~,ed wetland area will provide travel corridors for wildlife movement. Impacts to wildlife have also been minimized by locating houses, roads and other infrastructure away from the wetlands to the greatest extent possible. Platted lots will have extra depth where possible to provide a buffer to the wetlands. This should allow for upland areas tbr wildlife during periods of high water in the wetland. 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 Reference No. ER_DB 20040403 Six occurrences of Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), a state-listed threatened species, are listed within a 1 mile radius of this site. One occurrence of'the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is also listed within a 1 mile radius of the site. 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 desiredi A rye[ on Blanding's turtles, provided by the DNR, will be distributed to all project contractors and new homeowners. Turtles in imminent danger will be moved, by hand, out of harm's way. Otherwise, Blanding's turtles and their nests will 1~¢ left undisturbed. Silt fencing will be put up around the construction site to keep turtles out, and silt fence will be remOved afl:er the area has been revegetated. ~5ertilizer and pesticides will l:J~.'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 ar?as will be larger than 36 inches and will be elliptical or flat- bottomed. Culverts under roads crossing streams should be oversized (at least twice as wide as the normal width of ()pen ~vater) and elliptical or flat-bottomed. Care will be taken 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,