Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 02/11/2021

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0r11zrral Resources (Section 106) Information on the locations of potential cultural resource properties within the study area was obtained from the State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO) History/Architecture Inventory and Archaeological Site Location Inventory. The History/Architecture Inventory identified two properties near the corridor. The first site, the District No. 28 School, is north of the intersection of County Road 116 and TH 47. The second site, 6030 Industry Avenue, identified as "house", is along the south side of County Road 116 between CSAH 57 (Sunfish Lake Boulevard) and TH 47. The District No. 28 School site is on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Any alternatives impacting this property should be avoided. The second property, the "house", has not been evaluated for NRHP eligibility. Photographic records suggest the property may no longer possess integrity. Further evaluation is needed to determine its eligibility status. Figure 12 shows the locations of both sites. State Historic Preservation Office records include reports of three archaeological investigations in the Rivers Bend Park area, suggesting high potential for archaeology in this area. A Phase I Cultural Resources Study will be needed to identify potential archaeological sites adjacent to the corridor and evaluate nearby structures greater than 50 years old. At minimum, alternatives should avoid impacts to the District No. 28 School, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It should be noted that this area of the corridor is already four lanes, and that additional expansion is unlikely at this time. Endangered Species Act The Minnesota Natural Heritage database file search conducted by the Minnesota DNR determined that there are several sites within the project area with state threatened and endangered species and natural communities (see complete list in Appendix A). Of the 14 rare features within a one -mile radius of the project area, only one is actually in the study area. The state threatened Blanding's turtle (Eznvdoidea blandingii) was reported within a one -mile radius of the study area. Due to the sensitive nature of threatened and endangered species, and the fear of habitat destruction, the location of the turtle's habitat is not shown on Figure 12. Blanding's turtles need both wetland and upland habitats to complete their life cycle. Nesting females and hatchlings are often at risk of being killed while crossing roads between wetlands and nesting areas. In addition to movements associated with the nesting, all ages and both sexes move between wetlands from April to November. These movements peak in June and July and again in September and October as turtles move to and from over wintering sites. In late autumn, the turtles bury themselves in the mud at the bottom of the deeper wetlands to over winter. A preliminary survey of the study area should be carried out to determine the potential for Blanding's turtle habitat. If it is determined there is turtle habitat within the study area, corridor improvement alternatives should be selected to avoid impacting the habitat. If impacts are unable to be avoided, recommendations for avoiding and minimizing impacts to turtle habitat SRF Consulting Group, Inc. - 27 - February 2004