Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 01/25/2021

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Riverstone SouthEAWDraft December 2020 Mississippi River. Land use in the area includes row crops, small grains, suburban development, wetlands, woodlands. Muchof the project areahas limited wildlife habitat value because it has been occupied by annually tilled agricultural cropsfor years.Cropland consisted of corn, soybeans, wheat, pumpkins, and cabbageduringfield surveys in2020.Kjolhaug Environmental Services completed a survey of significant trees on the site during April 13-16, 2020. Significant trees included oaks and evergreens measuring at least 4 inches DBH (diameter breast height) and all other tree species measuring at least 8 inches DBH. The tree survey identified 2,305 significanttreesof 28 species. The Tree Survey Memorandum is included in Appendix E.Elm and oak trees accounted for 72% of the significant trees, and hackberry trees were subdominant, with 12% of thetrees. Together, all other tree species accounted for 16% of the significant trees.Dominant shrubs in the woodland included honeysuckle, prickly ash, gooseberry, and raspberry. Grassy field edges were dominated by smooth brome, and Kentucky bluegrass. b.Describe rare features such as state-listed (endangered, threatenedor special concern) species, native plant communities, Minnesota County Biological Survey Sites of Biodiversity Significance, and other sensitive ecological resources on or within close proximity to the site. Provide the license agreement number (LA-989) and/or correspondence number (ERDB \[none assigned\]) fromwhich the data were obtained and attach the Natural Heritage letter from the DNR. Indicate if any additional habitat or species survey work has been conducted within the site and describe the results. State ANatural Heritage Inventory System (NHIS) data request was submitted to the MN DNR to assess whether known locations of rare plant or animal species or other significant natural features are known to occur within an approximate 1-mile radius of the project area. A response had not yet been obtained from the MN DNR at the time this EAW was approved for distribution. In lieu of an MN DNR NHIS database search, Kjolhaug Environmental Services queried a licensed copy of the NHIS databaseto assess rare species and natural features. The NHIS review identified records of one state special concern species and one state threatened species recorded within a 1-mile radius of the project area. Neither of these species is on the Federal threatened and endangered species list. ObserEmydoidea blandingii), a state threatened reptile, were recorded about 1 milenorth and northeast of the project area. Theseobservationsoccurred in areas nearItasca Park,cropland, suburban development, and wetland. rich aquaticvegetation, and select open grassy uplands with sandy soils for nesting. The project area nesting habitat,but under forest cover.The site does not include any wetlands. includes wetland complexes larger than 10 acressurrounded by open sandy uplands. Other rare featureswithin a 1-mile radius of the siteincluderecords of the blacksandshell mussel (Ligumia recta), and a silver maple floodplain forest. These features were found in and near the Mississippi River,outside of the project area.The black sandshell is a state-listed special concern species. 22