Agenda - Council - 04/13/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Riverstone South EAW January 2021 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 database to 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. Observations of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a state threatened reptile, were recorded about 1 mile north and northeast of the project area. These observations occurred in areas near Itasca Park, cropland, suburban development, and wetland. Blanding's turtles prefer calm shallow water, rich aquatic vegetation, and select open grassy uplands with sandy soils for nesting. The project area includes potential Blanding's turtle nesting habitat, but Blanding's turtles do not typically lay eggs under forest cover. The site does not include any wetlands. The best Blanding's turtle habitat includes wetland complexes larger than 10 acres surrounded by open sandy uplands. Other rare features within a 1-mile radius of the site include records of the black sandshell 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. Federal Online information on rare species information maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was also reviewed for the project area. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as federally threatened on May 4, 2015. On February 2, 2017, the USFWS listed the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) as federally endangered. Review of the USFWS Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) website with a polygon encompassing the project area identified the northern long-eared bat as the only threatened or endangered species that may potentially be affected by activities at the project location. The IPaC website also noted that there are no critical habitats at this location. The northern long-eared bat hibernates in caves during winter and establishes maternity roosting colonies under the loose bark of trees during the summer. The project area is not known to include caves and includes limited tree cover. As of June 3, 2020, MN DNR data showed no documented maternity roost trees or hibernacula entrances of the northern long-eared bat in the project vicinity. Review of the USFWS Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Map indicates the project area falls within a Low Potential Zone. This means that the rusty patched bumble bee is not likely to be present in the project area. The nearest High Potential Zone, where rusty patched bumble bees are likely to occupy suitable habitat, is located about 3.5 miles southeast of the project and is associated with the Elm Creek Park Reserve in Hennepin County. Most habitats suitable for rusty patched bumble bees in the Upper Midwest have been converted by agriculture or other land uses. Bumble bees need areas that provide nectar and pollen from flowers, nesting sites (underground and abandoned rodent 23