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

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Riverstone South EAW January 2021 cavities or clumps of grasses), and overwintering sites for hibernating queens (undisturbed soil). Site reviews have not identified native prairie plantings or diverse areas of native wildflowers in the project area, indicating a lack of highly suitable bumble bee habitat. c. Discuss how the identified fish, wildlife, plant communities, rare features and ecosystems may be affected by the project. Include a discussion on introduction and spread of invasive species from the project construction and operation. Separately discuss effects to known threatened and endangered species. Project development is expected to convert about 54.14 acres of cropland and 16.17 acres of woodland to streets, homes, lawns, landscaping, and stormwater features. The balance of the site will include about 7.73 acres of tree preservation and about 0.59 acre of grassland preservation. The project will include about 17.46 acres of open space consisting of tree preservation, stormwater features, parks, and buffers. Of the 23.90 acres of woodland, the project will remove about 16.17 acres and preserve about 7.73 acres (Figure 9). The project may affect the number and type of wildlife species in the area, but changes in wildlife abundance are not expected to be regionally significant. The existing cropland and woodland provide wildlife food and cover. Some wildlife species that depend on agricultural cropland and woodland will be displaced by the project. The project will likely have short-term negative effects and long-term positive effects on species adapted to suburban habitats. Non -migratory species with small home ranges, like small mammals, may experience adverse effects such as mortality during project construction. The project is not expected to adversely affect the black sandshell mussel and the silver maple floodplain forest because they were located outside the project area. The project will implement stormwater and erosion control practices to minimized potential indirect effects on the Mississippi River and species like the black sandshell mussel. The project may have effects on Blanding's turtles that may occur in the area. To minimize potential adverse effects on turtles and their mobility, the project will avoid wetlands, implement sediment and erosion controls, consider use of surmountable curbs on roadways, and consider using erosion control materials constructed of organic fibers rather than plastic. The project involves removal of woodland that may provide suitable roosting habitat for the northern long-eared bat, but the federally threatened bat has not been documented on the site and the over half the construction area is cropland devoid of potential roost trees. Although project construction could be expected to slightly increase the potential for spread of invasive and weedy species, much of the project area has been disturbed by agricultural use for decades. BMPs may include the cleaning of construction equipment before transport, which might reduce the potential spread of invasive species. 24