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Midwest Natural Resources, Inc. - Trott Brook - Rare Plant Survey Report - Anoka County, Minnesota Map Unit Symbol ZmB ZmC ZmD Map Unit Name Hydric Rating Zimmerman fine sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes Zimmerman fine sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes Zimmerman fine sand, 12 to 24 percent slopes Somewhat excessively drained Somewhat excessively drained Excessively drained Non-Hydric Non-Hydric Non-Hydric According to the 2012 Surficial Geology map of Anoka County, the site includes two map units, Richfield terrace (Qwr) and Peat and muck (Qp). The majority of the site is mapped as the Richfield terrace with Peat and muck associated directly with Trott Brook. The Peat and muck map unit is mapped for those areas with peat greater than four feet in depth and can include marl, a calcareous clay (Table 2 and Figure 4). Table 2. Surficial Geology map of Anoka County — Key Map Units Map Unit Symbol Map Unit Map Unit Description Qp [Qwr Methods Peat and muck Richfield terrace Partially decomposed plant matter deposited in swamps, commonly formed in ice - block melt -out depressions and in former meltwater channels. Generally mapped only where greater than 4 feet (1.2 meters) thick. Includes fine-grained organic matter laid down in ponded water, marl at depth in places, and small bodies of open water. In developed areas, many of these deposits have been drained and buried under artificial fill; the organic sediment is commonly removed prior to filling in areas where structures are built (such as in Blaine). Small ridges of sand (units Qwr, Qbs) surrounded by unit Qp in places could be eolian sand overlying organic material. Sand and gravelly sand about 50 to 70 feet (15 to 21 meters) above the modern floodplain, ranging in elevation from about 870 feet (265 meters) in southern Fridley to about 915 feet (279 meters) in western Ramsey. Prior to conducting field surveys, MNR submitted a rare plant survey protocol to the DNR Endangered Species Coordinator (Appendix A). This survey protocol did not list any target species, but indicated that surveys would entail a general rare plant survey. Initial field efforts, which involved meander surveys, were conducted on July 21-22, 2021 by Jake Walden, a DNR approved rare plant surveyor. Field efforts included collecting a general plant species list (Appendix B) along with representative site photos and general site notes. A second visit of the site was conducted on August 13 by Otto Gockman and the undersigned to further investigate one particular area of interest with strong discharge and a number of calciphiles. Observed rare plant locations were documented spatially using points to mark single, isolated individuals or clusters of plants. Voucher specimens were collected and pressed with the intent to verify their identification and this is also required by the DNR for certain species. The number of individuals present was either counted or estimated, and that information is included in the associated attribute table included in our submittal to the DNR's Natural Heritage Information System (NHIS) program. All collected spatial data during this effort was captured using a sub -meter GPS unit (Trimble® GeoXT 6000). Data was collected in WGS84 and post -processed in ArcMap using Trimble Positions Desktop. Results Overall site photos are provided in Appendix D. A large portion of the survey area is under agricultural production (corn and conifer plantation) or fallow land. Wooded areas bordering the cultivated lands include both pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) and bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) in the canopy with Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), and rosy sedge (Carex rosea) dominating the ground layer.