Agenda - Council - 09/14/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Midwest Natural Resources, Inc. — Trott Brook — Rare Plant Survey Report — Anoka County, Minnesota more information. The observation of deep peat soils (histosols) is consistent with the digital soil layer. The soils were further evaluated by applying a solution of 10% HCl on various soil samples within the area of interest and within the community transition beyond. No visual evidence of effervescence was detected in any of the examined soils with the exception of one sample examined within a band of black ash directly north of the graminoid-dominated community. Although this finding indicates the presence of calcium carbonate, the influence is not great enough to classify this particular area as a calcareous fen. Other criteria including detailed water chemistry and bryophyte composition were not evaluated. Regarding rare plants, approximately 308 species were observed during survey efforts. This includes the detection of one rare plant species, the St. Lawrence grapefern (Sceptridium rugulosum). This fern has a state status of Special Concern, which is not protected under state law. Further information about this observation is presented in Table 3. The population location is illustrated in Figure 5, and a representative photo of this grapefern is provided in Appendix E. A collection of this species was vouchered and will be provided to the DNR State Botanist (Welby Smith) for verification purposes. Table 3. Documented rare species Scientific Name Status' Number of Individuals Sceptridium rugulosum Located near a wetland/upland transition with sandy loam soil. Associate species include Salix petiolaris, Solidago gigantea, Fragaria virginiana, Phalaris arundinacea, Zanthoxylum americanum, Muhlenbergia racemosa, and Parthenocissus vitacea. 'SC = MN Special Concern, THR = MN Threatened, END = MN Endangered Conclusion SC 4 The primary focus of our field efforts was surveys related to state -listed plant species. As noted, we additionally conducted a brief evaluation of a wetland area associated with Trott Brook that appears to meet the vegetation criterion for calcareous fens, and having deep peat soils with discharge hydrology. However, a rapid field evaluation of the soil chemistry did not conclude strongly calcareous conditions nor were there any other high point calciphiles present other than reported. With that, we cannot conclude that this area is a calcareous fen. The late -season rare plant survey resulted in the detection of the St. Lawrence grapefern, a rare species with no legal status. No other state -listed plant species were documented during the late -season efforts. However, based on the observed habitat and strong hydrologic influence of the wetland complex associated with Trott Brook, there is potential for other state -listed species that would be observable in the spring. This includes two spring ephemeral species, bog bluegrass (Poa paludigena) and false mermaid (Floerkea proserpinacoides). Both species have a state protected status of Threatened. We recommend additional surveys next spring, specifically in May as that is the optimal survey period for these two species. No other portions of the project site warrant further rare plant survey efforts. We welcome any questions you may have upon reading this report. Respectfully submitted, Scott A. Milburn, MS Principal Botanist/President Midwest Natural Resources, Inc.