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Federally Protected Species <br />• To ensure compliance with federal law, conduct a federal regulatory review using the U.S. Fish <br />and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) online Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) tool. <br />Environmental Review and Permitting <br />• The Environmental Assessment Worksheet should address whether the proposed project has the <br />potential to adversely affect the above rare features and, if so, it should identify specific <br />measures that will be taken to avoid or minimize disturbance. Sufficient information should be <br />provided so the DNR can determine whether a takings permit will be needed for any of the above <br />protected species. <br />• Please include a copy of this letter and the MCE-generated Final Project Report in any state or <br />local license or permit application. Please note that measures to avoid or minimize disturbance <br />to the above rare features may be included as restrictions or conditions in any required permits <br />or licenses. <br />The Natural Heritage Information System (NHIS), a collection of databases that contains information <br />about Minnesota's rare natural features, is maintained by the Division of Ecological and Water <br />Resources, Department of Natural Resources. The NHIS is continually updated as new information <br />becomes available, and is the most complete source of data on Minnesota's rare or otherwise significant <br />species, native plant communities, and other natural features. However, the NHIS is not an exhaustive <br />inventory and thus does not represent all of the occurrences of rare features within the state. Therefore, <br />ecologically significant features for which we have no records may exist within the project area. If <br />additional information becomes available regarding rare features in the vicinity of the project, further <br />review may be necessary. <br />For environmental review purposes, the results of this Natural Heritage Review are valid for one year; <br />the results are only valid for the project location and project description provided with the request. If <br />project details change or the project has not occurred within one year, please resubmit the project for <br />review within one year of initiating project activities. <br />The Natural Heritage Review does not constitute project approval by the Department of Natural <br />Resources. Instead, it identifies issues regarding known occurrences of rare features and potential <br />impacts to these rare features. Visit the Natural Heritage Review website for additional information <br />regarding this process, survey guidance, and other related information. For information on the <br />environmental review process or other natural resource concerns, you may contact your DNR Regional <br />Environmental Assessment Ecologist. <br />Page 3 of 4 <br />