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2 Minnesota DNR Division of Ecological Resources Environmental Review Fact Sheet Series. Blandings Turtle. Ó RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AVOIDING AND MINIMIZING IMPACTS These recommendations apply to typical construction projects and general land use within BlandingÓs turtle habitat, and are provided to help local governments, developers, contractors, and homeowners minimize or avoid detrimental List 1 impacts to BlandingÓs turtle populations. describes minimum measures which we recommend to prevent harm List 2 to BlandingÓs turtles during construction or other work within BlandingÓs turtle habitat. contains in recommendations which offer even greater protection for BlandingÓs turtles populations; this list should be used addition to the first list in areas which are known to be of state-wide importance to BlandingÓs turtles (contact the DNRÓs Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program if you wish to determine if your project or home is in one of these areas), or in any other area where greater protection for BlandingÓs turtles is desired. List 1. Recommendations for all areas inhabited by List 2. Additional recommendations for areas known to BlandingÓs turtles.be of state-wide importance to BlandingÓs turtles. GENERAL A flyer with an illustration of a BlandingÓs turtle should be Turtle crossing signs can be installed adjacent to road- given to all contractors working in the area. Homeowners crossing areas used by BlandingÓs turtles to increase public should also be informed of the presence of BlandingÓs awareness and reduce road kills. turtles in the area. Turtles which are in imminent danger should be moved, by Workers in the area should be aware that Blandings Ó hand, out of harms way. Turtles which are not in turtles nest in June, generally after 4pm, and should be imminent danger should be left undisturbed. advised to minimize disturbance if turtles are seen. If a BlandingÓs turtle nests in your yard, do not disturb the If you would like to provide more protection for a nest. BlandingÓs turtle nest on your property, see ÐProtecting BlandingÓs Turtle NestsÑ on page 3 of this fact sheet. Silt fencing should be set up to keep turtles out of Construction in potential nesting areas should be limited to that silt fencing be construction areas. It is criticalthe period between September 15 and June 1 (this is the removed after the area has been revegetated. time when activity of adults and hatchlings in upland areas is at a minimum). WETLANDS Small, vegetated temporary wetlands (Types 2 & 3) should Shallow portions of wetlands should not be disturbed not be dredged, deepened, filled, or converted to storm during prime basking time (mid morning to mid- afternoon water retention basins (these wetlands provide important in May and June). A wide buffer should be left along the habitat during spring and summer). shore to minimize human activity near wetlands (basking BlandingÓs turtles are more easily disturbed than other turtle species). Wetlands should be protected from pollution; use of Wetlands should be protected from road, lawn, and other fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided, and run-off chemical run-off by a vegetated buffer strip at least 50' from lawns and streets should be controlled. Erosion wide. This area should be left unmowed and in a natural should be prevented to keep sediment from reaching condition. wetlands and lakes. ROADS Roads should be kept to minimum standards on widths and Tunnels should be considered in areas with concentrations lanes (this reduces road kills by slowing traffic and of turtle crossings (more than 10 turtles per year per 100 reducing the distance turtles need to cross). meters of road), and in areas of lower density if the level of road use would make a safe crossing impossible for turtles. Contact your DNR Regional Nongame Specialist for further information on wildlife tunnels. Roads should be ditched, not curbed or below grade. If Roads should be ditched, not curbed or below grade. curbs must be used, 4 inch high curbs at a 3:1 slope are preferred (BlandingÓs turtles have great difficulty climbing traditional curbs; curbs and below grade roads trap turtles on the road and can cause road kills).