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withtwo2 lists of recommendations for avoiding and minimizing impacts to the turtles are included in AppendixBA. Trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator), a state-listed species of special concern, have been observed nesting within the AHATS site on Marsden Lake. Nesting habitat includes lakes and ponds with 100 meters of open water for take-off, stable levels of unpolluted water, emergent vegetation and low levels of human disturbance. The AUAR study area does not contain any suitable nesting habitat for trumpeter swans. The plains pocket mouse (Perognathus flavescens), which is a state-listed species of special concern, has also been documented within the AHATS site. There are no known occurrences of the mouse within the AUAR study area; however the northwestern corner of the site was noted by the DNR as potentially containing suitable habitat for the mouse. Suitable habitat is restricted to open, well-drained areas, typically on sandy soils with sparse, grassy or brushy vegetation. The grass vegetation in the northwest corner of the site may be too dense for this species and too far from the gravel pit population to support this species (Birney, 1999). The DNR Central Region (in partnership with the Metropolitan Council for the 7-county metro area), have identified two Regionally Significant Ecological Areas (RSEA) within portions of the AUAR study area (AppendixAB). One area overlaps with the portion of the site that is north of Rice Creek and the other overlaps with the eastern edge of the site near the existing substation. RSEA designations are based on the size and shape of the ecological area, land cover within the ecological area, adjacent land cover/use, and connectivity to other ecological areas. These two areas are designated primarily as a result of being part of a large expanse of vacant land within an urban area and their connectivity to Rice Creek and Marsden Lake, respectively. The purpose of the RSEA designation is to inform regional scale land use decisions, especially as it relates to balancing development and natural resource protection. The AUAR study area is also located within the AHATS – Rice Creek Important Bird Area (IBA). IBAs are identified by Audubon Minnesota in partnership with the DNR, are part of an international conservation effort aimed at conserving critical bird habitats. IBAs are voluntary and non-regulatory, but the designation does demonstrate the biological value of this area. This particular IBA contains varied habitat, including extensive grasslands, and provides important habitat for waterfowl, raptors, and passerines within an urban landscape. A minimum of 166 bird species have been observed within the IBA boundary, which encompasses the original 2,400 acre TCAAP parcel. In 2013, four of five osprey nests/nesting platforms were removed from the AUAR study area by Ramsey County under a DNR permit. Platforms were relocated to adjacent Ramsey County parkland property. One platform remains on the powerpole at the pumphouse near the east edge of the AUAR study area. The pumphouse and pole will remain within the site. There is a reported bald eagle nesting site on the west side of Round Lake, which is approximately 0.5 miles from the southwest corner of the AUAR study area. Both bird species nest near lakes. c.D,,, ISCUSS HOW THE IDENTIFIED FISH WILDLIFE PLANT COMMUNITIES RARE FEATURES AND ECOSYSTEMS MAY BE .I AFFECTED BY THE PROJECTNCLUDE A DISCUSSION ON INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES FROM .S THE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONEPARATELY DISCUSS EFFECTS TO KNOWN THREATENED AND . ENDANGERED SPECIES Habitat for the three listed species within the AUAR study area is poor compared to the habitat present within the adjacent AHATS site. No direct or indirect effects are anticipated on state-listed species, based on implementation of recommendations provided by the DNR fact sheet for the Blanding’s turtle. June 2014– Final AUAR19