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Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program Environmental Review Fact Sheet Series. Blanding's Turtle. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AVOIDING AND MINIMIZING IMPACTS These recommendations apply to typical construction projects and general land use within Blanding's turtle habitat, and are provided to help local governments, developers, contractors, and homeowners minimize or avoid detrimental impacts to Blanding's turtle populations. List 1 describes minimum measures which we recommend to prevent harm to Blanding's turtles during construction or other work within Blanding's turtle habitat. List 2 contains recommendations which offer even greater protection for Blanding's turtles populations; this list should be used in addition to the first list in areas which are known to be of state-wide importance to Blanding's turtles (contact the DNR's Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program if you wish to datermine if your project or home is in one ofthese areas), or in any other area where greater protection for Blanding's turtles is desired List 1. Recommendations for all areas inhabited by List 2. Additional recommendations for areas known Blanding's turtles. to be of state-wide importance to Blanding's turtles. GENERAL A flyer with an illustration of a Blanding's 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 Blanding's turtles to increase public should also be informed of the presence of Blanding's 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 Blanding's turtles hand, out of harm's way. Turtles which are not in nest in June, generally after 4pm, and should be advised to imminent danger should be left undisturbed. minimize disturbance if turtles are seen. If a Blanding's turtle nests in your yard, do not disturb the If you would like to provide more protection for a nest. Blanding's turtle nest on your property, see "Protecting Blanding's Turtle Nests" on page 3 of this fact sheet. Silt fencing should be set up to kecp turtles out of Construction in potential nesting areas should be limited to construction areas. It is critical that silt fencing be the 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, dcepened, filled, or converted to storm during prime basking time (mid moming to mid- afternoon water retention basins (these wetlands provide important in May and June). A wide buffer should be left alon~e habitat during spring and summer). shore to minimize human activity near wetlands (bas . g Blanding's 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 lcast 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 TUlmels 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). mcters 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: I slope are preferred (Blanding's turtles have great difficulty climbing traditional curbs; curbs and below grade roads trap turtles on the road and can cause road kills). I 2 J I I I I I I I . I I I I I I -: I