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<br />, , <br /> <br />APPENDIX D <br /> <br />. <br /> <br /> <br />Minnesota Department of Natural Resources <br /> <br />Natural Heritage5.ililIWAg_ ROSlllrrch Program, Box 25 <br />St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-40_ <br /> <br />Phone: (651) 296-7863 Fax: (651) 296-1811 E.mail: sarah.hoffmann@dnr.state.mn.us <br /> <br />September 13, 2004 <br /> <br />q~~ <br /> <br />James Tolaas <br />Ramsey County Public Works <br />3377 North Rice Street <br />Shoreview, MN 55126 <br /> <br />Re: Request for Natural Heritage information for vicinity of proposed Lexington Avenue Reccnstruction, <br />T30N R23W Sections 22 & 23. Ramsey Countv <br />. - . <br />NBNRP Contact #: ERDB 20050206 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Tolaas, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Minnesota Natural Heritage database has been reviewed to determine if any rare plant or <br />animal species or other significant natural features are known to occur within an approximate one-mile <br />radius of the area indicated o~'tlie map enclosed with your information request. Based on this review, there <br />are 23 known occurrences of rare species or natural communities in the area searched (for details, see <br />enclLlsed database printout and explanation of selected fields). Following are specific comments for only <br />those elements that may be impacted by the proposed project. Rare feature occurrences not listed below <br />ilIe n<lt anticipated to be affected by the proposed project. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The project area is within a "known concentration" area of Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea <br />blandingii), a state threatened species. There are 15 such areas in the state. These areas have <br />been determined by the DNR to be locations of highest priority for research and management <br />activities; and are relied upon to maintain the. species' security in the state. Blanding's Turtles <br />spend much of their time in shallow wetlands (1-3 feet deep), but they nest in open, sandy uplands <br />up to 1 mile from wetlands. Nesting is in June and eggs hatch in September, at which time young <br />turtles enter deep wetlands where they over-winter in soft sediments. Factors believed to <br />contribute to the decline ofthis species include wetland drainage and degradation, development <br />on upland nesting areas, and possibly collection for the pet trade. In addition, because of the <br />tendency for Blanding's Turtles to travel long distances over land, they are often forced to cross <br />roads in developed areas. Many of the records we have of Blanding's Turtles are from turtles <br />killed crossing roads. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />For your information, I have attached a fact sheet and a flyer about the Blanding's Turtle. The fact <br />sheet is intended to provide you with background information regarding habitat use, life history, <br />and reasons for the species' decline, as well as recommendations for avoiding and minimizing <br />impacts to this rare turtle. As you will note, there are two lists of recommendations. The tITst list <br />contains recommendations to prevent hann to turtles during construction work, and is relative to <br />all areas inhabited by Blanding's Turtles. The second colurrm expands on the first cQlumn, and <br />contains greater protective measures to be considered for areas known to be of state-wide <br />importance to Blanding's Turtles. Because your project is within one of these areas, please referto <br />both list of recommeudatious. The flyer, which should be given to all contractors working in the <br /> <br />DNR Information: 651-296-6157 <br /> <br />1-888-646-6367 " TTY: 651-296-5484 0 [-800-657-3929 <br /> <br />An Equal OpPorlLII,ity Employer <br /> <br />)~ Prinled 011 Recycled Paper Conwining a <br />~~ Minimum of IO(k Post-COllsumer W,\ste <br />