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Minnesota DNR Nalural Heritage and Nongame Research Program Environmental Review Fact Sheet Series. Blanding's Turtle. 2 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 protec~ion for Blanding's turtles populations; tMs list should be used in addition to theflrst 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 determine if your project or home is in one of these areas), or in any other area where ~reater protection for Blanding's turtles is desired. List 1. Recommendations for all areas inhabited by List 2. Additio1lal recommendations for areas known to Blanding's turtles. be of state-wide importance to Blanding's turtles. GENERAL A flyer with an illustration of a Blanding's turtle ShOlild be Turtle crossing signs can be installed adjacent to road-. given to all contractors working in the area. Homeowners crosaing areas used by Blanding's turtles to increase public should also be infonned of the presence of Blanding's awareness and reduce road kills. turtles in the area. Turtles which are in imminent dan~er should be moved, by Workers in the area should be aware that Blanding's hand} out ofhanns wal. Turtles w ich are not in . turtles nest in June, generally after 4pm, and should be imnunent danger shou d be left undisturbed. advised to minimize disturbance if turtles are seen. If a Blanding's turtle nests in your yard, do not disturb the Jfyou would like to provide more protection for a nest. Blanding's turtle nest on your prope~, see ''Protecting Blanding's Turtle Nests" on page 3 0 this fact sheet. Silt fencing should be set up to keep turtles out of Construction in potential nestin~ areas should be limited to construction areas. It is critical that silt fencing be the period between September 5 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 stonn during prime basking time tmid momin~ to mid- aftemoon water retention basins (these wetlands provide important in May and June). A wide uffer shoul be left alon~ the habitat during spring and sununer). shore to minimize hwnan activity near wetlands (bas ing 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 sesticldes should be avoided, and rull-off chemical run-offby a vegetated buffer strip at least 50' from lawns an streets should be controlled. Erosion wide. This area should oe 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 J>y slowing traffic and of turtle crossings (more than 10 turtles per year ger 100 reducing the distance turtles need to cross). meters of road), and in areas of tower density if t e level ofroad use would make a safe crossi?S: impossible for turtles. Contact your DNR R~ional ODgame Specialist . for further infonnation on wil ife tunnels. Roads should be ditched, not curbed or below ~de. If Roads should be ditched, not curbed or below grade. curbs must be used, 4 inch hi~h curbs at a 3: 1 s ope are . preferred (Blanding's turtles ave great difficulty climbing traditional curbs; curbs and below grade roads trap turtles on the road and can cause road kills).