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<br />1 <br />1 <br />, 1 <br /> <br />The degree of disturbance to the area has been high. Buildings and houses <br />have been removed, the entire site was graded, stormwater ponds and <br />ditches were excavated. Buildings, an internal road and trail system were <br />constructed, all within the last 10 years. This has resulted in the removal <br />of all natural habitat components. The undeveloped portions of the site are <br />a combination of landscaped and turf areas. <br /> <br />Wildlife species likely to occupy the existing upland habitat on the site <br />include grassland songbirds (such as meadowlarks, field sparrows, house <br />sparrows, yellowthroats, etc.), voles, mice, shrews, ground squirrels, <br />cottontails, toads, garter snakes, etc. <br /> <br />The proposed development plan would convert nearly all upland habitats <br />to pavement, building, or landscaped lawn. Existing stormwater ponds <br />would remain. Wildlife species associated with the grassland upland <br />habitat would be replaced by those adapted to developed conditions such <br />as house sparrow, robins, squirrels, and chipping sparrows. All wildlife <br />species adversely impacted by the project are considered "common" in <br />Minnesota - their departure would not be detrimental to their populations <br />at the local or national level and would not be considered a significant <br />adverse environmental impact. <br /> <br />b. Are any state-listed endangered, threatened, or special-concern <br />species; rare plant communities; colonial waterbird nesting colonies; <br />native prairie or other rare habitat; or other sensitive ecological <br />resources on or near this site? <br /> <br />Yes <br /> <br />No <br /> <br />If yes, describe the resource and how it would be affected by the <br />project. Indicate if a site survey of the resources was conducted. <br />Describe measures to be taken to minimize or avoid adverse impacts. <br /> <br />J <br />] <br /> <br />A search of the Minnesota Natural Heritage Database by the Minnesota <br />Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in January of 1997 and <br />December of 2000 found no occurrences of rare species or unique natural <br />features within an approximate one mile search radius (see Appendix C). <br /> <br />A September 1996 site review by a wildlife biologist revealed no unique <br />natural features or rare species of plants or animals, and indicated very low <br />probability for their occurrence on the subject property. A search of the <br />MN Natural Heritage database is currently underway. <br /> <br />Page 12 <br />