Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

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Bemidji – Grand Rapids Biological Assessment and Evaluation underneath the litter layer are usually whitish and lack chlorophyll (Wagner and Wagner, 1981). The plant first emerges from the leaf litter in June or July and can often be identified into October. Species Habitat This species occurs in rich hardwood sites in full to partial shade, typically on north‐facing slopes on moist, mineral‐rich soils (Ostlie, 1990c) and often found at the base of basswood trees. The fern grows in the leaf litter, and is dependent on mycorrhizal associations that allow it to grow whether or not it emerges above the surface of the duff. Under some habitat conditions, the fern can remain below ground or below the duff surface for several years (Berlin et al., 1998). This makes observing the fern very difficult. Sites are known in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Common associates include sugar maple, yellow birch and basswood trees, Lonicera canadensis, Carex intumescens, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Allium tricoccum, Asarum canadense, Trillium grandiflorum, and Aralia nudicaulis (Chadde 1999; MNFI 1996). This fern is very sensitive to moisture conditions and drought effects (Ostlie, 1990c). Natural succession and development of old‐growth conditions may make the area better B. mormo habitat, e.g. by allowing different mycorrhizal fungal species to colonize the soils. Conversely, these processes may not have any effect on the quality of the habitat; we do not know enough about this rare fern and its needs to be certain, although it seems to prefer mature forests (Ostlie, 1990c). The major threat to B. mormo across its range is non‐native earthworms. Some B. mormo populations and habitat are currently threatened by these worms (and others will become threatened, as the worms continue to expand their range), which have colonized hardwood stands after release (probably unintentional) from bait buckets (Berlin et al., 1998) and other sources. Many of the worms used as bait are not native to the Upper Great Lakes and do not have naturally‐occurring predators. Species Distribution and Occurrences within the Study Area B. mormo has a very limited range, known only from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan and in the Canadian province of Quebec (DNR, 2009). <strong>USDA</strong> Plants Database at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Minnesota&statefips =27&symbol=BOMO2 Botrychium mormo is listed by the DNR, DRM and the CNF with element occurrence data available by each agency. Point data provided by these agencies identifies 115 distinct populations throughout the Study Area. Chadde and Kudray (2001) cite 162 known occurrences in the state of Minnesota and 249 known global populations. According to DRM, the largest known concentration of plants is found on Guthrie Till plain soils of Ottertail Point of Leech Lake. This is the area that Route 1 proposes to cross. This alternative would pass through a major section of habitat for this species, immediately adjacent to a long term study site for the species. Summer 2009 surveys performed for the BGR project located 13 new populations ranging from single isolated plants to a single location with more than 300 individuals along Route 3. More than 550 individual plants were observed in total, all within 500 feet of the existing transmission line corridor. New observations generally took place in areas apparently unaffected by the presence of non‐native invasive earthworms. All new locations were distant from paved roadways, were generally found between major drainage areas (a likely barrier to earthworm movement) and apparently isolated from July 2010 Species and Associated Habitat Page 4‐49
Bemidji – Grand Rapids Biological Assessment and Evaluation the earth moving activities associated with major roads, a potential source for earthworm contaminated soil. Risk Factors Threats to Botrychium mormo include loss of habitat through cover type conversion, road building, timber harvesting that removes significant canopy, soil compaction, alteration in moisture regime, sustained drought, invasion by exotic plant species, removal of mature hardwood forests and exotic earthworm invasion. Invasion of exotic earthworms appears to represent the greatest threat to this species, and the genus as a whole within the CNF and LLR area. While earthworms are generally assumed to have beneficial effects on soil structure, litter decomposition, soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, their presence alters soil horizination, reducing the O (organic) layer, eliminating the E (leaching) layer, and altering the hydrologic function of soils (Chadde and Kudray, 2000x). The presence of earthworms has been shown to decrease micorrizal health and abundance, and by extension, represents a threat to all species of the genera Botrychium. USFS Conservation Assessments (Chadde and Kudray 2001) list as “high” the threat of earthworms to this species. Risk of exotic earthworm spread into areas where a healthy mycorrhizal and Botrychium community is present may represent the greatest threat to this species. Additionally, the risk of direct impact to individuals due to construction is possible if the species is present at a pole location. 4.2.5.7 Blunt‐lobed Grapefern (Botrychium oneidense) Blunt‐lobed grapefern is listed as DNR Endangered, CNF RFSS, and DRM Endangered. Potential effects for this species are described in the following Guilds: Lowland Forest and Northern Hardwood Forests. Species Description Botrychium oneidense has a single triangular leaf borne parallel to the ground. Mature specimens have a stalked, spore‐bearing, reproductive structure. The spore‐bearing structure may or may not be produced annually, and can be 3 times as long as the leaf blade. The leaf diverges from the stem about 2.5‐5.0 cm (1‐2 in.) above the ground and may be up to 20 cm (8 in.) wide and 20 cm (8 in.) long, usually pinnate 2‐3 times. The ultimate leaf segments are mostly obtuse to rounded. Leaves stay bright green throughout the winter with new leaves appearing in the spring (Gleason and Cronquist, 1991; Wagner and Wagner, 1993). Species Habitat In Minnesota, B. oneidense occurs in forests of Acer saccharum (sugar maple), Betula alleghaniensis (yellow birch), Fraxinus nigra (black ash), Quercus rubra (northern red oak), and Tilia americana (basswood). It occasionally occurs with Acer rubrum (red maple), Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash), Populus spp. (aspen), Pinus spp. (pine), Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak), and Thuja occidentalis (northern white cedar). Within the forest, B. oneidense usually grows in moist loam in low areas, swamp edges, or between the high and low water marks of vernal pools. It most often occurs as a few scattered plants, but as many as 100 plants have been observed at one location. It often occurs with other Botrychium species, most notably B. multifidum (leathery grapefern). The best time to search for B. oneidense is any time before leaves fall from trees in autumn. Snowmelt in the spring reveals the battered, but still identifiable, old frond. July 2010 Species and Associated Habitat Page 4‐50
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Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tabl
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2006). Grassland (Surrogate) Surrog
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upland coniferous forests in the Me
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Table F-1: Vegetation Cover Types w
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Table F-2: Vegetation Cover Type wi
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Table F-4: Vegetation Cover Type wi
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Appendix G Biological Assessment an
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Bemidji - Grand Rapids Biological A
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Wilton Map Document: (\\mspe-gis-fi
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Habitat Present? Yes Observations w
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Appendix I Draft Avian Mitigation P
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Avian Mitigation Plan 1.0 INTRODUCT
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Avian Mitigation Plan 2.0 SITE AND
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Avian Mitigation Plan 4.0 OPERATION
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Avian Mitigation Plan Leech Lake Re
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Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

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