Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

Bemidji – Grand Rapids
Biological Assessment and Evaluation
5.2.1.3 Nelson’s Sharp‐tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni)
Nelson’s sharp‐tailed sparrows are known to occur in the Study Area, in expansive shallow sedge
meadows with little open water.
Direct & Indirect Effects
Current transmission line construction practices minimize impacts to wetland habitats by spanning these
areas (when possible), constructing these segments during the winter months (when appropriate), using
mats to minimize impacts from heavy equipment (when appropriate), allowing native vegetation to recolonize
disturbed areas and by maintaining existing hydrology and grade. Permanent loss of wetland
habitat will be restricted to the footprint of transmission line structures placed in wetland areas.
Forested wetlands would be converted into emergent or scrub/shrub wetlands, as trees would be
removed to allow for transmission line development. Conversion of forested wetlands would not likely
create additional Nelson’s sharp‐tailed sparrow habitat. Temporary impacts to wetland habitats may
occur as a result of construction activities.
Forested wetlands would be converted to emergent wetland habitat, although it is unlikely that this
conversion would create habitat sufficient for breeding.
Human activity along the chosen route will be high during construction when compared to nearby areas
of unfragmented habitat. This may prevent Nelson’s sharp‐tailed sparrow from using suitable habitat
along the ROW, especially if individuals have a low tolerance for humans.
Deforestation and fragmentation have increased the available habitat and range of the brown headed
cowbird in North America, bringing it into contact with species which have had little experience with
parasitism (Hilty et al., 2006). Forest clearing within the final ROW may increase suitable brown headed
cowbird habitat by creating grassland and brushy habitats, which may be used by this species. Brown
headed cowbirds are not specifically adapted to forested landscapes, so parasitism is typically higher
near forest edges (Robinson, Thompson et al., 1995). Therefore, areas with a high edge‐to‐patch ratio
would be expected to be more susceptible to cowbird parasitism (Hilty et al., 2006). Because Nelson’s
sharp‐tailed sparrows are known to be parasitized by brown‐headed cowbirds (Nordhagen, Nordhagen
and Hendricks, 2005), individuals in the Study Area may experience increased exposure to brownheaded
cowbirds.
Route 1 Alternative (Great Lakes Pipeline)
No CNF or DNR observations of Nelson’s sharp‐tailed sparrows occur within one mile of Route 1. Surveys
of the EP did not detect this species, although appropriate habitat may exist but not likely in large
enough of an area to support breeding. These areas of appropriate habitat consist of several large sedge
meadows which would be crossed by this alternative. The width of the disturbed corridor would
increase from 60 feet (typical, existing) to 185 feet (existing plus Project ROW), thereby increasing the
potential for brown headed cowbird predation. Minimal loss of appropriate wetland habitat would
occur as a result of structure placement in these wetlands.
Impacts to individuals and appropriate habitat areas will be minimized by spanning wetland areas when
possible and by applying BMPs to construction in wetlands. If an active nest is found during
construction, potential impacts and avoidance will be assessed and coordinated with the appropriate
agencies.
Route 2 Alternative (US 2)
No CNF or DNR observations of Nelson’s sharp‐tailed sparrows occur within one mile of Route 2. Surveys
of the EP did not detect this species, although appropriate habitat may exist but not likely in large
July 2010 Environmental Consequences Page 5‐16