Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development
Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development
Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Bemidji – Grand Rapids<br />
Biological Assessment and Evaluation<br />
No nests are known to exist within the route. Impacts to individuals and appropriate habitat areas will<br />
be minimized by applying BMPs to construction activities. If an active nest is found during construction,<br />
potential impacts and avoidance will be assessed and coordinated with the appropriate agencies.<br />
No Build Alternative<br />
The no build alternative would maintain the existing conditions along each alternative. No habitat<br />
impact would occur.<br />
Determination of Effects<br />
Route 1 Alternative (Great Lakes Pipeline)<br />
• CNF and DRM: May adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result in a loss of viability in<br />
the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward Federal listing. This alternative would cross through<br />
an area known to contain a high concentration of this species; individuals would be subjected to<br />
habitat loss, although these impacts would not likely affect viability in the Study Area.<br />
• DNR: Not listed.<br />
Route 2 Alternative (US 2)<br />
• CNF and DRM: May adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result in a loss of viability in<br />
the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward Federal listing. Appropriate breeding habitat area<br />
would be reduced as a result of timber removal.<br />
• DNR: Not listed.<br />
Route 3 Alternative (Northern Route)<br />
• CNF and DRM: May adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result in a loss of viability in<br />
the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward Federal listing. Appropriate habitat area would be<br />
reduced as a result of timber removal.<br />
• DNR: Not listed.<br />
5.2.1.7 Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)<br />
Black terns are known to occur in emergent wetlands within the CNF and the LLR.<br />
Direct & Indirect Effects<br />
Current transmission line construction practices minimize impacts to wetland habitats by spanning these<br />
areas (when possible), constructing these segments during the winter months (when appropriate), using<br />
mats to minimize impacts from heavy equipment (when appropriate), allowing native vegetation to recolonize<br />
disturbed areas and by maintaining existing hydrology and grade. Permanent loss of wetland<br />
habitat will be restricted to the footprint of transmission line structures placed in wetland areas.<br />
Forested wetlands would be converted into emergent or scrub/shrub wetlands, as trees would be<br />
removed to allow for transmission line development. Converted wetlands are not likely to create<br />
additional habitat for black terns.<br />
As black terns often forage in midflight and sometimes in colonies, they may be more susceptible to<br />
transmission line collisions than other species, if facilities are placed near breeding colonies or foraging<br />
areas. The APLIC does not discuss risk to black terns (2006).<br />
Human activity along the chosen route will be high during construction when compared to nearby areas<br />
of unfragmented habitat. This may prevent black terns from using suitable habitat along the ROW,<br />
especially if individuals have a low tolerance for humans.<br />
July 2010 Environmental Consequences Page 5‐23