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Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

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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

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