Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

Bemidji – Grand Rapids
Biological Assessment and Evaluation
Human activity along the chosen route will be high during construction when compared to nearby areas
of unfragmented habitat. This may prevent bay‐breasted warblers 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, parasitism is 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). Bay‐breasted warblers are
known to be rarely parasitized by brown‐headed cowbirds as ranges tend not to overlap (Birds in
Forested Landscapes, 2009). Local populations may be subjected to increased contact and parasitism
with brown‐headed cowbirds.
Route 1 Alternative (Great Lakes Pipeline)
No CNF observations of bay‐breasted warblers have been made within one mile of Route 1, nor was this
species observed during the EP surveys. This species is not tracked by the DNR. It is likely that suitable
habitat is present along this route, although it may not be suitable for breeding. Where Route 1 would
cross appropriate forest stands, it would be converted to grasslands. 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.
No nests are known to exist within the route. Impacts to individuals and appropriate habitat areas will
be minimized by applying BMPs to construction activities. 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)
One CNF observation of a bay‐breasted warbler is located within one mile of Route 2. This species was
not observed during the EP surveys. This species is not tracked by the DNR. It is likely that suitable
habitat is present along this route, although it may not be suitable for breeding. Where Route 2 would
cross appropriate forest stands, it would be converted to grasslands. The width of the disturbed corridor
would increase from 580 feet (typical, existing) to 800 feet (existing plus Project ROW), thereby
increasing the potential for brown headed cowbird predation.
Impacts to individuals and appropriate habitat areas will be minimized by applying BMPs to construction
activities. If an active nest is found during construction, potential impacts and avoidance will be assessed
and coordinated with the appropriate agencies.
Route 3 Alternative (Northern Route)
No CNF observations of bay‐breasted warblers have been within one mile of Route 3. One observation
of this species was made during the BGR surveys. This observation was made in a coniferous forested
habitat. This species is not tracked by the DNR.
As portions of the Route 3 area are forested, it is likely that appropriate coniferous habitat is present,
although it may not occur in sufficient enough of an area to support breeding. Where Route 3 would
cross appropriate forest habitat, it would be converted to grasslands. The width of the disturbed
corridor would increase from 100 feet (typical, existing) to 225 feet (existing plus Project ROW), thereby
increasing the potential for brown headed cowbird predation.
July 2010 Environmental Consequences Page 5‐31