Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

Bemidji – Grand Rapids
Biological Assessment and Evaluation
• One population of Orobanche unifilora with at least 665 individuals is known to occur within the
1,000‐foot‐wide route along the Great Lake Pipeline corridor.
• Pinus strobus is found in all age classes in northern hardwood forest habitats along Route 3.
• Ulmus americana and to a lesser degree Ulmus rubra were observed in lowland forests along
this route.
• Viola novae‐angliae was reported from four locations during EP surveys. One of these
populations is present on private lands south of Zemple in the floodplain of Deer River.
Woody and herbaceous species would be cleared within the work space of the project during
construction and periodic maintenance along the transmission line corridor will prevent future canopy
closure. These activities will directly affect some of the known occurrences for species adapted to
shaded conditions as areas will be exposed to additional direct sunlight. Riparian species adapted to
partial or full shade include Botrychium minganense, B. mormo, B. simplex and Carpinus caroliniana,
though B. simplex is also adapted to open, sunny habitats. Where clearing of canopy occurs, sun
intolerant species of this guild are likely to be adversely effected, directly and indirectly. Additionally,
Botrychium mormo is highly sensitive to the introduction of exotic earthworms due to the alteration of
soil composition and the rapid deterioration of forest floor leaf litter. Prior to construction, field surveys
will be conducted to identify individual occurrences of species in this guild and route shifts will take
place if possible. Where impacts are unavoidable, the applicant will obtain necessary take permits and
negotiate appropriate mitigation.
Route 2 Alternative (US 2)
This forest type is present as both small patches and as large mature forest stands along the route. The
largest and most contiguous stands of northern hardwood forest occur on Route 2 between Pike Bay
and Cass Lake to the west side of Bena concentrated mostly south of US 2.
• Botrychium dissectum was observed in one location during Enbridge surveys and in two
locations during 2009 BGR surveys along Route 2.
• CNF, DRM and DNR records indicate one Botrychium mormo record in the same location north
of US 2 near the intersection with Highway 10 in mature hardwood forest.
• Eight Botrychium minangense individuals were observed in six locations during Enbridge and
HDR surveys along Route 2. DNR data shows three populations of this species in Cass Lake along
the Enbridge corridor. CNF indicates one population near a DNR point in Cass Lake.
• Six populations of Botrychium simplex were identified within this corridor during EP and HDR
surveys. CNF data has 8 records of this species within Route 2.
• Enbridge corridor surveys in 2008 identified a population of Carpinus caroliniana south of the
corridor near the intersection of Highway 10 and US 2. Neither the DNR nor the CNF track this
species.
• White pine (Pinus strobus) is present in all age classes in a mix of forests along this route.
• Ulmus americana, and to a lesser degree Ulmus rubra, were observed in lowland forests along
this route.
• More than 65 individual Viola novae‐angliae plants were identified in two locations during EP
surveys. One of these populations is present on private lands south of Zemple in the floodplain
of Deer River.
July 2010 Environmental Consequences Page 5‐95