Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

Bemidji – Grand Rapids
Biological Assessment and Evaluation
mix of upland and wet forests along Route 1. Individuals of these species will be adversely
affected by initial clearing of the transmission corridor and future maintenance. B. lanceolatum,
B. minangense, B. mormo and Carpinus carolinana would be adversely affected if populations
are located within the area of forest removal. Strict standards must be adhered to when
working in areas where Northern Hardwood Forests are the dominant cover type to prevent the
movement of soils containing earthworms. 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.
• DRM Orobanche uniflora determination: Route 1 Alternative is likely to jeopardize the viability
of this species on the LLR. The reason for this determination is that little is known about the
habitat requirements for this species, the only known northern Minnesota/LLR/CNF population
of this species. The effects of more than doubling the width, and maintaining it in a more open
condition, of the corridor on this species are unknown. This action has the potential to
substantially alter habitat conditions for this species in this location.
• Being that the extent of the population is unknown and habitat requirements are unknown, it is
likely that direct impacts could occur. Indirect impacts may also occur, depending on the
proximity of the Project centerline (125‐foot‐wide ROW) to the population. Construction along
the south side of the Great Lakes pipeline might be able to avoid most of the currently know
population, but it would pass through the former location and it is unknown the extent of the
population. The new corridor may also change shading characteristics and/or soil moisture
characteristics. The effect that such changes may have is unknown.
• The DRM have indicated that the full extent of the population is unknown, and that this species
may still be present along the south side of the Great Lakes pipeline (per 1997 observation) as
well as other locations within the Route. Documentation of this species is problematic, as it is
visually observable for a very brief period – several weeks, usually in mid June ‐ and is rather
inconspicuous. If other undocumented populations are present in the construction zone, they
may be directly and/or indirectly impacted by tree and shrub removal, construction traffic, pole
installation and maintenance activities.
Route 2 Alternative (US 2)
• CNF: The project may adversely impact individuals, but is not likely to result in a loss of viability
in the Planning Area, nor cause a trend forward Federal listing.
• DNR: The project may adversely impact individuals, but is not likely to result in a loss of viability
in the Planning Area, nor cause a trend forward Federal listing. Botrychium dissectum, B.
minangense, B. mormo and B. simplex are known to occur on Route 2. Where individuals or
populations of these species are present within the clearing area of the transmission corridor,
adverse effects may occur. While the species B. simplex isadapted to openings, individuals may
be adversely affected where clearing of canopy takes place above individuals adapted to shaded
habitat. B. lanceolatum, B. minangense and B. mormo would be adversely affected if
populations are located within the area of forest removal. Strict standards must be adhered to
when working in areas where Northern Hardwood Forests are the dominant cover type to
prevent the movement of soils containing earthworms. 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.
July 2010 Environmental Consequences Page 5‐98