Appendix F Detailed Cover Type Tables - USDA Rural Development

Bemidji – Grand Rapids
Biological Assessment and Evaluation
• Botrychium dissectum – dissected grape fern,
• Botrychium pallidum – pallid moonwort,
• Botrychium rugulosum – ternate grape fern,
• Botrychium simplex– least moonwort,
• Comptonia peregrine – sweet fern,
• Hierchloe odorata – sweet grass,
• Waldsteinia fragaroides – barren strawberry
5.3.8.1 Description of Habitat Type
Upland forest, exposed soils, and grasslands generally occur within the Study Area where either
catastrophic human or natural disturbance has taken place, or where maintained, often for utility and
road rights‐of‐way and permanent settlements. In the presettlement landscape, upland openings would
have been relatively short lived, replaced by woodland/brushland, and in the absence of fire, would
have succeeded to coniferous or deciduous forest community types. The species of this guild are either
early successional species that occur only where high light levels are available or are adapted to a range
of habitat conditions, including woodland and forests with more closed canopy conditions.
5.3.8.2 Direct and Indirect Effects
Route 1 Alternative (Great Lakes Pipeline)
• Two individual Botrychium dissectum plants were observed in nearby locations west of Six Mile
Lake along the edge of the Great Lake Pipeline corridor and another along the Enbridge corridor
near the Mississippi River. CNF data indicates that this species is present west of Cass Lake
within the Great Lakes/Enbridge Corridor.
• Botrychium pallidum was observed in six locations with 31 individual plants observed during
Great Lakes Pipeline surveys.
• CNF, DRM, and DNR data record a single observation of Botrychium rugulosum on Route 1 just
west of the Mississippi River during Great Lakes Pipeline surveys. A new population of
Botrychium rugulosum was observed once during 2009 surveys in an area near the previously
known location.
• One hundred ten Botrychium simplex individuals were identified in nine populations within this
route during Great Lakes Pipeline surveys along cleared corridors.
All of the species this guild are adapted to at least partial sunlight and some species to full sun. Prior to
construction, field surveys will be conducted to identify populations of species in this guild. Where
possible, populations will be spanned, and maintenance will allow for regrowth of short stature species.
Individuals of this guild may experience adverse affects where these individuals have adapted to partial
shade environments. Where impacts are unavoidable, the applicant will obtain necessary take permits
and negotiate appropriate mitigation.
Route 2 Alternative (US 2)
Suitable habitat occurs for plants of the forest openings/exposed soils and grasslands guild along
portions of all the alternatives as all alternatives follow existing utility corridor alignments.
July 2010 Environmental Consequences Page 5‐106