Biological Evaluation for US Trunk Highway 2 Passing Lane and Turn Lane Improvements

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Biological Evaluation for US Trunk Highway 2 Passing Lane and Turn Lane Improvements Draft Biological Evaluation for US Trunk Highway 2 Passing Lane and Turn Lane Improvements Prepared by: Minnesota Department of Transportation Prepared for: US Forest Service, Chippewa National Forest Minnesota Department of Natural Resources May 2014 US Highwy 2 Passing Lane and Turn Lane Improvements Biological Evaluation This Biological Evaluation was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, National Forest Management Act, and other applicable laws and regulations. For additional information, please contact the team leader for the US Trunk Highway 2 Passing Lane and Turn Lane Improvements Project. Ms. Christine Brown Chippewa National Forest Address: 200 Ash Avenue NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-8600 TTY: (218) 335-8632 FAX: (218)335-8637 Prepared by: ______________________________________ _______________ Antony Randazzo, HDR Engineering, Inc. Date Reviewed by: ______________________________________ _______________ Kirk W. Larson, U.S. Forest Service Date Chippewa National Forest Reviewed by: ______________________________________ _______________ Cory Mlodik, U.S. Forest Service Date Chippewa National Forest May 2014 Signature Page Page i US Highwy 2 Passing Lane and Turn Lane Improvements Biological Evaluation Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Purpose of this Report ............................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Decisions to be Based on this Evaluation .......................................................................................... 1-1 2.0 Description of the Proposed Action ................................................................................ 2-1 2.1 Background Information .......................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Project Description...................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Location.................................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 2-2 2.2.3 Alternatives ............................................................................................................................................ 2-3 2.2.4 Alternatives Considered .................................................................................................................... 2-3 2.3 Physical Characteristics of the Study Area ........................................................................................ 2-5 3.0 Survey Coordination and Methods.................................................................................. 3-1 3.1 Agency coordination ................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Study Area ....................................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 DNR lands and areas of Outstanding and High Biodiversity ..................................................... 3-1 3.3.1 Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) ............................................................................................. 3-1 3.3.2 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) .......................................................................................... 3-1 3.3.3 State Forests ........................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3.4 Minnesota Biological Survey (MCBS) .......................................................................................... 3-2 3.4 Basis for Species Listing ............................................................................................................................ 3-3 3.4.1 CNF RFSS Listing .................................................................................................................................. 3-3 3.4.2 DNR Listing ............................................................................................................................................. 3-3 3.5 CNF Guidance Documentation ................................................................................................................ 3-4 3.6 Previous Biological Surveys .................................................................................................................... 3-5 3.7 Survey Protocol ............................................................................................................................................ 3-5 3.8 Species to be Considered .......................................................................................................................... 3-6 3.8.1 Federally Listed Species .................................................................................................................... 3-6 3.8.2 USFS and MnDNR Sensitive Species ............................................................................................. 3-6 4.0 Species and Associated Habitat ..................................................................................... 4-12 4.1 Chippewa National Forest and DNR Listed Species .................................................................... 4-12 4.1.1 Avian Species ....................................................................................................................................... 4-12 4.1.2 Mammalian Species ........................................................................................................................... 4-22 4.1.3 Reptile Species .................................................................................................................................... 4-26 4.1.4 Amphibians Species .......................................................................................................................... 4-27 4.1.1 Insect Species....................................................................................................................................... 4-27 4.1.2 Plant and Lichen Species ................................................................................................................. 4-28 5.0 Environmental Consequences .......................................................................................... 5-1 May 2014 Table of Contents Page i US Highwy 2 Passing Lane and Turn Lane Improvements Biological Evaluation 5.1 DNR and CNF Listed Animal Species ................................................................................................... 5-1 5.1.1 Avian Species of Mature Forests .................................................................................................... 5-1 5.1.2 Avian Species of Grasslands and Openings (wetland and upland).................................. 5-3 5.1.3 Avian Species of Lowland Conifer and Lowland Hardwood Forests .............................. 5-4 5.1.4 Avian Species of Upland Conifer Forests .................................................................................... 5-6 5.1.5 Amphibian Species .............................................................................................................................. 5-8 5.1.6 Mammalian Species ............................................................................................................................. 5-9 5.1.7 Reptile Species .................................................................................................................................... 5-13 5.2 DNR and CNF Listed Plant and Lichen Species .............................................................................. 5-13 5.2.1 Bog and Fen Communities.............................................................................................................. 5-14 5.2.2 Wet Prairie, Sedge Meadow and Emergent Wetland Communities .............................. 5-16 5.2.3 Conifer Swamps .................................................................................................................................. 5-17 5.2.4 Riparian Habitats ............................................................................................................................... 5-21 5.2.5 Lowland Hardwood Forest ............................................................................................................ 5-23 5.2.6 Northern Hardwood Forest ........................................................................................................... 5-26 5.2.7 Woodlands ............................................................................................................................................ 5-29 5.2.8 Forest Openings/Exposed Soils/Grasslands .......................................................................... 5-32 6.0 Summary of Findings ........................................................................................................... 7-1 7.0 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................................. 8-1 7.1 Corridor Clearing ........................................................................................................................................
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