7007 SEAWAY BLVD 2016-01-01 MF Import

, 5. WILDLIFE p, Wildlife hebitat festures Wildlife habitat features are provided in a variety of different forms as a result of construction of new topography, instailation of plantings and specialized habitat features. Topographic changes have created a mosaic of hummocks and depressions � with a variety of water depths which provide diverse conditions for establishment of different plant communities in close proximity to each other. Some distinct pre- existing areas of vegetation were preserved as "islands" within the newly graded wetland, and provide existing food and cover for wildlife habitat. These preserved piant communities, alongside the different mixes of planted emergent, shrub, and forest species, are exoected to evolve into many different niches and edges which are valuabie to wildlife. The native plant species which have been installed include many which, as they mature, will provide fruits, nuts, berries, and other plant parts used by birds and mammals. Plants of different heights and forms will create many different cover opportunities for a variety of wildlife types. Ponded areas will provide amphibian, waterfov�l, and invertebrate habitat. Installed/constructed habitat features include snags, fallen trees, floating logs, log rafts, and boulders as shown on the plans. Although habitat values are not yet well developed in the as-built condition, signs of wildlife use already have been observed. Invertebrates, such as aquatic insects, have been seen in several of the shallow ponded areas. Organic detritus, such as twigs and Ieaves, is beginning to accumulate throughout the constructed wetland. 8igns of fresh beaver activity such as stripped willow branches, have appeared in the deep pool area and along the edges near the outlet to the overflow channel. Deer tracks and pellets have been observed in the wetland and in the preserved/enhanced wetland buffer and environmental protection areas. A two-point buck was regularly sighted during construction and one observation of a fox was reported by an equipment operator. Scme songbirds have been using the area, particularly the preserved patches, despite the presence of construction activity. Wildlife values are expected to increase as the vegetation grows and the communities develop into more mature habitats. As lower trophic levels become established in the new habitats, this primary production will att�act other species and begin to create the interrelationships of a complex food web. B. Bird census stations Six bird census stations were established - one each in (or overlooking) open water, emergent, shrub, and forested •vetlands, and two in upland habitats. All bird census station locations are shown on the sa�nple point location map (Exhibit 1, included in 40