05-21-1997 Council Packet Special Meeting

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DNR RESPONSE Big Woods Impacts Item 11a 1. Comment: “The EAW should note that the site’s biological diversity will decline post- project to eventually exhibit a habitat profile common to more intensively developed areas, thus favoring species more tolerant of human intrusion and activity than those species found at the site now.’’ (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 3) “The discussion... in general implies that fragmentation of the forested areas, and the resulting creation of more open areas and forest fringe, will have a positive effect on wildlife. On the contraiy, the proposed course layout will have the effect of changing the “forest’’ habitat... The edge zone will be drier and less shady than the current forest interior, favoring shade-intolerant xeric (dry-loving) plants over the typical mesic (moist- loving) forest plants. It is likely that some trees that remain will be subject to blowdown.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 3) “The EAW should indicate that fragmentation and creation of the golf course will benefit species such as deer and geese, species that are (already) considered a nuisance in the area. Deer now present...will cause damage and increase the probability of deer-vehicle collisions. It is also likely that creation of a golf course will attract more Canada geese to the area.” (DNR letter 4/9/97, page 3) Response: The EAW does address that habitat will change due to the fragmenting of the Woods, which will create more open areas and forest fringe. Some forest song birds will be affected due to predation and competition. In general, the fragmenting of the forest will create greater “biodiversity” as a greater number of species are found in forest fringe areas, as opposed to dense forested areas. That is not to say that the greater biodiversity is an improvement over the specialist species which occur in a Big Wood type ecosystem. There are few species which exist solely in Big Woods habitat. Mature deciduous trees are a common habitat requirement, and there will be many mature deciduous trees remaining on this site. Human intrusion and activity will only be present on the site from sunrise till sunset for 5 months out of the years. Therefore, species remaining on site would need to be less tolerant of people than if it were a park. We agree with the DNR that microclimate conditions will change due to the edge effect. Some spring ephemerals may be affected. However, the plant community would not evolve toward “shade intolerant” species, because they would remain in at least 50% cover. In addition, the golf club will maintain an open forest edge by removing exotics, such as common buckthorn, honeysuckle, and other understory shrub species. ( f I