F-2. Gentian Plant Survey. J:\scopes\04w018\10000\FVD reports\final EIA\r-EIA app.doc

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1 F-2 Gentian Plant Survey J:\scopes\04w0\10000\FVD reports\final EIA\r-EIA app.doc

2 Narrow-leaved Gentian 1. Introduction Several Narrow-leaved Gentian NLG) plants were found along the Salmon Trout River in the vicinity of the Eagle Project during the T & E baseline investigation in The purpose of this study in 2005 was to determine the approximate distribution and populations of NLG in the general project area and adjacent areas of northern Marquette County. NLG is listed as a facultative wetland species in the State of Michigan, meaning that it can survive in wetland or upland conditions. In this investigation NLG plants were found in very wet conditions along streams and also in dry conditions on the upper fringe of wetlands. The Michigan Natural Features Inventory MNFI) considers the NLG a species of threatened status. 2. Study Area The study area included the fringe areas along the Yellow Dog River, the Main Branch Salmon Trout River, and several streams to the west of the Eagle Project area to the Peshekee River Figures 1 and 3). Also included in the investigation area were Harvey Lake and Powell Lake located on the Sands Plain, south of the City of Marquette approximately miles south of the Eagle Project site). 3. Results of Investigation Flowering NLG plants Figure 2, 5, 6 and 7) were found in all areas investigated along the Yellow Dog River. This included areas from 0.4 miles downstream to 0.6 miles upstream of the Trail 5 bridge on the left north) side of the river Figure 2). The first flowering plant was observed on July 9, The NLG continued to bloom through September These plants were observed in very wet areas in heavy organic soil along the Yellow Dog River and in the drier fringe areas in sandy soils several hundred feet from the river Sections 13 and 14, T50N-R29W) Figure 2). Additional flowering plants were observed in Section 24, T50N-R29W, south of the Yellow Dog River at the edge of the wetland near the bedrock outcrop. Several thousand flowering plants were observed in the Yellow Dog River areas. NLG were found along the Salmon Trout River in approximately the same areas where they were recorded by Wetland Coastal Resources in 2004 Figure 4). This area included the right side north and east) of the Salmon Trout River from upstream of the ore body to a point just upstream south) of County Road AAA Triple A Road) in Section 11, T50N-R29W. Several hundred flowering plants were observed in August and September The investigation continued west of the Eagle Project area along the Triple A Road to the West Branch Huron River Road and then on to the Peshekee Grade. These roads

3 traverse western Marquette County, eastern Baraga County and then back into Marquette County Figures 3). Flowering NLG were observed at nearly all stream crossings along the road rights-of-way. They were observed in small borrow pits near the roads, sometimes in very dry perched areas in sand and gravel soils. At most locations at least fifty flowering plants were observed and sometimes several hundred plants were observed at single locations. Approximately fifty NLG were also observed south of Lake Arfelin in Sections 21 and 22, T49N-RW Figure 3). The habitat in this location was a relatively dry bog adjacent to a small stream. NLG several hundred) were observed along the southern shore of Harvey Lake Section 31, T47N-R25W) in dry sandy soils. NLG could not be found during this study period in the gravelly soils on the shore of Powell Lake in Sections 8 and 9, T46N-R25W.

4 NARROW LEAVED GENTIAN LOCATIONS-REGIONAL VIEW Northwestern Road Legend Ford Narrow Leaved Gentian Road/Trail Hydrography Wetland County Boundary ^_ Eagle Project Site Baraga County Triple A Road Figure 2 Map Area ^_ Figure 3 Map Area Ford Map Area Pesheekee Grade Marquette County Reference Hydrography, Wetland, and Road data from Michigan Center for Geographic Information. Plant locations collected with GPS, Kennecott Minerals Co. F Miles N o r t h J a c k s o n C o m p a n y ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FIGURE 1

5 NARROW LEAVED GENTIAN LOCATIONS - EAST ad North western Ro T51N R28W Legend Narrow Leaved Gentian Road/Trail Hydrography Wetland Triple A Road County Boundary Town & Range Line Tro ut T51N R29W Ri ve r 33 Section Line on lm Sa _ ^ _ ^ 12 Eagle Project Site Triple A Road Baraga County Yello w r Riv e 13 Dog T50N R29W il 5 Tra T50N R28W Marquette County T49N R29W Map Area Reference Hydrography, Wetland, and Road data from Michigan Center for Geographic Information. Plant locations collected with GPS, Kennecott Minerals Co. 31 T49N R28W 0 F Miles No r t h J ac k s o n Co mpa ny ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FIGURE 2

6 NARROW LEAVED GENTIAN LOCATIONS - WEST Riv er Legend T50N R31W T50N RW 21 Litt le 29 e d a Gr ee ek Pe s Hydrography Wetland County Boundary Town & Range Line st We 28 Section Line T50N R29W h ch Bran Narrow Leaved Gentian Road/Trail Hu ro n 10 Baraga County Pe shekee Grade Peshe kee T49N R31W Marquette County er Riv Map Area T49N RW T49N R29W Reference Hydrography, Wetland, and Road data from Michigan Center for Geographic Information. Plant locations collected with GPS, Kennecott Minerals Co F Miles No r t h J ac k s o n Co mpa ny ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FIGURE 3

Boatswain bay biodiversity reserve

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