Natural Features of the P/A Watershed

--Rare Species Data:

The Portage-Arcadia Creeks Watershed was checked against known localities for rare species and unique natural features by staff from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Data on rare species and unique natural features are recorded in a statewide database, maintained by the DNR. This continuously updated database is a comprehensive source of information on Michigan's endangered, threatened and special concern species, exemplary natural communities and other unique natural features. Records in the database indicate that a qualified observer has documented the presence of special natural features at a site. Projects that are submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality are routinely checked for such features regardless if they are on public or private land.

Under Act 451 of 1994, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Part 365, Endangered Species Protection, "a person shall not take, possess, transport, …fish, plants, and wildlife indigenous to the state and determined to be endangered or threatened," unless first receiving an Endangered Species Permit from the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division. Responsibility to protect endangered and threatened species is not limited to the list below. Other species may be present that have not been recorded in the database.

The presence of threatened or endangered species does not preclude activities or development, but may require alterations in the project plan. Special concern species are not protected under endangered species legislation, but recommendations regarding their protection may be provided. Protection of special concern species will help prevent them from declining to the point of being listed as threatened or endangered in the future.

The following is a summary of the results for the project in Kalamazoo County, T2S R11W, T3S R11W.

The Kirtland's snake is now extremely rare in the state. Kirtland's snakes are usually found in damp habitats, often in the vicinity of stream, ditches, marshes, or ponds, but they are not truly aquatic. Open grassy habitats such as wet prairies, wet meadows, fens, swales, and pastures are preferred; they also occur in swampy woodlands, particularly in the unglaciated (southern edge) of its range.

This is an extremely secretive species that spends much of its time below ground in burrows constructed by other animals, under leaf litter, or beneath logs, rocks, or other surface objects. Movement through subterranean habitats may be enhanced by this snake's ability to flatten its body to almost ribbonlike proportions. Kirtland's snakes are active from late March or early April through late October or early November. They appear to be largely nocturnal, particularly in summer. Earthworms are the preferred food, although slugs and terrestrial leeches are also eaten.

The narrow-leaved reedgrass and rattlesnake master have been known to occur within the vicinity of the project area. This species inhabits wet prairies, boggy ground, and the open borders of marshes and swamps.

The cut-leaved water-parsnip has been known to occur in the area. In Michigan, it has been found growing along the unshaded, marshy borders of cold streams and lakes, and in spring channels, fens and bogs. It is usually rooted in wet peat, and often grows with Pilea fontana (bog clearweed), Cicuta bulbifera (water-hemlock), Impatiens biflora (jewelweed), and Nasturtium officinale (water-cress). In Michigan, this perennial plant flowers from mid-June through late August, producing fruits in August and September. Conservation of water parsnip will require protecting the hydrology of its wetland habitat.

The white lady's slipper occurs primarily in prairie fens and other marly, alkaline sites usually associated with groundwater seepage areas. These areas are commonly found adjacent to lake and stream systems. In southwestern Michigan, this species also occurs in wet prairies, which is similar to its typical habitat, tallgrass prairies, outside of Michigan. Flowering occurs in late June to early July.

The rosinweed has been known to occur in the area. Once common in tallgrass prairies, rosinweed is now largely restricted to prairie remnants where it grows on dry-mesic to mesic loams and sandy loams. This species flowers throughout July and early August.

The frosted elfin butterfly has been known to occur in the area. The frosted elfin is restricted to open oak and oak-pine barrens containing large populations of blue lupine, the larval food plant. Today, with the closing of the canopy in most former oak barrens, it is found in transitional areas between the closed canopy oak woods and the scattered openings of sand prairie. The frosted elfin has a single generation per year. Adults begin emerging in late June and early July.

The above text was adapted from a letter sent to KIESER & ASSOCIATES from Lori Sargent of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, regarding threatened and endangered species in the Portage-Arcadia Watershed, dated February 5, 2002.