4. MnDOT turtle crossing
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: October 2, 2019
To: City Council
From: Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk
Re: Mn DOT turtle crossing at Highway 97
Background: Mayor Christine Maefsky suggested information be provided regarding the recent
installation of a chain link fence along a pond on the north side of Highway 97, between Odell
Avenue and Novak Avenue.
City Engineer Ryan Goodman assisted with obtaining the following communication from
MnDOT staff:
“It is small animal fencing, i.e. to help keep turtles off the road. We sent a letter to the
residents (and city) in the immediate area back in February (addresses attached) to let people
know the fence was going in spring 2019 and what it was for. Construction was delayed due to
wet conditions and just recently went in; I have rec’d 2 inquires since it went in. One of the
residents (Karen Schik) had follow up questions and I have put her in contact with our Wildlife
Ecologist. Their email exchange is attached.”
Christopher Smith, Wildlife Ecologist and Protected Species Program Coordinator with
Minnesota Department of Transportation, sent this reply to Ms. Schik:
“To answer some of your questions, the site was one of ~ 15 semi-randomly selected sites for
data collection. We collected data in 2018 with an emphasis on amphibians and reptiles, but
also collected data for mammals, birds, and a couple groups of insects. During 2018, this site
has one of the highest number of turtle roadkills with approximately 60 dead turtles (painted
and snapping). This is the reason it was selected for fencing. Data collection will continue
through 2020.
The fencing we are using is a simple modification to MnDOT's standard right -of-way fencing.
We chose to do this because our maintenance staff have materia ls on hand to repair fencing if a
car runs through it. Shorter fencing isn't stocked, so we wouldn't be able to repair the fencing in
a timely manner. In addition, this area is a designated snowmobile trail so we wanted the
fencing to be tall enough so snowmobilers can see it with 1-2' of snow on the ground. Unlike
our standard fencing, this fence is buried into the ground ~10-12" and has end treatments
meant to redirect animals.
We didn't use vinyl coated fencing for a few reasons. First, it's much more expensive and this is
a research project with a limited budget. If the fencing isn't effective, we may remove it.
Second, the vinyl coating while more attractive at first, degrades and starts get brittle. This
results in pieces breaking off and looks unattractive and sends vinyl into the environment.
Lastly, we don't always stock vinyl costed fencing at our maintenance shops, so we would run
into issues replacing it in a timely manner if there is a car strike.
While the visibility of the fencing will improve some as the vegetation we had to mow to do the
install regrows, it will remain visible - especially where it’s nearer to the roadway (needed to
get around culverts).
I’m happy to meet with the Mayor and/or present at a public meeting. We are interested in
ways to improve upon the design to meet multiple objectives.”