Page 80 - 2023 Sustainability Report

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Biodiversity and Land Use

We own or lease significant land holdings on which we many years. The facility first participated in an osprey nest
operate our businesses. We are committed to minimizing relocation program with the Three Rivers Park District and
operational impacts on local ecosystems’ biodiversity. Xcel Energy in 2007. This led to the installation and
In addition to complying with applicable laws and maintenance of dedicated poles for osprey nesting habitat
regulations, we integrate various protection measures located at the site, which is near the St. Croix River.
into the way we operate, as described below. Further,
Likewise, at our St. Cloud Minnesota Quarry, potential
our environmental management practices consider Prebble Jumping Mouse
habitat for the endangered Blanding’s turtle has been
the relevant ecosystem throughout the lifecycle of an
identified. Accordingly, as expansion and other activities
operation, including reclamation.
occur at the site, the Company will conduct observation
Habitat and Species Protection for these turtles. Contractors and employees are provided
the MNDNR Blanding’s Turtle Flyer to assist them in
Throughout the duration of our operations at a particular
identifying this species. If turtles are encountered, the first
location, we take a variety of steps to mitigate impacts list of recommendations in the MNDNR Blanding’s turtle
on habitats and species and to restore disturbed fact sheet are followed. In addition, erosion control
ecosystems. Our environmental staff works in concert materials used at this site must remain free of products
with our mine planners and operations teams to ensure with plastic mesh netting or other plastic components.
sensitive areas and species are not impacted. We
follow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines and Additionally, many of our quarries benefit biodiversity by
regulations for operations near endangered or threatened creating and maintaining valuable habitats for many
species of wildlife, including threatened or endangered
species, and we obtain required permits and conduct
species. This occurs both in the ordinary course of
necessary mitigation in connection with our activities in
maintaining large rural sites and through set-asides and
or near waters of the United States.
conservation easements we have granted. In addition, in
An excellent example of this practice can be found at our many of our sand and gravel operations, we create
Stillwater / West Lakeland, Minnesota operations which have wetland features that improve water quality long term and
been engaged in the protection of osprey nesting sites for water-storage basins that help to supply local water needs.

Osprey, St. Cloud MN

78 2023 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT