The Key Native Wildlife and Habitat Areas layer was developed using the ND State Wildlife Action Plan Focus Areas, areas where unbroken grassland is ≥ 40% within a 4 square mile area, and areas where the accessibility for breeding duck pairs per square mile is greater than 60 (“Thunderstorm Map”). There are three categories of impact.

• Low Impact Native Wildlife and Habitat Areas – This spatial area represents lands that are primarily broken or disturbed land; land that has been converted from its native state to other uses, such as cropland and developed areas, and is a highly fragmented landscape. Offsets for impacts to wildlife and habitat are relatively low, but appropriate siting could often result in little to no impacts. Approximately 37% of the state is in the low category. Project development in the low category will have the least impact to key native wildlife and habitat.

• Medium Impact Native Wildlife and Habitat Areas – This spatial area represents lands that are partially broken or disturbed. These areas may encompass tracts that have or have not been converted from its native state to other uses, such as cropland and developed areas, therefore it is a more fragmented landscape. Offsets for impacts to wildlife and habitat may be of moderate nature, but appropriate siting can result in minimal impacts. Approximately 25% of the state is in the medium category. Project development in the medium category will have a higher likelihood of impacting key native wildlife and habitat than projects in the low impact areas.

• High Impact Native Wildlife and Habitat Areas – This spatial area represents a mostly intact and undisturbed landscape. These areas contain large tracts of land that have not been converted from their native state to other uses, such as cropland and developed areas, and are therefore a less fragmented landscape. Offsets for impacts to wildlife and habitat would be at their highest, but appropriate siting can result in moderate to minimal impacts. Approximately 37% of the state is in the high category. Project development in the high category will have the greatest impact to key native wildlife and habitat.