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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211229_Biological_Site_AssessmentMountain Mist Mine, McDowell County, NC Waycaster Stone Company, LLC Biological Site Assessment Purpose This assessment is provided in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended, The Migratory Bird Treaty act, as amended, The Bald and Golden Eagle act and section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and as listed in a letter to Adam Parr from US Fish and Wildlife dated September 14, 2021, in response to a mining permit application. Project Description Waycaster Stone Company, LLC is seeking a mining permit to continue mining dimension stone on an approximately 24-acre site, located just off Hicks Chapel Loop Road, in Marion, North Carolina. The Mountain Mist Mine (the site) is located in McDowell County and the total permitted area requested is approximately 24 acres but only 6 acres of the 24 acres will be actively mined or effected by disturbance (roadways, mine excavations, overburden disposal areas and soil and erosion controls). Dimension stone is mined by removal of overburden, drilling and blasting the rock (if necessary) and loading into trucks to be separated and packaged for sale at other locations. The stone is geography located in veins and the mining follows the veins. The Current and proposed excavation areas are less than 4 acres. See attached Maps Project Area The projects area is a mining area that has been active for at least 25 years (possibly 40 years). The excavation areas have highwalls and are inspected by the US Department of Labor, Mine, Safety and Health Administration. These highwall areas are sloped back and have no overhang for safety reasons. There are no streams or wetlands on the site and also no caves or old abandoned mines. The upper elevations of the mine are wooded except where the present road is shown. The wooded areas have oak, cherry, poplar and other hardwoods and the areas above the road have white pines mixed into the hardwoods. See attached Maps Physical -Biological Area As mentioned above the site is vegetated with hardwood and pine trees except in the areas that are cleared for roads, excavation and overburden disposal areas. The mined areas are vegetated with Kentucky Fescue, and some native species such as black bevy, saw briars, broom sage and other perennial varieties. See attached Maps Species that "may be present" According to the letter from USFWL dated September 14, 2021, the site is in a County that has potential or known occurrence records of species with federal designations. They have listed 11 species that "may be present» at the site and for which they have concerns. Biological Site Assessment Page 2 Species Status 1. Appalachian Elktoe E 2. Bald Eagle BGPA 3. Bog Turtle T(S/A) 4. Carolina Hemlock ARS 5. Gray Bat E 6. Little Brown Bat ARS 7. Monarch Butterfly CAN 8. Northern Long-eared Bat T 9. Small Whorled Pogonia T 10. Tricolored Bat ARS 11. White Irisette E E= Endangered, T= Threatened, T(SIA) = Threatened (due to similarity of appearance), ARS= At Risk Species, CAN= Candidate Species and BGPA= Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Attached are information sheets on each of these species giving pertinent information on each of them in as much detail as the author could find. Also attached is a copy of the IPaC resource list using the USFWL web site to map the exact location of The Site thus pinpointing the area of concern. The IPaC resource list only list 6 of the above 11 species that "may be present" or potentially affected by activities at this location. Those 6 species are as follows: Gray Bat (E), Northern Long Eared Bat (T), Bog Turtle (SAT), Monarch Butterfly (C), Small Whorled Pogonia (T) and the White Irisette (E). No critical habitat has been designated for any of the 6 species. The site has been reduced in size to eliminate an area of the mine that included a blue line stream which is Toms Creek Tributary No. 4 and by doing so the presence of the Bog Turtle is totally eliminated. A site inspection shows there are no caves (none found) at the site and the mining is open pit and the highwalls do not produce any areas that would be suitable for bat habitat. The mine areas not active have been seeded with Kentucky Fescue and other grasses and limited native plants are present in the active areas. The areas to be permitted are already a mine and have been active for 20 to 30 years. All trees and undergrowth have long been removed that would have affected the flowering species and thus the threat to any of these species are almost removed completely. Attachments: Information Sheets for: Appalachian Elktoe Bald Eagle Bog Turtle Carolina Hemlock Gray Bat Little Brown Bat Monarch Butterfly Northern Long-eared Bat Small Whorled Pogonia Tricolored Bat White Irisette IPaC resource list GIS Map USGS Map r U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 11 ECOS ECOS / Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana) Range Information I Candidate Info I Federal Register j Recovery I Critical Habitat I SSA I Conservation Plans Petitions I Biological Opinions I Life History. Taxonomy: View taxonomy in ITIS Listing Status: Endangered Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND General Information Search for images on digitalmedia. fws.gov The species historical range included North Carolina, Tennessee. See below for information about where the species is known or believed to occur. Current Listing Status Summary Show to v entries Status 4 Date Listed Lead Region c....l .�..........d 11 77 9 nnA n... ;-- Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > Range Information Current Range + q Whereverfound Last Updated: 04-15-2020 Zoom in! Some species' locations MOfI °s` " may be small and hard to see from a wide perspective. To Knoxville narrow -in on locations, check the io state and county lists (below) and then use the zoom tool. Want the FWS's current range for all species? Click here to download a zip file containing all individual shapefiles and land metadata for all species. * For consultation needs do not use only this current range map, please use IPaC. • Wherever found Listing status: Endangered Athens o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: North Carolina, Tennessee o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: » Candidate Information No Candidate information available for this species. No Candidate Assessments available for this species. No Candidate Notice of Review Documents currently available for this species. No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species. » Federal Register Documents Federal Register Documents Show to v entries Citation Date Page 07/14/2021 86 FIR 37178 37181 03/25/2014 79 FR16366 16368 09/20/2005 70 FR 55157 55158 Title Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 37 Southeastern SI Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Species 5-Year Review of 14 Southeastern Species 09/27/2002 67 FR 61016 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Design 61040 Appalachian Elktoe.; Final rule.; Y, 05/16/2002 67 FR 34893 ETWP; Designating Critical Habitat for the Appalachian Elr', 34894 public hearings, availability of draft economic analysis, ai for the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Al y ' IF 02/08/2001 66 FR 9540 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Propose='r 9555 for the Appalachian Elktoe=_ 11 /23/1994 59 FR 60324 ETWP; Appalachian Elktoe Determined To Be an Endangf 60334 - �.....r.: •z.s� °mvr 5::' C ...: :.........t:.......l:.:u.:.::L:�i�:;:• _ ter..,......._.,.....s...............�..�..._.......,...._..�........rL "ie..':''.':.:.:.._......3 Showing 1 to 8 of 8 entries < Previous 1 Next > Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Species Status Assessments (SSAs) No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species. Special Rule Publications No Special Rule Publications currently available for this species. Recovery • Species with Recovery Documents Data Explorer • Recovery Priority Number: 5C Current Recovery Plan(s) Show 10 entries Plan Recovery Date Stage Plan SSAs/Bio Implementation Status Reports s 08/26/1996 Final Appalachian View Implementation (7r�rerr►r-r- �. Wr• !'1. ^p'c'�`.. �;1•'i:. ;:'-• ,Y�':r f. ,,y' �'/.., :,�yin.41:c •i.l'i ". iii:�.: ,�L�:i�il i', aa , �Y: /f y:�,..w'•i., �jnr...w+.L.:J3�T.aa�".,+s�':or�il:.:Jr LJ'�ii',.'::..�J::::��:i�'a:�.��ar.—......+,-.:ii.'..-•...'::e.�.'��r w.+. Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > Other Recovery Documents Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions and notices as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions and notices. Show 10 v entries Date . Citation Page 07/14/2021 86 FR 37178 37181 03/25/2014 79 FIR 16366 16368 Title Le -quest for information Reviews of 33 Southeastern Species 09/20/2005 70 FR 55157 55158 5-Year Review of 14 Southeastern Species Showing 1 to 3 of 3 entries < Previous 1 Next > Five Year Reviews Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions. Show 10 entries Date Title 08/28/2017 Appalachian elktoe(Alasmidonta raveneliana) 5-Year Review _ILw__/nn....:..... Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > No Delisting Documents currently available for this species. Critical Habitat Critical Habitat Spatial Extents Population(s) ± Whereverfound 4 Knoxville f Athens 'a eveland Critical Habitat Documents Show 10 - entries N�nlah N=U�n Fo i, ;It 1, Date Citation Page Title 09/27/2002 67 FIR 61016 61040 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; DE _ I U, k;+t ♦ 4:--+1,- n.... -.I--L.;.... cll.t.... rt..-.I t Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > To learn more about critical habitat please see http://ecos.fws.gov/crithab » Conservation Plans No Conservation Plans currently available for this species. n Petitions No Petitions currently available for this species. Biological Opinions Show 10 v entries BO Lead Activity Project date Office Title Code Type Locatiol 06/25/2019 Asheville Ecological Services Field Office 12-065 B-4823 Transylvania Br. 12 replacement 04EN1000- Bridge - Maint 2012-F-0069 / Mod / Replace / Upgrade - Federal 06/25/2019 Asheville 12-065 B-4823 04EN1000- Bridge - Maint Ecological Transylvania Br. 2012-F-0069 / Mod / Services 12 replacement Replace / ....:.............: ....... , .:....:.::...: ...::.::...:..... ...... ...:....... Trans y (N c) $� � 4 Transy (NC) Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > To see all Issued Biological Opinions please visit the report Life History No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species. Other Resources NatureServe Explorer Species Reports-- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. ITIS Reports-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. FWS Digital Media Library. -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." + 4; Conserving the nature of America USFWS Midwest Home Midwest Migratory Birds Contact Us Fact Sheet Natural History, Ecology and Recovery Photo courtesy of Ryan Anthony; USFWS A North American species with a historic range from Alaska and Canada to northern Mexico, the bald eagle is an Endangered Species Act success story. Forty years ago, our national symbol was in danger of extinction throughout most of its range. Habitat destruction and degradation, illegal shooting, and the contamination of its food source, largely as a consequence of DDT, decimated the eagle population. Habitat protection afforded by the Endangered Species Act, the federal government's banning of DDT, and conservation actions taken by the American public have helped bald eagles make a remarkable recovery. Bald Eagle Biology Bald eagles are a North American species that historically occurred throughout the contiguous United States and Alaska. The largest North American breeding populations are in Alaska and Canada, but there are also significant bald eagle populations in the Great Lakes states, Florida, the Pacific Northwest, the Greater Yellowstone area, and the Chesapeake Bay region. Adult bald eagles have the dark brown body and distinctive white head and tail. In contrast, juvenile bald eagles have mottled brown and white plumage. They gradually acquire the adult plumage as they mature, which takes about five years. Most bald eagles can breed at 4 or 5 years of age, but many do not start breeding until much older. Bald eagles may live 15- 30 years in the wild. The oldest known bald eagle in the wild was at least 38 years old. It was hit and killed by a car in New York in 2015. It had been banded in New York state in 1977. Adult bald eagles are powerful, brown birds that may weigh 14 pounds and have a wingspan of 8 feet. Male eagles are smaller, weighing as much as 10 pounds and have a wingspan of 6 feet. Sometimes confused with golden eagles, bald eagles are mostly dark brown until they are four to five years old and acquire their characteristic coloring. There is a distinction between the two species, though, even during the early years. Only the tops of the bald eagle's legs have feathers. The legs of golden eagles are feathered all the way down. Learn more about bald and golden eagle identification here. Bald eagles are opportunistic feeders with fish comprising much of their diet. They also eat waterfowl, shorebirds, colonial waterbirds, small mammals, turtles, and carrion (often along roads or at landfills). Because they are visual hunters, eagles typically locate their prey from a conspicuous perch, or soaring flight, then swoop down and strike. Bald eagles require a good food base, perching areas, and nesting sites. Their habitat includes estuaries, large lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and some seacoasts. In winter, the birds congregate near open water in tall trees for spotting prey and night roosts for sheltering. Eagles usually mate for life, choosing the tops of large trees to build nests, which they typically use and enlarge each year. Bald eagles may also have one or more alternate nests within their breeding territory. In treeless regions, they may also nest in cliffs or on the ground. The birds travel great distances but usually return to breeding grounds within 100 miles of the place where they were raised. Bald eagles generally nest near coastlines, rivers, and large lakes where there is an adequate food supply. They nest in mature or old -growth trees, snags (dead trees), cliffs, and rock promontories. Recently, and with increasing frequency, bald eagles are nesting on artificial structures such as power poles and communication towers, and away from large water bodies. In forested areas, bald eagles often select the tallest trees with limbs strong enough to support a nest that can weigh 1,000 pounds or more. Nest sites typically include at least one perch with a clear view of the water, where they forage. Eagle nests are constructed with large sticks, and may be lined with moss, grass, plant stalks, lichens, seaweed, or sod. Bald eagle nests are generally 4-5 feet wide and 24 feet deep, although the nesting pair will add nesting material to the nest every year. Some eagle nests stay small, but some can reach 10 feet across and weigh a thousand pounds! The largest recorded bald eagle nest, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, was 9.5 feet in diameter, 20 feet deep and weighed almost 6,000 pounds. Nests may grow so large that they make a tree top heavy, and will cause the nest or tree to fall over in storms. Breeding bald eagles typically lay one to three eggs once a year, and they hatch after about 35 days. The young eagles are flying within three months, but they will continue to use their nest as a "home base" where their parents continue to care for them for an additional 4-6 weeks. Learn more with the Nesting Calculator. Young eagles can have high rates of mortality due to disease, lack of food, bad weather, or dangers associated with humans (collision with cars or power lines). Mortality rates their first year can be as high as 50%. After they are a year old, their survival rates are much higher. The Plight of the Bald Eagle When America adopted the bald eagle as the national symbol in 1782, the country may have had as many as 100,000 nesting eagles. The first major decline of the species probably began in the mid to late 1800's, coinciding with the decline of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other prey. Although they primarily eat fish and carrion, bald eagles used to be considered marauders that preyed on chickens, lambs, and domestic livestock. Consequently, the large raptors were shot in an effort to eliminate a perceived threat Coupled with the loss of nesting habitat, bald eagle populations declined. In 1940, noting that the species was "threatened with extinction," Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act, which prohibited killing, selling, or possessing the species. A 1962 amendment added the golden eagle, and the law became the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Shortly after World War B, DDT was hailed as a new pesticide to control mosquitoes and other insects. However, DDT and its residues washed into nearby waterways, where aquatic plants and fish absorbed it. Bald eagles, in turn, were poisoned with DDT when they ate the contaminated fish. The chemical interfered with the ability of the birds to produce strong eggshells. As a result, their eggs had shells so thin that they often broke during incubation or otherwise failed to hatch. DDT also affected other species such as peregrine falcons and brown pelicans. In addition to the adverse effects of DDT, some bald eagles have died from lead poisoning after feeding on waterfowl containing lead shot, either as a result of hunting or from inadvertent ingestion. By 1963, with only 487 nesting pairs of bald eagles remaining, the species was in danger of extinction. Loss of habitat, shooting, and DDT poisoning contributed to the near demise of our national symbol. The Road Back As the dangers of DDT became known, in large part due to the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring, the Environmental Protection Agency took the historic and, at the time, controversial step of banning the use of DDT in the United States. That was in 1972, and it was the first step on the road to recovery for the bald eagle. In 1967, the Secretary of Interior listed bald eagles south of the 40th parallel under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. Following enactment of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Service listed the species in 1978 as endangered throughout the lower 48 states, except in Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin where it was designated as threatened. "Endangered" means a species is considered in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. "Threatened" means a species is considered likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future, but is not currently in danger of extinction. The species was not listed as threatened or endangered in Hawaii because it does not occur there, or in Alaska because populations there have remained robust. Listing the species as endangered provided the springboard for the Service and its partners to accelerate the pace of recovery through captive breeding programs, reintroduction efforts, law enforcement, and nest site protection during the breeding season. In July 1995, the Service announced that bald eagles in the lower 48 states had recovered to the point where those populations previously considered endangered were now considered threatened. In July 1999, the Service proposed to remove the bald eagle from the list of threatened and endangered species. Since then, the Service has reviewed comments received on that proposal along with new data and information to determine the best ways to manage the species once it is removed from the protections of the Endangered Species Act. In 2006, the Service re -opened the public comment period due to new information on the proposal to dlist. Data gathered during this comment period was factored into a final decision on the status of the species. In 2006, the Service estimated that there are at least 9,789 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the contiguous United States. Bald eagles have staged a remarkable population rebound and have recovered to the point that they no longer need the protection of the Endangered Species Act. Up-to-date information on eaglepQ ulation numbers can be found here. (updates on -going) Thus, on June 28, 2007, the Service announced the recovery of our nation's symbol and removal from the list of threatened and endangered species. A detailed narrative of the bald eagle's recovery can be found here, What Lies Ahead Although the Service removed the bald eagle from the list of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, it will still be protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Both laws prohibit killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests, or eggs. The Service has continued to work with state wildlife agencies to monitor the status of bald eagles for five years after delisting, as required by the Endangered Species Act. If the species should need the protection of the Act, the Service can relist it as endangered or threatened. In the meantime, individual states may also pass or implement laws to protect bald eagles. As part of the 2016 Eagle Rule Revisions, the Service committed to a long-term monitoring plan of bald and golden eagles in order to determine appropriate thresholds for permit issuance. Assuming sufficient appropriated funding, the Service plans to conduct eagle surveys on a 6-year rotation: One set of paired summer —winter golden eagle surveys in the first and second and fourth and fifth years of each assessment period, and to conduct bald eagle surveys in years three and six. Fact Sheet Revised July 2019 Eagle Natural History Midwest Eagle In the Midwest USFWS Midwest Home Midwest Migratory Birds Contact Us Midwest Eagle Midwest Eagle Home Natural I-iistory Avoiding Eagle Conflicts Permits Protections Population Eagle Viewing History of Decline and Recovery Eagle Feather - Can I keep it? Help, 1 found a dead/injured eagle! U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ECOS ECOS / bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) Range Information I Candidate Info I Federal Register Recovery I Critical Habitat I SSA I Conservation Plans J Petitions I Biological Opinions J Life History Taxonomy: View taxonomy in ITIS Listing Status: Threatened and Similarity of Appearance (Threatened) General Information This is the smallest emydid turtle, and one of the smallest turtles in the world. Adult carapace length is 7.9 to 11.4 cm (3.1 to 4.5 inches). The dark brown or black carapace may be marked with radiating light lines or a light blotch on the vertebral and pleural scutes. Scute annuli are usually prominent in juvenile and young adult specimens, but the carapace may be nearly smooth in old adults. The head, neck, and limbs are typically dark brown with variable reddish to yellow spots and streaks. A large reddish -orange to yellow blotch is visible behind and above each tympanum, sometimes merging into a continuous band on the neck. The upper jaw is weakly notched. (Ernst, Lovich, and Barbour, 1994; Harding, 1997) The plastron is also brown or black, but often with lighter yellow blotches towards the medial and anterior scute edges. A mature male bog turtle has a concave plastron and a long, thick tail, with the vent posterior to the rear edge of the carapace with tail extended. The female has a flat plastron and a thinner, smaller tail, with the vent at or beneath the rear carapace edge. (Ernst, Lovich, and Barbour, 1994; Harding, 1997) The species historical range included Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. See below for information about where the species is known or believed to occur. Population detail The following populations are being monitored: bog turtle Current Listing Status Summary Show io - entries Status Threatened Similarity of Appearance Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries Range Information Current Range 0 Q Wherever found, except GA, NC, Last Updated: 08- 13-2020 0 r L U.S.A. (GA, NC, SC, TN, VA) Last Updated., 11-13-2020 Zoom in! Some species' locations may be small and hard to see from a wide perspective. To narrow -in on locations, check the state and county lists (below) and then use the zoom tool. Want the FWS's current range for all species? Click here to download a zip file containing all individual shapefiles and metadata for all species. * For consultation needs do not use only this current range map, please use IPaC. , : r.+ City Date Listed Lead Region 11-04-1997 Northeast Region (Region , 11-04-1997 Southeast Region (Region A\ < Previous 1 Next > 4 , � Toronn; Mitwaukee Gr�rr11=_�;1'I'P..f:=i a .Chicago Detroit llin ol> Andianapolis ;,.uiil �r- - 5 III hill , Cincinnati St Louis Lotiis1,1111 .. Wash n Richmo rl„ Nashville l<no+vil ,oro Raleigh Memphis i k..-n .-r - . L Charlotte • Wherever found, except GA, NC, SC, TN, VA Listing status: Threatened Bitmingliam a Atlanta o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge • U.S.A. (GA, NC, SC, TN, VA) Listing status: Similarity of Appearance (Threatened) o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: » Candidate Information No Candidate information available for this species. No Candidate Assessments available for this species. Candidate Notice of Review Documents Showi 10 ` entries Date Citation Page Title 09/19/1997 62 FR 49398 49397 Review of Plant and Animal Taxa 02/28/1996 61 FR 7597 7613 ETWP; Review of Plant and Animal Taxa That Are Ca 11 /15/1994 59 FR 58982 59028 ETWP; Animal Candidate Review for listing as Enda " A r► /1 /'► /A P% 0%• --. /—r% r r• . r I r n w r ^ n r 1 1 1 . 0 . 1.1 11 • r r 1 • . I� 1 1 . Showing 1 to 4 of 4 entries < Previous 1 Next > No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species. Federal Register Documents Federal Register Documents Show' 10 entries IV Citation - Date Page Title 10/15/2021 86 FR 57373 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Technic{j 57376 Species is •LU, 08/08/2018 83 FR 39113 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 19 Northeastern Species 39115 06/08/2011 76 FR 33334 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiatio 33336 Species: Purple Bean, Clubshell, Roanoke Logperch, Swai spired Three -toothed Land Snail, Puritan Tiger Beetle, Dv 01 /29/2007 72 FR 4018 Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Ten Listed Northeastern 4019 ,aa,e 'Fll 11 /04/1997 62 FR 59605 ETWP; Final Rule to List the Northern Population of the BI 59623 Southern Po ulation as Threatened Due to Smilarity of A.11 P 09/19/1997 62 FR 49398 Review of Plant and Animal Taxa 49397 01 /29/1997 62 FR 4229 ETWP; Proposed Rule to List the Northern Population of 4239 the Southern Population as Threatened Due to Similarity •.:..:�.r...:ai'1_.....:.:i'a.._....:%:a':'Y',;:4.�i.,a'`*..2i:r:oS:.se':"-'G •.�Ia'.�w" Showing 1 to 10 of 10 entries < Previous 1 Next > Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Species Status Assessments (SSAs) No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species. Special Rule Publications Show' 10 entries Date ® Citation Page Title 11 /04/1997 62 FR 59605 59623 ETWP; Final Rule to List the Northern Population of ry I7�r►� ���1-i�r� -%e--rkw^-%+P%r%o%A no oe% to% CrbniI-%v-;+%• o%f A r%r%r%- [s 7'......wl.'•x.+ax...r<.5:....:c.r-N.P!�t=:'..:ai��:°:5.:.Cf£'::i.d,"�:«",'.....;.......,....�....1`z.,...�.,:::.�F...`s:�:.7;.�..:..w. �'-:3kiar..:..aslfr'.''"::N,:..�.:::::.1 Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > Recovery • Species with Recovery Documents Data Explorer • Recovery Priority Number: 12C Current Recovery Plan(s) Show 10 - entries Plan Date Stage 05/15/2001 Final Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries Recovery Plan Recovery Plan for the Bog Implementation Status View Implementation n < Previous 1 Next > Other Recovery Documents Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions and notices as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions and notices. Show 10 V!entries Date W Citation Page Title 08/08/2018 83 FR 39113 39115 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 19 Northeastern Ste,` 06/08/2011 76 FR 33334 33336 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, Ini Nine Species: Purple Bean, Clubshell, Roanoke Logp; Riffleshell, Flat -spired Three -toothed Land Snail, Pur We gemussel, and Bog Turtle 01 /29/2007 72 FR 4018 4019 Showing 1 to 3 of 3 entries No Five Year Reviews currently available for this species. No Delisting Documents currently available for this species. » Critical Habitat < Previous 1 Next > No Critical Habitat Documents currently available for this species. Conservation Plans Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) Show 10 v entries HCP Plan Summaries Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries Petitions No Petitions currently available for this species. Biological Opinions Show 10 - entries < Previous 1 Next > BO Lead Activity date Office Title Code Project Type Locati 10/16/2020 Branch of Reinitiation 09E31000- National formal 2020-F- Consultations consultation: 0001 OSMRE's Showing 1 to 4 of 4 entries To see all Issued Biological Opinions please visit the report Life History Mining - SubsurFace Exploration - Coal, Mining - < Previous 1 Next > No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species. » Other Resources NatureServe Explorer Species Reports-- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. ITIS Reports-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." + 'ems U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ECOS ECOS / Carolina hemlock (Tsuga carollniana) Range Information I Candidate Info I Federal Register Recovery I Critical Habitat I SSA I Conservation Plans Petitions I Biological Opinions I Life History. Taxonomy: View taxonomy. inlTIS Listing Status: Under Review General Information Search for images on digitalmedia. fws.gov The species historical range included Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. See below for information about where the species is known or believed to occur. Current Listing Status Summary Show 10 v entries Status Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries Range Information Date Listed Current Range �1 Q Wherever found Last Updated: 03-31-2020 Zoom in! Some species' locations may be small and hard to see from a wide perspective. To narrow -in on locations, check the Lead Region < Previous 1 Next > Pollwaueee Grand Rapids troll _- Chicago --- - - --- - = Glevelam ° Sj III imnc Kansas City S t Louis .Indianapolis -. Columbus�f n Cincinnati Loi.ii=,.:ill•: state and county lists (below) and then use the zoom tool. Want the FWS's current range for all species? Click here to download a zip file containing all individual shapefiles and metadata for all species. * For consultation needs do not use only this current range map, please use IPaC. • Wherever found Listing status: Under Review Nashville Po1 emp hi s - I °cnm Mrw Atlanta Bip inrham �, ; nraiu, Dallas na tin � 1 1i Jackson Houston IJ �,•, Orleans �. io .. o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: Candidate Information No Candidate information available for this species. No Candidate Assessments available for this species. No Candidate Notice of Review Documents currently available for this species. No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species. Federal Register Documents Federal Register Documents Show to - entries ® Citation Date Page Title 09/27/2011 76 FR 59836 Partial 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List 404 Species Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Species Status Assessments (SSAs) No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species. Special Rule Publications No Special Rule Publications currently available for this species. Recovery • Species with Recovery Documents Data Explorer No Current Recovery Plans available for this species. No Other Recovery Documents currently available for this species. No Five Year Reviews currently available for this species. No Delisting Documents currently available for this species. Critical Habitat No Critical Habitat Documents currently available for this species. Conservation Plans No Conservation Plans currently available for this species. Petitions Show 10 entries Where the Date species is Received believed to Petition by the or known to Petitioner Title FWS occur Name Requested F Action F Hemlock, Carolina (Tsuga caroliniana); list E w/CH 12/13/2010 GA, NC, SC, TN, • Wild South VA 404 04/20/2010 AL, AR, CO, CT, • Southeast DC, DE, FL, GA, aquatic IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, species; list LA, MA, MD, ME, • w/C H MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, • Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries Biological Opinions • Listing: Endangered • APA: Designate Critical Habitat Alabama • Listing: Rivers Threatened Alliance or Tennessee Endangered Forests • APA: Council Designate West Virginia Critical - < Previous 1 Next > No Issued Biological Opinions have been entered into this system for this species. » Life History No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species. Other Resources NatureServe Explorer Species Reports-- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. ITIS Repo s-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." + U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ECOS ECOS / Gray bat (Mycitis grisescens) Range Information I Candidate Info I Federal Register Recovery I Critical Habitat I SSA I Conservation Plans Petitions I Biological Opinions I Life History Taxonomy: View taxonomy in ITIS Listing Status: Endangered Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND General Information Long, glossy fur, light brown to brown. Ears dark, usually black; longer than in any other myotis; when laid forward extend 1/4 cm (7 mm) beyond nose. Tragus long and thin. Calcar keeled. The species historical range included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia. See below for information about where the species is known or believed to occur. Current Listing Status Summary Show 10 v entries Status � Date Listed Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries Range Information Current Range + Whereverfound — Last Updated: 12-14-2020 S 41-l➢ II I'j Lead Region < Previous 1 Next > Sr uth Gakol: Imva NPkJ I � Chicago oDeh J Zoom in! Some species' locations may be small and hard to see from a wide perspective. To narrow -in on locations, check the state and county lists (below) and then use the zoom tool. Want the FWS's current range for all species? Click here to download a zip file containing all individual shapefiles and metadata for all species. * For consultation needs do not use only this current range map, please use IPaC. • Wherever found Denver UNITED Utah Colorado STATES - _ Kansas les Arizona Newhtexico MExiCC Guadalajara 2 C;hlahan� Dallas Texas Houston J Mexico City V T 1' A, Ohio Louis T� tlanta Listing status: Endangered o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge, Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge ...Show All Refuges Candidate Information No Candidate information available for this species. No Candidate Assessments available for this species. No Candidate Notice of Review Documents currently available for this species. No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species. » Federal Register Documents Federal Register Documents Show to - entries Citation Date Page Title 04/26/2019 84 FR 17420 17421 07/08/2014 79 FR 38560 38562 07/26/2011 76 FR 44564 44566 03/30/2006 71 FR 16176 16177 Initiation of 5- Year Status Reviews of Six Listed Animal a information Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of Nine Listed Animal 5-Year Status Reviews of Seven Listed Species: Notice of information L i. i• 5-Year Review of Five Midwestern Species 04/28/1976 41 FR 17736 Determination that Two Species of Butterflies are Threat 17740 Mammals are Endangered Species; 41 FR 17742 17747 (� - i :..i ... n... .. ..jn Showing 1 to 6 of 6 entries < Previous 1 Next > Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Species Status Assessments (SSAs) No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species. Special Rule Publications No Special Rule Publications currently available for this species. Recovery • Species with Recovery Documents Data Explorer • Recovery Priority Number: 8 Current Recovery Plan(s) Show 10 entries ® Plan Recovery SSAs/Biol Date Stage Plan Implementation Status Reports 07/08/1982 Final Gray Bat View Implementation s �_..r.asu �. a•.we.. .....,.:.a:^y.:s.r.. �.�1»-�£.)S..t..n.-w�.w:Pra:.i_-,:�'?-:7'�'bJ::....i�::psi..n:"J.._'S:_...1:'::'w•�.:�.._:.:';:.:.:.:.r...w:J.�".. �.........�.... Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > Other Recovery Documents Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions and notices as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions and notices. Show 10 - entries Date > Citation Page Title 04/26/2019 84 FR 17420 17421 Initiation of 5- Year Status Reviews of Six Listed Anir Species; request for information 07/08/2014 79 FR 38560 38562 Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of Nine Listed An Listed Plant Species 07/26/2011 76 FR 44564 44566 5-Year Status Reviews of Seven Listed Species: Noti reviews; request for information 03/30/2006 71 FR 16176 16177 5-Year Review of Five Midwestern Species Showing 1 to 4 of 4 entries < Previous 1 Next > Five Year Reviews Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions. Show 10 entries Date nnioninnnn Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries ® Title ,,..�.--,...,-\ c v,.... n,.,A-1 No Delisting Documents currently available for this species. Critical Habitat < Previous 1 Next > No Critical Habitat Documents currently available for this species. » Conservation Plans No Conservation Plans currently available for this species. » Petitions Show to entries Where the species is Date believed Received to or Petition by the known Title FWS to occur Petitioner Requested Petition Name Action Finding(s Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > Biological Opinions --- Show 1 10 v ; entries BO o Lead Activity - date Office Title Code Project Type Lof 06/02/2021 Virginia UPC 110520 05E2VA00- TRANSPORTATION 0 S: Ecological (0023-084- 2020-F- t4j �. Services Field 759) 2668' Office 10/16/2020 Branch of Reinitiation 09E31000- Mining - Subsurface National formal 2020-F- Exploration - Coal, Consultations consultation: 0001 Mining - Subsurface OSMRE's Extraction - Coal, regulatory Mining - Subsurface program - Leasing - Coal, Mining SMCRA Title V - Subsurface Reclamation - Coal, Mining - Surface Exploration - Coal, Mining -Surface Extraction - Coal, Mining -Surface Reclamation - Coal To see all Issued Biological Opinions please visit the report Life History No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species. » Other Resources NatureServe Explorer Species Reports-- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. ITIS Reports-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. FWS Digital Media Library_ -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." + HINTERLAND WHO'S WHO Introduction This animal: • has the largest distribution and was, until recently, the most common bat species in Canada • is gregarious, meaning that it lives in groups • can eat as much as its own weight in insects in one night • can live as long as 34 years • is affected by a disease called White Nose Syndrome Description LITTLE BROWN BAT The Little Brown Bat, or Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) weighs between 7 and 9 g, and has a wingspan of between 25 and 27 cm. Females tend to be slightly larger than males but are otherwise identical. As its name implies, it is pale tan to reddish or dark brown with a slightly paler belly, and ears and wings that are dark brown to black. Contrary to popular belief, Little Brown Bats, like all other bats, are not blind. Still, since they are nocturnal and must navigate in the darkness, they are one of the few terrestrial mammals that use echolocation to gather information on their surroundings and where prey are situated. The echolocation calls they make, similar to clicking noises, bounce off objects and this echo is processed by the bat to get the information they need. These noises are at a very high frequency, and so cannot be heard by humans. Since we cannot hear the Little Brown Bat's, or most other bats', calls, it is very hard for humans to distinguish different species of bats when observing them flying at nightfall. Special equipment, like a "bat detector', is needed to process their echolocation calls. Even properly equipped, it is difficult to differentiate them. The three Canadian Myotis species all make a similar clicking noise at a 40 kHz frequency, making them hard to tell apart. Still, there are minute differences in frequency and patterns. The Little Brown Bat typically produces calls lasting about 4 milliseconds. When not feeding, they make echolocation calls about 20 times per second. When hunting, they can emit as many as ten times more calls persecond. H [ NTE R-LA_ Ill-B-,, WH@'S WHO Little Brown Bat The Little Brown Bat has a very long lifespan compared to other small mammals. They can live for more than 10 years, and one was even captured at 34 years oldl Owls, snakes, raptors, cats, raccoons, and weasels have been known to prey on the Little Brown Bat both when it is roosting and in flight. Habitat and Habits Bats like the Little Brown Bat are the only mammals capable of true flight. Some Canadian bats migrate long distances south in the fall and north in the spring, just like birds. However, this is not the case for the Little Brown Bat, which does not migrate. Other Canadian bat species also remain here, like the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), the Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and the Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus). Even though Little Brown Bats do not usually migrate to destinations outside of Canada, individuals can move up to 1000 km from summer roosts to winter roosts where they hibernate. These winter roosts are called hibernacula. Between August and early October, individuals from many different summering locations swarm together in large groups during the night in mines and caves in order to mate. This swarming behaviour prior to winter also helps direct yearlings, or bats born the preceding summer, to suitable hibernacula locations. Most Little Brown Bats remain in the same areas where they swarm for the winter, but others move to different locations. Hibernacula are generally in caves or abandoned mines, and are chosen for their high humidity and stable, above -freezing temperatures. The Little Brown Bat is a true hibernator (it slows down its metabolism, heart rate, and breathing) but still wakes periodically to drink or eliminate waste. Because food is not available during the winter, it relies solely on its fat reserves to survive from as early as September to Mid -April (for females) or Mid -May (for males). The duration of hibernation is longer in colder latitudes and shorter in the south. H I N T S [ZLA N.D WH©'s WHO Little Brown Bat In the spring, female Little Brown Bats that mated the preceding fall or during the winter wake early from hibernation and move to maternity, or nursery, roosts, where they will remain for the summer in groups of up to a thousand individuals. In Canada, Little Brown Bats and Big Brown Bats are the only two species that regularly use buildings for their maternity colonies. They may also use tree cavities or other places that stay dark and warm during the day, like bat boxes. The fact that they huddle together and choose warmer spots is thought to help the pups grow more rapidly. Females that are not reproducing and males roost in other, typically cooler, locations, in smaller groups. In both cases, these roosts are mainly used during the day, since Little Brown Bats forage, or hunt, at night. At night, Little Brown Bats may use night roosts to rest between feeding bouts. Most Little Brown Bats keep returning to the same mating, wintering and nursery or summer roosts every year, although roost switching does happen. The species has been observed in a great variety of habitats, including all forest types, the southern edge of the Arctic tundra and urbanized areas, but it prefers areas close to wetlands, lakes or streams in the summer because of greater food availability. Range The Little Brown Bat has the largest distribution of all Canadian bats. In Canada, it is found in all provinces and territories except Nunavut. It is most common in the northern half of the United States but has been observed in all continental states and Alaska. It is also found in the cooler mountainous areas of central Mexico. 1 Distribution of the Little Brown Bat HINTERLAND WHO'S WHO Feeding Little Brown Bats feed on a great variety of small, flying insects. They locate these insects using echolocation. These are typically moths, flies, mosquitoes, mayflies, beetles, and midges, but they are opportunistic feeders, meaning that they feed on whatever insect species is available. They tend to go on two or more feeding bouts per night, one at sunset and the other before sunrise. In between they Little Brown Bat will rest to conserve energy and digest their food. Pregnant females tend to feed over larger areas, but as soon as the pups are born, they stay closer to the maternity roost. Females that are suckling their young can consume the equivalent of their weight in insects each night. Still, most Little Brown Bats consume about 1000 insects per night, or half of their body weight. Before hibemation, bats will eat greater quantities, increasing their weight by over 30%. Breeding Most Little Brown Bats of more than one year old will mate in the fall when great groups swarm together. Individuals can mate several times with different partners. Females will store the males' sperm throughout the winter until they ovulate in the spring. After a gestation of 50 to 60 days, depending on the condition and age of the female, a single pup is born in June or July. This pup weighs about''% of its mother's weigh. It is born able to cling onto the roost's wall and its mother, even when the mother flies around while feeding. Little Brown Bat pups can fly at about three weeks old, after which it feeds both on its mother's milk and insects. It is weaned from its mother's milk at around 26 days, after which it accumulates fat for the winter before leaving for fall swarming sites. HINTEEZLAND WH@'s WHO Conservation Little Brown Bat In 2006, a major threat for Little Brown Bats appeared in North America. A fungus called Geomyces destructans was likely brought over by cave explorers, or spelunkers, who may have carried dirt from European caves on their gear. When they afterwards visited a cave near Albany, USA, spores of the fungus were deposited. Since the cave had good growing conditions for the fungus, it survived and spread. In Europe, researchers believe that bat populations have survived alongside the fungus for thousands of years, and so have developed immunity to it. At least, a great majority of affected European bats survive an infection from Geomyces destructans. In North America, where bats had never encountered the fungus, the reaction is quite different. Geomyces destructans causes a disease called White Nose Syndrome (WNS). This disease affects three bat species in Canada, where WNS appeared in 2009-2010: the Tri- colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus), and the Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), but the Little Brown Bat has been affected the most. The fungus grows on the bats' nose (causing it to become covered by white fuzzy growths, hence the disease's name), wings, and any non -furred skin during their hibernation. This causes the bats to wake M n Vanderwolf more often than usual due to dehydration and 2 Little Brown Bat affected by white Nose Syndrome possibly to groom the fungus off. Because they become more active than they should during the winter (some are even seen flying outside their hibernaculum), they rapidly use up the fat reserves they had gathered the preceding summer, which causes them to starve as well. The great majority of Little Brown Bats that have WNS are unable to survive: after two years of infection, bat populations in some hibernacula have been reduced to less than 10% of what it originally was before the disease's onset. Since conditions are ideal for the fungus in most Canadian bat hibernacula — caves and mines share similar cool and humid conditions —, WNS is spreading fast. Since Little Brown Bats may travel for hundreds of kilometres from summer to winter ranges, and since they swarm in the fall to reproduce, the disease is transmitted from bat to bat over very large areas. Bats that survived the infection the preceding year can potentially transmit the fungus to others by contact during swarming or by entering new hibemacula. The fungus is able to survive in hibernacula during the summer when bats are absent, potentially re -infecting bats on their return in the fall. So far the disease has only infected bats in Eastern Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island), but experts believe that most of Canada (except, perhaps, the colder areas in Northern Canada in which a small proportion of Little Brown Bats hibernate) will have infected Little Brown Bats within 22 years. HINTEIZLA_ND--., Little Brown Bat WHO'S WHO Since no cure for WNS has yet been found, experts say that the Little Brown Bat will likely be extirpated, which means that it will become extinct in some areas of Canada. It is probable that less than 1 % of the original Canadian population will remain. In North America, 5.7-6.7 million bats have died of WNS since 2006, and in the Northeastern states, the Little Brown Bat will likely become extirpated within about 16 years from the disease's onset. We can expect a similar situation in Canada within about three generations of bats, or between nine and 30 years. Although it is likely that very few Little Brown Bats that will remain isolated from WNS, scientists hope that the species will not become totally extinct in Canada because of the survival of some individuals from the disease. Indeed, a small percentage of bats have been known to survive after showing symptoms of WNS. These bats, when breeding, may transmit their immunity to the next generation, as might have been the case for European bats initially. Still, since the Little Brown Bat is one of the slowest reproducing mammals for its size, only giving birth to one pup per year, the recovery of the species in North America, if possible, will very likely be slow. Little is known about the distances and areas bats travel between summer and winter roosts, hibernacula locations, and bat population numbers in Canada. However, since the arrival of WNS experts have been busy gathering as much information as possible. A more thorough knowledge of basic bat biology will likely help managing WNS. The locations of bat hibernacula need to be discovered in order to gather this information and document how populations are affected by WNS. The Canadian Wildlife Federation is currently funding researchers in Eastern Canada, enabling them to study the disease and document its spread. Environment Canada funds the coordination of 3 Little Brown Bats in a hibernaculum activities related to the management of WNS in Canada. Also, scientists in Canada and the United States are trying to find a cure for WNS by studying European bats and the fungus itself. Other threats to the Little Brown Bat include the disturbance or destruction of hibernacula and maternity colonies, habitat loss, the use of pesticides and presence of toxins in the food web. Because of these threats, but above all, the presence of WNS, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has assessed the Little Brown Bat as Endangered in Canada in an emergency designation. The species is already listed as endangered in some provinces. Little Brown Bat conservation is, of course, very important. As a part of the biodiversity of many Canadian ecosystems, they contribute to the ecological functions of many types of forests and wetlands. For example, they help keep forest pests' HINTERLAND., WHO'S WHO Little Brown Bat populations under control. But bats such as the Little Brown Bat, are also important for human health. Since these bats eat a great quantity of pest insects such as mosquitoes, which can be vectors for illnesses, they help humans enjoy the outdoors more during the summer months and might even play a role in reducing the spread of diseases. Also, a healthy bat population is good for the economy, since they consume insects that are destructive to crops and forests, reducing the need for pesticide use. What Can We Do Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to lend a hand to the Little Brown Bat and other bat species in Canada. Cave visitors that do not properly decontaminate their equipment have probably contributed to the spread of WNS. A very easy way to help reduce this threat is by not visiting non-commercial caves at all unless you are accompanied by experts. Also, leaving caves where bats hibernate undisturbed will give even healthy bats a boost, since being awakened during hibernation lowers their chances of survival. Also, when gardening or caring for your lawn, use no pesticides, since they can get into the bats' system through their insect diet. Building and installing a bat house can also help bats find a suitable resting spot during the summer months. If you find bats in your home, contact a licensed person that is equipped to properly and humanely deal with them. Also, if you ever notice active bats during the winter months or dead bats around your home, contact your provincial wildlife management bureau, since they likely know bat experts interested in the information. Resources Online Resources CWF's Help the Bats http: //cwf-fcf. org/en/do-som eth i no/chal lenoes-o roi ects/help-the-bats/ White Nose Syndrome in the U.S. http://www.nwhc.usgs.goy/disease information/white-nose syndrome/ White Nose Syndrome hftp://whitenosesyndrome.org/ White Nose Syndrome in Canada http://www.ccwhc.ca/white nose svndrome.php Bat Conservation International, Little Brown Bat H I NT E RLANP-- Little Brown Bat WH@'s WHO http://batco n.org/index. php/all-a bout-bats/species- profiles htmI?task=detail&species=2040&countrv=43&state=all&family=all&start=20 Little Brown Bat, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador hftp://www.env.qov.ni.ea/env/sni)/Drograms/education/animal facts/mammals/brown bat.html Text by Annie Langlois © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2013. All rights reserved. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ems, ECOS ECOS / monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Range Information J Candidate Info I Federal Register Recovery I Critical Habitat I SSA I Conservation Plans Petitions Biological Opinions I Life History_ Taxonomy: View taxonomy in ITIS Listing Status: Candidate General Information Note - the monarch is a candidate species and not yet listed or proposed for listing. There are generally no section 7 requirements for candidate species (see our Section 7 Questions and Answers on the monarch here - https://www.fws.goWsavethemonarch/FAQ-Section7.html), but we encourage all agencies to take advantage of any opportunity they may have to conserve the species. For information on monarch conservation, visit https://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/, http://www.mafwa.orgPpage_id=2347, and, for the West, https:Hwafwa.org/committees- working-groups/monarch-working-group/. Adult monarch butterflies are large and conspicuous, with bright orange wings surrounded by a black border and covered with black veins. The black border has a double row of white spots, present on the upper side of the wings. Adult monarchs are sexually dimorphic, with males having narrower wing venation and scent patches. The bright coloring of a monarch serves as a warning to predators that eating them can be toxic. During the breeding season, monarchs lay their eggs on their obligate milkweed host plant (primarily Asclepias spp.), and larvae emerge after two to five days. Larvae develop through five larval instars (intervals between molts) over a period of 9 to 18 days, feeding on milkweed and sequestering toxic chemicals (cardenolides) as a defense against predators. The larva then pupates into a chrysalis before emerging 6 to 14 days later as an adult butterfly. There are multiple generations of monarchs produced during the breeding season, with most adult butterflies living approximately two to five weeks; overwintering adults enter into reproductive diapause (suspended reproduction) and live six to nine months. In many regions where monarchs are present, monarchs breed year-round. Individual monarchs in temperate climates, such as eastern and western North America, undergo long-distance migration, and live for an extended period of time. In the fall, in both eastern and western North America, monarchs begin migrating to their respective overwintering sites. This migration can take monarchs distances of over 3,000 km and last for over two months. In early spring (February -March), surviving monarchs break diapause and mate at the overwintering sites before dispersing. The same individuals that undertook the initial southward migration begin flying back through the breeding grounds and their offspring start the cycle of generational migration over again. Current Listing Status Summary Show 10 - entries Status Date Listed Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries Range Information Current Range e .+m Q Wherever found Last Updated: 09-20-2021 Zoom in! Some species' locations may be small and hard to see from a wide perspective. To narrow -in on locations, check the state and county lists (below) and then use the zoom tool. Want the FWS's current range for all species? Click here to download a zip file containing all individual shapefiles and metadata for all species. * For consultation needs do not use only this current range map, please use IPaC Lead Region < Previous 1 ;III : ryJ Yrl Ff 1,...1.. Where 0 Next > • Wherever found Listing status: Candidate o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: » Candidate Information Current Candidate Status Listing Priority: 8 Magnitude: Moderate to Low Immediacy: Imminent Taxonomy: Species No Candidate Assessments available for this species. No Candidate Notice of Review Documents currently available for this species. No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species. Federal Register Documents Federal Register Documents Show 10 entries Date o Citation Page = Title 12/17/2020 85 FR 81813 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-I;r:, 81822 Monarch Butterfly :zza� E: 4� 12/31 /2014 79 FR 78775 90-Day Findings on Two Petitions _ -707-70 Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Show i 10 entries Document Title Region Monarch (Danaus plexippus) Species Status Assessment Report,, Region 3 Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Special Rule Publications No Special Rule Publications currently available for this species. » Recovery • Species with Recovery Documents Data Explorer No Current Recovery Plans available for this species. No Other Recovery Documents currently available for this species. No Five Year Reviews currently available for this species. No Delisting Documents currently available for this species. » Critical Habitat No Critical Habitat Documents currently available for this species. » Conservation Plans Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA): (learn more) Show 10 v entries CCAA Plan Summaries Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries Specie Assi, Next > ...+4 .... C......... -....J T.--....-.....rt-.t�.... 1-...._I.- < Previous 1 Next > » Petitions Show 10 entries w Petition Title Petition for Rulemaking for a Section 4(d) Rule for the Monarch Butterfly Date Received by the FWS 11 /18/2020 Where the species is believed to or known to Petitioner occur Name • The University of Illinois Chicago Requested Action • APA: Promulgate new special 4(d) rule Pe - Fin a Butterfly, 08/26/2014 • Center for • Listing: Monarch Biological Threatened (Danaus Diversity APA:' A� plexippus Madison Designate plexippus); Audubon Critical list T w/ CH Society Habitat (secondary petitioner) • Dr. Lincoln Brower_ �y • Center for Food Safety F n, • Xerces Society _ at:.'si::roy........t....:1k:....a.a._..c..�r........w✓a.G�...J....•..::.3i::'fer"Lt.l '.:. �.. � ......[w'wx-t 'J1 Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > Biological Opinions Show10 entries BO Lead date Office Title 04/03/2020 Assistant Nationwide Activity - Project Code Type 03E00000- Land Location Abbeville (SC)E Regional CCAA/CCA for 2020-F- Director- Monarch 0001 Ecological Butterfly on Services Energy and Transportation Lands Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries To see all Issued Biological Opinions please visit the report Life History Management Accomack (V/ Plans - Other Adair (MO), A Adams (ID), A Adams (MS), j (OH), Adams i Addison (VT), (FL), Alamanc Alamosa (CO) (WY), Albema Alexander (IL; Alexandria (V. Al I ega ny (M D; Alleghany (N( Allegheny (PA (IN), Allen (KY Alpine (CA), A (VA), Amherst Anderson (KY Anderson (TK A/A An% 10 < Previous 1 Next > No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species. Other Resources NatureServe Explorer Species Reports-- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. ITIS Reports-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." + U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ECOS ECOS / Northern Long -Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) Range Information I Candidate Info I Federal Register Recovery Critical Habitat I SSA I Conservation Plans Petitions Biological Opinions I Life History Taxonomy: View taxonomy in ITIS Listing Status: Threatened Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND General Information The northern long eared bat is a medium-sized bat about 3 to 3.7 inches in length but with a wingspan of 9 to 10 inches. As its name suggests, this bat is distinguished by its long ears, particularly as compared to other bats in its genus, Myotis, which are actually bats noted for their small ears (Myotis means mouse -eared). The northern long-eared bat is found across much of the eastern and north central United States and all Canadian provinces from the Atlantic coast west to the southern Northwest Territories and eastern British Columbia. The species range includes 37 states. White -nose syndrome, a fungal disease known to affect bats, is currently the predominant threat to this bat, especially throughout the Northeast where the species has declined by up to 99 percent from pre -white -nose syndrome levels at many hibernation sites. Although the disease has not yet spread throughout the northern long-eared bat s entire range (white -nose syndrome is currently found in at least 25 of 37 states where the northern long-eared bat occurs), it continues to spread. Experts expect that where it spreads, it will have the same impact as seen in the Northeast. The species historical range included Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See below for information about where the species is known or believed to occur. Current Listing Status Summary Show io - entries Status Date Listed r L.....-.r......A nr nn ' n9 C Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries » Range Information Current Range 12 Q Wherever found Last Updated:08-26-2021 Zoom in! Some species' locations may be small and hard to see from a wide perspective. To narrow -in on locations, check the state and county lists (below) and then use the zoom tool. Want the FWS's current range for all species? Click here to download a zip file containing all individual shapefiles and metadata for all species. * For consultation needs do not use only this current range map, please use IPaC. • Wherever found Lead Region Where n n;,-�..,,..-� < Previous 1 Next > Listing status: Threatened o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge Candidate Information No Candidate information available for this species. No Candidate Assessments available for this species. No Candidate Notice of Review Documents currently available for this species. No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species. Federal Register Documents Federal Register Documents Show 10 v entries 17 Citation Date Page 06/20/2016 81 FR 39947 04/27/2016 81 FR 24707 24714 01 /14/2016 81 FR 1900 1922 04/02/2015 80 FR 17973 18033 01 /30/2015 80 FR 5079 01 /16/2015 80 FR 2371 2378 Title A Draft Environmental Assessment, Draft Habitat Conservi -; Implementing Agreement; Receipt of an Application for i Wind Farm, Madison and Tipton Counties, Indiana s: Determination That Designation of Critical Habitat Is No1[�' g ,.;. Eared Bat: Critical habitat determination.` krt 4(d} Rule for the Northern Long -Eared Bat; Final rule r• Threatened Species Status for the Northern Long -Eared Listing the Northern Long -Eared Bat With a Rule Under! Listing the Northern Long -Eared Bat With a Rule Under 5 11 /18/2014 79 FR 68657 Endangered Species Status for the Northern Lang -Eared 68659 period 06/30/2014 79 FR 36698 6-Month Extension of Final Determination on the Prop �fih99 Northern Long -Eared Bat r�1_..rlw.._._i..�a..,w..«....riL_wr_...+w_.I rs.,..r...n._...+•_...+..._._A_....�_ - ��Q+".':L,�.'�' . _ _-.+.�_i Showing 1 to 10 of 11 entries < Previous 1 2 Next > Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Species Status Assessments (SSAs) No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species. Special Rule Publications Show 10 v entries Date Citation Page Title 01/14/2016 81 FIR 1900 1922 4(d) Rule for the Northern Long -Eared B nn Inn Inn,I nn rn 4nnnn IOnIn nl_rL Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > Recovery • Species with Recovery Documents Data Explorer • Recovery Priority Number: 5 No Current Recovery Plans available for this species. No Other Recovery Documents currently available for this species. No Five Year Reviews currently available for this species. No Delisting Documents currently available for this species Critical Habitat Critical Habitat Documents Show 10 v entries Date Citation Page Title 04/27/2016 81 FIR 24707 24714 Determination That Designation of Critical Habitat I _ f...- ♦h.. Al...+h..... I ..., .. c..-.. rJ D-.f. /-rifi�-.I h-.h�f-.f .J .. Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > To learn more about critical habitat please see http://ecos.fws.gov/crithab Conservation Plans Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) Show! 10 entries HCP Plan Summaries Wildcat Wind Farm Timber Road HCP Rosewater Wind Farm Pioneer Trail Wind Farm E.ON Pennsylvania State Lands Forestry HCP MidAmerican Energy Comps HCP Meadow Lake Wind Resource Area Hoopeston HCP Hog Creek Wind Project :...::..:. ......::. ..::.:::. Showing 1 to 10 of 16 entries Petitions Show 10 v entries < Previous 1 2 Next > ® Where the species is Date believed Received to or Petition by the known Petitioner Requested Petitia Title FWS to occur Name Action Findin; a cr '! r S �;a Multi -species of 01 /21 /2010 AL, AR, AZ, • Center for bats; Petition CO, CT, DC, Biological for rulemaking DE, FL, GA, Diversity - to enact IA, IL, IN, Mollie immediate cave KS, KY, LA, Matteson closures to MA, MD, protect bat ME, MI, MN, species from MO, MS, white -nose MT, NC, ND, syndrome; to NE, NH, NJ, promulgate a NM, NY, rule governing OH, OK, PA, the "take" of RI, SC, SD, endangered bat TN, TX, VA, species; and to VT, WV, WY, designate as Canada, significant all Mexico caves on Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries Biological Opinions Show 10 entries BO IV date 08/24/2021 Lead Office Title Minnesota- SP 019-626- Wisconsin 026 Dakota Ecological CSAH 26 & Services CSAH 63 Field Office • APA:Other < Previous 1 Next > Activity Code Project Type Loci a 03E19000- TRANSPORTATION 2020-F-' ' 0428-RO01 i<. r wss�u f 08/20/2021 West Greenbrier 05E2WV00- Fire - Prescribed Burn, Po Virginia Southeast 2021-F- Forestry - Harvest, (W Ecological Project 0422 Forestry - Pesticide Services Use, Forestry - Field Office Planting / Silviculture, Forestry - Timber Sale, .:..:.:.... .. _ x.:. Showing 1 to 10 of 177 entries < Previous 1 2 3 4 5 ... 18 Next > To see all Issued Biological Opinions please visit the report Life History Habitat Requirements During summer, northern long-eared bats roost singly or in colonies underneath bark, in cavities, or in crevices of both live and dead trees. Males and non -reproductive females may also roost in cooler places, like caves and mines. This bat seems opportunistic in selecting roosts, using tree species based on suitability to retain bark or provide cavities or crevices. It has also been found, rarely, roosting in structures like barns and sheds. Northern long-eared bats spend winter hibernating in caves and mines, called hibernacula. They typically use large caves or mines with large passages and entrances; constant temperatures; and high humidity with no air currents. Specific areas where they hibernate have very high humidity, so much so that droplets of water are often seen on their fur. Within hibernacula, surveyors find them in small crevices or cracks, often with only the nose and ears visible. Food Habits Northern long-eared bats emerge at dusk to fly through the understory of forested hillsides and ridges feeding on moths, flies, leafhoppers, caddisflies, and beetles, which they catch while in flight using echolocation. This bat also feeds by gleaning motionless insects from vegetation and water surfaces. Reproductive strategy Breeding begins in late summer or early fall when males begin swarming near hibernacula. After copulation, females store sperm during hibernation until spring, when they emerge from their hibernacula, ovulate, and the stored sperm fertilizes an egg. This strategy is called delayed fertilization. After fertilization, pregnant females migrate to summer areas where they roost in small colonies and give birth to a single pup. Maternity colonies, with young, generally have 30 to 60 bats, although larger maternity colonies have been observed. Most females within a maternity colony give birth around the same time, which may occur from late May or earlyjune to late July, depending where the colony is located within the species range. Young bats start flying by 18 to 21 days after birth. Adult northern long-eared bats can live up to 19 years. Other Resources NatureServe Ex lop rer Species Reports-- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. ITIS Reports-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." + s U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ECOS ECOS / Small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) Range Information I Candidate Info I Federal Register Recovery I Critical Habitat I SSA I Conservation Plans Petitions I Biological Opinions j Life History. Taxonomy: View taxonomy in ITIS Listing Status: Threatened Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND General Information Search for images on digitalmedia. fws.gov The species historical range included Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia. See below for information about where the species is known or believed to occur. Current Listing Status Summary Show 10 v entries Status Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries Range Information Current Range 12 Q Entire Date Listed nn nn +no,) Last Updated., 06-30-2021 M k ".1 IWO- Lead Region < Previous 1 Next > 1'•F A Zoom in! Some species' locations may be small and hard to see from a wide perspective. To narrow -in on locations, check the state and county lists (below) and then use the zoom tool. Want the FWS's current range for all species? Click here to download a zip file containing all individual shapefiles and metadata for all species. * For consultation needs do not use only this current range map, please use IPaC. • Listing status: Threatened o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: o Countries in which this population is known to occur: Canada,United States » Candidate Information No Candidate information available for this species. No Candidate Assessments available for this species. No Candidate Notice of Review Documents currently available for this species. No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species. Federal Register Documents Federal Register Documents Show to v entries Citation Date Page Title 03/06/2012 77 FIR 13251 Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Nine Northeastern Spe';?r 13253 reviews; request for information. w 01/29/2007 72 FR 4018 Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Ten Listed Northeaster 4019 c; 10/06/1994 59 FR 50852 ETWP; Final Rule to Reclassify the Plant Isotria medeol 50857 From Endangered to Threatened ' 1 10/19/1993 58 FR 53904 ETWP; Proposed Rule To Reclassify the Plant Isotria Mi ,. 53909 Pogonia) From Endangered to Threatened 09/09/1982 47 FR 39827 ETWP; Determination of Isotria medeoloides (small wvL 39831 Ednangered Species +°..'." li.�,..,....nl.w.d Ls.�......:-..4.�.�.....:.c.:,:Jo......,....-Ya•....,..._,h.:k.:a..vi:..X:.. d.v.:..__....z.._,..-..._...,.........................wc.....,.wa:.a.....¢::f Showing 1 to 6 of 6 entries < Previous 1 Next > Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Species Status Assessments (SSAs) No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species. Special Rule Publications No Special Rule Publications currently available for this species. Recovery • Species with Recovery Documents Data Explorer • Recovery Priority Number: 14 Current Recovery Plan(s) Show 1 o entries ® Plan Implementation SSAs/E Date Stage Recovery Plan Status Reporl 11 /13/1992 Final Small Whorled View Implementations Ana ii.+irara '1 f7���rai'a iirr►isrra�r- 6 .[N:.•.1r.._1"...".�,.�._�..-...._�-.��_...._.�.....�..«-.�.-....�wr.�_..�....._.._.--awn......._.__..._ _._i_.-«.o....r...�� ...S l.i Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > Other Recovery Documents Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions and notices as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions and notices. Show 10 - entries Date s Citation Page Title 03/06/2012 77 FIR 13251 13253 Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Nine Northeastern S initiation of reviews; request for information. 01 /29/2007 72 FR 4018 4019 Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Ten Listed Northeas."- Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > Five Year Reviews Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions. Show' 10 entries Date -- Title Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > No Delisting Documents currently available for this species. » Critical Habitat No Critical Habitat Documents currently available for this species. Conservation Plans No Conservation Plans currently available for this species. » Petitions No Petitions currently available for this species. Biological Opinions Show 10 entries BO ® Lead date Office 08/20/2021 West Virginia Ecological Services Field Office Activity Title Code Project Type Greenbrier 05E2WV00- Fire - Prescribed Burn, Southeast 2021-F- Forestry - Harvest, Project 0422 Forestry - Pesticide Use, Forestry - Planting / Silviculture, Forestry - Timber Sale, Forestry - Weed Control / Vegetation Management, Invasive Plant Control, Recreation - Maint / Mod / Replace / Upgrade, Stream/Waterbody - Mod - Restoration / Enhancement 08/09/2021 Virginia Mount Joy 05E2VA00- LAND - RESTORATION Ecological Pond Natural 2020-F- / ENHANCEMENT Services Field Area Preserve 2824 Office Restoration Showing 1 to 10 of 19 entries < Previous 1 2 Next > To see all Issued Biological Opinions please visit the report Life History No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species. Other Resources Lt NatureServe Explorer Species Reports-- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. ITIS Reports-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." + t„QNi On Jm a www.Fivs-gav/tharlcston www.fws.gov /southeast/endangereJ-species-aM/at-riskspecies Conserving South Carolina's At -Risk Species: Species facing threats to their survival Tricolored bat foraging habitat use by tricolored bats. to forest -dwelling bats. Climate change (Perimyotis subflavus) also has the potential to threaten the spe- Status cies as increased temperatures may make NatureServe's Rounded Global Status is southern hibernation sites unsuitable. G2 - Imperiled (Global Status last changed on 3/12/2015) and is listed as a Highest Management/Protection Needs Priority species in the South Carolina State law protects all bat species in South 201 S State Wildlife Action Plan. Once Carolina. Habitat protection and manage - considered relatively common throughout ment recommendations include working South Carolina, this species has recently to prevent or reduce disturbance to natu- been affected by white -nose syndrome ral and artificial roost structures, as well (WNS) and populations are in decline. as to maternity colonies and hibernacula. WNS, first detected in bats in New York Where and when possible, create or main - Tricolored bat/Photo credit: USFWS in 2006, is a disease that is killing hiber- tain patches of structurally diverse forest, nating bats in eastern North America. providing a variety of suitable roosting and Description Before WNS, the range of this species was maternity sites. Forestry practices should The tricolored bat, formerly known as the expanding westward from South Dakota incorporate buffers around known roosts, eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflovus), is to Texas and New Mexico. The U.S. Fish foraging areas, and migration corridors via a small bat weighing 0.2 to 0.3 ounces (S and Wildlife Service (Service) was peti- landowner incentive programs, conserva- to 8 gr) and has a wingspan of 8 to 10 tioned to list the species in June 2016. A tion easements, lease agreements, or pur- inches (21 to 26 cm). The term 90-day fording, published in December chases. Minimize large-scale pesticide "tricolored" refers to the bat's yellowish- 2017, indicated the petitioned action may use, especially around known foraging brown coat that is dark at the base, yel- be warranted. The Service has initiated a areas and maternity roosts. Continue to lowish -brown in the middle, and dark at status review. survey and monitor for the species. Fur - the tips. The wing membranes are black- ther research is also needed to identify the ish, but the face and ears have a pinkish Threats best placement of wind turbines so as to color. An obvious identifying characteris- WNS is a major threat to tricolored bats. minimize impacts to bats. Continue with tic of this species is the pink color of the Populations of this species have declined education and outreach efforts on the spe- skin on the radius bone. The feet are also greatly since 2006. The first case of WNS cies. relatively large compared to its body size. in South Carolina was confirmed in a tri- colored bat at Table Rock State Park in References Range March of 2013. In 2014, two other cases NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explor- The tricolored bat is a common bat found of WNS were confirmed. Disturbance or er: An online encyclopedia of life [web throughout the forests of the eastern U.S., destruction of natural and artificial roost application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, and is distributed from Canada south into structures also pose threats to the species, Arlington, Virginia. Available http:// Mexico and west into Michigan, Minneso- especially to hibernacula and maternity explorer. natureserve. org. ta, and Texas. The species can be found roosts. Wind turbines have the potential statewide in South Carolina. to impact the species, especially if erected South Carolina Department of Natural near roosts, colony sites, and along migra- Resources - South Carolina Bat Conserva- Habitat tory pathways. Pesticide poisoning, espe- tion Plan: January 2017 Tricolored bats are associated with forest- cially organochlorines and anticholines- ed landscapes, often in open woods. They trase, is a concern as it has been shown to Contact can also be found over water and adjacent cause population declines in insectivorous U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to water edges. In South Carolina, sparse bats. Habitat loss due to deforestation of South Carolina Field Office vegetation and early successional stands oak forests from Sudden Oak Death dis- 843/727-4707 were found to be the best predictor of ease may pose a threat to habitats critical morgan_wolf@fws.gov White irisette Sisyfinchium dichotomum White irisette, USFWS Status: Endangered Description: White irisette is a perennial herb that lives in areas with partial sun. An individual white irisette plant is typically defined as a cluster of stems arising from fibrous roots. It generally grows from 10 to 16 inches tall and has winged stems. There may be 10 or more stems on one plant. White irisette flowers from late May through July. The seeds are very small and black; and three to six seeds are contained in each capsule. Habitat: The species is found on midelevation slopes, characterized by open, dry to moderate -moisture oakhickory forests. White h isette usually grows in shallow soils on regularly disturbed sites (such as woodland edges and roadsides) and over rocky, steep terrain. Range: White irisette is known from Henderson, Polk and Rutherford Counties, North Carolina; and Greenville County, South Carolina. Threats: White h isette is threatened by many humancaused disturbances, such as residential development, road construction, and possibly herbicide use. It is also indirectly affected by the extirpation of elk and bison and possibly the suppression of fire. The elimination or suppression of these natural disturbances allows vegetative succession to occur, often accompanied by exotic invasive plants that outcompete this native species. Listing: September 26,1991.56 FR 48752 48755 Critical habitat: None designated Why should we be concerned about the loss of species? Extinction is a natural process that has been occurring since long before the appearance of humans. Normally, new species develop (through a process known as speciation) at about the same rate other species become extinct. However, because of air and water pollution, forest clearing, loss of wetlands, and other humaninduced environmental changes, extinctions are now occurring at a rate that far exceeds the speciation rate. All living things are part of a complex and interconnected network. We depend on the diversity of plant and animal life for our recreation, nourishment, many of our lifesaving medicines, and the ecological functions they provide. One -quarter of all the prescriptions written in the United Jt HT 01' �l c• M � States today contain chemicals that were originally discovered in plants and animals. Industry and agriculture are increasingly making use of wild plants, seeking out the remaining wild strain of many common crops, such as wheat and corn, to produce new hybrids that are more resistant to disease, pests, and marginal climatic conditions. Our food crops depend on insects and other animals for pollination. Healthy forests clean the air and provide oxygen for us to breathe. Wetlands clean water and help minimize the impacts of floods. These services are the foundation of life and depend on a diversity of plants and animals working in concert. Each time a species disappears, we lose not only those benefits we know it provided but other benefits that we have yet to realize. What you can do to help: Tread lightly, and stay on designated trails. On some popular mountains, the vegetation has virtually been destroyed by human trampling. Visit arboretums, botanical gardens, and parks to learn all you can about endangered plants and the causes of their decline. Known North Carolina distribution Map aealed Odotw 2011 by G. Peeples l- Don't collect or buy plants that have been gathered from wild populations Participate in the protection of our remaining wild land and the restoration of damaged ecosystems. Be careful with the use and disposal of pesticides and other chemicals, especially near sensitive habitats. Prepared by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Asheville Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 (828) 258 3939 December, 2011 _may U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ECOS ECOS / White irisette (Sisyrinchium dichotomum) Range Information I Candidate Info I Federal Register Recovery. I Critical Habitat I SSA I Conservation Plans Petitions I Biological Opinions I Life History Taxonomy: View taxonomy in ITIS Listing Status: Endangered Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND General Information Current Listing Status Summary Show to Status C-A .J entries Date Listed FiTii W.T.M Search for images on digitalmedia. fws.go v Lead Region Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > » Range Information Current Range + ,,,E .+m Q Wherever found — Last Updated: 07-15-2019 " ,? Zoom in! Some species' locations may be small and hard to see from a wide perspective. To narrow -in on locations, check the a state and county lists (below) and then use the zoom tool. Want the FWS's current range for all species? Click here to download a zip file containing all individual shapefiles and metadata for all species. * For consultation needs do not use only this current range map, please use IPaC. • Whereverfound - Asheville F q i Listing status: Endangered o States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: North Carolina, South Carolina o US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All o USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur: Candidate Information No Candidate information available for this species No Candidate Assessments available for this species. No Candidate Notice of Review Documents currently available for this species. No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species. » Federal Register Documents Federal Register Documents Show 10 v entries Citation Date Page 08/06/2018 83 FIR 38320 38323 07/06/2009 74 FIR 31972 31973 09/26/1991 56 FIR 48752 48755 Title 5-Year Status Reviews for 42 Southeastern Species; Nc for information Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 23 Southeastern ETWP; Determination of Endangered Status for the PIi White Irisette; 56 FIR 48752 48755 Showing 1 to 4 of 4 entries » Species Status Assessments (SSAs) Species Status Assessments (SSAs) < Previous 1 Next > No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species. Special Rule Publications No Special Rule Publications currently available for this species. Recovery • Species with Recovery Documents Data Explorer • Recovery Priority Number: 5C Current Recovery Plan(s) Show to - entries W Plan Recovery SSAs/Biol Date Stage Plan Implementation Status Reports 04/10/1995 Final White Irisette View Implementation _ n.-,......, Showing 1 to 1 of 1 entries < Previous 1 Next > Other Recovery Documents Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions and notices as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions and notices. Show 10 v entries Date I Citation Page Title 08/06/2018 83 FR 38320 38323 5-Year Status Reviews for 42 Southeastern Species;_ initiation and request for information 07/06/2009 74 FR 31972 31973 Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 23 Southeaste Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > Five Year Reviews Note: This report includes actual Five Year Review completions as well as records that act as Five Year Review completions. Show 10 v entries Date W Title 07/29/2019 White irisette(Sisyrinchium dichotomum) 5-Year Review nr"I"n4I .nin....:..... Showing 1 to 2 of 2 entries < Previous 1 Next > No Delisting Documents currently available for this species. Critical Habitat No Critical Habitat Documents currently available for this species. » Conservation Plans No Conservation Plans currently available for this species. Petitions No Petitions currently available for this species. » Biological Opinions No Issued Biological Opinions have been entered into this system for this species. » Life History No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species. Other Resources NatureServe Explorer Species Reports— NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network. ITIS Reports-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world. FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." + IPaC U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service IPaC resource list This report is an automatically generated list of species and other resources such as critical habitat (collectively referred to as trust resources) under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) jurisdiction that are known or expected to be on or near the project area referenced below. The list may also include trust resources that occur outside of the project area, but that could potentially be directly or indirectly affected by activities in the project area. However, determining the likelihood and extent of effects a project may have on trust resources typically requires gathering additional site -specific (e.g., vegetation/species surveys) and project -specific (e.g., magnitude and timing of proposed activities) information. Below is a summary of the project information you provided and contact information for the USFWS office(s) with jurisdiction in the defined project area. Please read the introduction to each section that follows (Endangered Species, Migratory Birds, USFWS Facilities, and NWI Wetlands) for additional information applicable to the trust resources addressed in that section. Location McDowell County, North Carolina Local office Asheville Ecological Services Field Office L (828) 258-3939 (828) 258-5330 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, NC 28801-1082 http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/es/countyfr. html Endangered species This resource list is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an analysis of project level impacts. The primary information used to generate this list is the known or expected range of each species. Additional areas of influence (AOI) for species are also considered. An AOI includes areas outside of the species range if the species could be indirectly affected by activities in that area (e.g., placing a dam upstream of a fish population even if that fish does not occur at the dam site, may indirectly impact the species by reducing or eliminating water flow downstream). Because species can move, and site conditions can change, the species on this list are not guaranteed to be found on or near the project area. To fully determine any potential effects to species, additional site -specific and project -specific information is often required. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of such proposed action" for any project that is conducted, permitted, funded, or licensed by any Federal agency. A letter from the local office and a species list which fulfills this requirement can only be obtained by requesting an official species list from either the Regulatory Review section in IPaC (see directions below) or from the local field office directly. For project evaluations that require USFWS concurrence/review, please return to the IPaC website and request an official species list by doing the following: 1. Draw the project location and click CONTINUE. 2. Click DEFINE PROJECT. 3. Log in (if directed to do so). 4. Provide a name and description for your project. 5. Click REQUEST SPECIES LIST. Listed species'- and their critical habitats are managed by the Ecological Services Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the fisheries division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries-Z). Species and critical habitats under the sole responsibility of NOAA Fisheries are not shown on this list. Please contact NOAA Fisheries for species under their jurisdiction. 1. Species listed under the Endangered Species Act are threatened or endangered; IPaC also shows species that are candidates, or proposed, for listing. See the listing status page for more information. IPaC only shows species that are regulated by USFWS (see FAQ). 2. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. The following species are potentially affected by activities in this location: Mammals NAME STATUS Gray Bat Myotis grisescens Wherever found No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http //ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6329 Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis Wherever found No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecW-5peci es/9045 Reptiles NAME Bog Turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6962 Insects NAME Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Wherever found No critical habitat has been designated for this species. htto://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9743 Flowering Plants NAME Small Whorled Pogonia Isotria medeoloides No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http: //ecos. fws.gov/ecp/spec i es/1890 White Irisette Sisyrinchium dichotomum Wherever found No critical habitat has been designated for this species. http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8097 Critical habitats Endangered Threatened STATUS SAT i STATUS Candidate STATUS Threatened Endangered Potential effects to critical habitat(s) in this location must be analyzed along with the endangered species themselves. THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS AT THIS LOCATION. Migratory birds Certain birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act! and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act?. Any person or organization who plans or conducts activities that may result in impacts to migratory birds, eagles, and their habitats should follow appropriate regulations and consider implementing appropriate conservation measures, as described below. 1. The Migrato Birds Treaty Act of 1918. 2. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940. Additional information can be found using the following links: • Birds of Conservation Concern http://www.fws.gov/birds/management/mana ged-species/ birds-of-conservation-concern.php • Measures for avoiding and minimizing impacts to birds http://www.fws.gov/birds/ma nagement/project-assessment-tools-and-guidance/ conservation-measu res.ph p • Nationwide conservation measures for birds htp://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/management/nationwidestandardconservationmeasures.pdf The birds listed below are birds of particular concern either because they occur on the USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) list or warrant special attention in your project location. To learn more about the levels of concern for birds on your list and how this list is generated, see the FAQ below. This is not a list of every bird you may find in this location, nor a guarantee that every bird on this list will be found in your project area. To see exact locations of where birders and the general public have sighted birds in and around your project area, visit the E-bird data mapping tool (Tip: enter your location, desired date range and a species on your list). For projects that occur off the Atlantic Coast, additional maps and models detailing the relative occurrence and abundance of bird species on your list are available. Links to additional information about Atlantic Coast birds, and other important information about your migratory bird list, including how to properly interpret and use your migratory bird report, can be found below. For guidance on when to schedule activities or implement avoidance and minimization measures to reduce impacts to migratory birds on your list, click on the PROBABILITY OF PRESENCE SUMMARY at the top of your list to see when these birds are most likely to be present and breeding in your project area. NAMEBR . ........_._...._......._...... .._._.......................... BREEDING SEASON IS INDICATED ....... _........_................................................................ FOR A BIRD ON YOUR LIST, THE BIRD MAY BREED IN YOUR _._.. ...........I._.. .................... PROJECT AREA SOMETIME WITHIN ._.........._._._...................._................................-.-................._.. THE TIMEFRAME SPECIFIED. WHICH IS A VERY LIBERAL ESTIMATE MATE . _...._......... ...... _............................... ......._ WHICH THE BIRD BREEDS ...........................-........... _._........................... ACROSS ITS ENTIRE RANGE. ....................................-_-_..........__.............._ ........ "BREEDS ELSEWHERE" INDICATES ............................................................................................................. THAT THE BIRD DOES NOT LIKELY BREED IN YOUR PROJECT AREA.) Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Breeds Sep 1 to Aug 31 This is not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in this area, but warrants attention because of the Eagle Act or for potential susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development or activities. hht p://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1626 Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis Breeds May 20 to Aug 10 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA and Alaska. Eastern Whip -poor -will Antrostomus vociferus This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA and Alaska. Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range i ,on the continental USA and Alaska. p�. Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina � This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA and Alaska. Probability of Presence Summary Breeds May 1 to Aug 20 Breeds Apr 1 to Jul 31 Breeds May 10 to Aug 31 The graphs below provide our best understanding of when birds of concern are most likely to be present in your project area. This information can be used to tailor and schedule your project activities to avoid or minimize impacts to birds. Please make sure you read and understand the FAQ "Proper Interpretation and Use of Your Migratory Bird Report" before using or attempting to interpret this report. Probability of Presence (t) Each green bar represents the bird's relative probability of presence in the 10km grid cell(s) your project overlaps during a particular week of the year. (A year is represented as 12 4-week months.) A taller bar indicates a higher probability of species presence. The survey effort (see below) can be used to establish a level of confidence in the presence score. One can have higher confidence in the presence score if the corresponding survey effort is also high. How is the probability of presence score calculated? The calculation is done in three steps: The probability of presence for each week is calculated as the number of survey events in the week where the species was detected divided by the total number of survey events for that week. For example, if in week 12 there were 20 survey events and the Spotted Towhee was found in 5 of them, the probability of presence of the Spotted Towhee in week 12 is 0.25. 2. To properly present the pattern of presence across the year, the relative probability of presence is calculated. This is the probability of presence divided by the maximum probability of presence across all weeks. For example, imagine the probability of presence in week 20 for the Spotted Towhee is 0.05, and that the probability of presence at week 12 (0.25) is the maximum of any week of the year. The relative probability of presence on week 12 is 0.25/0.25 = 1; at week 20 it is 0.05/0.25 = 0.2. 3. The relative probability of presence calculated in the previous step undergoes a statistical conversion so that all possible values fall between 0 and 10, inclusive. This is the probability of presence score. To see a bar's probability of presence score, simply hover your mouse cursor over the bar. Breeding Season( ) Yellow bars denote a very liberal estimate of the time -frame inside which the bird breeds across its entire range. If there are no yellow bars shown for a bird, it does not breed in your project area. Survey Effort (q Vertical black lines superimposed on probability of presence bars indicate the number of surveys performed for that species in the 10km grid cell(s) your project area overlaps. The number of surveys is expressed as a range, for example, 33 to 64 surveys. To see a bar's survey effort range, simply hover your mouse cursor over the bar. No Data (—) A week is marked as having no data if there were no survey events for that week. Survey Timeframe Surveys from only the last 10 years are used in order to ensure delivery of currently relevant information. The exception to this is areas off the Atlantic coast, where bird returns are based on all years of available data, since data in these areas is currently much more sparse. SPECIES Bald Eagle Non -BCC Vulnerable (This is - ........................... not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in ............................................... this area, but warrants attention because of the Eagle Act or for ........................................... potential .1..........I ........ susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types ..... of development or activities.) ■ probability of presence JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN breeding season I survey effort — no data JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Canada Warbler BCC Rangewide (CON) (This is a ........................... ___..... Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) t _... r _...........'---'-its hroughout its range in the ._..........I.._ ................ continental USA and Alaska.) Eastern Whip - poor -will BCC Rangewide (CON) (This is a _ ...................................._.. Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA ......................................... and Alaska.) Prothonotary Warbler BCC Rangewide (CON).(This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout .its range .in.the continental USA . -_..............-._. ..... and Alaska.) Wood Thrush BCC Rangewide (CON) (This is a Bird of Conservation ....................... ... Concern (BCC) throughout its --_............_....- ............. range in the continental USA and Alaska.) �oW44 ---- ---- --- IIII IBI NN NII 3\\000 --- ---- f n Tell me more about conservation measures I can implement to avoid or minimize impacts to migratory birds. Nationwide Conservation Measures describes measures that can help avoid and minimize impacts to all birds at any location year round. Implementation of these measures is particularly important when birds are most likely to occur in the project area. When birds may be breeding in the area, identifying the locations of any active nests and avoiding their destruction is a very helpful impact minimization measure. To see when birds are most likely to occur and be breeding in your project area, view the Probability of Presence Summary. Additional measures or permits may be advisable depending on the type of activity you are conducting and the type of infrastructure or bird species present on your project site. What does IPaC use to generate the migratory birds potentially occurring in my specified location? The Migratory Bird Resource List is comprised of USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) and other species that may warrant special attention in your project location. The migratory bird list generated for your project is derived from data provided by the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN). The AKIN data is based on a growing collection of survey., banding, and citizen science datasets and is queried and filtered to return a list of those birds reported as occurring in the 10km grid cell(s) which your project intersects, and that have been identified as warranting special attention because they are a BCC species in that area, an eagle (Eagle Act requirements may apply), or a species that has a particular vulnerability to offshore activities or development. Again, the Migratory Bird Resource list includes only a subset of birds that may occur in your project area. It is not representative of all birds that may occur in your project area. To get a list of all birds potentially present in your project area, please visit the AKIN Phenol ogy Tool. What does IPaC use to generate the probability of presence graphs for the migratory birds potentially occurring in my specified location? The probability of presence graphs associated with your migratory bird list are based on data provided by the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN). This data is derived from a growing collection of survey., banding, and citizen science datasets . Probability of presence data is continuously being updated as new and better information becomes available. To learn more about how the probability of presence graphs are produced and how to interpret them, go the Probability of Presence Summary and then click on the "Tell me about these graphs" link. How do I know if a bird is breeding, wintering, migrating or present year-round in my project area? To see what part of a particular bird's range your project area falls within (i.e. breeding, wintering, migrating or year-round), you may refer to the following resources: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds Bird Guide. or (if you are unsuccessful in locating the bird of interest there), the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Neotropical Birds guide. If a bird on your migratory bird species list has a breeding season associated with it, if that bird does occur in your project area, there may be nests present at some point within the timeframe specified. If "Breeds elsewhere" is indicated, then the bird likely does not breed in your project area. What are the levels of concern for migratory birds? Migratory birds delivered through IPaC fall into the following distinct categories of concern: 1. "BCC Rangewide" birds are Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) that are of concern throughout their range anywhere within the USA (including Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands); 2. "BCC - BCR" birds are BCCs that are of concern only in particular Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA; and 3. "Non -BCC - Vulnerable" birds are not BCC species in your project area, but appear on your list either because of the Eagle Act requirements (for eagles) or (for non -eagles) potential susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development or activities (e.g. offshore energy development or longline fishing). Although it is important to try to avoid and minimize impacts to all birds, efforts should be made, in particular, to avoid and minimize impacts to the birds on this list, especially eagles and BCC species of rangewide concern. For more information on conservation measures you can implement to help avoid and minimize migratory bird impacts and requirements for eagles, please see the FAQs for these topics. Details about birds that are potentially affected by offshore projects For additional details about the relative occurrence and abundance of both individual bird species and groups of bird species within your project area off the Atlantic Coast, please visit the Northeast Ocean Data Portal. The Portal also offers data and information about other taxa besides birds that may be helpful to you in your project review. Alternately, you may download the bird model results files underlying the portal maps through the NOAA NCCOS Integrative Statistical Modeling and Predictive MaRpjpg of Marine Bird Distributions and Abundance on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf project webpage. Bird tracking data can also provide additional details about occurrence and habitat use throughout the year, including migration. Models relying on survey data may not include this information. For additional information on marine bird tracking data, see the Diving Bird Stud v and the nanotag studies or contact Caleb Spiegel or Pam Loring. What if I have eagles on my list? If your project has the potential to disturb or kill eagles, you may need to obtain a permit to avoid violating the Eagle Act should such impacts occur. Proper Interpretation and Use of Your Migratory Bird Report The migratory bird list generated is not a list of all birds in your project area, only a subset of birds of priority concern. To learn more about how your list is generated, and see options for identifying what other birds may be in your project area, please see the FAQ "What does IPaC use to generate the migratory birds potentially occurring in my specified location". Please be aware this report provides the "probability of presence" of birds within the 10 km grid cell(s) that overlap your project; not your exact project footprint. On the graphs provided, please also look carefully at the survey effort (indicated by the black vertical bar) and for the existence of the "no data" indicator (a red horizontal bar). A high survey effort is the key component. If the survey effort is high, then the probability of presence score can be viewed as more dependable. In contrast, a low survey effort bar or no data bar means a lack of data and, therefore, a lack of certainty about presence of the species. This list is not perfect; it is simply a starting point for identifying what birds of concern have the potential to be in your project area, when they might be there, and if they might be breeding (which means nests might be present). The list helps you know what to look for to confirm presence, and helps guide you in knowing when to implement. conservation measures to avoid or minimize potential impacts from your project activities, should presence be confirmed. To learn more about conservation measures, visit the FAQ "Tell me about conservation measures I can implement to avoid or minimize impacts to migratory birds" at the bottom of your migratory bird trust resources page. Facilities National Wildlife Refuge lands Any activity proposed on lands managed by the National Wildlife Refugp— system must undergo a 'Compatibility Determination' conducted by the Refuge. Please contact the individual Refuges to discuss any questions or concerns. THERE ARE NO REFUGE LANDS AT THIS LOCATION. Fish hatcheries THERE ARE NO FISH HATCHERIES AT THIS LOCATION. Wetlands in the National Wetlands Inventory Impacts to NWI wetlands and other aquatic habitats may be subject to regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, or other State/Federal statutes. For more information please contact the Regulatory Program of the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District. THERE ARE NO KNOWN WETLANDS AT THIS LOCATION. Data limitations The Service's objective of mapping wetlands and deepwater habitats is to produce reconnaissance level information on the location, type and size of these resources. The maps are prepared from the analysis of high altitude imagery. Wetlands are identified based on vegetation, visible hydrology and geography. A margin of error is inherent in the use of imagery; thus, detailed on -the -ground inspection of any particular site may result in revision of the wetland boundaries or classification established through image analysis. The accuracy of image interpretation depends on the quality of the imagery, the experience of the image analysts, the amount and quality of the collateral data and the amount of ground truth verification work conducted. Metadata should be consulted to determine the date of the source imagery used and any mapping problems. Wetlands or other mapped features may have changed since the date of the imagery or field work. There may be occasional differences in polygon boundaries or classifications between the information depicted on the map and the actual conditions on site. Data exclusions Certain wetland habitats are excluded from the National mapping program because of the limitations of aerial imagery as the primary data source used to detect wetlands. These habitats include seagrasses or submerged aquatic vegetation that are found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of estuaries and nearshore coastal waters. Some deepwater reef communities (coral or tuberficid worm reefs) have also been excluded from the inventory. These habitats, because of their depth, go undetected by aerial imagery. Data precautions Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over wetlands may define and describe wetlands in a different manner than that used in this inventory. 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