20191461 Ver 1_PooleRd_Self_Certify_Letter_20191025

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United States Department of the
Project Name
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Field Office
P.O. Box 33726
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726
Date:10/10/2019
Self -Certification Letter
Widening Poole Road from Maybrook Drive/ Hickory Hollow Lane to earwell Road
Dear Applicant:
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Thank you for using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Raleigh Ecological
Services online project review process. By printing this letter in conjunction with your
project review package, you are certifying that you have completed the online project
review process for the project named above in accordance with all instructions
provided, using the best available information to reach your conclusions. This letter,
and the enclosed project review package, completes the review of your project in
accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 87 Stat.
884), as amended (ESA), and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C.
668-668c, 54 Stat. 250), as amended (Eagle Act). This letter also provides
information for your project review under the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (P.L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, 83 Stat. 852), as amended. A copy of this
letter and the project review package must be submitted to this office for this
certification to be valid. This letter and the project review package will be maintained
in our records.
The species conclusions table in the enclosed project review package summarizes
your ESA and Eagle Act conclusions. Based on your analysis, mark all the
determinations that apply:
"no effect" determinations for proposed/listed species and/or
❑✓ proposed/designated critical habitat; and/or
❑✓ "may affect, not likely to adversely affect" determinations for proposed/listed
species and/or proposed/designated critical habitat; and/or
❑✓ "may affect, likely to adversely affect" determination for the Northern long-
eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) and relying on the findings of the January 5,
2016, Programmatic Biological Opinion for the Final 4(d) Rule on the
Northern long-eared bat;
❑✓ "no Eagle Act permit required" determinations for eagles.

Applicant Page 2
We certify that use of the online project review process in strict accordance with the
instructions provided as documented in the enclosed project review package results in
reaching the appropriate determinations. Therefore, we concur with the "no effect" or
"not likely to adversely affect" determinations for proposed and listed species and
proposed and designated critical habitat; the "may affect" determination for Northern
long-eared bat; and/or the "no Eagle Act permit required" determinations for eagles.
Additional coordination with this office is not needed. Candidate species are not
legally protected pursuant to the ESA. However, the Service encourages consideration
of these species by avoiding adverse impacts to them. Please contact this office for
additional coordination if your project action area contains candidate species.
Should project plans change or if additional information on the distribution of
proposed or listed species, proposed or designated critical habitat, or bald eagles
becomes available, this determination may be reconsidered. This certification letter is
valid for 1 year. Information about the online project review process including
instructions, species information, and other information regarding project reviews
within North Carolina is available at our website http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/pp.html.
If you have any questions, you can write to us at [e-mail] or please contact
Leigh Mann of this office at 919-856-4520, ext. 10.
Sincerely,
/s/Pete Benjamin
Pete Benjamin
Field Supervisor
Raleigh Ecological Services
Enclosures - project review package

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October 2019
Re: Widening Poole Rd from Maybrook Dr/ Hickory Hollow Ln to Barwell Rd
Self -Certification Letter Supplemental Information
1.0 PROTECTED SPECIES
1.1 Endangered Species Act Protected Species
As of October 10, 2019, the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) lists six federally protected
species, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Wake County (Table 2). For each species,
a discussion of the presence or absence of habitat is included below along with the Biological
Conclusion rendered based on survey results in the study area.
Table 2. ESA federally protected species listed for Wake County.
Federal
Habitat
Biological
Scientific Name
Common Name
Status
Present
Conclusion
otropis mekistocholas
Cape Fear shiner
E
No
No Effect
Range by Basin
icoides borealis
Red -cockaded
E
No
No Effect
woodpecker
lasmidonta heterodon
Dwarf wedgemussel
E
No
No Effect
Range by basin
Tar River
arvaspina steinstansana
spinymussel Range
E
No
No Effect
by basin
lliptio lanceolata
Yellow lance Range
T
No
No Effect
by basin
May affect,
not likely to
hus michauxii
Michaux's sumac
E
Yes
adversely
affect
E - Endangered
T - Threatened
Cape Fear shiner
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: April -June (tributaries); year round (large rivers)
Habitat Description: The Cape Fear shiner is known only from the Cape Fear River
watershed. In general, habitat occurs in streams with clean gravel, cobble, or boulder
substrates. It is most often observed inhabiting slow pools, riffles, and slow runs associated
with water willow (Justicia americana) beds, which it uses for cover. Juveniles can be
found inhabiting slackwater, among large rock outcrops and in flooded side channels and
pools. Spawning occurs May through June, when water temperatures reach 66 degrees
Fahrenheit.

Biological Conclusion: No Effect
One small (perennial) stream exists in the project study area. This stream is a tributary of
Walnut Creek (Meuse River Basin) and is outside of the known range for the Cape Fear
shiner. Due to the project study area existing outside of the known range for this species,
it is anticipated that the subject project will have no effect on the Cape Fear Shiner.
Red -cockaded woodpecker
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round; November -early March (optimal)
Habitat Description: The red -cockaded woodpecker (RCW) typically occupies open,
mature stands of southern pines, particularly longleaf pine (Pious palustris), for foraging
and nesting/roosting habitat. The RCW excavates cavities for nesting and roosting in living
pine trees, aged 60 years or older, which are contiguous with pine stands at least 30 years
of age to provide foraging habitat. The foraging range of the RCW is normally no more
than 0.5 miles.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Mixed pine/hardwood stands are present in the project study area. However, these stands
have experienced extensive fragmentation due to residential and commercial development.
No red cockaded woodpeckers or there start/nesting trees were observed during the field
investigations. Due to the lack of contiguous pine and pine/ hardwood stands in the project
study area, it is anticipated that the subject project will have no effect on this species.
Dwarf wedgemussel
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round
Habitat Description: In North Carolina, the dwarf wedgemussel is known from the Neuse
and Tar River drainages. The mussel inhabits creek and river areas with a slow to moderate
current and sand, gravel, or firm silt bottoms. Water in these areas must be well
oxygenated. Stream banks in these areas are generally stable with extensive root systems
holding soils in place.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
One small (perennial) stream exists in the project study area. This stream is a tributary of
Walnut Creek (Meuse River Basin) and is in the known range for the Dwarf wedgemussel.
Due to the size of this stream and its headwater location, it is anticipated that the subject
project will have no effect on the Dwarf wedgemussel.
Tar River spinymussel
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round
Habitat Description: The Tar spinymussel is endemic to the Tar and Neuse River
drainage basins in North Carolina. This mussel requires a stream with fast flowing, well -
oxygenated, circumneutral pH water. The bottom should be composed of unconsolidated

gravel and coarse sand. The water needs to be relatively silt -free, and stream banks should
be stable, typically with many roots from adjacent riparian trees and shrubs.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
One small (perennial) stream exists in the project study area. This stream is a tributary of
Walnut Creek (Meuse River Basin) and is in the known range for the Tar River
spinymussel. Due to the size of this stream and its headwater location, it is anticipated that
the subject project will have no effect on the Tar River spinymussel.
Yellow Lance
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round
Habitat Description: The yellow lance is known from the Rappahannock River Basin in
Virginia south to the Neuse River Basin of North Carolina. Distribution by County in
North Carolina: Neuse River Basin: Wake Co. (Swift Cr. Subbasin), Johnston Co.
(Middle, Swift, and Mill creek subbasins), Tar River Basin: Granville Co. (Tar River
Subbasin), Franklin Co. (Fox, Crooked, Sandy, Shocco creek subbasins and Tar River),
Vance Co. (Tabbs Creek Subbasin), Warren Co. (Fishing and Shocco creek subbasins),
Nash Co. (Stony and Swift creek subbasins, Tar River), Edgecombe Co. (Swift Cr.
Subbasin). This species appears to have been recently extirpated from Ruin creek in Vance
County and the Tar River in Edgecombe County. The Yellow lance prefers clean, coarse
to medium sized sands as substrate. On occasion, specimens are also found in gravel
substrates. This species is found in the main channels of drainages down to streams as
small as a meter across.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
One small (perennial) stream exists in the project study area. This stream is a tributary of
Walnut Creek (Neuse River Basin) and is in the known range for the Yellow lance. Due
to the size of this stream and its headwater location, it is anticipated that the subject project
will have no effect on the Yellow lance.
Michaux's sumac
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: May -October
Habitat Description: Michaux's sumac, endemic to the inner Coastal Plain and lower
Piedmont, grows in sandy or rocky, open, upland woods on acidic or circumneutral, well -
drained sands or sandy loam soils with low cation exchange capacities. The species is also
found on sandy or submesic loamy swales and depressions in the fall line Sandhills region
as well as in openings along the rim of Carolina bays; maintained railroad, roadside, power
line, and utility rights -of -way; areas where forest canopies have been opened up by
blowdowns and/or storm damage; small wildlife food plots; abandoned building sites;
under sparse to moderately dense pine or pine/hardwood canopies; and in and along edges
of other artificially maintained clearings undergoing natural succession. In the central
Piedmont, it occurs on clayey soils derived from mafic rocks. The plant is shade intolerant

and, therefore, grows best where disturbance (e.g., mowing, clearing, grazing, periodic fire)
maintains its open habitat.
Biological Conclusion: May affect, not likely to adversely affect
RKK biologists conducted surveys (in early successional habitats and open woodlands) on
May 23, 2018. These surveys followed a visit to the known location for Michaux's sumac
that is present just south of the project study area. No Michaux's sumac plants were located
during the project study area survey. Due to the proximity to the project study area of a
known population for this species, it is anticipated that the subject project may affect, but
is not likely to adversely affect Michaux's sumac.
1.2 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
The bald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and enforced by the
USFWS. Habitat for the bald eagle primarily consists of mature forests in proximity to large
bodies of open water for foraging. Large dominant trees are utilized for nesting sites, typically
within 1.0 mile of open water.
A desktop-GIS assessment of the project study area, as well as the area within a 1.13-mile radius
(1.0 mile plus 660 feet) of the project limits, was performed on May 4, 2018 using 2015 color
aerials. No water bodies large enough or sufficiently open to be considered potential feeding
sources were identified. Since there was no foraging habitat within the review area, a survey of
the project study area and the area within 660 feet of the project limits was not conducted.
Additionally, a review of the NHP database updated April 2018 revealed no known occurrences
of this species within 1.13-mile radius of the project study area. Due to the lack of habitat, known
occurrences, and minimal impact anticipated for this project, it has been determined that this
project will not affect this species.

Qualifications of Contributors
Investigator: Hal Bain, Rummel Klepper and Kahl, LLP
Education: M.S. Coastal Ecology Track, UNC Wilmington, 1989
B.S. Biology, Campbell University, 1985
Experience: Senior Environmental Project Scientist, Rummel Klepper and Kahl, LLP, 2009-
Present
Natural Resources Team Leader, ARCADIS, 2003-2008
Biological Surveys Group Leader, NCDOT, 1995-2003
Senior Biologist, NCDOT, 1992-1995
Biology Teacher/Coach, Wake County Public Schools, 1989-1992
Responsibilities: wetland and stream identification, natural community assessments, T/E
species assessment, agency determinations, NRTR document
preparation, and QA/QC
Investigator: Pete Stafford, PWS, Rummel Klepper and Kahl, LLP
Education: B.S. Environmental Science, UNC Wilmington, 2000
Experience: Project Manager, Rummel Klepper and Kahl, LLP, 2001-Present
Responsibilities: Preparation of forms, wetland and stream delineations, NRTR
document preparation

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CITY OF RALEIGH
POOLE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
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IPaC Information for Planning and Consultation 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
Wake County, North Carolina
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Local office
Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office
k. [phone]
18 [phone]
MAILING ADDRESS
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Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
551 Pylon Drive, Suite F
Raleigh, NC 27606-1487
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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 speciesi 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?).
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.
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:
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Birds
NAME
STATUS
Red -cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis Endangered
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7614
Amphibians
NAM E STATUS
Neuse River Waterdog Necturus lewisi Proposed Threatened
There is proposed critical habitat for this species. Your location is
outside the critical habitat.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6772
Fishes
NAM E STATUS
Carolina Madtom Noturus furiosus Proposed Endangered
There is proposed critical habitat for this species. Your location is
outside the critical habitat. 'r�`f
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/528
Clams I? N�J
NAM E / STATUS
Atlantic Pigtoe Fusccoonaia masoni Proposed Threatened
There is proposed critical habitat for this species. Your location is
outside the critical habitat.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5164
Dwarf Wedgemussel Alasmidonta heterodon Endangered
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/784
Flowering Plants
NAME STATUS
Michaux's Sumac Rhus michauxii Endangered
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5217
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Critical habitats
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 Acts.
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 Migratory Birds Treaty Act of 1918.
2. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940.
V4 CN I'* -
Additional information can be found using the following links:
• Birds of Conservation Concern http://www.fws.gov/birds/management/managed-species/
birds-of-conservation-concern.php
• Measures for avoiding and minimizing impacts to birds http://www.fws.gov/birds
/management/project-assessment-tools-and-guidance/
conservation-measures.php
• Nationwide conservation measures for birds http://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
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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.
NAME BREEDING SEASON (IFA
BREEDING SEASON IS
INDICATED FOR A BIRD ON
YOUR LIST, THE BIRD MAY
BREED IN YOUR PROJECT AREA
SOMETIME WITHIN THE
TIMEFRAME SPECIFIED, WHICH
IS A VERY LIBERAL ESTIMATE OF
THE DATES INSIDE WHICH THE
BIRD BREEDS ACROSS ITS
ENTIRE RANGE. ''BREEDS
JJ6121MM "All
THE BIRD DOES NOT LIKELY
BREED IN YOUR PROIECT AREA.
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Breeds Sep 1 to Jul 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.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1626
Blue -winged Warbler Vermivora pinus Breeds May 1 to Jun 30
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) only in particular
Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor Breeds May 1 to jul 31
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its
range in the continental USA and Alaska.
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Breeds Apr 1 to Jul 31
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its
range in the continental USA and Alaska.
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus Breeds May 10 to Sep 10
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its
range in the continental USA and Alaska.
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus Breeds elsewhere
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its
range in the continental USA and Alaska.
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Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Breeds May 10 to Aug 31
This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its
range in the continental USA and Alaska.
Probability of Presence Summary
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 ( )
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:
1. 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 (1)
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
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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.
probability of presence
breeding season
I survey effort
— no data
SPECIES JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP
OCT NOV
DEC
Bald Eagle i i —1 1-1'
Non -BCC Vulnerable
(This is not a Bird of
Conservation
Concern (BCC) in
this area, but
warrants attention 0011\
because of the Eagle
Actor for potential
susceptibilities in
offshore areas from
certain types of
development or
activities.)
Blue -winged 1 + ++— +_3 I I I I 1 ++ �- --- — —+—-- —�+—
Warbler _,■■ + ' rt'+++ +
BCC - BCR (This is a
Bird of Conservation
Concern (BCC) only 00
in particular Bird
Conservation
Regions (BCRs) in
__ __..........
the continental USA)
Prairie Warbler ___
BCC Rangewide
(CON) (This is a Bird
of Conservation
Concern (BCC)
throughout its range
in the continental
USA and Alaska.)
Prothonotary 1111 1111 1111 1111 — — — — — — — — ++++ —+-
Warbler
BCC Rangewide
(CON) (This is a Bird
of Conservation
Concern (BCC)
throughout its range
in the continental
USA and Alaska.)
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Red-headed i i I I— I I I I I I I I i 1 +a 1 — 1
Woodpecker�'
BCC Rangewide
(CON) (This is a Bird
of Conservation
Concern (BCC)
throughout its range
in the continental
USA and Alaska.)
Rusty Blackbird I I — 4--++'+++ ++++ +— +--- — — — — ----'+++ —+-- — i
BCC Rangewide
(CON) (This is a Bird
of Conservation
Concern (BCC)
throughout its range
in the continental
USA and Alaska.)
Wood Thrush +--+ ++— +—++ ++,� 11111111 III _—__ ++++-.-+-- —`.+—
BCC Rangewide
(CON) (This is a Bird
of Conservation
Concern (BCC)
throughout its range
in the continental
USA and Alaska.)
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 and/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 AKN 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 AKN Phenology Tool.
What does IPaC use to generate the probability of presence graphs for the migratory birds potentially
occurring in my specified location?
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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 t\\
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 Mapping 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 Study 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
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the Eagle Act should such impacts occur.
https://ecos. fws.gov/ipac/location/N3 LZ3IYI3BHRXHSB VY6POR4XF4...
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.
ho,�
Facilities
1
National Wildlife Refuge lands
Any activity proposed on lands managed by the National Wildlife Refuge 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.
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For more information please contact the Regulatory Program of the local U.S. Army Corps of
EnL-ineers 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.
1 U
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. There is no attempt, in either the design or
products of this inventory, to define the limits of proprietary jurisdiction of any Federal, state, or local
government or to establish the geographical scope of the regulatory programs of government agencies.
Persons intending to engage in activities involving modifications within or adjacent to wetland areas should
seek the advice of appropriate federal, state, or local agencies concerning specified agency regulatory
programs and proprietary jurisdictions that may affect such activities.
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