20191555 Ver 1_B36 - Cherokee County - F and W Comments For Bats EBCI_20191112

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)
Office of Fisheries and Wildlife
P.O. Box 1747
Cherokee, NC 28719
Ph. [phone]
The EBCI Fisheries and Wildlife Management office is responsible for assisting other
agencies and the public in the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife
plants, and their habitats, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973. This document establishes a framework for
cooperation and participation between the EBCI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Division
of Forestry regarding federally threatened and endangered species, along with critical
habitat, residing within EBCI lands. Any tract upon which a property transaction or
housing development will occur must be evaluated for the presence of federally listed
species and their associated habitats.
Site Location: Bruce Martin Jr. Webb Creek Bridge off Webb Creek Road. Parcel #149-B
— Cherokee County — Bridge Site B-36
This letter is in reference to a bridge (B-36) construction project by the North Carolina
Department of Transportation on tribal lands. The Office of Fisheries and Wildlife
management has reviewed the project and concurs with BIA-Forestry findings. This
project was assessed by EBCI biological staff (via visual inspection, acoustic and net
survey) for potential impacts to federally listed species in Cherokee County, North
Carolina. There are trees within the project area that are sufficient for bat roosting and we
disagree with NC-DoT (per Mrs. Breedlove) that the water is appropriate for bat drinking
and the bridge could•hold roosting bats. The EBCI Natural Resources program has
determined that the proposed project, if performed between October 15, 2019-April 15
2020, will have a "may affect, not likely to adversely affect' for federally listed species
or critical habitat. Should plans be modified- time of year for constriction (within
moratorium) this letter is no longer suitable. If you have any further questions about this
project or consultation, please contact us at [phone].
Dr. Caleb R. Hickman, Supervisory Biologist
EBCI Natural Resources
7/19/2019
Date