20020158 Ver 3_Tab L - NOAA Recommendations_Seaturtle_Smalltooth_Sawfish_20201002

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
Southeast Regional Office
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
SEA TURTLE AND SMALLTOOTH SAWFISH CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS
The permittee shall comply with the following protected species construction conditions:
a. The permittee shall instruct all personnel associated with the project of the potential presence of
these species and the need to avoid collisions with sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. All
construction personnel are responsible for observing water -related activities for the presence of
these species.
b. The permittee shall advise all construction personnel that there are civil and criminal penalties for
harming, harassing, or killing sea turtles or smalltooth sawfish, which are protected under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973.
c. Siltation barriers shall be made of material in which a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish cannot
become entangled, be properly secured, and be regularly monitored to avoid protected species
entrapment. Barriers may not block sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish entry to or exit from
designated critical habitat without prior agreement from the National Marine Fisheries Service's
Protected Resources Division, St. Petersburg, Florida.
d. All vessels associated with the construction project shall operate at "no wake/idle" speeds at all
times while in the construction area and while in water depths where the draft of the vessel
provides less than a four -foot clearance from the bottom. All vessels will preferentially follow
deep -water routes (e.g., marked channels) whenever possible.
e. If a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish is seen within 100 yards of the active daily
construction/dredging operation or vessel movement, all appropriate precautions shall be
implemented to ensure its protection. These precautions shall include cessation of operation of
any moving equipment closer than 50 feet of a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish. Operation of any
mechanical construction equipment shall cease immediately if a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish is
seen within a 50-ft radius of the equipment. Activities may not resume until the protected species
has departed the project area of its own volition.
f. Any collision with and/or injury to a sea turtle or smalltooth sawfish shall be reported
immediately to the National Marine Fisheries Service's Protected Resources Division (727-824-
5312) and the local authorized sea turtle stranding/rescue organization.
g. Any special construction conditions, required of your specific project, outside these general
conditions, if applicable, will be addressed in the primary consultation.
Revised: March 23, 2006
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