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Home My WebLink About20201860 Ver 1_USFWS_HabitatAssessment_12092020_20210107BURNS �MEDONNELL December 9, 2020 Janet Mizzi U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Asheville Ecological Services Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 Submitted via Email at Janet mizzi@fws.g_ov Re: Request for Review — USFWS Consultation Code: 04EN1000-2021-SLI-0109 Duke Energy, Carolinas — Kerwin Circle Substation Dear Ms. Mizzi: Burns & McDonnell was retained by Duke Energy, Carolinas (Duke) to provide environmental permitting support for the Kerwin Circle Substation Project (Project) located in Forsyth County, North Carolina (NC). The Project, which will result in impacts to waters of the U.S., will require a Nationwide Permit No. 12 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District. The following information is being provided to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for review under the requirements of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). A Project location map is provided in Appendix A. INTRODUCTION Duke proposes to develop an approximately 3.25 acre area (Project Area) for the construction of a new electrical substation and gravel access road near Kernersville, North Carolina. The Project is located northwest of Kernersville, north of West Mountain Street, east of Old Hollow Road, and is accessible from West Mountain Street. The new access road will start at West Mountain Street and proceed approximately 1,378 feet to the north where the proposed substation will be located. The Project Area consists of mainly forested land with multiple drainage features draining to the west and north. The habitat assessment was conducted within the proposed Project Area, which is shown on Figure A-1 in Appendix A. HABITAT ASSESSMENT During March 2020 a pedestrian survey of the Project Area was conducted by Dewberry Engineers Inc. to evaluate the potential for federally protected species habitat to occur within the Project area. In addition to the pedestrian field surveys, an Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) report was generated and reviewed for the Project. The IPaC listed the federally threatened northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as potentially occurring within the Study Area. Further, the report lists the bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) as "Similarity of Appearance (Threatened)" (Table 1). There were no proposed critical habitats documented on the IPaC. burnsmcd.com BURNS �MEDONNELL Ms. Janet Mizzi U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service December 9, 2020 Page 2 Additionally, a desktop review was performed using aerial imagery, USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) 2017 Web Soil Survey for Forsyth County. Table 1: Protected Species with Potential to Occur in the Project Area Species Name Federal Status Preferred Habitat Impact Mammals Suitable habitat consists of Northern long-eared bat cavities and crevices of live and Habitat present in Survey Area — (Picoides borealis) Threatened dead trees. Hibernates in caves Moy Affect and mines (hibernacula) during winter months. Reptiles Suitable habitat consists of open, Similarity of groundwater fed wetlands along Bog turtle Appearance streams or seeps on hillsides. Habitat not present in Survey (Clemmys muhlenbergii) (Threatened) Prefers mountain bogs, but can Area — No Effect also be found in wet pastures and old drainage areas. Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/. Accessed November 19, 2020; ANALYSIS BY SPECIES This habitat assessment includes species under the jurisdiction of the USFWS and protected by the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The USFWS IPaC was used to identify federally protected species with potential to occur in the Project Area (https:Hecos.fws.gov/ipac�. The northern long-eared bat (federally threatened) was identified by IPaC as a species protected by the ESA. No designated critical habitat for this federally protected species is located within the Project Area. Additionally, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which is federally protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) (16 U.S.C. 668), was evaluated. If impacts to migratory bird species are anticipated, it is recommended that construction be restricted during NC's migratory bird nesting season (April 15 — September 15). No nests were observed during the March 2020 environmental field survey. Northern Long -Eared Bat The federally threatened northern long-eared bat (NLEB) prefers roosting within cavities and crevices of both live and dead trees as well as caves and mines during summer. Winter hibernation habitat (hibernacula) consists of caves and mines that provide constant temperature, BURNS �MEDONNELL Ms. Janet Mizzi U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service December 9, 2020 Page 3 high humidity, and no air currents. The majority of the Project Area consisted of a mixed hardwood and pine forested community with ideal understory feeding habitat. Based on the construction schedule, tree clearing will occur as part of this project which "may affect" NLEB. However, clearing activities within the Project Area are scheduled to occur outside of the pup season (June 1 — July 31). Furthermore, no known hibernacula were documented within 0.25 miles of the Project Area and no known maternity roost trees were documented within or adjacent to the Project Area. Therefore, impacts to NLEB are not anticipated. Bog Turtle The bog turtle typically prefers open, groundwater fed wetlands along streams or seeps on hillsides, mountain bogs, wet pastures, and old drainage areas. No habitat was observed within the Project Area and no known occurrences are documented within 1.0 mile of the Project Area. Therefore, no impacts to bog turtle are anticipated as a result of the Project. Additionally, the bog turtle is listed as "threatened" due to similarity of appearance and will not require Section 7 consultation. Bald Eagle The BGEPA prohibits take of bald eagles. The Project Area does not intersect any major reservoirs or rivers that could be used by nesting eagles, although multiple water bodies were identified within a 1.0 mile radius of the Project Area. No nests were observed within or adjacent to the Project Area. If active bald eagle nests are observed, Duke will work with the USFWS to prevent disturbance and stay within federal and state regulatory compliance. Based on the lack of known occurrences and no observations of bald eagles or nests were made during field surveys, impacts to bald eagles are not anticipated. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of the habitat assessment, Burns & McDonnell has concluded that the proposed Project is not likely to adversely affect federally listed species. If you have any questions regarding the proposed Project or the contents of this habitat assessment report, please contact me at 804-223-1470 or by e-mail at pkmeier@burnsmcd.com at your convenience. Sincerely, Patrick Meier Wetland Specialist BURNS �MEDONNELL Ms. Janet Mizzi U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service December 9, 2020 Page 4 Attachments: Appendix A - Figures Appendix B - IPaC Report cc: Kevin Mason Duke Energy, Carolinas Mengstab Gebremicael Burns & McDonnell APPENDIX A - FIGURES L I I u J L_-, D = C 74 '- L East Fo Middle 3 NC 74 - a t u -1k Li u - C m y � T :B Q �a NC 74 I I I NC 661 G - -- 0 Omnisource 9 Southeast '. o Cash� C n dam` in leI Elementary Y aye � Olp Sohool °� LL Family o� Restaurant NC 66 �d\ •� T.alleys�! �� r,-ennell.Drive — Ciros`sing �€ aIL > Col ' �LL' i� a �;Oakmont- � \� oakm - Timber Trails Ke �. ��. � a 'C'unbe6wood_ Try 0101O II Chard Road 17� I� -look -� ek U 11 � ,ea.o�lvt F Mill C 1� le k Y VA 53A B Wellington \a'� TN o Way 5 da < NC � e T � I �j BluffSchoo�Fti r a I -` GA SC n Figure A-1 v NO TH General Vicinity Map NBURNS y Project LODMSQQNNE1_1. Kerwin Circle Substation 0 750 1,500 Duke Energy Forsyth County, NC Scale in Feet rce: Esri, NCOne Map, Duke Energy, Burns & McDonnell ri 1 I� - * r o � 7 r � ■' i ■f � r �! F f ` f i wpfli s � ` ■ ■ i u • ■ .I ■ 90 ■ * �I r m � r ■ � i� o ■ * i 5 * r o � ■' r M��—eeK M rers. o r ti ■ �(;er . i2 NC 66 = Project LOD NWI Wetland Type Figure A-2 NO TH NWI, NHD, and 2 — NHD stream Pss NBURNS Topographic Map + PFO '�RMSDONNEU-- Kerwin Circle Substation PUB 0 375 750 Riverine Duke Energy n Scale in Feet Forsyth County, NC ce: Esri, NCOne Map, FWS NWI, USGS NHD, Duke Energy, Burns & McDonnell m U Z o o z s O z z z a 1 � Fairview fine sandMoam, 10 to 15 percent slopes (FaD) Nathalie sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent f' slopes (NaC) 4 Toast sandy Bannertown-Toast I� loam, 10 to complex, 15 I 15 percent ti to 25 percent 111 slopes (TcD) slopes (BtE) Toast sandy loam, r .... 10 to 15;percent ? .. slopes (TcD) 0l y = 7 1 Pacolet clay loam, ''� •i 15 to 45 p1 ercent slopes, moderately {•. �� eroded (PcF2) J V ry • , f i P of }Y 1 , I �•J • ••jam. r •?� • � I • _ •�* - Clifford sandy l06am,-2 to 6 percent Nathalie sandy slopes (CIB) loam, 2 to0-0 !` ' 6 percent slopey''NaB) `WS, Oto}2ap�rcen�•SP�NSS y y slopes, frequently ` "Fairview fine � � � MOVN � - Fairview fine g sandy loam, 2 .� flooded (CoAj� sandy loam, 2 6 N r to 6 percent to 6 percent SIN ^ • slopes (FaB) Fairview fine slopes (FaB) ^', a sandy to 10 percent g �• `4 slopes (FaC)LU ,y IN ' 'AG0G. OON> o-"a• � Gullied Z �G n ELO• land (Gu) �r~n i w s„ 0 Project LOD NO TH a - E1 Hydric Soil Non-Hydric Soil 0 150 300 3 Scale in Feet Figure A-3 SSUGRO Soil and N BURNS Aerial Imagery �MSDON NE1-1- Kerwin Circle Substation Duke Energy Forsyth County, NC Source: Esri, NRCS SSURGO, NCOne Map, Duke Energy, Burns & McDonnell APPENDIX B - IPAC REPORT United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Asheville Ecological Services Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, NC 28801-1082 Phone: (828) 258-3939 Fax: (828) 258-5330 http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/es/couMfr.html e x hSai k 4YYFJiYJft In Reply Refer To: November 19, 2020 Consultation Code: 04EN1000-2021-SLI-0109 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 Project Name: Kerwin Circle Substation Subject: List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project To Whom It May Concern: The attached species list identifies threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, as well as proposed and final designated critical habitat, that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. Although not required by section 7, many agencies request species lists to start the informal consultation process and begin their fulfillment of the requirements under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). This list, along with other helpful resources, is also available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Asheville Field Office's (AFO) website: https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/ cntylist/nc counties.html. The AFO website list includes "species of concern" species that could potentially be placed on the federal list of threatened and endangered species in the future. Also available are: Design and Construction Recommendations https://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmis/project review/Recommendations.html Optimal Survey Times for Federally Listed Plants https://www.fws.gov/nc-es/plant/plant survey.html Northern long-eared bat Guidance https://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmis/project review/NLEB in WNC.html Predictive Habitat Model for Aquatic Species https://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/Maxent/Maxent.html 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could require modifications of these lists. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the Act, the accuracy of the species lists should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website or the AFO website (the AFO website dates each county list with the day of the most recent update/change) at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list or by going to the AFO website. The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq.), Federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or designated critical habitat. A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2) (c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a Biological Evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12 and on our office's website at https://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmis/project review/assessment guidance.html. If a Federal agency (or their non-federal representative) determines, based on the Biological Assessment or Biological Evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species, proposed species, and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered Species Consultation Handbook" at: http:// www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF. Though the bald eagle is no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act, please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.), and projects affecting these species may require additional consultation (see https://www.fws.gov/southeast/our-services/permits/eagles/). Wind energy projects should follow the wind energy guidelines (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/) for minimizing impacts to migratory birds (including bald and golden eagles) and bats. Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications towers (e.g., cellular, digital television, radio, and emergency broadcast) can be found at: http:// www. fws. gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdlssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm; 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 3 http://www.towerkill.com; and http://www.fws.gov/migratoI3Lbirds/CurrentBirdlssues/Hazards/ towers/comtow.html. We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office. Attachment(s): • Official Species List • Migratory Birds • Wetlands 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 Official Species List This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed action". This species list is provided by: Asheville Ecological Services Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, NC 28801-1082 (828) 258-3939 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 2 Project Summary Consultation Code: 04EN1000-2021-SLI-0109 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 Project Name: Kerwin Circle Substation Project Type: ** OTHER ** Project Description: New electrical substation. Project Location: Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https: www.google.com/maps/place/36.137779370394654N80.11535520439935W Counties: Forsyth, NC 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 3 Endangered Species Act Species There is a total of 2 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list. Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species. IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA Fisheriesi, as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the Department of Commerce. See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions. 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. Mammals NAM L STATUS Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Species profile: https:Hecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9045 Reptiles NAME STATUS Bog Turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii Similarity of Population: U.S.A. (GA, NC, SC, TN, VA) Appearance No critical habitat has been designated for this species. (Threatened) Species profile: https:Hecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6962 Critical habitats THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS WITHIN YOUR PROJECT AREA UNDER THIS OFFICE'S JURISDICTION. 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 Migratory Birds Certain birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act! and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Actz. 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. 3. 50 C.F.R. Sec. 10.12 and 16 U.S.C. Sec. 668(a) 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. NAME BREEDING SEASON Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Breeds Sep 1 to This is not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in this area, but warrants attention Jul 31 because of the Eagle Act or for potential susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development or activities. https:Hecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1626 Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor Breeds May 1 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA to Jul 31 and Alaska. 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 BREEDING NAME SEASON Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Breeds Apr 1 to This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA Jul 31 and Alaska. Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus Breeds May 10 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA to Sep 10 and Alaska. Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Breeds May 10 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA to Aug 31 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 ( J) 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. 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 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 number of surveys is expressed as a range, for example, 33 to 64 surveys. 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 IFEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Bald Eagle ++ ■++++� ++11 h + MINI ++—+ +—'+'+1J + 1 I � 1 1 1 + Non -BCC Vulnerable `` ninon ■■■ Prairie Warbler ++++ ++++ +�++ ++++ �iii +-4 ++—+ +—++ ++++ ++++ ++++ BCC Rangewide (CON) Warbler tars ++++ ++++ ++++ +++i +i """`+� ++—+ +—++ ++++ ++++ ++++ Warbler BCC Rangewide (CON) Red-headed ++ + + + + + •• NEW +� 0+ + Woodpecker + + + ++ ++++ + + ++� ++ +++ ++ +++ BCC Rangewide (CON) — — — — — — -_M +MMM Mm Wood Thrush ++++ ++++ ++++ +++�'�'+ ��'�'�� 1111 +—+++++ ++++ ++++ BCC Rangewide (CON) 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/migratoDLbirds/pdf/ irds/pdf/ management/nationwidestandardconservationmeasures. pdf 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 4 Migratory Birds FAQ 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 (BQQ 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? 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? 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 5 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 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 Lorin. 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 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 6 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. 11/19/2020 Event Code: 04EN1000-2021-E-00239 Wetlands 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. Please note that the NWI data being shown may be out of date. We are currently working to update our NWI data set. We recommend you verify these results with a site visit to determine the actual extent of wetlands on site. FRESHWATER POND • PUBHh