20170056 Ver 2_US FWS Concurrence Letter_20210514

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh ES Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
April 19, 2021

Brian Doliber
NC Department of Transportation
159 Lucinda Lane
Powells Point, NC 27966

Dear Mr. Doliber:

This letter is in response to your letter of April 15, 2021 which provided the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) with the biological conclusion of the North Carolina Department of
Transportation that the proposed Stumpy Point Emergency Ferry Terminal dredging may affect,
but is not likely to adversely affect the federally endangered West Indian manatee (Trichechus
manatus). The following response is provided in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543).

Based on available information and your commitment to implement the Service’s Guidelines for
Avoiding Impacts to the West Indian Manatee, we concur with your conclusion that the proposed
action may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the West Indian manatee. We believe that
the requirements of Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA have been satisfied. We remind you that
obligations under Section 7 consultation must be reconsidered if: (1) new information reveals
impacts of this identified action that may affect listed species or critical habitat in a manner not
previously considered in this review; (2) this action is subsequently modified in a manner that
was not considered in this review; or (3) a new species is listed or critical habitat determined that
may be affected by this identified action. If you have any questions regarding our response,
please contact Mr. Gary Jordan at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Pete Benjamin
Field Supervisor

Electronic copy:

Kyle Barnes, USACE, Washington, NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC