20231361 Ver 1_05 USFWS response_8_11_2023_20230929

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Hales, Jason C.
From:Hales, Jason C.
Sent:Wednesday, September 20, 2023 12:19 PM
To:Hales, Jason C.
Subject:FW: SGWASA - RD Application Acceptance (USFWS Project Code: 2023-0028226)
From: Matthews, Kathryn H <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2023 3:49 PM
To: Norton, April - RD, NC <[e-mail]>
Cc: Mann, Leigh <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: SGWASA - RD Application Acceptance (USFWS Project Code: 2023-0028226)

Hi April,

Thanks for sending the BA again. The Service concurs with all of your species determinations, except for
tricolored bat (TCB).

Since TCB isn't listed yet, the appropriate determination is "not likely to jeopardize the existence of the
species." We don't yet have a path forward for TCB and listing, but we are working on it and should have
some tools available in a month or so. There are current records of TCB within 4 miles of the project, and I
don't think bat surveys have been conducted closer to the site.

Tricolored bat may be affected by tree removal and culvert removal or modification. There will probably be
acreage thresholds and time of year restrictions for tree removal. In this area of NC, we believe that TCB is
active year-round - the species is often found in culverts in the winter, and probably is active on warm winter
nights. To minimize potential impacts to TCB, we recommend prohibiting tree-cutting during the pup season
(May 15 to July 31).

It is unclear whether culvert work is proposed for the project. If any culvert is proposed for removal or
modification (extension), it should be inspected during the colder months to have the best chance of
determining use by bats. To determine whether any bats use the culvert, the surveyor must be able to
identify the evidence of use by bats (guano, staining, etc) even if bats are not present at the time. If bats are
present, then a qualified biologist (most likely with a permit) will be needed to identify the bats to
species. However, if any bat use is documented, I think we could assume presence and then move on from
there without calling in a bat biologist for ID.

If bats are present in one or more culverts, humane exclusion during appropriate times of the year may
minimize affects to those individuals. The Service recommends that tree clearing and humane exclusion
efforts not be conducted during the pup season (May 15 to July 31) or the cold winter months (December 1
through March 31), when culvert-roosting bats may be more sensitive to disturbance and have a more difficult
time relocating or finding other places to roost. Please contact us prior to finalizing any culvert survey
and/or humane exclusion plans. Installation of new culverts is not likely to adversely affect TCB.

I apologize for the tardiness in our review. Let me know if you have questions about my
recommendations. Thanks, and have a good weekend,

2

Please note that I am teleworking Wednesday through Friday, every week. Email is the best way to reach
me. Thanks,

Kathy Matthews
NC Renewable Energy Coordinator &
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
551-F Pylon Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
919-856-4520, x. 27

From: Norton, April - RD, NC <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 4:26 PM
To: Matthews, Kathryn H <[e-mail]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] FW: [External Email]RE: SGWASA - RD Apply Application Acceptance

This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding.

Hi Kathy,

The BA is attached. Please let me know if you have any issues opening the document.

Thanks,
April R. Norton, SEC
Environmental Protection Specialist
State Office, Rural Development
United States Department of Agriculture
4405 Bland Road, Suite 260
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Phone: [phone] (cell)
www.rd.usda.gov/nc