20240524 Ver 1_NLEB Dkey_20240404

41 Hkk.uu,lY. ik
United States Department of the Interior -41
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE s4
Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office
3916 Sunset Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607-3726
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
In Reply Refer To: February 27, 2024
Project code: 2024-0054995
Project Name: Pender K-8 School
Federal Nexus: yes
Federal Action Agency (if applicable): Army Corps of Engineers
Subject: Technical assistance for 'Pender K-8 School'
Dear Gary Kreiser:
This letter records your determination using the Information for Planning and Consultation
(IPaC) system provided to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on February 27, 2024, for
'Pender K-8 School' (here forward, Project). This project has been assigned Project Code
2024-0054995 and all future correspondence should clearly reference this number. Please
carefully review this letter. Your Endangered Species Act (Act) requirements are not
complete.
Ensuring Accurate Determinations When Using IPaC
The Service developed the IPaC system and associated species' determination keys in accordance
with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) and based on a standing analysis. All information submitted by the Project proponent into
IPaC must accurately represent the full scope and details of the Project.
Failure to accurately represent or implement the Project as detailed in IPaC or the Northern
Long-eared Bat Rangewide Determination Key (Dkey), invalidates this letter. Answers to certain
questions in the DKey commit the project proponent to implementation of conservation
measures that must be followed for the ESA determination to remain valid.
Determination for the Northern Long -Eared Bat
Based upon your IPaC submission and a standing analysis, your project is not reasonably certain
to cause incidental take of the northern long-eared bat. Unless the Service advises you within 15
days of the date of this letter that your IPaC-assisted determination was incorrect, this letter
verifies that the Action is not likely to result in unauthorized take of the northern long-eared bat.

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
Other Species and Critical Habitat that May be Present in the Action Area
The IPaC-assisted determination for the northern long-eared bat does not apply to the following
ESA -protected species and/or critical habitat that also may occur in your Action area:
■ American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis Similarity of Appearance (Threatened)
■ Cooley's Meadowrue Thalictrum cooleyi Endangered
■ Golden Sedge Carex lutea Endangered
■ Green Sea Turtle Chelonio mydos Threatened
■ Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys kempii Endangered
■ Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriocea Endangered
■ Loggerhead Sea Turtle Coretto coretta Threatened
■ Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Candidate
■ Piping Plover Charodrius melodus Threatened
■ Red -cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis Endangered
■ Rough -leaved Loosestrife Lysimachia asperulaefolia Endangered
■ Rufa Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa Threatened
■ Tricolored Bat Perimyotis sub flavus Proposed Endangered
You may coordinate with our Office to determine whether the Action may cause prohibited take
of the animal species listed above. Note that if a new species is listed that may be affected by the
identified action before it is complete, additional review is recommended to ensure compliance
with the Endangered Species Act.
Next Step
Consultation with the Service is necessary. The project has a federal nexus (e.g., Federal funds,
permit, etc.), but you are not the federal action agency or its designated (in writing) non-federal
representative. Therefore, the ESA consultation status is incomplete and no project activities
should occur until consultation between the Service and the Federal action agency (or designated
non-federal representative), is completed.
As the federal agency or designated non-federal representative deems appropriate, they should
submit their determination of effects to the Service by doing the following.
1. Log into IPaC using an agency email account and click on My Projects, click "Search by
record locator" to find this Project using 672-139273689. (Alternatively, the originator of
the project in IPaC can add the agency representative to the project by using the Add
Member button on the project home page.)
2. Review the answers to the Northern Long-eared Bat Range -wide Determination Key to
ensure that they are accurate.
3. Click on Review/Finalize to convert the `not likely to adversely affect' consistency letter to
a concurrence letter. Download the concurrence letter for your files if needed.
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 2 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
If no changes occur with the Project or there are no updates on listed species, no further
consultation/coordination for this project is required for the northern long-eared bat. However,
the Service recommends that project proponents re-evaluate the Project in IPaC if: 1) the scope,
timing, duration, or location of the Project changes (includes any project changes or
amendments); 2) new information reveals the Project may impact (positively or negatively)
federally listed species or designated critical habitat; or 3) a new species is listed, or critical
habitat designated. If any of the above conditions occurs, additional coordination with the
Service should take place before project implements any changes which are final or commits
additional resources.
If you have any questions regarding this letter or need further assistance, please contact the
Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office and reference Project Code 2024-0054995 associated
with this Project.
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 3 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
Action Description
You provided to IPaC the following name and description for the subject Action.
1. Name
Pender K-8 School
2. Description
The following description was provided for the project'Pender K-8 School':
Construction of school
The approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https://
www. google.com/maps/(a)34.36997615,-77.7354967582644,14z
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 4 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
DETERMINATION KEY RESULT
Based on the answers provided, the proposed Action is consistent with a determination of "may
affect, but not likely to adversely affect" for the Endangered northern long-eared bat (Myotis
septentrionalis).
QUALIFICATION INTERVIEW
1. Does the proposed project include, or is it reasonably certain to cause, intentional take of
the northern long-eared bat or any other listed species?
Note: Intentional take is defined as take that is the intended result of a project. Intentional take could refer to
research, direct species management, surveys, and/or studies that include intentional handling/encountering,
harassment, collection, or capturing of any individual of a federally listed threatened, endangered or proposed
species?
No
2. Your project overlaps with an area where northern long-eared bats may be present year-
round. Time -of -year restrictions may not be appropriate for your project due to bats being
active all year.
Do you understand that your project may impact bats at any time during the year and time -
of -year restrictions may not apply to your project?
Yes
3. The action area does not overlap with an area for which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
currently has data to support the presumption that the northern long-eared bat is present.
Are you aware of other data that indicates that northern long-eared bats (NLEB) are likely
to be present in the action area?
Bat occurrence data may include identification of NLEBs in hibernacula, capture of
NLEBs, tracking of NLEBs to roost trees, or confirmed NLEB acoustic detections. Data
on captures, roost tree use, and acoustic detections should post-date the year when white -
nose syndrome was detected in the relevant state. With this question, we are looking for
data that, for some reason, may have not yet been made available to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
No
4. Does any component of the action involve construction or operation of wind turbines?
Note: For federal actions, answer `yes' if the construction or operation of wind power facilities is either (1) part
of the federal action or (2) would not occur but for a federal agency action (federal permit, funding, etc.).
No
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 5 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
5. Is the proposed action authorized, permitted, licensed, funded, or being carried out by a
Federal agency in whole or in part?
Yes
6. Is the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA),
or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding or authorizing the proposed action, in
whole or in part?
No
7. Are you an employee of the federal action agency or have you been officially designated in
writing by the agency as its designated non-federal representative for the purposes of
Endangered Species Act Section 7 informal consultation per 50 CFR § 402.08?
Note: This key may be used for federal actions and for non-federal actions to facilitate section 7 consultation and
to help determine whether an incidental take permit maybe needed, respectively. This question is for information
purposes only.
No
8. Is the lead federal action agency the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)? Is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) funding or authorizing the proposed action,
in whole or in part?
No
9. Is the lead federal action agency the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)?
No
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 6 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
10. Have you determined that your proposed action will have no effect on the northern long-
eared bat? Remember to consider the effects of any activities that would not occur but for
the proposed action.
If you think that the northern long-eared bat may be affected by your project or if you
would like assistance in deciding, answer "No" below and continue through the key. If you
have determined that the northern long-eared bat does not occur in your project's action
area and/or that your project will have no effects whatsoever on the species despite the
potential for it to occur in the action area, you may make a "no effect" determination for
the northern long-eared bat.
Note: Federal agencies (or their designated non-federal representatives) must consult with USFWS on federal
agency actions that may affect listed species [50 CFR 402.14(a)]. Consultation is not required for actions that will
not affect listed species or critical habitat. Therefore, this determination key will not provide a consistency or
verification letter for actions that will not affect listed species. If you believe that the northern long-eared bat may
be affected by your project or if you would like assistance in deciding, please answer "No" and continue through
the key. Remember that this key addresses only effects to the northern long-eared bat. Consultation with USFWS
would be required if your action may affect another listed species or critical habitat. The definition of Effects of
the Action can be found here: https://www.fws.gov/media/northern-long-eared-bat-assisted-determination-kU-
selected -definitions
No
11. Your project overlaps with an area where northern long-eared bats may be present year-
round.
Is suitable northern long-eared bat habitat present within 1000 feet of project activities?
Yes
12. Will the action cause effects to a bridge?
No
13. Will the action result in effects to a culvert or tunnel?
No
14. Does the action include the intentional exclusion of northern long-eared bats from a
building or structure?
Note: Exclusion is conducted to deny bats' entry or reentry into a building. To be effective and to avoid harming
bats, it should be done according to established standards. If your action includes bat exclusion and you are
unsure whether northern long-eared bats are present, answer "Yes." Answer "No" if there are no signs of bat use
in the building/structure. If unsure, contact your local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Ecological Services Field
Office to help assess whether northern long-eared bats may be present. Contact a Nuisance Wildlife Control
Operator (NWCO) for help in how to exclude bats from a structure safely without causing harm to the bats (to
find a NWCO certified in bat standards, search the Internet using the search term "National Wildlife Control
Operators Association bats"). Also see the White -Nose Syndrome Response Team's guide for bat control in
structures
No
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 7 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
15. Does the action involve removal, modification, or maintenance of a human -made structure
(barn, house, or other building) known or suspected to contain roosting bats?
No
16. Will the action directly or indirectly cause construction of one or more new roads that are
open to the public?
Note: The answer may be yes when a publicly accessible road either (1) is constructed as part of the proposed
action or (2) would not occur but for the proposed action (i.e., the road construction is facilitated by the proposed
action but is not an explicit component of the project).
No
17. Will the action include or cause any construction or other activity that is reasonably certain
to increase average daily traffic on one or more existing roads?
Note: For federal actions, answer `yes' when the construction or operation of these facilities is either (1) part of
the federal action or (2) would not occur but for an action taken by a federal agency (federal permit, funding,
etc.). .
Yes
18. Will the increased vehicle traffic occur on any road that lies between any two areas of
contiguous forest that are each greater than or equal to 10 acres in extent and are separated
by less than 1,000 feet? Northern long-eared bats may cross a road by flying between
forest patches that are up to 1,000 feet apart.
Note: "Contiguous forest" of 10 acres or more may includes areas where multiple forest patches are separated by
less than 1,000 feet of non -forested area if the forested patches, added together, comprise at least 10 acres.
No
19. Will the proposed action involve the creation of a new water -borne contaminant source
(e.g., leachate pond pits containing chemicals that are not NSF/ANSI 60 compliant)?
No
20. Will the proposed action involve the creation of a new point source discharge from a
facility other than a water treatment plant or storm water system?
No
21. Will the action include drilling or blasting?
No
22. Will the action involve military training (e.g., smoke operations, obscurant operations,
exploding munitions, artillery fire, range use, helicopter or fixed wing aircraft use)?
No
23. Will the proposed action involve the use of herbicide or other pesticides (e.g., fungicides,
insecticides, or rodenticides)?
No
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 8 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
24. Will the action include or cause activities that are reasonably certain to cause chronic
nighttime noise in suitable summer habitat for the northern long-eared bat? Chronic noise
is noise that is continuous or occurs repeatedly again and again for a long time.
Note: Additional information defining suitable summer habitat for the northern long-eared bat can be found at:
http s: //www.fws. gov/media/northern-long-eared-bat-assisted-determination-key-selected-definitions
No
25. Does the action include, or is it reasonably certain to cause, the use of artificial lighting
within 1000 feet of suitable northern long-eared bat roosting habitat?
Note: Additional information defining suitable roosting habitat for the northern long-eared bat can be found at:
http s: //www.fws. gov/media/northern-long-eared-bat-assisted-determination-key-selected-definitions
No
26. Will the action include tree cutting or other means of knocking down or bringing down
trees, tree topping, or tree trimming?
Yes
27. Has a presence/probable absence summer bat survey targeting the northern long-eared bat
following the Service's Range -wide Indiana Bat and Northern Long -Eared Bat Survey
Guidelines been conducted within the project area? If unsure, answer "No."
No
28. Does the action include emergency cutting or trimming of hazard trees in order to remove
an imminent threat to human safety or property? See hazard tree note at the bottom of the
key for text that will be added to response letters
Note: A "hazard tree" is a tree that is an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety, or improved property
and has a diameter breast height of six inches or greater.
No
29. Are any of the trees proposed for cutting or other means of knocking down, bringing
down, topping, or trimming suitable for northern long-eared bat roosting (i.e., live trees
and/or snags >_3 inches dbh that have exfoliating bark, cracks, crevices, and/or cavities)?
Yes
30. [Semantic] Does your project intersect a known sensitive area for the northern long-eared
bat?
Note: The map queried for this question contains proprietary information and cannot be displayed. If you need
additional information, please contact your state agency or USFWS field office
Automatically answered
No
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 9 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
31. Your project overlaps with an area where northern long-eared bats may be present year-
round. To minimize or avoid impacts to the northern long-eared bat, all activities affecting
trees should not occur from December 15th to February 15th and April 15th to July 30th.
Will any project activites occur from December 15th to February 15th and/or April 15th to
July 30th.
Yes
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 10 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
PROJECT QUESTIONNAIRE
Enter the extent of the action area (in acres) from which trees will be removed - round up
to the nearest tenth of an acre. For this question, include the entire area where tree removal
will take place, even if some live or dead trees will be left standing.
150
Will all potential northern long-eared bat (NLEB) roost trees (trees >_3 inches diameter at
breast height, dbh) be cut, knocked, or brought down from any portion of the action area
greater than or equal to 0.1 acre? If all NLEB roost trees will be removed from multiple
areas, select `Yes' if the cumulative extent of those areas meets or exceeds 0.1 acre.
Yes
Enter the extent of the action area (in acres) from which all potential NLEB roost trees will
be removed. If all NLEB roost trees will be removed from multiple areas, entire the total
extent of those areas. Round up to the nearest tenth of an acre.
150
For the area from which all potential northern long-eared bat (NLEB) roost trees will be
removed, on how many acres (round to the nearest tenth of an acre) will trees be allowed
to regrow? Enter `0' if the entire area from which all potential NLEB roost trees are
removed will be developed or otherwise converted to non -forest for the foreseeable future.
0
Will any snags (standing dead trees) >_3 inches dbh be left standing in the area(s) in which
all northern long-eared bat roost trees will be cut, knocked down, or otherwise brought
down?
No
Will all project activities by completed by April 1, 2024?
No
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 11 of 12

Project code: 2024-0054995 IPaC Record Locator: 672-139273689 02/27/2024
IPAC USER CONTACT INFORMATION
Agency:
WithersRavenel
Name:
Gary Kreiser
Address:
115 MacKenan Drive
City:
Cary
State:
NC
Zip:
27511
Email
[e-mail]
Phone:
9194693340
LEAD AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Lead Agency: Army Corps of Engineers
DKey Version Publish Date: 02/26/2024 12 of 12