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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20160329 Ver 1_15-395_NCDOT BN 83_Davie_NLEB USFWS concurrence_20160404 (2)United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Asheville Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, Narth Garolina 28801 July 17, 2015 Ms. Amy Euliss Division 9 Environmental Officer North Carolina Department of Transportation 375 Silas Creek Parkway Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27127 Dear Ms. Euliss: Subject: Endangered Species Consultation for Potential Impacts to the Northern Long-eared Bat from the Replacement of Bridge No. 83 on SR 1436 (Pinebrook School Road) in Davie County, North Carolina, WBS No. 17BP.9.R.25. As requested by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in your letter of July 13, 2015, we have reviewed the natural resources information and biological conclusion with regard to the federally threatened northern long-eared bat (NLEB) (Myotis septent�ionalis) for the subject project. The proposed project includes replacing Bridge No. 83 over Sugar Creek on SR 1436 (Pinebrook School Road) in Davie County, North Carolina. We provide the following comments in accordance with the provisions of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act). Habitat for the NLEB exists along the project corridor and has been evaluated for potential impacts from project implementation. According to the information provided, no caves or mines were found from a desktop search conducted for the project footprint and within one-half mile of the project. The only structure that will be demolished was checked for bat use and none was observed. The closest summer record for the NLEB is more than 50 miles fram the project vicinity. Potential summer roosting habitat (in the form of forested patches interspersed with farm fields) does exist within the project area, and some trees will be cleared during project implementation. Based on: (1) the negative surveys for wintering habitat, (2) the fact that no sign of bat use was found during structure surveys, and (3) a commitment by the NCDOT to conduct minimal tree-clearing and their agreement to a tree-cutting moratorium between May 15th and August 15th (of any year) for the subject project, we agree that implementation of this project is "not likely to adversely affecY' the NLEB in the project area. In view of this, we believe the requirements under section 7(c) of the Act are fulfilled. However, obligations under section 7 of the Act 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, (2) this action is subsequently modified in a manner that was not considered in �his review, or (3) a new species is listed or critical habitat is determined that may be affected by the identified action. If you have questions about these comments, please contact Ms. Marella Buncick of our staff at 828/258-3939, Ext. 237. In any future correspondence concerning this project, please reference our Log No. 4-2-15-395. Sincerely, - - original signed - - Janet A. Mizzi Field Supervisor