20190466 Ver 1_20180820_letter_Service to NCDOT_Bridge 470035_20190410

United States Department of the Interior
PISH AND WILDLIFE SERViCE
Raleigh Field Office
Post Offce Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
August 20, 2018
PauI C. Williams
North Carolina Department of Transportation
113 Airport Drive, Suite 100
Edenton, NC 27932
Dear Mr. Williams:
T�is letter is in response to your ietter of August 16, 2018 which provided the U.S. Fish and WildGfe
Service (5ervice) with the biological conclusion of the NortH Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT� that the replacement of Bridge No. 35 on SR 1143 over UNT to Slades Creek in Hyde
County may affect, but is not likely ta ad�ersely affect the federally endangered West Indian manatee
(Trrchechus manatus). 'These comments are provided in accordance with Section 7 of the
Endangered 5pecies Act (ESA} of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543}.
The NCDOT has agreed to implement the Service's GUIDELINE$ FOR AVOIDING IMPACTS
TO THE WEST INDIAN MANATEE: Precautionary Measares %r Construction Activities in
North Caro�ir�a Waters. Based on this cammitment, and given the fact that the West Indian
manatee is only an occasional visitor to North Carolina waters, the 5ervice concurs with your
conclusion that the propased project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the West Indian
manatee. We believe that the reyuirements 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 these identified actions that may affect listed species or critical hal�itat
in a manner not previously considered in this review; {2) these actions are 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 these identified actions.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to review this praject. [fyou have any questions regarding
our response, p[ease contact Mr. Gary dordan at (919) $56-4520 (Ext. 32).
Sincerely,
�Pete Benjamin
Field Supervisar
Electronic copy:
Kyle Barnes, USACE, Washingtan, NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC