September 2, 2015
David Flick, Principal and Founder, announces that the firm has successfully completed a Critical Habitat Assessment for the Indiana and Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB) at the Gateway Soccer Village development site in southern Jackson County Missouri. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administers the permitting of critical and endangered species including their habitat. To that effect, proposed projects impacts within the probable range of a threatened or endangered species requires consultation with the USFWS as to whether preferred habitat exists for the species of concern within the limits of proposed disturbance.
Scientists at Terra Technologies performed a detailed forestry survey of tree species, morphological characteristics, food sources, microhabitat, and waters sources in order for the governing agency to determine the eligibility for habitat protection. The Indiana and NLEB prefer certain mature tree species including hickories, oaks, cottonwood, and maples. These species along with other relevant characteristics of the forest are often used as indices to determine the quality of habitat .
Within the approximately 248 acre site, there was 1.56 acres of forested area dominated by preferred tree species and associated morphological characteristics that are indicative of Indiana bat or NLEB feeding and restoration habitat located. However, due to the isolated nature of the potential habitat as well as the general lack of trees with exfoliating bark or suitable snags, the site is of low quality, and is not likely suitable summer habitat for Indiana bat or NLEB.
For more information about endangered species evaluations, contact your local office of Terra Technologies.
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