Thursday, October 15, 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 Preserve multifamily development site in Platte County Missouri. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administers the permitting of threatened 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 25 acre site, 7.34 acres of forested area was dominated by preferred tree species and associated morphological characteristics that are indicative of Indiana bat or NLEB habitat. However, n o roost trees were found present within the assessment limits and v isual inspection confirmed the absence of bats in aerial flight, providing additional evidence such associated favorable habitat is not being utilized by any bats. To avoid and not adversely affect these species, the permittee is required to complete any tree removal during the bats hibernation period from November 1 to February 28.
For more information about endangered species evaluations, contact your local office of Terra Technologies.
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