Comment EI-32641
Received or sent (printed as 10/25/2022)
Please be aware that the endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and proposed endangered Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) are likely to be present within the railroad project area. To “not adversely affect” these listed species, the USFWS requests tree cutting and maintenance be restricted to the the bats’ inactive season, November 1 - March 31. Various projects may impact active season bats and/or their habitat. Bats may be exposed to stressors (e.g., noise, smoke, tree removal, collision with vehicles, and collision with turbines) during the active season. Depending on the proximity to these stressors, responses of the bats may result in injury or death. In addition, should the railway include any cave and karst area and will involve construction methods that may cause deep ground disturbance, a cave search should be conducted to determine if any caves are present in the action area that would be considered suitable habitat for listed bats and/or are currently or formerly used by listed bats prior to disturbance.
Submitted by: Kris Budd · US Fish and Wildlife Service · Columbia, MO
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-36500/sub/1/comment/EI-32641 · back to the docket sheet