England Airpark Site W2 Certification Threatened and Endangered Species Study March 19, 2015
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES STUDY
1.1 Proposed Action
The England Economic and Industrial Development District (EEIDD), also known as the England Authority, is proposing to develop a piece of property as a heavy industrial site. The site will consist of streets, utilities, and other amenities to provide lots and acreage for future industrial purposes. The site is shown in Appendix A.
1.2 Affected Environment
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) [16 U.S.C. 1532 et. seq.] of 1973, as amended, was enacted to provide a program for the preservation of endangered and threatened species and to provide protection for the ecosystem upon which these species depend for their survival. All Federal agencies are required to implement protection programs for designated species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the act. Responsibility for the identification of a threatened or endangered species and development of recovery plans lies with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are the primary agencies responsible for implementing the ESA. The USFWS is responsible for birds, terrestrial, and freshwater species, while the NMFS is responsible for non-bird marine species. The USFW’s responsibilities under the ESA include: (1) the identification of threatened and endangered species; (2) the identification of critical habitats for listed species; (3) implementation of research on, and recovery efforts for , these species; and (4) consultation with other Federal agencies concerning measures to avoid harm to listed species. An endangered species is a species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A threatened species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Proposed species are those that have been formally submitted to Congress threatened when any of the five following criteria occur: (1) the current/imminent destruction, modification, or curtailment of their habitat or range; (2) overuse of the species for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and (5) other natural or human- induced factors affection continued existence.
In addition, the USFWS has identified species that are candidates for listing as a result of identified threats to their continued existence. The “candidate” designation includes those species for which the USFWS has sufficient information on hand to support proposals to list as endangered or threatened under the ESA. However, proposed rules have not yet been issued because such actions are precluded at present by other listing activity.
Page | 1
England Airpark Site W2 Certification Threatened and Endangered Species Study March 19, 2015
The ESA also calls for the conservation of “Critical Habitat” – the areas of land, water, and air space that an endangered species needs for survival. Critical habitat also includes such things as food and water, breeding sites, cover or shelter, and sufficient habitat area to provide for normal population growth and behavior.
1.3 Federally Listed Species
Four federally listed species occur within Rapides Parish; the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), the Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus ruthveni), the Louisiana Pearlshell (Margaritifera hembeli), and the Interior Least Tern (Sternula antillarum athalassos). (See Table 1-1) Correspondence was submitted to the USFWS on January 22, 2015 regarding threatened and endangered species in the vicinity of the subject property. An updated project map was submitted on February 12, 2015. The USFWS replied on February 24, 2015 and March 11, 2015, stating that the project, as proposed, will have no effect on the resources listed above in paragraph 1.2.
Table 1-1 Federally Protected Species Inhabiting Rapides Parish, Louisiana Common (Scientific) Name Status Habitat Red-cockaded woodpecker Open stands of pines with a minimum age of Endangered (Picoides borealis) 80 to 120 years. Bald Eagle Quiet areas, rivers, or lakeshores with large, Delisted* (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) tall trees. Louisiana pine snake Sandy soils in longleaf pine forest. Candidate (Pituophis melanoleucus ruthveni) Flowing water at depths ranging from 12 to 20 inches on sand and gravel substrates. The Louisiana Pearlshell Threatened surrounding forest community is mixed (Magaritifera hembeli) hardwood-loblolly pine with a typical canopy closure of 75 to 100 percent. Nesting habitat includes bare or sparsely Interior Least Tern vegetated sand, shell, and gravel beaches, Endangered (Sternula antillarum athalassos) sandbars, islands, and salt flats associated with rivers and reservoirs. Source: LDWF 2015 *The bald eagle receives Federal protection despites its removal from the Federal Threatened and Endangered species list under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
1.4 State-Listed Species
The Louisiana Natural Heritage Program (LNHP), part of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), maintains lists of Species of Concern (SOC). This list includes species whose occurrence in Louisiana is or may be in jeopardy, or with known or perceived threats or population declines. These species are not necessarily the same as those protected by the Federal government under the ESA. A complete list of state-protected species can be found in Appendix D of this document.
Page | 2
England Airpark Site W2 Certification Threatened and Endangered Species Study March 19, 2015
The LDWF was contacted on January 22, 2015, an update was submitted on February 12, 2015, and the LDWF responded on March 6, 2015 stating that after careful review of their database, no impacts to rare, threatened, or endangered species or critical habitats are anticipated for the proposed project. They also noted that no state or federal parks, wildlife refuges, scenic streams, or wildlife management areas are known at the specified site within Louisiana’s boundaries.
1.5 Conclusion
Based upon the comments received from the various federal and state agencies (attached hereto in Appendix C) regarding endangered and threatened species; and other potential environmental impacts, it is our opinion that the development of the piece of property for heavy industrial purposes (i.e. Industrial Park type setting), will have no impact to any threatened or endangered species.
According to the ESA, a significant impact on threatened and endangered species would occur if any action resulted in a jeopardy opinion for any endangered, threatened, or rare species. No federally or state listed species or breeding habitat for those species has been identified at the proposed site. Thus, there are no anticipated cumulative impacts to threatened and endangered species.
Please note that this Endangered and Threatened Species Study does not include wetlands delineations or any determinations of wetlands on the site. The wetlands delineation is established under a separate Study.
Page | 3
England Airpark Site W2 Certification Threatened and Endangered Species Study March 19, 2015
Appendix A
Site Drawing
England Airpark Site W2 Certification Threatened and Endangered Species Study March 19, 2015
Appendix B
Federal and State Response Queries
England Airpark Site W2 Certification Threatened and Endangered Species Study March 19, 2015
Appendix C
Federal and State Agency Responses
England Airpark Site W2 Certification Threatened and Endangered Species Study March 19, 2015
Appendix D
Rapides Parish Species List
1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
FISHING BOATING HUNTING WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT WMA
Louisiana Natural Species by Parish List Heritage Program Like 5 Tweet 0 Printable Version Louisiana Natural Heritage Program Explanation of Ranking Categories Employed by Natural Heritage Programs Nationwide Explanation of Endangered Species Federal Ranks (USESA FIELD): Rankings How to Request Data Global Element Ranks: Natural Areas Registry Program State Element Ranks:
Natural Communities State Protection Status: Natural Heritage Program Staff Filter By Parish Filter by Type Apply Rare Animal Species Rapides
Caldwell, Ouachita Faxonella Faxonella Jackson, Fencing S2 G2 creaseri LaSalle, creaseri Crawfish Rapides, Winn
Calcasieu, Cameron, Franklin, Grus Grus Sandhill Crane S2N G5 Madison, canadensis canadensis Morehouse, Rapides, Vermilion
Ascension, http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 1/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Claiborne, Concordia, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Franklin, Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafourche, LaSalle, Livingston, Morehouse, Haliaeetus Natchitoches, Deliste Haliaeetus leucocephalu Bald Eagle S3 G5 E Orleans, d leucocephalus Ouachita, s Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Richland, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vermilion, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana
Catahoula, East Feliciana, Helmitheros Wormeating Natchitoches, S3B G5 vermivorus Warbler Rapides, Vernon, West Feliciana
Allen, Beauregard, Lampsilis Sandbank Lampsilis S2 G2 Calcasieu, Pocketbook satura satura Rapides, Vernon
Schoolhouse Leuctra Springs Leuctra Grant, Jackson, S1 G2 szczytkoi Leuctran szczytkoi Rapides Stonefly
Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, Iberia, Lafayette, Alligator Madison, Macrochelys Restricted Macrochelys Snapping S3 G3G4 Ouachita, Harvest temminckii temminckii Turtle Rapides, St. John the http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 2/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Baptist, St. Landry, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Vermilion, Washington
Margaritifera Louisiana Margaritifera S1 G1 E T Grant, Rapides hembeli Pearlshell hembeli
Allen, Bossier, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Jackson, Lincoln, Mustela Longtailed Mustela S3 G5 Livingston, Weasel frenata frenata Ouachita, Rapides, St. James, St. Tammany, Union, Vernon, West Feliciana
Allen, Beauregard, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Obovaria Southern Obovaria Livingston, S1S2 G2 jacksoniana Hickorynut jacksoniana Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Vernon
Allen, Calcasieu Beauregard, Orconectes Orconectes Painted S1 G2 Calcasieu, blacki blacki Crawfish Rapides, Vernon
Allen, Orconectes Teche Painted S3 G3 Evangeline, Crawfish hathawayi Rapides
Kisatchie Orconectes Orconectes Natchitoches, Painted S2 G2 maletae Rapides, Sabine maletae Crawfish
Grant, Iberville, Lafourche, Natchitoches, Plaquemines, Pandion Pandion Rapides, St. Osprey S3 G5 haliaetus haliaetus John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Winn
Allen, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Catahoula, DeSoto, Evangeline, Grant, Jackson, Picoides Redcockaded Picoides S2 G3 E E LaSalle, Lincoln, http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 3/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries borealis Woodpecker borealis Livingston, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Union, Vernon, Webster, Winn
Beauregard, Bienville, Grant, Pituophis Louisiana Pine Pituophis LaSalle, S2 G2Q C ruthveni Snake ruthveni Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon
Catahoula, Grant, Jackson, Plethodon Louisiana Slimy LaSalle, S1 G3G4Q kisatchie Salamander Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Winn
Catahoula, SOUTHERN Plethodon Plethodon DeSoto, REDBACKED S1 G5 Prohibited serratus Natchitoches, serratus SALAMANDER Rapides
Allen, Pleurobema Louisiana Pleurobema Natchitoches, S1S2 G1G2 riddellii Pigtoe riddellii Rapides, Red River, Vernon
Acadia, Avoyelles, Caddo, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, Concordia, Evangeline, Franklin, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Polyodon Polyodon Orleans, Paddlefish S4 G4 spathula spathula Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Union
Procambarus Avoyelles, Javelin Crawfish S1 G4 jaculus Rapides
Avoyelles, LaSalle, Pteronotropis Bluehead S2 G3 Morehouse, Shiner hubbsi Ouachita, Rapides, Union
Avoyelles, Bossier, Caddo, Cameron, http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 4/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, Sternula East Feliciana, Interior Least antillarum S4BT1 G4T2Q E E Grant, Iberville, Tern athalassos Madison, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Red River, Tensas, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, Winn
Ascension, Beauregard, Strophitus Southern Strophitus Calcasieu, S1 G3 subvexus Creekmussel subvexus Livingston, Rapides, Vernon, Winn
Claiborne, Strophitus Lincoln, Squawfoot S2 G5 undulatus Madison, Rapides, Union
Rare Plant Species
Scientific State Global Federal Common Name State Status Fact Sheet Parishes Name Rank Rank Status
Allen, Bienville, Calcasieu, Grant, Amsonia Louisiana Blue Natchitoches, S3 G3 ludoviciana Star Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon, Winn
Bienville, Caddo, Catahoula, DeSoto, Grant, Burmannia Northern LaSalle, S3 G4G5 biflora Burmannia Ouachita, Rapides, St. Tammany, Vernon, Webster, Winn
Bossier, Caddo, Morehouse, Camassia Atlantic Camas S3 G4G5 Natchitoches, scilloides Rapides, Webster, Winn
Acadia, Allen, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, DeSoto, Grant, Carex meadii Mead's Sedge S3 G4G5 Jefferson Davis, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Rapides, Winn
Acadia, Calcasieu, Grant, Iberia, Carex Little Tooth S3 G4 LaSalle, Sedge microdonta Natchitoches, Rapides, http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 5/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Vernon, Winn
Bienville, Bossier, Caldwell, Catahoula, DeSoto, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Cypripedium Southern Cypripedium S1 G3 Jackson, Lady'sslipper kentuckiense kentuckiense LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Union, Vernon, Winn
Dichantheliu Beauregard, Grant, LaSalle, m strigosum Roughhair G5T4T S1 Rapides, St. Witchgrass 5 var. Tammany, glabrescens Washington
Bienville, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Southern Dryopteris Dryopteris Grant, Iberia, Shield Wood S2 G4 ludoviciana Rapides, St. ludoviciana fern Mary, Tangipahoa, West Feliciana
Bienville, Dulichium Caddo, Threeway arundinaceu S2 G5 Rapides, St. Sedge m Tammany, Washington
Euphorbia Summer S1 GNR Rapides discoidalis Spurge
East Carroll, Fuirena Natchitoches, Western Rapides, St. simplex var. S1 G5T4 Umbrella Sedge Charles, St. aristulata Landry, St. Tammany
Caldwell, Claiborne, Evangeline, Lincoln, Hexalectris Crested Coral Natchitoches, S2 G5 spicata root Ouachita, Rapides, Vernon, Webster, West Feliciana
Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Lobelia Coastal Plain S2? G5 Grant, Jefferson Lobelia flaccidifolia Davis, LaSalle, Rapides, Vernon
Evangeline, Mayaca Rapides, St. Bog Moss S2 G5 fluviatilis Tammany, Washington
Concordia, http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 6/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Snow Iberia, Iberville, Melanthera S2 G5 Melanthera nivea Melanthera nivea Rapides, St. Helena, Tensas
Bossier, Oenothera Meadow Claiborne, pilosella ssp. Evening S1? G5T2Q Jefferson Davis, sessilis Primrose Morehouse, Rapides, Tensas
Orobanche Rapides, Broomrape S1 G5 uniflora Vernon
Caddo, Caldwell, DeSoto, Morehouse, Quercus Red Oak S1S3 G5 Rapides, St. rubra Tammany, Union, Washington, West Carroll
Allen, Calcasieu, Lafourche, Livingston, Rhynchospor Rapides, St. Millet Beakrush S2 G5 Rhynchospora a miliacea Mary, St. miliacea Tammany, Terrebonne, Vernon, Winn
Caldwell, Catahoula, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Jackson, Schisandra Scarlet Schisandra S3 G3 Lincoln, Woodbine glabra glabra Natchitoches, Rapides, St. Helena, St. Mary, West Feliciana
Schoenoplect Rapides, Sabine, St. us Bulrush S1 G3G4 Schoenoplectus Tammany, etuberculatus etuberculatus Washington
Caddo, Iberville, Triphora Nodding Triphora S2 G3G4 Natchitoches, Pogonia trianthophora trianthophora Rapides, West Feliciana
Natural Communities
Scientific State Global Federal Common Name State Status Fact Sheet Parishes Name Rank Rank Status
Beauregard, Jackson, Rapides, St. Bayhead Bayhead S3 G3? Tammany, Swamp Swamp Vernon, Washington, Winn
Ascension, Avoyelles, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 7/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Catahoula, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Bottomland Bottomland Iberville, Hardwood S4 G4G5 Hardwood Lincoln, Livingston, Forest Forest Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Plaquemines, Rapides, Richland, Sabine, St. Tammany, Tensas, Union, Vernon, West Carroll, Winn
Ascension, Bienville, Bossier, Catahoula, Evangeline, Cypress Cypress S4 G4G5 Iberia, Iberville, Swamp Swamp LaSalle, Rapides, Richland, St. Mary, Tangipahoa
Ascension, Assumption, Bossier, East Baton Rouge, Franklin, Iberia, Iberville, Livingston, Natchitoches, Cypress Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Tupelo S4 G3G5 Charles, St. Swamp James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, West Feliciana, Winn
Fleming Natchitoches, Calcareous Calcareous S1 G1 Rapides, Prairie Prairie Vernon
Fleming Fleming S1 G1 Rapides Glade Glade
Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Hardwood Hardwood Natchitoches, S3 G2G3 Slope Forest Slope Forest Ouachita, Rapides, St. Helena, St. http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 8/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Union, Washington, West Carroll
Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Grant, Jackson, Mixed Mixed LaSalle, Hardwood Hardwood S3 G3G4 Natchitoches, Loblolly Pine Loblolly Pine Ouachita, Forest Forest Rapides, Richland, Tangipahoa, Vernon, Washington, Webster, West Carroll, Winn
Grant, Rapides, Pine Pine S3 G2G3 St. Tammany, Flatwoods Flatwoods Vernon
Avoyelles, Scrub/Shrub Scrub/Shrub LaSalle, S4S5 G3? Swamp Swamp Rapides, Terrebonne
Bienville, Caddo, DeSoto, Shortleaf Grant, Lincoln, Shortleaf Pine/Oak Natchitoches, S1 G2G3 Pine/Oak Hickory Rapides, Hickory Forest Forest Tangipahoa, Washington, Webster, Winn
Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, East Feliciana, Franklin, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Small Stream Small Rapides, S2 G3 Forest Stream Forest Sabine, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vernon, Washington, Webster, West Feliciana, Winn
Allen, Western Beauregard, Western Acidic Calcasieu, S2 G2G3 Acidic Longleaf Longleaf Pine Jefferson Davis, Pine Savannah Savannah Natchitoches, Rapides
Beauregard, Western Western Grant, Hillside S1 G2G3 Hillside Seepage Natchitoches, Seepage Bog Bog Rapides, Vernon, Winn http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 9/10 1/21/2015 Species by Parish List | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Allen, Western Western Beauregard, Upland Upland Bienville, Grant, S3 G2G3 Longleaf Pine Longleaf Pine Natchitoches, Forest Forest Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn
‹ Plant Tracking List and Fact Sheets up
Contact Us Public Records Request About Sitemap Site Disclaimer Employment
18002562749 | (225) 7652800 | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000 2000 Quail Dr. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70898
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/speciesparishlist?tid=250&type_1=All 10/10