Appendix 10 Endangered Species Act – Biological Opinion
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Appendix 10 Endangered Species Act – Biological Opinion UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE GREATER ATLANTIC REGIONAL FISHERIES OFFICE 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2276 MAR 3 0 2018 Cheryl B. Martin Assistant Division Administrator Maine Division, Federal Highway Administration 40 Western A venue, Rm. 16 Augusta, ME. 04330 RE: Maine Department of Transportation Replacement of the Frank J. Wood Bridge Dear Ms. Martin, Enclosed is the biological opinion (Opinion), issued under Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, for the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) replacement of the Frank J. Wood Bridge, which carries Route 201 over the Androscoggin River between Topsham and Brunswick, Maine. In this Opinion, we conclude that the proposed action is likely to adversely affect, but not likely to adversely modify or destroy critical habitat designated for the Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic sturgeon. We also conclude that the proposed action may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, endangered shortnose sturgeon, endangered Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon, or critical habitat designated for the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon. Since we have concluded that the action as proposed will not adversely affect any ESA-listed species in the action area we do not anticipate the take of any listed species. Therefore, our Opinion does not include an Incidental Take Statement (ITS) and no take is exempted. Incidental take is defined as "take of listed fish or wildlife species that results from, but is not the purpose of carrying out an otherwise lawful activity conducted by a Federal agency or applicant" [50 CFR §402.02]. "Otherwise lawful activities" are those actions that meet all State and Federal legal requirements, including any state endangered species laws or regulations, except for the prohibition against taking in ESA Section 9. This concludes formal consultation on the proposed action. As provided in 50 CFR §402.16, reinitiation of formal consultation is required where discretionary federal agency involvement or control over the action has been retained (or is authorized by law) and if: (1) the amount or extent of taking specified in the incidental take statement is exceeded; (2) new information reveals effects of the action that may not have been previously considered; (3) the identified action is subsequently modified in a manner that causes an effect to listed species; or (4) a new species is listed or critical habitat designated that may be affected by the identified action. In instances where the amount or extent of incidental take is exceeded, section 7 consultation must be reinitiated immediately. Once you have had an opportunity to review the Opinion, we hope to have a future conversation with you to discuss our two Conservation Recommendations. Section 7(a)(l) of the ESA places a responsibility on all federal agencies to "utilize their authorities in furtherance of the purposes of this Act by carrying out programs for the conservation of endangered species." Conservation Recommendations are discretionary agency activities to minimize or avoid adverse effects of a proposed action on listed species or critical habitat, to help implement recovery plans, or to develop information. As such, we suggest that you, consistent with your authorities, take implementation of our Conservation Recommendations under consideration. Thank you for working cooperatively with my staff throughout the consultation process. We look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with your office to minimize the effects of replacing the Frank J. Wood Bridge on listed species and critical habitat. Should you have any questions about this correspondence please contact Zach Jylkka at (978) 282-8467 or by e-mail ([email protected]). Our Habitat Conservation Division (HCD) is responsible for overseeing programs related to Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) designated under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other NOAA trust resources under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA). HCD is currently coordinating with MaineDOT on the EFH consultation. If you have any questions or comments regarding the EFH consultation process, please contact Mike Johnson at (978) 281-9130 or [email protected]. Sincerely, Julia E. Crocker Acting Assistant Regional Administrator For Protected Resources EC: Johnson, NMFS-HCD Jylkka, NMFS-PRD Buhyoff, NMFS-PRD Ham, MaineDOT Clement, USACE Fayyad, FERC Maloney, Brookfield Renewable File Code: H:\Section 7 Team\Section 7\Non-Fisheries\FHWA State DOTs\Formal\Frank J Wood Bridge Brunswick, ME PCTS: NER-2017-14574 NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT BIOLOGICAL OPINION Agency: Federal Highway Administration (FHW A), Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New England District Activity Considered: Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) Replacement of the Frank J. Wood Bridge NER-2017-14574 Conducted by: National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Date Issued: Approved by: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................. ·............................................................. 6 2.0 ESA Consultation History ............................................................................................ : ....... 7 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ............................................................... 8 3.1 Description of the Existing Bridge ................................................................................... 8 3 .2 Description of the Proposed Replacement Bridge ................................................................ 9 3.2.1 Project Design ........................................................................................................... 9 3.2.2 Construction ............................................................................................................ 10 3.3 In-Water Activity Descriptions and Related AMMs ...................................................... 12 3.3.l Implementation of SWEPCP Plan and Site Preparation ......................................... 12 3.3.2 In-water Work Window .......................................................................................... 12 3.3.3 Contaminant Releases .............................................................................................. 13 3.3.4 Construction of Temporary Work Trestle ............................................................... 13 3.3.5 Cofferdam Construction .......................................................................................... 15 3.3.6 Pier Construction and Cofferdam Removal.. .......................................................... 18 3.3.7 Abutment Construction ........................................................................................... 18 3 .3 .8 Bridge Superstructure Construction ........................................................................ 19 3.3.9 Demolition of Existing Bridge ................................................................................ 19 3.3.10 Post-Project Restoration .......................................................................................... 20 3.2.11 Removal of Temporary Work Trestle ..................................................................... 20 3.3.12 Vessel Use ............................................................................................................... 20 3.3.13 SummaryofAMMs .............................................................................................. .'.21 3 .4 Action Area .................................................................................................................... 23 3.4.1 Defining the Action Area ............................................................................................. 23 3.4.2 Habitat in the Action Area ...................................................................................... 25 4.0 STATUS OF LISTED SPECIES and CRITICAL HABIT AT IN THE ACTION AREA 27 4.1 Atlantic Salmon (Gulf of Maine DPS) ........................................................................... 28 4.1.1 Life History ............................................................................................................. 28 4.1.2 Reproduction, Distribution, and Abundance of Atlantic salmon ............................ 31 4.1.3 Salmon Habitat Recovery Units .............................................................................. 33 4.1.4 Survival and Recovery of the GOM DPS ............................................................... 35 4.1.5 Summary ofRangewide Status of Atlantic salmon ................................................ 36 4.2 Critical Habitat Designated for the GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon ............................... 36 4.2.1 Essential Features of Atlantic Salmon Critical Habitat .......................................... 37 2 4.2.2 Factors Affecting Atlantic salmon and Critical Habitat ......................................... 43 4.3 Shortnose Sturgeon ........................................................................................................ 44 4.3.1 Life History and General Habitat Use .................................................................... 44 4.3.2 Listing History .......................................................................................................