Final Biological Opinion Re: EPA Final Rule
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United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Washington, D.C. 20240 In Response Refer To: FWS/ AES/DERIBCH/OS6 189 Mr. Robert Wood Director Engineering and Analysis Division Office of Water U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460 Dear Mr. Wood: In accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the Interagency Cooperation Regulations (50 CFR 402), this transmits our final biological opinion (Opinion) on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) issuance and implementation of the final regulations implementing Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 7(a)(2) ofthe ESA of1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)), requires Federal agencies to insure that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. When a Federal agency's action may affect listed species or critical habitat, formal consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is required (50 CFR 402.14(a)). EPA requested formal consultation even though EPA was ofthe opinion that its action would not cause adverse effects to listed species and critical habitat. After review of the proposed regulation, biological evaluation, and other available information we determined that the proposed action is likely to adversely affect threatened and endangered species and designated critical habitat. Federal agencies may request a conference on a proposed action that may affect proposed species or proposed critical habitat. While the EPA request for consultation indicates proposed species were addressed in the biological evaluation, a conference opinion was not requested, nor was the information presented in the biological evaluation sufficient to complete a conference opinion for all proposed species. Therefore, we are not providing a conference opinion at this time. EPA proposes to issue and implement final regulations (40 CFR 122 and 125; Rule) to establish requirements for cooling water intake structures (CWIS) at existing facilities under section 316(b) of the CWA. This document transmits a joint NMFS and USFWS Opinion on the proposed action and its effects on ESA-listed species and designated critical habitat. We based our Opinion on information provided in the draft Rule and Preamble, the Services' interpretations ofthat rule as agreed upon by EPA on AprilS, 2014, the biological evaluation for the CWA section 316(b) Rulemaking provided by EPA on June 18, 2013, consultation meetings, peer-reviewed publications, recovery plans, government reports, grey literature, scientific and commercial data, and other sources of information. We prepared our Opinion in accordance with section 7(a)(2) of the statute (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)), associated implementing regulations (50 CFR 402), and agency policy and guidance (USFWS and NMFS 1998). We appreciate your commitment in the conservation of endangered species. If you require further assistance or have any questions, please contact Ms. Cathy Tortorici, Chief, Interagency Cooperation Division, NMFS, at 301-427-8495 or by e-mail at [email protected], or Ms. Patrice Ashfield, Chief, Branch of Consultations and Habitat Conservation Planning, USFWS, at 703-358-2478 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Sincerely, ¢h Donna Wieting ~ary Frazer Director for ~- ~ssistant Director for Office of Protected Resources Ecological Services Attachment Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Programmatic Biological Opinion on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Issuance and Implementation of the Final Regulations Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Marine Fisheries Service Endangered Species Program Office of Protected Resources Division of Environmental Review Endangered Species Act Arlington, Virginia Interagency Cooperation Division Silver Spring, Maryland May 19, 2014 Table of Contents 1.0 Consultation History ................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Description of the Proposed Action ......................................................................... 2 2.1 EPA Requirements ....................................................................................................................4 2.2 Owner or Operator Requirements.............................................................................................4 2.2.1 Permit Application .............................................................................................................5 2.2.3 BTA Standards for Impingement Mortality .........................................................................7 2.2.4 BTA Standards for Entrainment ..........................................................................................9 2.2.5 Monitoring ........................................................................................................................9 2.2.6 Reporting ........................................................................................................................ 10 2.2.7 Incidental Take ................................................................................................................ 11 2.3 Director Requirements ........................................................................................................... 11 2.3.1 Permit Application ........................................................................................................... 12 2.3.2 Permitting Requirements ................................................................................................. 12 2.3.3 Impingement ................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.4 Entrainment .................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.5 Monitoring and Reporting................................................................................................ 16 2.3.6 Incidental Take ............................................................................................................... 16 2.3.7 Permit Notification ......................................................................................................... 16 2.3.8 Permit Modification ........................................................................................................ 17 3.0 Approach to the Assessment .................................................................................. 17 4.0 Action Area ................................................................................................................ 18 5.0 Status of the Species ................................................................................................ 21 6.0 Environmental Baseline ........................................................................................... 28 7.0 Effects of the Action ................................................................................................. 35 7.1 Programmatic Approach ................................................................................................... 35 1.1.1 Scope......................................................................................................................... 37 1.1.2 Stressors ................................................................................................................... 40 1.1.3 Minimization of likely adverse effects ................................................................... 56 1.1.4 Identifies, informs, encourages, and screen applicants for potential eligibility under the Rule 62 1.1.5 Monitoring and evaluation of adverse effects ............................................................... 63 1.1.6 Compliance .................................................................................................................. 64 1.1.7 Adaptive management ................................................................................................. 65 8.0 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................... 66 9.0 Integration and Synthesis of Effects ............................................................................... 67 10.0 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 71 i 11.0 Incidental Take Statement ........................................................................................... 75 12.0 Reasonable and Prudent Measures .............................................................................. 76 13.0 Terms and Conditions .................................................................................................. 76 14.0 Conservation Recommendations .................................................................................. 78 15.0 Reintiation Notice ........................................................................................................ 78 16.0 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................ 80 ii 1.0 Consultation History On July 9, 2004, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated regulations establishing requirements for Cooling Water