MANAGING UNEXPECTED ENDANGERED SPECIES ISSUES ON BID-READY PROJECTS

摘要

Dam construction and subsequent reservoir inundation may affect sensitive plants and wildlife, thus requiring rigorous environmental permitting. Even with permits in hand, routine surveys may result in the unexpected discovery of sensitive species during project implementation. For dam construction projects, delays or work stoppages to allow for agency consultation and issuance of amended permits are problematic and potentially expensive. The San Vicente Dam Raise (SVDR) Project entails construction activity with habitat impacts. Initial surveys indicated three federally listed endangered species were present. A Biological Opinion for these species was issued as part of the Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). However, during preconstruction surveys, a species not addressed with the permits, the federally listed endangered Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) was unexpectedly observed on site. To avoid delays and address the species, the Water Authority and its consultant (Dudek) requested informal consultation with the agencies. Biologists were mobilized and Dudek used a USFWS model to estimate “occupied Quino Checkerspot Butterfly habitat”. The Water Authority team worked quickly and cooperatively with the agencies to conduct a site visit, prepare graphics, provide the model results, and prepare documents for use in permit amendments. Based on this information, impacts were calculated, mitigation was negotiated, and the amended Corps Section 404 permit and Biological Opinion were issued. The formal consultation process was completed in less than three weeks and resulted in no change in the project schedule.