ML072670409

Ecolsciences, Inc., 2006. Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Impact. Assessment for Oyster Creek Generating Station; Township of Lacey; Ocean County, New Jersey. Prepared for Amergen Energy Co., LLC

ML072670409
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	08/15/2006
From:	EcolSciences
To:	AmerGen Energy Co, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
2130-07-20506, TAC MC7624
Download: ML072670409 (55)

Text

ý1ý EcoiSciences, Inc.

Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance

I I

I I

I I

I THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES IHABITAT EVALUATION FOR OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION TOWNSHIP OF LACEY OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY I

Prepared for:

Amergen Energy Co., LLC P.O. Box 388 Route 9 South I Forked River, New Jersey 08731.

I Prepared by:

I EcolSciences, Inc.

75 Fleetwood Drive, Suite 250 Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 August 15, 2006 I

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

1. EXECU TIVE SUM M ARY ................................................................................................... 1 RI. METHODOLOGY ................................................ 4 A. B ackground D ata C ollection .......................................................................................... 4 B. Natural Heritage Program and Landscape Project .................................................. 4 C. V ernal H abitat M ap ................................................................................................ 4 D. Pine Snake Habitat M ap ............................................................................................ 5 E. Natural Heritage Grid Map ............................................ 5 F. Field Investigation...........................................5 III R ESU LT S .................................................................................................................................... 6 A. Natural Heritage Program and Landscape Project .................................................. 6 B. V ernal H abitat M ap .................................................................................................. 8 C. Pine Snake H abitat M ap .......................................................................................... 8 D. Natural Heritage Grid Map ....................................................................................... 10 E. Field Investigation ......................................................... ........................................... 15 IIV . C O NC LU SIO N ...................................................................................................................... . 19 V. REFEREN CES ............................. ............................................................................................ 20

. LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1: USGS Site Location .......................................... 2 Figure 2:

Figure 3 Landscape V ernal H abitat Project ....................................................................................................

........................................................................................................ 97 Figure 4 Pine Snake Land Use/Land Cover 1............

Figure 5 Pine Snake Soils .......................................................................................................... 12 Figure 6 Pine Snake Habitat .......................................... 13 Figure 7 N atural H eritage Grid M ap ........................................................................................ 14 Figure 8 Pine Barrens Treefrog Control Site ..................................................................... 18 I

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT A - Natural Heritage Program Letter ATTACHMENT B - Qualifications of Preparers F:'JOBS04\EnO4-086\Report\06rTeport\TE~reportO06.doc i

I. EXECUTIVE SUMIARY AmerGen Energy Co., LLC retained EcolSciences, Inc. to conduct a threatened and endangered plant and wildlife habitat evaluation in undeveloped areas on a portion of the Oyster Creek Generating Station property in Lacey Township, Ocean County, New Jersey (Figure 1). This report documents results for the studies conducted in the spring and summer of 2004 and summer of 2006.

The objective of the 2004 study was to assess habitat for threatened and endangered plants and wildlife in areas of proposed National Security upgrades, since constructed, around a portion of the generating station property enveloped by US Route 9 to the east, the intake canal to the north, and the discharge canal to the south (the "Site"). The 2006 study involved a habitat evaluation of all remaining undeveloped lands within the Site, a portion of which is proposed for further improvements. In addition to the initial habitat evaluation in 2004, EcolSciences conducted a survey for the State-threatened Pine Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii) in wetlands near the southeastern comer of the Site.

The threatened and endangered plant and wildlife habitat evaluation involved a review of local species records from the NJDEP Natural Heritage Program (NHP), review of the Landscape Project critical habitat maps for rare wildlife, review of vernal habitat mapping prepared by Rutgers University and the NJDEP, mapping of potential habitat of the State-threatened northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) based on draft habitat delineation criteria devised by the NJDEP Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP), review of the Natural Heritage Grid Map of rare plant species and ecological communities, and on-Site field work.

The NHP Natural Heritage Database and Landscape Project indicates there are on-Site records of the State-threatened Pine Barrens treefrog, wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta), northern pine snake, barred owl (Strix varia), and Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii) as well as herptile and invertebrate species of special concern (see Attachment A). In addition, the NHP has historic records of two State-endangered plants, Pine Barrens boneset (Eupatoriumresinosum) and New Jersey rush (Juncus caesariensis), and two rare plants with no State status, curly grass fern (Schizaeapusilla)and awned mountain-mint (Pycnantheniumsetosurn), in the vicinity of the Site.

Vernal habitat mapping indicates a potential vernal pool just north of the discharge canal

• that, during the initial Site visit on April 28, 2004, appeared to possess vegetative structure and F:Y0BS04\EnO4O086\Rpori\06_itport\TE-reportO06.docI I

.. d .,*,v

-- '- =* :, -,)., " ., " . --

.. x .-..

AN 22004 Evaluation Area L T IO ON',,*C A . . :

• .Z,*- ~~~ - ~ .- "" ~-* ~ ~ Oyster.

~ Creek Geeaigtto

• ~~~~ *.

~ ca o nsi

'Ne .-Couty of._.. Lacey.."*-

t...,,-_r,.- w y.

575,200'E- ;*.:-/

35,00.- Eo*ce 02000 c sIc,ý 400 ý: 6000tii:ýA Envionm .-.

nta Mange enReguator Co pine. -86G~ 0_rjcs Fee Oyste Creektio GeertngSato Ocea ConyIewJre 557200 E. 357,7 00 N.- . ... 4 0.0. 6..0-0....0i Envrometa FanGemntUREgatr 1 o: USGS ic SITEL mC TIO 2

hydrology characteristic of Pine Barrens treefrog habitat. Although the National Security upgrades, constructed following the 2004 habitat evaluation, do not impact these wetlands, a portion of the adjacent upland woodland may have been considered critical habitat if an occurrence of Pine Barrens treefrog was confirmed. This could have affected the parking lot expansion that presently occupies a portion of this wooded area. In order to determine the presence or absence of Pine Barrens treefrog in this wetland, a survey was conducted on three evenings in June 2004 during the height of the breeding period for this species. Sampling conditions were deemed appropriate through use of a control site. No Pine Barrens treefrogs were identified within the wetland and, as a result, the wetland is not habitat for the species.

IBased upon the database and mapping review and field investigations, the Site does not provide habitat .for threatened or endangered wildlife. Pine snake habitat mapping prepared for the Site following ENSP draft protocols indicates that much of the undeveloped Site is mapped as preferred habitat. However, the extent of this area is not expected to be large enough to support a i sustainable population of pine snake. Appropriate wetland habitats for Pine Barrens treefrog, wood turtle, and barred owl are not present on-Site. Remaining on-Site woodland is fragmented and isolated, not suitable for a woodland-dependent species such as Cooper's hawk. No further surveys for threatened or endangered wildlife are recommended.

IImpacts to rare plants such as awned mountain-mint, Pine Barren boneset, New Jersey rush, and curly grass fern are not anticipated, as there are no on-site historic records of these species. In addition, the latter three species are wetland-dependent. There are no impacts to wetlands as part of the latest proposed improvements.

I The following sections describe the threatened and endangered species habitat evaluation I methodology, Site description, and results of the field investigation.

1 I

I F:\JOBSO4\EnO4-86\ReportD6-report\TEjreportO06.doc3 3

II. METHODOLOGY Prior to conducting the on-Site investigation, EcolSciences collected background information on local conditions and rare plant and wildlife records from several readily available sources such as the Natural Heritage Program's Natural Heritage Database and various mapping utilities including the Landscape Project critical habitat map, vernal habitat map prepared by Rutgers University and the NJDEP, pine snake habitat map based on draft ENSP methodology, and Natural Heritage Grid Map of rare plant species and ecological communities. The following sections describe these references and field methods in more detail.

A. Background Data Collection EcolSciences has assembled a collection of reference materials regarding threatened and endangered species from prior studies, scientific journals, and mapping. These technical reports contain information regarding the natural history, habitat requirements, and survey methodologies for these species.

B. Natural Heritage Program and Landscape Project Starting in July 2002, the Natural Heritage Program (NHP) adopted use of the Landscape Project to supplement threatened and endangered species data requests. The Landscape Project was developed by the NJDEP, Division of Fish & Wildlife, Endangered & Nongame Species Program (ENSP). It is a wildlife habitat-mapping program that is used to identify and map critical habitats for endangered, threatened, and special concern species. This method takes documented sightings of threatened and endangered wildlife and, based on a species-specific model, maps areas of suitable habitat contiguous to the sighting as critical wildlife habitat. In many cases, the mapped areas can be quite large, even encompassing square miles. The Landscape Project has undergone revision since its initial release. Landscape Project Version 2.0 was released in mid-February 2004 and is now used by the NHP for its data requests.

C. Vernal Habitat Ma, The NJDEP and Rutgers University's Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis (CRSSA) are cooperating to map and document the State's vernal habitats. Vernal habitats are fish-free depressions that hold water for at least two months between March and September and provide breeding habitat for certain obligate and facultative species, some of which are endangered or threatened. Potential vernal habitats are identified through GIS and are certified through fieldwork if the above criteria are met. The map is available on the web I(www.crssa.rutgers.edu/proiects/biodiv/biodiv.htm).

F:\JOBS04\EnO4-086\Report\06jreport\TEjrepoil.06.doc 4

D. Pine Snake Habitat Map The NJDEP Endangered & Nongame Species Program (ENSP) has developed draft habitat delineation criteria for northern pine snake resulting in a map of potential habitat that integrates selected digital land use/land cover and soils data through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in a report entitled Northern Pine- Snake Habitat Assessment and Mapping (www.state.ni.us/dep/fgw/pinesnak.htm). The map is not available from the ENSP but can be reproduced using GIS software on readily obtainable digital data and following the methodology outlined within the report.

E. Natural Heritage Grid Map The Office of Natural Lands Management maintains a database and associated map of documented rare plant species and ecological communities in New Jersey. The map consists of a coarse grid with cells ranging from 358 to 372 acres in size with 100 cells for every USGS quadrangle. The cells only indicate the general location of rare species and/or communities, if any.

Each cell with documented sightings is linked to corresponding rare plant and ecological community records in a data table.

F. Field Investigation On-site conditions represented in the assorted mapping utilities were evaluated in the field on April 28, 2004 and June 30, 2006. The 2004 study focused on undeveloped portions of the Site slated for National Security upgrades, since constructed. Remaining undeveloped areas within the Site, a portion of which is part of additional proposed improvements, were evaluated in 2006. Notes on existing vegetation and soil characteristics were taken. Current land use on the Site as well as the immediate area was also considered in an effort to determine the suitability of the area as potential I habitat for threatened and endangered plants and wildlife.

The initial field investigation in 2004 determined that wetlands near the southeastern comer of the Site were potentially suitable habitat for Pine Barrens treefrog. A survey for Pine Barrens treefrog was conducted here on the evenings of June 15, 22, and 30, 2004, a span that coincides with the height of the breeding period of this species. Active listening, as well as the use of a taped call of Pine Barrens treefrog, was employed at several locations around the perimeter of the wetlands. Appropriate survey conditions have been suggested by the NJDEP to be warm, (70 'F+),

humid or rainy nights in May and June (NJDEP, 2004). On each evening, a control site was used to verify conditions were appropriate for sampling. The control site consists of a documented Pine Barrens treefrog population located near Webbs Mill Branch, near milepost 20 on County Route 539 within Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, Lacey Township.

F:\JOBS04\En04-086\Report\O_6repoit\TE-repol_06.dooc 5

III. RESULTS Based on surrounding land use and existing land cover, EcolSciences has determined that the Site does not serve as critical or suitable habitat for threatened and endangered species. The following sections provide details of EcolSciences' findings:

A. Natural Heritage Program and Landscape Project 1The NHP responded to a request for threatened and endangered species information for the site and its immediate vicinity in a letter dated July 12, 2006 (Attachment A). According to the I Natural Heritage Database and Landscape Project habitat mapping, the State-threatened northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) and wood turtle (Cleinmys insculpta) occur on-site. In Iaddition, records of several listed species occur within 'A-mile of the Site, including the State-threatened Pine Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii), barred owl (Strix varia), and Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii); herptile species of special concern; invertebrate species of special concern; and 1foraging habitat for the State-endangered black skimmer (Rhynchops niger) and State-threatened black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). According to the NJDEP, special concern Irefers to species that are not listed as threatened or endangered, but whose status is being monitored by the NJDEP Endangered and Nongame Species Program. At present, these species have no regulatory bearing.

In addition to above-listed wildlife, the NHP has historic local records of two State-I endangered plants, Pine Barrens boneset (Eupatoriuin resinosum) and New Jersey rush (Juncus caesariensis),and two rare plants with no State status, curly grass fern (Schizaea pusilla) and awned I mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum setosum).

Figure 2 presents Landscape Project (Version 2.0) mapping for the site and surrounding area. As shown, a forested polygon and forested wetland polygon are located entirely within the area bounded by the canal and Route 9. The on-site forest polygon is Rank 3, based on a single I record of northern pine snake. The forested wetland polygon is Rank 1, indicating a polygon that meets habitat-specific requirements, but does not intersect with any documented records of I endangered, threatened, or special concern species.

The critical areas mapped by the Landscape Project, in general, consist of numerous polygons broken down into five basic categories: beach, grasslands, forest, forested wetlands, and

, emergent wetlands. Every polygon of each habitat type is ranked based on the status of a species F:\JOBS04EnO4-086\Report\06-report\TE-repouiO06.doc6 6

riTlcal rcaiaitat 2006 Evaluation Area 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 DWood Turtle Emergent Wetlands Forest i2004 Evaluaton Area Feet RANK RANK I -Suitable Habitat 1 - Suitable Habitat 2 - Prtority Species ( 2 - Pnorlty Species 3 - State Threateniad 3- State Threatened FIGURE 2: LANDSCAPE PROJECT 4 - State Endangered 0 4- State Endangered 5 - Federal T and E 4 5 - Federal T and E Oyster Creek Generating Station Forested Wetlands Grasslands Township of Lacey RANK RANK Ocean County, New Jersey C' 1 - Suitable Habitat (:j I - Suitable Habitat Sources:

4 2 - Priority Species (3) 2 - Priority Species NJDEP, DFW, ENSP. 2004. New Jersey's Landscape Project (Version 2 0).

State of NJ. OIT. 2003. NJ 2002 High Resolution Orthophotography.

3- State Threatened Q 3- State Threatened EcoiSciences, Inc.

4 - State Endangered 4 4 - State Endangered Date: 30 5- Federal Tand E " ) 5 - Federal T and E F:ýOJbsO4\EN04-086\GIS\06_projects\

Environmental Management & Reguiatory Compliance LP2.mxd 7

record, if present, within or near a polygon. A Rank 5 polygon indicates at least one record of a Federally-endangered or threatened species whereas a Rank 1 polygon has no known species records, but meets other habitat-speii criteria (Niles, et. al., 2004). A Rank 3 polygon, which includes the on-Site forest polygon, has one or more occurrences of at least one State-threatened species.

Landscape Project critical areas for a listed species is determined through specific models I ~applied from the location of an accepted record from the NETP Natural Heritage database. The NI{P's Biological Conservation Database model for barred owl provides a buffer of 1-mile radius from the point of an accepted record. Critical areas for barred owl consist of all forest and forested I wetland polygons that intersect this buffer in their entirety. The model applied to Cooper's hawk also values forest and forested wetland polygons, though only those that occur within 300 meters of an accepted record in the Natural Heritage Database. The Pine Barrens treefrog model values all forest, forested wetland, or emergent wetland polygons that occur within 300 meters of an accepted record. The pine snake model values all forest and grassland polygons that fall within 500 meters of an accepted record (Niles, et. al., 2004).

1 The spatial extent of a polygon is dependent in part upon contiguity of areas of similar land use/land cover and is di~vided by major roads (500 level and above) (Niles, et. al., 2004). The on-site forested polygon is 54 acres in area. The on-site forested wetland polygon is only 3 acres in area. In contrast, the large forested polygon adjacent to the canal is 6,833 acres (10.7 mi ) and is

• bounded by US Route 9 to the east and north, the Garden State Parkway approximately 1 mile to the

• west, and County Route 532 approximately 1.3 miles to the south.

IB. Vernal Habitat Map The Rutgers Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis has mapped a single potential IVernal pool in the southern portion of the area of interest (Figure 4). This pool. has not been surveyed to determine if it meets the NJDEP's criteria for vernal habitats. This includes an i assessment of obligate and/or facultative wildlife species that may be present.

C. Pine Snake Habitat Map Northern pine snake habitat, according to ENSP mapping methodology, isderived from the intersection of specific land use/land cover and soil types that pine snakes are most often associated with. Selected land use/land cover is ranked (primary, secondary), as are soils (primary, secondary, tertiary). The intersected pine snake habitat polygons are then categorized (preferred IA or 1B or

• suitable 2, 3, or 4) depending on the combination of overlapping vegetation and soil types. The F:\J01S04\EnO4-86\ReporT\06report\TE repoq_06.doc8 8

Potential/Certified Vernal Pools

• Certified Not Surveyed FIGURE 3: VERNAL HABITAT

• Yes/vernal pool Oyster Creek Generating Station

• NOT a Vernal Pool Township of Lacey Ocean County, New Jersey 7

Freshwater Wetlands Sources:

NJDEP and Rutgers CRSSA. 2004. Mapping New Jersey's Vernal Pools.

www.crssa.rutgers.edu/projects/biodivrbiodiv.htm State of NJJ,OIT. 2003. NJ 2002 High Resolution Orthophotography.

2006 Evaluation Area 2004 Evaluation Area EcoISciences, Inc.

Environmental Management & Regulatory Compltance FUobsC4.dN04-086\GIS\Odprojectst vemal.mxd 9

I rank of most pine snake habitat polygons (preferred lB and suitable 2, 3, and 4) is also dependent on adjacency to or isolation from other habitat polygons (NJDEP, ENSP, undated, www.state.ni/dep/few/pinesnak.htm).

The ENSP northern pine snake habitat model values certain upland cover types (Figure 4) including coniferous and mixed forest and brush/shrubland. As shown, much of the on-Site wooded uplands are ranked as primary (4220 - coniferous forest) land cover. Land use/land cover is from 1995/97 and does not reflect current conditions as a portion of this woodland has since been constructed upon.

Northern pine snakes are generally closely allied to sandy substrates in which to dig their dens. The ENSP model (Figure 5) regards various "sugar" sand units such as Lakehurst and Evesboro sand as primary soils types. Various other sand and loamy sands are considered secondary soils, including units where disturbance remains such as in borrow pits. According to the digital data derived from the Soil Conservation Service's Soil Survey of Ocean County, published in 1980, much of the site along Route 9 is mapped with Lakehurst sands (LhA), a primary soil.

Figure 6 shows the pine snake habitat map with combined cover and soils data. Only the wooded edge of the Site is valued as preferred habitat. Other locally mapped preferred and suitable habitat is fragmented by various land uses, roads, wetlands, and waterways.

D. Natural Heritage Grid Map Figure 7 presents Natural Heritage Grid Mapping for the site. As with the Natural Heritage Program response letter, the map indicates that two State-endangered plants, Pine Barrens boneset (Eupatorium resinosum) and New Jersey rush (Juncus caesariensis),and two rare plants with no State status, curly grass fern (Schizaea pusilla) and awned mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum setosum), dccur within two grid cells that coincide with the Site. The former three species are associated with wetland habitat while awned mountain-mint occurs in dry fields and upland woods.

In addition to the above species, a data sensitive species or ecological community with no identifying information occurs somewhere within the southern cell that overlaps a portion of the Site.

Figure 7 and the Natural Heritage Program response letter shows that the Forked River Natural Heritage Priority Site occurs northwest of the Site. Its boundary justification is based on the presence of several globally rare and State listed plant species.

F:UOBS04\EnO4-O86\RepoTi\06 report\ThEreportO06.doc 10

rine bnaKe Lana uselLana uover m Primary Vegetation 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 Code F-eet 4210 Coniferous Forest (10-50% Crown Closure) 4220 Coniferous Forest (>50% Crown Closure) 4311 Mixed Forest (-50% Coniferous with 10-50% Crown Closure) 4312 Mixed Forest (>50% Coniferous with >50% Crown Closure)

FIGURE 4: PINE SNAKE LAND USEILAND COVER*

• Secondary Vegetation Oyster Creek Generating Station Code Township of Lacey 4321 Mixed Forest (>50% Deciduous with 10-50% Crown Closure) Ocean County, New Jersey 4322 Mixed Forest (>50% Deciduous with >50% Crown Closure) Sources:

4430 Coniferous Brush/Shrubland NJDEP, OIRM, EGIS. 2001. 1995/97 Land Use/Land Cover, Series 1, Volume 5.

4440 Mixed Deciduous/Coniferous Brush/Shrubland State of New Jersey. Office of InformationTechnotogy. 2003. New Jersey 2002 High Resolution Orthophotography

• According to ENSP methodology I[J 2006 Evaluation Area EcoSciences, Inc. e623/06 2004 Evaluation Area Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance npstulc.mxd 11

=.. Soils Boundaries 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 Pine Snake Soils  ! I - Feet SPrimary Soils Lakehurst Lakewood Evesboro Sands FIGURE 5: PINE SNAKE SOILS*

Secondary Soils KJej Sands Oyster Creek Generating SOILS* Station Klej Loamy Sands Township of Lacey Hammonton Loamy Sands Woodmansie Sands Ocean County, New Jersey Abandoned Sand Mines Sources:

NJDEP. OIRM, BGIS. 1996. GIS Resource Data, Series 1,Volume 2.

All Other Soils Tertiary State of New Jersey, Office of InformationTechnology. 2003. New Jersey 2002 High Resolution Orlhophotography According to ENSP methodology

" 2006 Evaluation Area 2004 Evaluation Area EcoISciences, Inc.

Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance DateS6/23c06 nps sois.mxri 12

0 1,000 2,000 3,0 00 Pine Snake Habitat Feet I-A Preferred Habitat: Primary Cover, Primary Soils 1-B Preferred Habitat: Primary Cover, Secondary Soils (adjacent to 1-A) 2 Suitable Habitat: Primary Cover, Secondary Soils (isolated from 1-A)

FIGURE 6: PINE SNAKE HABITAT*

3 Suitable Habitat: Secondary Cover, Primary Soils (adjacent to 1-N1-B) Oyster Creek Generating Station Township of Lacey 4 Suitable Habitat: Primary Cover, Tertiary Soils (adjacent to 1-A/11B)

Sources: Ocean County, New Jersey

• According to ENSP methodology NJDEP, OIRM. BGIS. 1990. GIS Resource Data. Series 1. Volume 2.

NJDEP, OIRM, BGIS. 2001. 1995/97 Land Use/Lend Cover, Series 1, Volume 5.

State of New Jersey, Office of InformationTechnology. 2003. New Jersey r 2006 Evaluation Area 2002 High Resolution Orthophiolography

"- 2004 Evaluation Area EcoiSciences, Inc. Date:

ripsthabitat mad Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance 13

Natural Heritage Grid Map 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 I-eet

• February 2004 Version Generalized Locations of Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities FIGURE 7: NATURAL HERITAGE GRID MAP E iS - Documented Location Known Precisely Oyster Creek Generating Station j M- Documented Location Known Within 1.5 Miles

. Township of Lacey

• Both - Both 'M' and 'S' Occurrences Ocean County, New Jersey

• None Sources:

NJDEP, ONLM. 2004. Natural Heritage GridMap.

State of New Jersey, OIT. 2003. New Jersey 2002 High Resolution Orthophotography.

[EJ 2006 Evaluation Area Date: 6/23/06

• • 2004 Evaluation Area EcoiSciences, Inc.

Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance FbsoESIGIS\06proectsk NHPgrld.mxd 14

E. Field Investigation The field investigations conducted in 2004 and 2006 were used to gather information regarding on-site conditions and the surrounding character of the area and to field verify conditions presented in the various referenced mapping utilities. Undeveloped portions of the site are j characterized by a mix of field, shrubland, pine-oak woodland, and emergent, scrub/shrub, and forested wetlands.

A majority of the land area north and south of the generating station consists of successional field/shrubland habitat. The entire community is suggestive of a disturbed habitat as the sand and loamy sand that characterizes this area is most likely fill material. Most of this area is covered with several grass species of variable height. Several trees dot the landscape including willow, gray birch, eastern red cedar, and pitch pine. Shrubs and vines such as bayberry, sweetfern, and dewberry occur. as individuals or scattered clumps. Two sub-shrubs, golden heather and beach heather, occur in drier, sandier, more barren areas. Herbs that inhabit this community include phragmites, path rush, joe-pye-weed, bush clover, field garlic, common milkweed, thistle, Deptford pink, Venus' looking-glass, hop clover, white clover, yellow sweet clover, rabbit's foot clover, English plantain, aster, yarrow, sandwort, and hawkweed.

A rip-rap channel goes from southwest to northeast across the northern portion of successional field/shrubland habitat towards the intake canal. The rip-rap channel is generally dry and unvegetated for most of its length, but has standing water as it approaches a long linear wetland located parallel to the intake canal. This wetland apparently is directly connected to the intake canal via a 4-foot diameter pipe. The linear wetland consists of open water heavily bordered by phragmites as well as red maple, sweet gum, bayberry, sweet pepperbush, and Japanese knotweed.

Pitch pine is particularly prevalent within upland woodland portions of the area near Route 9, growing densely especially to the north. Other fairly common trees within this community include black cherry, sassafras, post oak, black oak, and eastern red cedar. Scrub oak, black huckleberry, lowbush blueberry, Virginia creeper, greenbrier, and saplings of the above-mentioned trees are all fairly common to common in the understory. According to the Ocean County Soil Survey, as prepared by the USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS, 1980), soils within this community consist of Lakehurst sands.

The combination of a coniferous canopy and sandy soils in other circumstances may be indicative of possible pine snake habitat as evidenced by habitat mapping. However, it is likely that the steep-sided banks, width and water of the canal surrounding much of the generating station in FA1085S04\EnG86\Rrepol\6rpt\TE~reportO_6.doc 115

combination with US Route 9 would act as significant barriers to terrestrial species such as northern pine snake and wood turtle that may inhabit extensive territories. Cooper's hawk inhabits a wide variety of woodland types and is somewhat tolerant of human disturbance and forest fragmentation.

No raptor nests were found during the site visits and the dense canopy and other human-influenced factors also likely combine to preclude the use of the woodland as Cooper's hawk habitat.

Potential Pine Barrens treefrog habitat observed in 2004 consists of an area of emergent/scrub-shrub and forested wetlands near the southeastern comer of the Site. Arrow arum, marsh fern, phragmites, spatulate-leaved sundew, sphagnum moss, water-lily and occasionally highbush blueberry are found in more open portions of the area. Atlantic white cedar, red maple, highbush blueberry, bayberry, sweet pepperbush, and inkberry line the edges. The southwestern portion of the wetland consists of numerous standing or fallen dead trees and is densely vegetated

• with various herbaceous species. Sweetbay magnolia is currently the only tree that marginally tolerates the saturated conditions. Swamp loosestrife is abundant and other common plants in this particular part of the wetland include marsh St. John's-wort, spotted joe-pye weed, bur-reed, bushy beardgrass, spike-rush, wool-grass, marsh fern, sweet flag, arrow arum, Canada rush, cranberry, and sphagnum moss. The eastern quarter of the wetland consists of open water that discharges intermittently to the southeast via a narrow channel, eventually emptying into the discharge canal, located approximately 200 feet south of the wetland.

The on-site forested wetlands are far too small for barred owl, which requires extensive, relatively undisturbed forested and forested wetland areas for breeding and foraging. The emergent/scrub-shrub portion of the wetlands, though, during the initial April 28, 2004 visit appeared to provide suitable Pine Barrens treefrog habitat and nearby Natural Heritage and Landscape Project records further supported this possibility.

j Although no impacts to on-site wetlands were proposed as part of the planned security upgrades in 2004, the presence of Pine Barrens treefrog could have affected the proposed activities in the adjacent pine-oak woodland. No Pine Barrens treefrogs were encountered during the preliminary site inspection on April 28, 2004, but the presence of Pine Barrens treefrog could only be determined through an active survey at the appropriate season.

Surveys for Pine Barrens treefrog were conducted on the evenings of June 15, 22, and 30, 2004 during the peak calling period for this species. Active listening, as well as the use of a taped call of Pine Barrens treefrog, were employed at several locations around the perimeter of the emergent/scrub-shrub wetlands. Appropriate survey conditions have been suggested by the NJDEP to be warm, (70 'F+), humid or rainy nights in May and June. As a result, sampling of the wetland F:\JOBS04EnO4-086\Report\Greport\TEreportO06.doc 16 1

was conducted between 8:30 and 10:00 in the evening with temperatures ranging from 73.1 to 80.6

'F, humidity from 66 to 84 percent, wind speeds less than 10 miles per hour, and on the former two dates, during occasional showers.

In addition, a control population of Pine Barrens treefrogs was visited immediately following each sampling evening to determine conditions were appropriate for survey. The control population chosen for this survey is located in an emergent/scrub-shrub wetland south of Webbs Mill Branch, near milepost 20 on County Route 539 within Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, Lacey Township (Figure 8). Oyster Creek Generating Station is located approximately 11 miles southeast of the control population.

Pine Barrens treefrogs were not found on any of the three survey nights at the Oyster Creek I Generating Station. Green frogs were heard from this wetland on each sampling date while bullfrog was identified by call on June 22, 2004 only. In contrast, at the control site near Webbs Mill jBranch, numerous Pine Barrens treefrogs were heard spontaneously calling on each sampling evening. Green frog and carpenter frog were also heard at the control site. Based on the appropriate weather conditions, the lack of a response at the study area, and results at the control site on the same evenings, it can be concluded that Pine Barrens treefrog does not inhabit this area.

I 1

I I

I F:VOBS04\En~O486\Reporý6-report\TE-report-06.doc 17

0 1 2 3 4 z ý mMiles FIGURE 8: PINE BARRENS TREEFROG CONTROL SITE Relative Locations of Control Site, Webbs Mill Branch, County Route 539 and Study Area, Oyster Creek Generating Station both Township of Lacey Ocean County, New Jersey EcoiSciences, Inc) DDte: 23/0 Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance IScontrol-site.mxd 18

I IV. CONCLUSION

. In both 2004 and 2006, EcolSciences conducted a habitat evaluation for threatened and endangered species on undeveloped portions of the Oyster Creek Generating Station property bounded by US Route 9 and the canal. The 2004 study was prompted by planned National Security upgrades, since constructed, around the generating station that necessitated a review of possible impacts to potential threatened and endangered species habitat in undeveloped portions of the facility. The 2006 study focused on all remaining undeveloped areas on the Site.

" According to the Natural Heritage Database and Landscape Project (Version 2.0) mapping as interpreted by the NJDEP Natural Heritage Program, the State-threatened Pine Barrens treefrog, northern pine snake, wood turtle, barred owl, and Cooper's hawk have been identified as .occurring on the site. A review of Landscape Project 2.0 mapping by EcolSciences revealed, however, that only one record of northern pine snake occurs within the area of interest. Based on surrounding land use and existing land cover, EcolSciences determined during the initial site visit on April 28, 2004 that the area of interest is not critical habitat for any of the above species with the possible exception of Pine Barrens treefrog.

• Pine snake habitat mapping prepared for the site following ENSP draft protocol indicates the majority of the area of interest is mapped as preferred habitat. Undeveloped upland habitat within the area of interest, though, is too small in extent to support a sustainable population of northern pine snake. In addition, the area of interest is essentially geographically isolated for terrestrial creatures requiring large territories such as pine snake or wood turtle due to barriers such as the canal and US Route 9.

. Vernal habitat mapping provided by Rutgers' Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis indicates a single on-site vernal pool that has not been surveyed. This pool coincides with an area that, during the 2004 field investigation, was determined to be potential habitat for Pine Barrens treefrog. Although no activities have been proposed in Ithis area, presence of Pine Barrens treefrog may affect adjacent upland habitat, including the area of a proposed parking lot expansion, since constructed. A survey for Pine Barrens treefrog was therefore necessary.

Eco]Sciences conducted a Pine Barrens treefrog survey within the wetlands just north of the discharge canal on the evenings of June 15, 22, and 30 during the height of the calling period for this species. A control site was utilized to confirm conditions were appropriate for sampling on each evening. No Pine Barrens treefrogs were seen or heard at the study area but were spontaneously calling at the control site on the same evenings.

• The habitat evaluation conducted by EcolSciences in 2004 and 2006 indicates that no fuirther investigation for threatened and endangered species is warranted for this Site.

F:\JOBS04\EnO4-086\Report\06_report\TE report_06 .doc 19 I

I V. REFERENCES New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2004. Protocols for the establishment of exceptional resource value wetlands pursuant to the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act (N.J.S.A. 13:9B-1 et seq.) based on documentation of state or federal endangered or threatened species.

NJDEP, Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP), 2004. New Jersey's Landscape Project, Version 2.0.

NJDEP, DFW, ENSP. 2003. Northern Pine Snake Habitat Enhancement. New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website. www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pinesnak.htm NJDEP, Office of Information Resources Management (OIRM), Bureau of Geographic Information Systems (BGIS). 1996. GIS Resource Data, Series 1, Volume 2.

NJDEP, OIRM, BGIS. 2001. 1995/97 Land Use/Land Cover, Series 1, Volume 5.

NJDEP, Office of Natural Lands Management (ONLM). 2004. NJDEP Natural Heritage Grid Map.

NJDEP and Rutgers Center of Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis. 2004. Mapping New Jersey's Vernal Pools. www.crssa.rutgers.edu/projects/biodiv/biodiv.htm.

Niles, L.J., M. Valent, P. Winkler and P. Woerner. 2004. New Jersey's Landscape Project, Version 2.0: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

Robichaud, B., and M. F. Buell. 1973. Vegetation of New Jersey: A Study of Landscape Diversity. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

State of New Jersey, Office of Information Technology. 2003. New Jersey 2002 High Resolution Orthophotography.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service. 2001.

Digital Raster Graph Mosaic of Ocean County, New Jersey.

United States Soil Conservation Service (SCS). 1980. Soil Survey of Ocean County.

F:\JOBS04\EnO4-O6\pot\6_report\TE~report_06.doc 220

I I

I I

I I

I I

I I

U I

I I

ATTACHMENT A Natural Heritage Program Letter I

I EcoiSciences, Inc.

Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance i F:\JOBS4\EnO4-086\Report\06_report\TE report_06.dcc

-5tair of NFw 3rrsP DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LISA P. JACKSON Governor Division of Parks and Forestry Commissioner N S. CORt7NE Office of Natural Lands Management Natural Heritage Program P.O. Box 404 I Trenton, NJ 08625-0404 Tel. #609-984-1339 Fax. #609-984-1427 July 12, 2006 JUL 17 2006 I Daniel Brill EcolSciences, Inc.

I 75 Fleetwood Drive, Suite 250 Rockaway, NJ 07866 ECOLSCIENCES, INC.

Re: HW05-187, Oyster Creek Generating Station I

Dear Mr. Brill:

Thank you for your data request regarding rare species information for the above referenced project site in Lacey I Township, Ocean County.

Searches of the Natural Heritage Database and the Landscape Project (Version 2) are based on a representation of the boundaries of your project site in our Geographic Information System (GIS). We make every effort to accurately transfer I your project bounds from the topographic map(s) submitted with the Request for Data into our Geographic Information System. We do not typically verify that your project bounds are accurate, or check them against other sources.

We have checked the Natural Heritage Database and the Landscape Project habitat mapping for occurrences of any rare I wildlife species or wildlife habitat on the referenced site. Please see Table I for species list and conservation status.

Table 1 (on referenced site).

Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status State Status Grank Srank northern pine snake Pituophism. melanoleucus T G4T4 S3 wood turtle Clemmys insculpta T G4 S3 We have also checked the Natural Heritage Database and the Landscape Project habitat mapping for occurrences of any rare wildlife species or wildlife habitat within 1/4 mile of the referenced site. Please see Table 2 for species list and conservation status. This table excludes any species listed in Table 1.

Table 2 (additional species. within 1/4 mile of referenced site).

Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status State Status Grank Srank barred owl Stfix vania T/" G5 S3B black skimmer foraging area Rynchops niger E G5 SiB black-crowned night-heron foraging Nycticorax nycticorax T/S G5 S3BS4N habitat colonial waterbird foraging habitat Cooper's hawk Accipfter coopedi TIT G5 S3B,S4N dotted skipper Hesperia attalus slossonae Special Concern G3G4T3 S2S3 eastern box turtle Terrapene carolina Special Concern G5 S5B Fowler's toad Bufo woodhousii fowleri Special Concern G5 S4 pine barrens treefrog Hyla andersonii T G4 S3 spotted turtle Clemmys guttata Special Concern G5 S4 tern species foraging habitat I I We have also checked the Natural Heritage Database for occurrences of rare plant species or ecological communities. The Natural Heritage Database has records for occurrences of Eupatorium resinosum, Pycnanthemnum setosum, Juncus cuesariensisand Schizaea pusilla that may be in the immediate vicinity of the site. The attached list provides more information about these occurrences. Because some species are sensitive to disturbance or sought by collectors, this hJ- Jersev Is An Eaual Opportunity Employer 0 Printedon Recycled Paper and Recyclable

I information is provided to you on the condition that no specific locational data are released to the general public.

This is not intended to preclude your submission of this information to regulatory agencies from which you are seeking permits.

Also attached is a list of rare species and ecological communities that have been documented from Ocean County. If suitable habitat is present at the project site, these species have potential to be present.

Status and rank codes used in the tables and lists are defined in the attached EXPLANATION OF CODES USED IN NATURAL I . HERITAGE REPORTS.

The Natural Heritage Program reviews its data periodically to identify priority sites for natural diversity in the State.

Included as priority sites are some of the State's best habitats for rare and endangered species and ecological communities.

One of these sites is located within or near the areas you have outlined. Please refer to the enclosed Natural Heritage Priority Site Map for the location and boundary of this site. On the back of each Priority Site Map is a report describing the significance of the site.

If you have questions concerning the wildlife records or wildlife species mentioned in this response, we recommend that you visit the interactive I-Map-NJ website at the following URL, http://www.state.nj.us/dep/gis/depsplash.htm or contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

' PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED 'CAUTIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON NHP DATA'.

Thank you for consulting the Natural Heritage Program. The attached invoice details the payment due for processing this data request. Feel free to contact us again regarding any future data requests.

Sincerely, Herbert A. Lord Data Request Specialist cc: Robert J. Cartica Lawrence Niles N-HP File No. 06-3907472 I

I I

I I

I I

I CAUTIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON NATURAL HERITAGE DATA I

The quantity and quality of data collected by the Natural Heritage Program is dependent on the research and observations of many individuals and organizations. Not all of this information is the result of comprehensive or site-specific field surveys. Some natural areas in New Jersey have never been thoroughly surveyed. As a result, new locations for plant and animal species are continuously added to the database. Since data acquisition is a dynamic, ongoing process, the Natural Heritage Program cannot provide a definitive statement on the presence, absence, or condition of biological elements in any part of New Jersey. Information supplied by the Natural Heritage Program summarizes I existing data known to the program at the time of the request regarding the biological elements or locations in question. They should never be regarded as final statements on the elements or areas being considered, nor should they be substituted for on-site surveys I required for environmental assessments. The attached data is provided as one source of information to assist others in the preservation of natural diversity.

I This office cannot provide a letter of interpretation or a statement addressing the classification of wetlands as defined by the Freshwater Wetlands Act. Requests for such determination should be sent to the DEP Land Use Regulation Program, P.O. Box 401, I Trenton, NJ 08625-0401.

The Landscape Project was developed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, I Endangered and Nongame Species Program in order to map critical habitat for rare animal species. Natural Heritage Database response letters will also list all species (if any) found during a search of the Landscape Project. However, this office cannot answer any I inquiries about the Landscape Project. All questions should be directed to the DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program, P.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400.

I This cautions and restrictions notice must be included whenever information provided by the Natural Heritage Database is published.

I S% NJ Department orEnvjronmental Protection I Divion ofParks and Forestr Natural Lands Management*

m m - - -__-__-__-__

Immediate Vicinity of Project Site July 11, 2006 Page: 1 Based on Search of Natural Heritage Database Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities Currently Recorded in the New Jersey Natural Heritage Database Scientific Name Common Name Federal State Regional G Rank S Rank Last Obs [dent *Location Status Status Status Vascular Plant Eupatorizin: res,'ios$IUl Pine Barren Boneset E LP, HL G3 S2 1993-08-?? Y East side of Route 9just north of Bay Parkway. In recovering cranberry bog on south bank of Oyster Creek.

Juncus caesariensis New Jersey Rush E LP, HL G2 S2 1922-09-?? Y OYSTER CREEK ALONG TUCKERTON RR, NW [OF] WARETOWN.

Pycntn/heeinumn seosumi Awned Mountain-mint HL G3? S3 1993-??-?? Y East side of Route 9, just north of Bay Parkway, south of Oyster Creek.

Schizaea pusilil Curly Grass Fern LP, HL G3 S3 1915-07-10 Y BY OYSTER CREEK NW ALONG TUCKERTON RR FROM WARETOWN.

4 Records Selected

Frequently Asked Questions I About Natural Beritage Priority Sites I What are Natural Heritage Priority Sites?

Through its Natural Heritage Database, the Office of to refer to boundaries enclosing additional buffer. In maps where both primary and secondary boundaries are I Natural Lands Management (ONLM) identifies critically important areas to conserve New Jersey's biological diversity. The database provides detailed information on described, only the outermost boundary is provided in the mapping.

rare species and ecological communities to planners, What is the background map that the sites are I developers, and conservation agencies for use in resource management, environmental impact assessment, and both drawn upon?

The sites are portrayed on background maps produced public and private land protection efforts. from a digital copy of the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 I Using the database, ONLM has identified 414 Natural Heritage Priority Sites, representing some of the best minute topographic maps. The background maps contain topographic lines as well as streams, lakes, roads, towns and place names. These background maps do not always I remaining habitat for rare species and exemplary ecological communities in the state. The DEP Endangered and Nongame Species Program provided key reflect recent changes in land development. Some may be more than 20 years old. Some sites appear to be shifted in position against this topo map. This shift is information and assisted with the delineation of a number due to the fact that most sites have been digitized using 1 of the sites. These areas should be considered to be top priorities for the preservation of biological diversity in New Jersey. If these sites become degraded or rectified aerial photography, and some of the digitized USGS topo maps do not align with this photography.

I destroyed, we may lose some of the unique components of our natural heritage.

What do "public lands" depict on the maps?

The "public lands" shaded on these maps are state-owned open space lands that have been digitized as a GIS How are Natural Heritage Priority Site maps used coverage by the state Green Acres Program. This in conservation of biological diversity? information is provided to show patterns of State land Natural Heritage Priority Site maps are used by ownership in the vicinity of the Priority Site. The. public individuals and agencies concerned with the protection lands are areas such as State Parks and Forests, Wildlife and management of land. The maps have been used by Management Areas, and Natural Lands Trust preserves.

municipalities preparing natural resource inventories; They do not currently include lands owned by other state public and private conservation organizations preparing agencies, federal, county or municipal governments or open space acquisition goals; land developers and nonprofit conservation organizations. This GIS coverage consultants identifying environmentally sensitive lands; is constantly being updated, and therefore future editions and public and private landowners developing land of the maps will likely contain additional public lands management plans. that are not currently mapped as such.

Natural Heritage Priority Sites contain some of the best What is the biodiversity significance rank and how and most viable occurrences of endangered and is it used?

threatened species and ecological communities, but they Each site is ranked according to its significance for do not cover all known habitat for endangered and biological diversity using a scale developed by The threatened species in New Jersey. If information is Nature Conservancy, the network of Natural Heritage needed on whether or not endangered or threatened Programs, and the New Jersey Natural Heritage Program.

species have been documented from a particular piece of The ranks can be used to distinguish between sites that land, a Natural Heritage Database search car be are of global significance for conservation of biological requested by contacting the Office of Natural Lands diversity vs. those that are of state significance. The Management at the address below. global biodiversity significance ranks range from BI to B5. In some cases the global biodiversity significance What do the boundaries of the sites contain? rank is then combined with a state biodiversity The boundaries of each Natural Heritage Priority Site are significance rank which provides information about the drawn to encompass critical habitat for rare species or significance of the site on a state level. The state ecological communities. Often the boundaries extend to biodiversity significance rank ranges from VI to V5. The include additional buffer lands that should be managed to specific definitions for each rank are as follows:

protect the habitat. A justification for the boundary is provided for each site. The term "primary bounds" is B I - Outstanding significance on a global level, generally the sometimes used to refer to boundaries enclosing critical "last of the least" in the world, such as the only known habitat. The term "secondary bounds" is sometimes used occurrence of any element (species or ecological community),

I the best or an excellent occurrence of an element ranked critically imperiled globally, or a concentration (4+) of good or How can I obtain Natural Heritage Priority Site maps for an area of interest to me?

I excellent occurrences of elements that are imperiled or Natural Heritage Priority Site hard copy maps can be critically imperiled globally. The site should be viable and defensible for the elements or ecological processes contained. obtained by submitting a written request accompanied by a check or money order made payable to the Office of I B2 -Yery high significance on a global level, such as the most Natural Lands Management at the following address:

outstanding occurrence of any ecological community. Also includes areas containing other occurrences of elements that are critically imperiled globally, a good or excellent occurrence of Office of Natural Lands Management P.O. Box 404 I

an element that is imperiled globally, an excellent occurrence Trenton, NJ 08625-0404 of an element that is rare globally, or a concentration (4+) of good occurrences of globally rare elements or viable occurrences of globally imperiled elements.

Phone: 609-984-1339; Fax: 609-984-1427 I

Individual 8.5" X 11" maps are available at the following B3 - High significance on a global level, such as any other viable occurrence of an element that is globally imperiled, a good occurrence of a globally rare element, an excellent rate:

1.- 10 site maps & reports:

11 - 20 site maps & reports:

$1.50/site

$1.00/site I

occurrence of any ecological community, or a concentration (4+) of good or excellent occurrences of elements that are critically imperiled in the State.

ý>20 sites: $0.50/site I

How often are the maps updated?

B4 - Moderate significance on a global level, such as a viable occurrence of a globally rare element, a good occurrence of any ecological community, a good or excellent occurrence or only The Natural Heritage Priority Site information is constantly being updated in the Natural Heritage I viable state occurrence of an element that is critically imperiled Database. A new edition of the maps will be made in the State, an excellent occurrence of an element that is imperiled in the State, or a concentration (4+) of good occurrences of elements that are imperiled in the State or available after significant revisions or additions to the Database. I excellent occurrences of elements that are rare in the State. April 5, 2006 B5 - Of general biodiversity interest on a global level. NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Parks and Forestry I

V I - Outstanding significance on a state level. Only known occurrence in the state for an element or Site with an excellent occurrence or the best occurrence in the state for an element ranked critically imperiled in the state or a concentration (4+)

Natural Lands Management I of good or excellent occurrences of elements that are imperiled or critically imperiledin the state.

V2 - Very high significance on a state level. Includes sites containing other occurrences of elements that are critically I

imperiled in the state or a concentration (4+) of other occurrences of state imperiled elements and/or good or excellent occurrences of state rare elements.

I V3 - High significance on a state level. Includes sites containing the best occurrence in the state or an excellent occurrence of a state imperiled element or multiple (2+) other I

occurrences for state imperiled elements and/or excellent, good or moderate quality occurrences of state rare elements.

V4 - Moderate significance on a state level. Incld'des sites I

containing the best occurrence in the state or an excellent occurrence of a state rare element or any site with other occurrences of a state imperiled element o.r multiple (2+) other occurrences of state rare elements.

I V5 - Any site with any other occurrence of a state rare element.

Note: All sites have been assigned a global biodiversity I

significance rank (B rank), but not all sites have been assigned a state biodiversity rank (V rank).

I I

I I%

-7 7-..

i

-~1 . - -

Natural Heritage Priority Site I Middle Branch Forked River I Ocean County I NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division ofparks and Forestry Natural Lands Management 0.4 0 0.4 Miles r3Priority Site Public Land

• N

I Natural Heritage Priority Site I Middle Branch Forked River I

LocationalInformation Quad Name: Forked River I

County: Ocean Municipality Lacey Twp I Description of Site Open wetlands adjacent to pine barren stream through Atantic white cedar swamp.

I Boundary Justification Boundaries include wetland habitat for rare plant species plus undeveloped uplands in the drainage basin east I

of the Garden State Parkway. With additional field work, bounds may be expanded upstream west of the Parkway. I Biodiversity Rank X2j Several globally rare and State listed plant species.

I I

I U

I I

I I

I I

~

DJb.,d. A(,n,~.

F-" o atural Lands Management Site Code:

July, 2001 S.USNJHPl*365 I

I i EXPLANATIONS OF CODES USED IN NATURAL HERITAGE REPORTS FEDERAL STATUS CODES The following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service categories and their definitions of endangered and threatened plants and animals have been modified from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (F.R. Vol. 50 No. 188; Vol. 61, No. 40; F.R. SO CFR Part 17). Federal Status codes reported for species follow the most recent listing.

LE Taxa formally listed as endangered.

I LT Taxa formally listed as threatened.

PE Taxa already proposed to be formally listed as endangered.

PT Taxa already proposed to be formally listed as threatened.

C Taxa for which the Service currently has on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threat(s) to support proposals to list them as endangered or threatened species.

I S/A Similarity of appearance species.

TATE STATUS CODES Indangered Two animal lists provide state status codes after the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act of 1973 (NSSA 23:2A-1 3 et. seq.): the list of species (N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.13) and the list defining status of Indigenous, nongame wildlife species of NewJersey (NJ.A.C. 7:25-4.17(a)). The status f animal species is determined by the Nongame and Endangered Species Program (ENSP). The state status codes and definitions provided reflect the most recent lists that were revised In the NewJersey Register, Monday, June 3, 1991.

I D Declining species-a species which has exhibited a continued decline In population numbers over the years.

E Endangered species-an endangered species Is one whose prospects for survival within the state are In immediate danger due to one or many factors - a loss of habitat, over exploitation, predation, competition, disease. An endangered species requires Immediate assistance or extinction will probably follow.

EX Extirpated species-a species that formerly occurred In New Jersey, but Is not now known to exist within the state.

I Introduced species-a species not native to NewJersey that could not have established Itself here without the assistance of man.

INC Increasing species-a species whose population has exhibited a significant Increase, beyond the normal range of its life cycle, over a long term period.

T Threatened species-a species that may become endangered if conditions surrounding the species begin to or continue to deteriorate.

P Peripheral species-a species whose occurrence in NewJersey Is at the extreme edge of its present natural range.

S Stable specles-a species whose population is not undergoing any long-term Increase/decrease within its natural cycle.

- U Undetermined species-a species about which there is not enough information available to determine the status.

I atus for animals separated by a slash(/) indicate a duel status. First status refers to the state breeding population, and the second status refers to the igratory or winter population.

I

I Page 2 Special Concern applies to animal species that warrant special attention because of some evidence of decline, Inherent vulnerability to environmental deterioration, or habitat modification that would result in their becoming a Threatened species. This category would also be applied to species that meet the foregoing criteria and for which there Is little understanding of their current population status In the:state.

'lant taxa listed as endangered are from NewJersey's official Endangered Plant Species List NJ.S.A. 131B-15.151 et seq.

E Native NewJersey plant species whose survival in the State or nation is In Jeopardy.

tEGIONAL STATUS CODES FOR PLANTS AND ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES LP Indicates taxa listed by the Pinelands Commission as endangered or threatened within their legal Jurisdiction. Not all species currently tracked by the Pinelands Commission are tracked by the Natural Heritage Program. A complete list of endangered and threatened pineland species is included In the New Jersey Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan.

HL indicates taxa or ecological communities protected by the HighlandsWater Protection and Planning Act within the Jurisdiction of the Highlands Preservation Area. .

XPLANATION OF GLOBAL AND STATE ELEMENT RANKS he Nature Conservancy has developed a ranking system for use In Identifying elements (rare species and natural communities) of natural diversity most ndangered with extinction. Each element is ranked according to its global, national, and state (or subnational in other countries) rarity. These ranks are used prioritize conservation work so that the most endangered elements receive attention first. Definitions for element ranks are after The Nature Conservancy 1982: Chapter 4, 4.1-1 through 4.4.1.3-3).

LOBAL ELEMENT RANKS G1 Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (S or fewer occurrences or very few remaining Individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extinction.

C2 Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making it

• very vulnerable to extinction throughout Its range.

C3 Either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally (even abundantly at some of its locations) In a restricted range (e.g., a single western state, a physiographic region In the East) or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extinction throughout it's range; with the number of occurrences in the range of 21 to 100.

G4 Apparently secure globally: although it may be quite rare In parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

CS Demonstrably secure globally; although It may be quite rare in parts of Its range, especially at the periphery.

I GH Of historical occurrence throughout its range i.e., formerly part of the established blota, with the expectation that it may be rediscovered.

GU Possibly in peril range-wide but status uncertain; more information needed.

GX Believed to be extinct throughout range (e.g.. passenger pigeon) with virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.

G? Species has not yet been ranked.

GNR Species has not yet been ranked.

I

I IPage 3 ISTATE ELEMENT RANKS S1 Critically imperiled In New Jersey because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining Individuals or acres). Elements so ranked are often restricted to very specialized conditions or habitats and/or restricted to an extremely small geographical area of the state. Also included are elements which were formerly more abundant, but because of habitat destruction or some other critical factor of its biology, they have been demonstrably reduced in abundance. In essence, these are elements for which, even with intensive searching, sizable additional occurrences are unlikely to be discovered.

S2 Imperiled in New Jersey because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences). Historically many of these elements may have been more frequent but are now known from very few extant occurrences, primarily because of habitat destruction. Diligent searching may yield additional occurrences.

I3 Rare in state with 21 to 100 occurrences (plant species and ecological communities in this category have only 21 to SO occurrences).

Includes elements which are widely distributed in the state but with small populations/acreage or elements with restricted distribution, but locally abundant. Not yet imperiled in state but may soon be if current trends continue. Searching often yields additional occurrences.

S4 Apparently secure In state, with many occurrences.

S5 Demonstrably secure in state and essentially ineradicable under present conditions.

SA Accidental in state, including species (usually birds or butterflies) recorded once or twice or only at very great Intervals, hundreds or even thousands of miles outside their usual range; a few of these species may even have bred on the one or two occasions they were recorded; i examples Include European strays or western birds on the East Coast and vice-versa.

SE Elements that are clearly exotic In New Jersey Including those taxa not native to North America (introduced taxa) or taxa deliberately or accidentally introduced into the State from other parts of North America (adventive taxa). Taxa ranked SE are not a conservation priority I. (viable introduced occurrences of G1 or G2 elements may be exceptions).

SH Elements of historical occurrence in New Jersey. Despite some searching of historical occurrences and/or potential habitat, no extant occurrences are known. Since not all of the historical occurrences have been field surveyed, and unsearched potential habitat remains, historically ranked taxa are considered possibly extant, and remain a conservation priority for continued field work.

S SP Element has potential to occur in New Jersey, but no occurrences have been reported.

SR Elements reported from NewJersey, but without persuasive documentation which would provide a basis for either accepting or rejecting the report. In some Instances documenration may exist, but as of yet, its source or location has not been determined.

SRF Elements erroneously reported from New Jersey. but this error persists in the literature.

I SU Elements believed to be in peril but the degree of rarity uncertain. Also included are rare taxa of uncertain taxonomical standing. More information is needed to resolve rank.

SX Elements that have been determined or are presumed to be extirpated from New Jersey. All historical occurrences have been searched and a reasonable search of potential habitat has been completed. Extirpated raxa are not a current conservation priority.

SXC Elements presumed extirpated from NewJersey, but native populations collected from the wild exist In cultivation.

I Page 4 SZ Not of practical conservation concern in New Jersey, because there are no definable occurrences, although the taxon Is native and their migrations appears regularly in the state. An SZ rank will generally be used for long distance migrants whose occurrences during are too irregular (In terms of repeated visitation to the same locations), transitory, and -dispersed to be reliably identified, mapped and protected. In other words, the migrant regularly passes through the state, but enduring, mappable element occurrences cannot be defined.

Typically, the SZ rank applies to anon-breeding population (N) in the state - for example, birds on migration. An SZ rank may in a few I instances also apply to a breeding population (B). for example certain lepidoptera which regularly die out every year with no significant return migration.

Although the SZ rank typically applies to migrants, it should not be used indiscriminately. Just because a species is on migration does not mean it receives an SZ rank. SZ will only apply when the migrants occur in an Irregular, transitory and dispersed manner.

B Refers to the breeding population of the element In the state.

N Refers to the non-breeding population of the element In the state.

T Element ranks containing a "T Indicate that the infraspecific taxon is being ranked differently than the full species. For example Stachys palustrisvar. homotricha Is ranked "G5T7 S iH"meaning the full species Is globally secure but the global rarity of the var. homotricha has not been determined; in NewJersey the variety Is ranked historic.

Q Elements containing a "Q" In the global portion of its rank indicates that the taxon is of questionable, or uncertain taxonomical standing.

e.g., some authors regard It as a full species, while others treat It at the subspecific level.

.1 Elements documented from a single location.

Dte: To express uncertainty, the most likely rank Is assigned and a question mark added (e.g., C27). A range is Indicated by combining two ranks (e.g.,

GIC2, S153). I ENTIFICATION CODES

,ese codes refer to whether the Identification of the species or community has been checked by a reliable Individual and Is indicative of significant habitat. 3 y Identification has been verified and Is Indicative of significant habitat. 3 BLANK Identification has not been verified but there Is no. reason to believe It Is not indicative of significant habitat.

Either it has not been determled If the record is Indicative of significant habitat or the Identification of the species or community may be confusing or disputed.

Revised May 2005 3 I

I

, u - m m i m m - - ,,- - - n - -

0 AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND.NATURAL COMrtNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME CO MON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS

-1 Vertebrates ACCIPITER COOPERII CO PER'S HAWK T/T a5 S3B, S4N AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM TIGRINUM EA! TERN TIGER SALAMANDER E S2 SSHOPPER SPARROW T/S G5 S2B AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM ARDEA HERODIAS "1 GJ AT BLUE HERON S/S S2B, S4N 05 BARTRAMIA LONGICAUDA UP] AND SANDPIPER E SIB AM RICAN BITTERN E/S GS S21 BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS G5 a5 BUTEO LINEATUS REI -SHOULDERED HAWK E/T SIB, S2N CALIDRIS CANUTUS REI KNOT T S3N CHARADRIUS MELODUS PI ING PLOVER LT E SIB CIRCUS CYANEUS NOa THERN HARRIER E/U SIB, S3N CI STOTHORUS PLATENSIS SEI GE WREN E G3 G3 SIB G4 CLEMMYS INSCULPTA WO(0 TURTLE T S3 CLEMKYS MUHLENBERGII BO( ; TURTLE LT E S2 as CROTALUS HORRIDUS HORRIDUS TI? IER RATTLESNAKE E S2 S/S G5 S2B EGRETTA CAERULEA L1ý 'TLE BLUE HERON G5 EGRETTA THULA SN( )WY EGRET S/S S3B, S4N G5 EGRETTA TRICOLOR TR COLORED HERON .INC/S SIB ELAPHE GUTTATA GUTTATA COl N SNAKE E Si EUMECES FASCIATUS FIl "E-LINED SKINK U S3 G4 FALCO PEREGRINUS PEI EGRINE FALCON E SIB, S?N a4 HALIARETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS BA Z EAGLE LT E SIB, SIN a4 PI BARRENS TREEFROG T S3 HYLA ANDERSONII G5 CO E 'S GRAY TREEFROG E S2 HYLA CHRYSOSCELIS D/S G5 S3B IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS LE ST BITTERN G5TS S3 LAMPROPELTIS GETULA GETULA EA TERN KING SNAKE U G5 G4 BL CK RAIL T/T S21 LATERALLUS JAMAICENSIS G5 BO CAT E S3 LYNX RUFUS RE -HEADED WOODPECKER T/T GS. S2B, S2N MELANERPES ERYTHROCEPHALUS T/T GS S2B NYCTANASSA VIOLACEA YE ,LOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

m - ---- ------- - - m m m -

2 30 AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIOl AL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUE NYCTI CORAX NYCTI CORAC BLACK-CROWNED NIGHTIHERON TIS G5 S3B, S4N PANDION HALIAETUS OSPREY T/T GS S2B PITUOPHIS MELANOLEUCUS NORTHERN PINE SNAKE T G4T4 S3 MELANOLEUCUS PLEGADI S FALCINELLUS GLOSSY IBIS D/S G5 S3B, S4N PODILYMBUS PODICEPS PIED-BILLED GREBE E/S GS. SIB, S3N POOECETES GRAMINEUS VESPER SPARROW E G5 SIB, S2N RYNCHOPS NIGER BLACK SKIMMER E G5 SIB STERNA ANTILLARUM LEAST TERN E G4 SIB STERNA DOUGALLII DOUGALLII ROSEATE TERN LE E G4T3 SHE STERNA. HIRUNDO COMMON TERN D/S G5 S3B STERNA NILOTICA GULL-BILLED TERN S GS SIB STRIX VARIA BARRED OWL T/T G5 S3B SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI SOUTHERN BOG LEMMING U G5 S2

... Ecosystems CAREX STRIATA VAR BREVIS WALTER'S SEDGE COASTAL PLAIN G? $1S3 HERBACEOUS VEGETATION INTERMITTENT POND HERBACEOUS VEGETATION COASTAL DUNE SHRUBLAND COASTAL DUNE SHRUBLAND G4 $2?

COASTAL DUNE WOODLAND COASTAL DUNE WOODLAND G203 Si DRY OAK-PINE FOREST DRY OAK-PINE FOREST G4G5 S4?

DWARF PINUS RIGIDA-QUERCUS PINE PLAINS (PP4/5)

G1 Si (MARI LANDICA, ILICIFOLIA)/COREMA CONRADI I SHRUBLAND

m - m - - - m - - - m - - - -

AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COF4ON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS ELEOCHARIS (OLIVACEA, SPI (ERUSH (SMALLFRUIT, BRIGHT G2 S2 MICROCARPA, ROBBINSII) - GEREN, ROBBIN'S) - YELLOWEYED XYRIS (DIFFORMIS VAR GRA SS (BOG, SMALL'S) COASTAL DI FFORMIS, SMALLIANA) PIA IN INTERMITTENT POND HERBACEOUS VEGETATION HE; BACEOUS VEGETATION MARINE INTERTIDAL GRAVEL/SAND INE INTERTIDAL GRAVEL/SAND GU SU BEACH COMMUNITY BEP CH COMMUNITY PANICUM RIGIDULUM VAR REE TOP PANICGRASS - ROSETTE G2 S2 PUBESCENS - DICHANTHELIUM SP GpJ SS / SPHAGNUM MOSS COASTAL

/ SPHAGNUM SPP HERBACEOUS PLJ IN INTERMITTENT POND VEGETATION HER BACEOUS VEGETATION PINUS RIGIDA SATURATED PIl CH PINE LOWLANDS G3 S3 WOODLAND ALLIANCE (ml DIFFERENTIATED)

PINUS RIGIDA- (P. Pit E-OAK-SHRUB OAK WOODLAND G3 S3 ECHINATA) -QUERCUS (PC W)

SPP./QUERCUS (MARILANDICA.

ILICIFOLIA) WOODLAND PINUS RIGIDA-CALAMOVILFA PIý CH PINE-PINELANDS REEDGRASS G1 51 BREVIPILIS SAVANNA SAI ANNA PINUS RIGIDA/QUERCUS Pil, CH PINE-SHRUB OAK BARRENS G2 S2 (MARILANDI CA, (P] 4/5)

ILICIFOLIA) /PYXIDANTHERA BARBULATA WOODLAND VII GINIA MEADOW-BEAUTY G2G3 S1S3 RHEXIA VIRGINICA - PANICUM - WARTY VERRUCOSUM HERBACEOUS PAJ 'ICGRASS COASTAL PLAIN VEGETATION IN ERMITTENT POND HERBACEOUS ETATION

'.. Invertebrates Bk JENS DAGGER MOTH G3G4 SU ACRONICTA ALBARUFA

- --- --- m - -- m ml m - - - -

4 30 AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIGOAL GRANK SPANK STATUS STATUS STATU AESHNA CLEPSYDRA MOTTLED DARNER 04 $2S3 AGROTIS BUCHIGOLZI BUCHHOLZ'S DART MOTH G2 S2 AMBLYSCIRTES VIALIS COMMON ROADSIDE SKIPPER 0S S2S3 ANAX LONGIPES COMET DARNER 05 S2S3 APHARETRA DENTATA A NOCTUID MOTH G4 S2S3 ATRYTONE AROGOS AROGOS AROGOS SKIPPER E G304T1T2 Si BOLORIA SELENE MYRINA A SILVER-BORDERED FRITILLARY T G5T5 S2 CALLOPHIYS HENRICI HENRY'S ELFIN a5 S3S4

• CALLOPHERYS HESSELI HESSEL'S HAIRSTREAK S3S4 G304 CALLOPHRYS IRUS FROSTED ELFIN T G3 $2S3 CALLOPHRYS FOLIOS HOARY ELFIN aS S3 CALLOPI STRIA GRANITOSA GRANITOSA FERN MOTH G4G5 $2S3 CATOCALA HERODIAS GERHARDI HERODIAS OR PINE BARRENS 03T3 S3 UNDERWING CATOCALA JAIR SSP 2 JERSEY JAIR UNDERWING G4T4 S3 CELITHEMIS MARTHA MARTHA'S PENNANT G4 S3S4 CICINDELA DORSALIS DORSALIS NORTHEASTERN BEACH TIGER LT E G4T2 Si BEETLE CICINDELA PATRUELA A TIGER BEETLE G3T2T3 '_ S2S3 CONSENTANEA CRAMBUS DAECKELLUS DAECKE'S PYRALID MOTH GIG3 SIS3 DATANA RANAECEPS A HAND-MAID MOTH G3G4 $3S4 ENALLAGMA P1 CTUM SCARLET BLUET $3 G3 ENALLAGMA RECURVATUM PINE BARRENS BLUET G3 S3 ERYNNIS PERSIUS PERSIUS A PERSIUS DUSKYWING G5T2T3 SH EUPHYES BIM4ACULA TWO-SPOTTED SKIPPER G4 S3 FARONTA RUBRI PENNIS PINK STREAK G3G4 S3 GLENA PLUMOSARIA *A GEOMETRID MOTH G4. SU GRAMIA PLACENTIA PLACENTIA TIGER MOTH G4 SS3 HESPERIA ATTALUS SLOSSONAE DOTTED SKIPPER G3G4T3 52S3

AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMONNAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS HETAERINA AMERICANA AMERICAN RUBYSPOT. G5 S3 HETEROCAMPA VARIA AN )TODONTID MOTH G3G4 S3 HYPOMECI S BUCHHOLZARIA *BU0(HHOLZIS GRAY G3G4 S3 ITAME SP 1 BA RENS ITAME 03 S3 LIBELLULA AURI PENNIr GOI DEN-WINGED SKIMMER G5 SiS2 LIBELLULA AXILENA BAR -WINGED SKIMMER G5 S3B. S2N LITHOPHANE LEMMERI LEV KER'S NOCTUID MOTH G3G4 S2 MACROCHILO SP 1 AN OCTUID MOTH G3 S3 MEROLONCHE DOLLI DOI L'S MEROLONCHE G3G4 S1S3 METARRANH IS PI LOSARIA COP STAL BOG METARRANTHIS G3G4 S3S4 METARRANTHIS SP 1 AC EOMETRID MOTH G3 S2 NEONYMPHA AREOLATA AS ATYR G4T3T4 S3 SEPTENTRIONALIS NICROPHORUS AMERICANUS AME RICAN BURYING BEETLE LE E G203 SH PONTIA PROTODICE CHI CCKERED WHITE T G4 S1 PTICHODIS BISTRIGATA SO' THERN PTICHODIS 03 SIS3 PYGARCTIA ABDOMINALI S YEL LOW EDGED PYGARCTIA SH G104 RICHIA SP 2 AS OCTUID MOTH GIC? SI SEMIOTHISA EREMIATA TW EE-LINED ANGLE.MOTH G4 SU SPARTINI PHAGA CARTERAE TRB'S NOCTUID MOTH G2G3 S2 ZALE SP I PI1 BARRENS ZALE G3G 4 S3 ZANCLOGNATHA SP 1 A OCTUID MOTH G304 S3 ZANCLOGNATHA THERALI S A OCTUID MOTH G4 SH Nonvascular plants SPHAGNUM MACROPHYLLUM SP11AGNUM G3 S2

- Other types BALD EAGLE WINTERING SITE BAID EAGLE WINTERING SITE COSTAL HERON ROOKERY GU COASTAL HERON ROOKERY

- m m m-- .= m- m M'='= m- m m m = = m 30 AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIO GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATU MIGRATORY SHOREBIRD MIGRATORY SHOREBIRD' S?

CONCENTRATION SITE CONCENTRATION SITE

- Vascular plants ALOPECURUS AEQUALIS VAR SHORT-AWN MEADOW-FOXTAIL GST? S2 AEQUALI S AMARANTHUS PUMILUS SEABEACH AMARANTH LT E G2 Si AMIANTHIUM MUSCITOXICUM, FLY POISON G4G5 S2 ARETHUSA BULBOSA DRAGON MOUTH 04 S2 ARISTIDA DICHOTOMA VAR CURTISS' THREE-AWN GRASS GSTS S2 CURTISSII ARI STOLOCZIA SERPENTARIA VIRGINIA SNAJCEROOT G4 S3 ARTEMISIA CAMPESTRIS SSP BEACH WORMWOOD GSTS S2 CAUDATA ASCLEPIAS LANCEOLATA SMOOTH ORANGE MILKWEED 05 S2 ASCLEPIAS RUBRA RED MILKWEED LP G4G5 S2 ASTER CONCOLOR EASTERN SILVERY ASTER LP 64? S2 ASTER RADULA LOW ROUGH ASTER E 05 S1 BUCHNERA AMERICANA BLUENRARTS .G57 SX CACALIA ATRIPLICIFOLIA PALE INDIAN PLANTAIN E G4G5 Si CALAMOVILPA BREVIPILIS PINE BARREN REEDGRASS LP G4 S4 CARDAMINE LONGI I LONG' S BITTERCRESS G3 SH CAREX BARRATTI I BARRATrFS SEDGE LP G4 S4 CAREX MITCHELLIANA MITCHELL'S SEDGE G3G4 S2 CAREX PALLESCENS PALE SEDGE G5 S2 CAREX WILLDENOWII VAR WILLDENOW'S SEDGE G5T5 S2 WILLDENOWI I CIRSIUM VIRGINIANUM VIRGINIA THISTLE E G3 SI CLITORIA MARIANA BUTTERFLY - PEA E G5 S1 COREMA CONRAD! I BROOM CROWBERRY E LP G4 Si

m m- m mm pol mmm-n m m- mm m AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COM)4ON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANX STATUS STATUS STATUS COREOPSIS ROSEA ROS ,-COLOR COREOPSIS LP G3 S2 CROTON WILLDENOWII ELL [PTICAL RUSHPOIL LP G5 S2 DESMODIUM PAUCrFLORUM FEN -FLOWER TICK-TREFOIL G5 Si ELEOCHARIS HALOPHILA SAL r-MARSH SPIKE-RUSH 04 S2 ELEOCHARIS TORTILIS_- TWI 3TED SPIKE-RUSH E G5 Si ERIOCAULON PARKERI PAR KER'S PIPEWORT G3 S2 ERIOPHORUM TENELLUM ROU 7H COTTON-GRASS E G5 Si ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM VAR MAP 3H RATTLESNAKE-MASTER G4T4 S3 AQUATICUM EUPATORIUM RESINOSUM PIb E BARREN BONESET E LP 03 S2 FIMBRISTYLIS CAROLINIANA CA; OLINA FIMBRY G4 S2 FRAXINUS PROFUNDA PUM PKIN ASH G4 Si FUIRENA SQUARROSA HAt RY UMBRELLA-SEDGE G4G5 S3 GALACTIA VOLUBILIS DON NY MILK-PEA Gs SH GENTIANA AUTUMNALIS PIN~ BARREN GENTIAN LP G3 S3 GLAUX MARITIMA SEA MILKWORT E G5 SX. 1

.GNAPHALIUM HELLERI SMA ýL EVERLASTING E G4G5T37 SH HELONIAS BULLATA SWA MP-PINE LT E LP G3 S3 HONCKENYA PEPLOIDES VAR SEA 8EACH SANDWORT G5T4 S2 ROBUSTA HOTTONIA INFLATA FEP rHERFOIL E G4 Si HOUSTONIA LONGIFOLIA Lot S-LEAF SUMMER BLUET G4G5 SH JEFFERSONIA DIPHYLLA TWI NLEAF E G5 S1 JUNCUS ARTICULATUS Jol NTED RUSH G5 S2 JUNCUS CAESARIENSIS NEV JERSEY RUSH E LP 02 S2 JUNCUS GREENEI CR1 ENE'S RUSH G5 52 JUNCUS TORREYI TO) REY'S RUSH E G5 $1 LIMOSELLA SUBULATA AM] -LEAF MUDWORT S G4GS Si LINUM INTERCURSUM SMIDPLAIN FLAX E G4 Si LISTERA AUSTRALIS Sol THEPRN TWAYBLADE G4 S2 LP

n------ m m m-m-m owl m m 0

30 AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIO 4AL GRANK S RANK STATUS STATUS STATU LOBELIA CANBYI CANBY'S LOBELIA LP G4 S3 LUDWIGIA BREVIPES TUCKER'S ISLAND G4GS SX.I PRIMROSE- WILLOW LUZULA ACUMINATA HAIRY WOOD-RUSH E G5T4TS S2 MALAXIS UNIFOLIA GREEN ADDER'S-MOUTH G5 S2 MELANTHIUM VIRGINICUM VIRGINIA BUNCHFLOWER E G5 Si MUHLENBERGIA TORREYANA PINE BARREN SMOKE GRASS LP G3 S3 MYRIOPHYLLUM TENELLUM SLENDER WATER-MILFOIL E G5 Si MYRIOPHYLLUM VERTICI LLATUM WHORLED WATER-MILFOIL E G5 SH NARTHECI UM AMERI CANUM BOG ASPHODEL C E LP G2 S2 NYMPHOIDES CORDATA FLOATINGHEART LP G5 S3 OENOTHERA HUMI FUSA SEA-BEACH EVENING-PRIMROSE G5 S2 ONOSMODIUM VIRGINIANUM VIRGINIA FALSE-GROMWELL G4 Si PAS PALUM DI SSECTUM MUDBANK CROWN GRASS G4? S2 PHORADENDRON LEUCARPUM AMERICAN MISTLETOE LP G5 S2 PITYOPSIS FALCATA SICKLE-LEAF GOLDEN-ASTER LP 43 G4 93 PLANTAGO MARITIMA VAR SEASIDE PLANTAIN Q5T5 S2 JUNCOIDES PLANTAGO PUSILLA DWARF PLANTAIN E GS SH POLYGONUM GLAUCUM SEA-BEACH KNOTWEED E 03 SI PRENANTHES AUTUMNALI S PINE BARREN RATTLESNAKE-ROOT LP G4G5 S2 PRUNUS ANGUSTI FOLIA CHICKASAW PLUM E GST4T5 S2 PUCCINELLIA FASCICULATA SALTMARSH ALKALI GRASS G3GS S2 PYCNANTHEMUM SETOSUM AWNED MOUNTAIN-MINT 43? S3 RANUNCULUS CYMBALARIA SEASIDE BUtrTERCUP E G5 SH RHODODENDRON ATLANTICUM DWARF AZALEA E 54G5 S*i RHYNCHOSPORA CEPHALANTHA LARGE-HEAD BEAKED-RUSH LP S3 5?

RHYNCHOSPORA GLOBULARIS COARSE GRASS-LIKE BEAKED-RUSH E Si RHYNCHOSPORA INUNDATA SLENDER HORNED-RUSH LP 13G4 S2 RHYNCHOSPORA KNIESKERNI I

• KNIESKERN'S BEAKED-RUSH LT E LP 12 S2.

- - m - a ----- - -- - ----- -

AUG 2004 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMM4ON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS RHYNCHOSPORA MI CROCEPHALA SMA 1.-HEAD BEAKED-RUSH GSTS S1 RIYNCHOSPORA NITENS SHO tT-BEAKED BALD-RUSH G4? S2 RIHYNCHOSPORA PALLIDA PAL SBEAKED-RUSH G3 S3 RUBUS RECURVI CAULIS BLA ICHARD S DEWBERRY G4? Sl.I RUMEX HASTATULUS ENG ,LMANN'S SORREL G5 SH SABATIA CAMPANULATA SLE 4DER MARSH-PIN]K GS $3 SABATIA DODECANDRA VAR LARGE MARSH-PINK GS?T4TS S2 DODECANDRA SCHIZAEA PUSILLA CUR LY GRASS FERN LP 03 S3*

SCHWALBEA AMERICANA CHA ?FSEED LE E LP G2 Si SCIRPUS LONGII LON 3 S WOOLGRASS E LP G2 S2 SCIRPUS MARITIMUS SAL rMARSH BULRUSH S G5 SH SCLERIA MINOR SLE N*ER NUT-RUSH LP G4 S4 SOLIDAGO STRICTA WAI D-LIKE GOLDENROD LP G5 S3 SOLIDAGO TARDA LAI E GOLDENROD G4?Q S3 SPIRANTHES LACINIATA LA( E-LIP LADIES'-TRESSES E G4G5 SI SPIRANTHES ODORATA FR? GRANT LADIES' -TRESSES G5 82 STYLISMA PICKERINGII VAR PI( kERING' S MORNING-GLORY S LP G4T2T3 Si PICKERINGII TIPULARIA DISCOLOR TRIDENS FLAVUS VAR CHAPMANII CR) r FLY ORCHID Cmi PMAN'S REDTOP E G4G5 GST?

S3 SM TRIGLOCHIN MARITIMA SEJ 7IDE ARROW-GRASS E G5 Si UTRICULARIA BI FLORA TW( -FLOWER BLADDERWORT E G5 Si UTRICULARIA MINOR LE! ýSER ELADDERWORT S G5 Si UTRICULARIA PURPUREA PUl ,PLE BLADDERWORT LP G5 S3 UVULARIA PUBERULA VAR NITIDA P1l E BARREN BELLWORT S GST3? S2 VERBENA SIMPLEX NAJ SOW-LEAF VERVAIN E G5 S1 XYRIS FIMBRIATA FR': HGED YELLOW-EYED-GRASS S G5 Si ZIGADENUS LEIMANTHOIDES DFl TH-CAMUS S G4Q S1 14 Records Processed

I I

I I

I I

I I

I I

I I

I U ATTACHMENT B I 'Qualifications of Preparers I

I EcoiSciences, Inc.

Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance I F:\JOBS04\EnO4-086\Report\06_port\TE repoir_06.doc i

I..

I I CORPOATEI HISTOR EcolSciences, Inc., was founded in 1973 in response to the growing need for responsible I environmental planning, as mandated by NEPA, The National Environmental Policy Act. EcolSciences specializes in performing environmental investigations relating to permit acquisition and regulatory i compliance, demonstration of "due diligence", waste management, impact analysis, mitigation and remediation. EcolSciences' strength is a proficiency in current environmental and waste management laws, regulations, and policies, coupled with a practical problem-solving approach to analyzing the environmental consequences of projects.

I During more than twenty years, EcolSciences has successfully completed more than 5,000 studies for private, quasi-public and public clients. EcolSciences has represented many of the country's and the

' metropolitan area's leading industries, corporations, developers, and financial institutions including AT&T, American Cyanamid Company, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Hartz Mountain Industries, Trammell i Crow Company, The Kushner Companies, Roseland Properties, The Hovnanian Companies, Pinnacle Communities, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, PNC Bank, and First Union National Bank.

Among the many utilities that EcolSciences has served are Jersey Central Power & Light, New Jersey Natural Gas Company, Elizabethtown Gas Company, Essex and Hudson County Improvement Authorities, Ocean County Utilities Authority, and numerous municipal utilities authorities. Representative I government agency clients include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York City Economic Development Corporation and New York City Department of Sanitation.

EcolSciences' interdisciplinary staff of environmental engineers, geologists, biologists and scientists

' has extensive experience in a diversity of studies related to biological assessment and toxic and hazardous materials management. EcolSciences has performed environmental assessments and has acquired appropriate permits and approvals under a wide variety of Federal, state, regional, and local jurisdictions.

These permits include: Section 404 and Section 10 authorizations, CAFRA and Waterfront Development permits, Pinelands Commission certifications, New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Act permits (both general I and individual permits), Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission (HMDC) approvals, and D&R Canal Commission approvals. EcolSciences' senior staff are experienced in the delivery of expert I testimony; senior staff of the firm have testified in public hearings, Superior Court, Administrative Law proceedings, and county, regional and municipal planning boards.

II EcoiSciences, Inch

• Environmental Management &Regulatory Compliance

Since the promulgation of the New Jersey Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act (ECRA) and I it successor, the Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), EcolSciences has been involved in the implementation of the entire ECRA/ISRA program for its industrial and financial institutional clients. As the demonstration of "due diligence" has become a lending industry standard, EcolSciences has completed numerous Phase I environmental assessments and follow-up Phase 11 studies to clarify the level of environmental risk and liability associated with past and current practices at a particular site or facility.

These assessments typically include such activities as hazardous materials inventories, building and site inspections, subsurface soil investigations, groundwater. monitoring, tank testing, asbestos bulk sampling, I development of remediation plans and supervision of cleanup activities. The firm and technical staff members are also certified by the NJDEP for the performance of underground storage tank installation, I closure, and subsurface evaluation. All work is conducted under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer.

I The biological staff of EcolSciences has conducted over 4,000 wetland delineations and environmental assessments throughout the eastern and central portions of the United States. Our staff is skilled in all technical aspects of wetland identification and delineation methodologies established by the COE, USFWS, EPA and SCS; the assessment of wetland functions and values using techniques such as I HEP and WET; the assessment of development-related wetland impacts; the acquisition of wetland permits; and the. development and implementation of mitigation plans. Key members of our staff are I certified as Professional Wetland Scientists and provisionally certified by the COE. Additionally, EcolSciences' biologists routinely performs specialized studies related to threatened and endangered species, wildlife habitat surveys and the assessment of development-related impacts. EcolSciences' staff is skilled in the field methodologies and reporting requirements of the Federal and state agencies and has I substantial experience in the field identification of protected plants and animals and their preferred habitat.

EcolSciences has and continues to play an instrumental role in the development of federal

-I environmental policies pertaining to wetlands and hazardous waste sites through a number of manuals that have been prepared under government contract for the USEPA. Recent examples include the Manual for I Achieving NEPA Functional Equivalency in CERCLA Remedial Actions, Creation of Wetland Banks for Mitigation of Impacts at Superfund Sites, Technical Procedures Manual for the Advance Identification of Wetlands, Policy Document on Wetlands Mitigation at Superfund sites, Wetland Regulations Guidebook for New York State, and Principles of Environmental Assessment: An International Training Manual.

I EcolSciences is a multi-disciplinary firm that has the experience and capabilities to provide a full range of environmental services. Studies are conducted in a manner that emphasizes the balance of I environmental, engineering and cost factors. This approach provides the information necessary for sound and practical project decisions.

I EcolSciences, Inc.

Envrnmental Management &Regulatory Compliance I

I I DAVID P. MOSKOWITZ EDUCATION: BA., 1984 - EnvironmentalStudies George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

I M.S. 2000 - EnvironmentalPolicy Studies New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J I Ph.D. Program- Ecology and Evolution Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J I PROFESSIONAL Society of Wetland Scientists AFFILIATIONS: Association of Field Ornithologists ASTM Environmental Committee (1998-2002)

Dragonfly Society of the Americas I PROFESSIONAL ProfessionalWetland Scientist - SWS CERTIFICATIONS: Certified Wetland Delineator- Corps of Engineers USEPA Wetland Delineation - WTI Qualified Ornithologist- NJDEP QualifiedBog Turtle Surveyor - USFWS I OTHER: Wetland JournalTechnical Review Board (2000-2002)

SWS Certification Review Panel (1998-2001)

Poricy ParkBoard of Directors(1999-2002)

East Brunswick Environmental Commission USFWS N.J. Breeding Bird Survey Coordinator(1995-1997)

Identificationof Sedges and Rushes - Rutgers University Field Identificationof Raptors - University of Maine Identificationof Adult Dragonflies- University of Maine IdentificationofLarval Dragonflies- University ofMaine Systematics & ConservationofLepidoptera - University ofMaine Identificationof Microlepidoptera- University of Maine

' EXPERIENCE:

Mr. Moskowitz is a Senior Vice President with EcolSciences, Inc. During the past 20 years, Mr.

.Moskowitz has conducted more than 4,000 environmental studies for a wide range of clients including government agencies, and the development, legal, engineering and financial professions. These studies have focused on wetland and wildlife issues including delineations, mitigation, field surveys and regulatory compliance as well as Phase I, Phase II and Brownfields Redevelopment. Mr. Moskowitz has also provided expert testimony before numerous municipal boards and the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and has been qualified as an expert in Superior Court of New Jersey, New Jersey Office of Administrative Law, New Jersey Condemnation Commission, and the Morris County Board of Taxation. Mr. Moskowitz has published more than two-dozen technical and popular papers on wildlife, wetland, and threatened and endangered species related topics and has lec~t wide

• rL iramniron u mtnl topics. _o 7_1 l Mance r nce Envionmental Management &Regulatory Compliance

IDavid P. Moskowitz Pane 2 Wetland Studies I Directed and participated in more than 3,000 field studies in NJ, NY, PA, MD and CT evaluating all aspects of wetland ecology. Representative experience includes:

I

• The evaluation of more than 10,000 acres in the New Jersey Highlands.

The evaluation of more than 7,500 acres in the complex red soils of the New Jersey Piedmont.

" The evaluation of nearly 3,000 acres on Staten Island, New York.

I Brownfields and Site Investigation Studies Principal in charge of numerous Phase I Environmental Assessments, historic pesticide investigations and remediatial activities, hazardous waste investigations and brownfields I redevelopment projects.

Wetland Mitigation Studies Numerous mitigation plans have been prepared to remedy regulatory violations of various State and Federal wetland laws, and to compensate for wetland losses resulting from permitted wetland fills. Two examples of the wide variety of studies include:

Preparation of mitigation plans and specifications for the remediation of wetlands and shorelines of the Freshkills Sanitary Landfill, Staten Island, New York.

Design and implementation of a 13-acre wetland restoration project in Morris County, New Jersey utilizing air conditioning condensation as a hydrologic supplement.

I Threatened and Endangered Species Studies Designed, directed and participated in numerous field studies for rare plant and animal species including Bog Turtle, Wood Turtle, Northern Pine Snake, Blue Spotted Salamander, Long Tailed Salamander, Pine Barrens Tree Frog, Great Blue Heron, Coopers Hawk, Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Barred Owl, Swamp Pink, Knieskern's Beaked Rush, Curly Grass Fern and Barrett's Sedge.

Ornithological Studies Numerous studies conducted throughout the northeast designed to evaluate and census individual species, avian communities and habitats, to assess potential impacts upon the species and habitats associated with land development proposals, and to comply with State and Federal Wildlife regulations. Two examples of the wide variety of studies include:

Long-eared owl habitat evaluation, pellet analysis and management plan in Somerset County, New Jersey.

I I

David P. Moskowitz Page 3 Two-year avian census, habitat evaluation and regulatory assessment for the proposed redevelopment of Flushing Airport in Queens, New York by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Breeding, wintering and migratory utilization of the site was comprehensively evaluated and barn owl pellet analysis was conducted to augment small mammal population studies.

Commercial/Residential/Industrial Studies More than 3,000 properties have been evaluated throughout NJ, NY, PA, and CT to assess potential environmental impacts from proposed development and to insure regulatory compliance with various Local, State and Federal environmental laws. Tasks have included wetland delineation, permit acquisition and mitigation planning.

Corridor Studies Designed, directed and participated in ecological studies and regulatory assessments for more than 350 linear miles of road corridors, gas and electric transmission right of ways and sewer and water alignments. Studies have been performed for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, New Jersey DOT, Jersey Central Power and Light, New Jersey Natural Gas, and numerous local governments.

Special Environmental Studies A wide range of ecological studies have been conducted for various private clients, the USEPA and other government agencies. Representative studies include:

• Bird, mammal, dragonfly, damselfly, butterfly and floral surveys for the proposed Catskill/Delaware Water Treatment Facility in Weschester County, New York.

• Habitat assessments for Pine Barrens Tree Frog and River Otter in New Jersey.

I An avifaunal study of a 500-acre proposed incinerator ash landfill site in New York, conducted for a county agency, to evaluate FAA concerns about bird strike hazards to aircraft passing over the site, resulting in the preparation of a Bird Deterrent Plan.

• Biological studies of the impacts of Folcroft Landfill upon ecological communities of Tinicum National Environmental Center, Philadelphia, PA for the USEPA, Region III.

• Red-Headed Woodpecker evaluation of two central New Jersey properties.

David P. Moskowitz Page 4 Publications/Articles Moskowitz, D.P., 1996. Swamp Pink: A Federally-Listed Threatened Species. Wetland Journal 8(3): 14-16.

Moskowitz, D., Auffenorde, T. and M. Kovacs, (1997). Vegetation and Surrounding LandscapeCharacteristics of Long-Eared Owl (Asio otus) Winter Roosts in Central New Jersey. Records of New Jersey Birds. (23)1: 2-6.

Moskowitz, D.P., 1997. Wetland Restoration Using Non-Contact Cooling Water and Stormwater Runoff as a Supplemental Hydrologic Source. Wetland Journal 9(l): 17-20.

Moskowitz, D.P., 1997. Hine's Emerald Dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana): The First FederallyEndangered Dragonfly. Wetland Journal (9)3: 12-14.

Moskowitz, D.P., 1997/98. Fall Migrant Landbird Observations at Sea. Records of New Jersey Birds. (23)4: 95.

Moskowitz, D.P., 1998. Build a Wetland Garden.. Water Gardening Magazine.(2)6: 58-60.

Moskowitz, D.P., 1998. Tips Offered on Negotiating N.J.'s Mining, Dredging Rules. Mine Regulation Reporter. 11(4): 86-87.

Moskowitz, D.P., 1998. Vegetation Change in a Forested Wetland after a Bird Roost.

Northeastern Naturalist. 5(1): 61-66.

Moskowitz, D.P., 1998. A Wetland Delineation Primer for the Professional Land Surveyor.

Professional Surveyor Magazine. 18(1): 22-28.

Moskowitz, D.P. and D.M. Bell., 1998. Archilestes Grandis (Great Spreadwing) in Central New Jersey, with Notes on Water Quality. Bulletin of American Odonatology. 5(3): 49-54.

Moskowitz, D.P., 1999. The Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla Andersonii): An Ecologist's Dream.

Wetland Journal 11(4): 8-13.

Moskowitz, D.P., 2000. A Comparison of Field-Delineated Wetlands to the New Jersey Freshwater Wetland Maps. M.S. thesis - New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Moskowitz, D.P., 2000. Old Maps and Wetland Regulation. Professional Surveyor Magazine.

20(6): 22-30.

Moskowitz, D.P. and T.A. Auffenorde., 2000. Persistence of Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus [L.] Nutt.) in a Drained Wetland. Wetland Journal 12(3): 23-29.

David P. Moskowitz Pane 5 Moskowitz, D., 2000. A New County Record for Archilestes Grandis in New York with Notes on Habitat and Water Quality. ARGIA 12(4): 7-8.

Moskowitz, D.P., 2000. Habitat Notes on a Winter Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) Roost in Central New Jersey. Records of New Jersey Birds. 26(4): 138-139.

Moskowitz, D., 2000. Book Review: Dragonflies through Binoculars - A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America. Wetland Journal 12(4): 41.

Poricy Park Citizens Committee. 2001. A Checklist and Guide to the Butterflies of Poricy Park.

Pamphlet.

Moskowitz, D. P. 2001. First Record of the Queen Butterfly (Danausgilippus Cramer) in New Jersey. News of the Lepidopterists' Society 43(3): 72, 74.

Moskowitz, D., J. Moskowitz, S. Moskowitz and H. Moskowitz. 2001. Notes on a large dragonfly and butterfly migration in New Jersey. Northeastern Naturalist 8(4): 483-490.

Moskowitz, ,D. P. 2002. An unusual interaction between a banded hairstreak butterfly (Satyrium calanus) Lycaenidae and a stink bug (Banasa dimidiata) Pentatomidae. Entomological News 113:(3) 183-186.

Moskowitz, D. P. 2002. Was there an invasion of the Queen butterfly (Danausgilippus Cramer) in the northeastern United States in 2001 ? News of the Lepidoptersists' Society 44(2):

66-67.

Newgard, L. and D. Moskowitz. Bog turtle: It's small, secretive, rare, and it's in our hiking region Trailwalker 29(4): p. 5.

Moskowitz, D.P. and C. Westphal. 2002. Notes on the larval diet of the Painted Lichen moth Hypoprepia fucosa: Hubner (Arctiidae:Lithosiinae). Journal of the Lepidopterist's Society 56 (4): 289-290.

Moskowitz, D. P. and T. M. Auffenorde. 2003. Bird Use at Two Simulated-Tree Cellular Towers in New Jersey. Records of New Jersey Birds. 28(4): p. 88-91.

Moskowitz, D.P. 2003. The Queen Dilemma in the Northeastern United States. New York State Butterfly Records 2002. New York Chapter, North American Butterfly Association. p.

49-51.

Moskowitz, D.P., Kovacs, M. and J. Tesauro. (in press). An abnormally-colored bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) in New Jersey. Herpetological Review.

F:\MARKETtRESUMES\MOSKOWJTZ04.doc

I I DANIEL BRILL I EDUCATION: B.A., 1996 - Environmental Studies Richard Stockton College I AREAS OF Threatened & EndangeredSpecies HabitatAssessments EXPERTISE: andSurveys I GeographicInformation Systems PROFESSIONAL New Jersey Audubon Society I ASSOCIATIONS: Cape May Bird Observatory PROFESSIONAL Rutgers Cook College Office of Continuing Professional I CERTIFICATIONS: Education.(2001)

Wetlands Delineation Certificate Series ProfessionalCertificateProgram in Geomatics I EXPERIENCE:

I Mr. Brill is employed as an environmental scientist with EcoiSciences, Inc. His expertise is based in threatened and endangered species studies and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in its capacity as an instrument of environmental analysis.

I Mr. Brill's responsibilities include: the implementation and documentation of wildlife habitat assessments and surveys, the delineation of wetlands based on the Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands, and the preparation of various I wetland-related permit applications and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).

Mr. Brill was an educator at the Cooper Environmental Center with Ocean County Parks I and Recreation and a frequent volunteer with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) preceding I his position with EcolSciences.

An outline of Mr. Brill's applicable skills and accumulated experience includes:

I The implementation of numerous habitat analyses and wildlife surveys, often I involving threatened and endangered species. Such species consist of the Federally-threatened and State-endangered bald eagle; the State-endangered southern gray treefrog, timber rattlesnake, corn snake, and red-shouldered hawk; I and the State-threatened. pine barrens treefrog, northern pine snake, Cooper's hawk, barred owl, and red-headed woodpecker. Select studies include:

I - The use of GIS to determine areas potentially impacted by bald eagle nests and critical foraging habitat based on accepted species models.

I .*

"Environmental 7/

EcolSciences, Inc.

Management &Regulatory Compliance I

IDaniel Brill Page 2 of 2

- Employing GIS to trace change in land use/land cover over time in areas of potential habitat for threatened and endangered species such as barred owl and northern pine snake.

Participation in several large-scale and long-term studies for northern pine snake, corn snake, and timber rattlesnake approved by the NJDEP and Pinelands Commission. Such studies employ drift fences, traps, and radio telemetry equipment.

j Assist in several surveys for rare plants including the Federally-threatened and State-endangered swamp pink and Knieskem's beaked-rush.

Volunteer field work for the NJDEP and New Jersey Audubon Society including:

- Assisted the annual Sandy Hook Hawk Watch. Thirteen species of raptors were recorded including bald eagle and peregrine falcon. This work included educating the public on raptor identification and conservation.

I Project assistance for Neotropical Passerine Critical Areas: Pinelands Survey (Landscape Project for Protection of Rare Species). The objective of this NJDEP-sponsored study was to determine the distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of neotropical migratory birds and other observed species. Personal observations include the State-threatened Cooper's hawk and grasshopper sparrow.

Participation in the New Jersey Breeding Bird Atlas with data contributed towards Birds of New Jersey (Walsh, Elia, Kane, and Halliwell, 1999) published by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Work involved identifying and recording all bird species and observed breeding behavior I during the appropriate season.

Submitted personal observations of rare and accidental species in the state to the Endangered & Nongame Species Program and the NJAS New Jersey Bird Records Committee including swallow-tailed kite and one of the few accepted state records of wood stork, a Federally-endangered I species.

• Assists in the delineation of wetlands using the Federal Manual three-parameter j approach using vegetation, soils, and hydrology.

Contributes in the composition of Environmental Impact Statements and I Assessments for residential, industrial, and commercial projects.

I I

F:\MARKE'BRES UM ES\tBR.LL doc i