ML072680405
| ML072680405 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 07/07/2004 |
| From: | EcolSciences |
| To: | AmerGen Energy Co, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| 2130-07-20506, TAC MC7624 | |
| Download: ML072680405 (54) | |
Text
I EcolSciences, Inc.
Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION NATIONAL SECURITY UPGRADES TOWNSHIP OF LACEY OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY Prepared for:
.Amergen Energy Co., LLC P.O. Box 388 Route 9 South Forked River, New Jersey 08731 Prepared by:
EcolSciences, Inc.
75 Fleetwood Drive, Suite 250 Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 July 7, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. EXECU TIVE SUM MARY ......................................................................................................... 1 II. A SSESSM ENT M ETH OD OLOGY ..................................................................................... 4 A. Background D ata Collection .................................................................................... 4 B. Natural Heritage Program and Landscape Project Map ........................................... 4 C. N atural H eritage Grid M ap ........................................................................................ 5 D. V ernal H abitat M ap ................................................................................................... 5 E. Pine Snake H abitat M ap ........................................................................................... 5 F. Field Investigation .......................................................................................................... 6 III. RESULTS ...................................................... 7 A. Natural Heritage Program and Landscape Project Map ........................................... 7 B. N atural H eritage Grid M ap ........................................................................................ 9 C. V ernal H abitat M ap ................................................................................................... 9 D. Pine Snake H abitat M ap .................................................................................................. 9 E. Field Investigation .................................................................................................... 15 IV . CON CLU SION ........................................................................................................................... 18 V. REFEREN CES ........................................................................................................................... 19 LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1: U SGS Site Location ............................................................................................... 2 Figure 2: Landscape Project .................................................................................................... 8 Figure 3 N atural H eritage Grid M ap ................................................................................. 10 Figure 4 V ernal Habitat ............................................................................................................. 1 Figure 5: Pine Snake Land U se/Land Cover ......................................................................... 12 Figure 6: Pine Snake Soils .................................................................................................... 13 Figure 7: Pine Snake H abitat .................................................................................................. 14 Figure 8 Pine Barrens Treefrog Control Site ...................................................................... 17 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT A - Natural Heritage Program Letter ATTACHMENT B - Qualifications of Preparers F:\JOBS04\EnO4-086\Report\TE rev hab-eval~doc i
I. EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
EcolSciences has been retained by AmerGen Energy Co, LLC to conduct a threatened and endangered species habitat impact assessment on a portion of the site of the Oyster Creek Generating Station, in Lacey Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. Planned National Security upgrades around the generating station have necessitated a review of possible impacts to potential threatened and endangered species habitat in undeveloped portions of the facility. These upgrades include vehicle barriers, fences, realigned road accesses, and an expanded parking lot. The evaluation focused on undeveloped portions of the site where proposed activities will take place, between the generating station to the west and US Route 9 to the east, the intake canal to the north, and the discharge canal to the south (Figure 1). This area is characterized by field, pine-oak woodland, and scrub/shrub and forested wetland vegetation.
The threatened and endangered species habitat assessment involved a review of local threatened and endangered (T & E) species records from the Natural Heritage Program (NHP) of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP); review of the Landscape Project T & E habitat mapping program; review of the Natural Heritage Grid Map of rare plant species and ecological communities; review of vernal habitat mapping provided 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), and field surveys. Field surveys, are especially helpful in providing ground truth to Landscape Project and ENSP mapping in assessing present conditions within close proximity of the site.
A request was made to the N}-P regarding T & E species information in the vicinity of the site. According to the Natural Heritage Database and Landscape Project habitat mapping (Version 2.0) (see Attachment A), there are on-site records of the following species: the State-threatened Pine Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii), wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta) northern pine snake, barred owl (Strix varia), and Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii); and herptile and invertebrate species of special concern. In addition, the NHP has indicated that three wetland-dependent rare plant species, Pine Barrens boneset (Eupatorium resinosum), New Jersey rush (Juncus caesariensis) and curly grass fern (Schizaea pusilla), may be in the immediate vicinity of the site. EcolSciences also reviewed the Landscape Project 2.0 map and found that there is a record of pine snake on-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:\JOBS04\EnO4-086\Report\TE revhab eval.doc I
0 1,000 ..2,000 4,000 6,000 8,0 00 NEW Fe6t, FIGURE 1: USGS SITE LOCATION SITE LOCATION Oyster Creek Generating Station Township of Lacey Ocean County, New Jersey Somuce: USDA, NRCS. 2001. Digbi Rester Graph of Ocean County, Now Jersey. (Forked Rver. NJ quadrangle)
State Plane Coordinates (New Jersey NAD 83) 357,810' N; 575,025' E EcoiSciences, Inc.
Environmental Management & Regulatory Compbmnce IC\G Sdataobs04anO4-O86m.nwd
hydrology characteristic of Pine Barrens treefrog habitat. Although no activities are proposed within these wetlands, a portion of the adjacent upland woodland may be considered critical habitat if an occurrence of Pine Barrens treefrog was confirmed. This would affect the proposed parking lot expansion that will encroach into 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 during the height of the calling period for Pine Barrens treefrog. 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.
Based upon the database review and site investigations, the proposed National Security improvements at the Oyster Creek Generating Station are not expected to negatively impact threatened and endangered species. This determination is based upon the undeveloped portions within the area of interest lacking adequate habitat for the majority, of the above-mentioned
.threatened and endangered species. Pine snake habitat. mapping prepared .for the site following ENSP draft protocols indicates that much of the area of interest is mapped as preferred habitat.
However, the extent of this area is not expected to be large enough to support a sustainable population of pine snake. In addition, appropriate wetland habitats for wood turtle and barred owl and woodland for Cooper's Hawk is not present within the area of interest. As a result, the proposed National Security upgrades should be permitted by the NJDEP with no further threatened and endangered species studies.
The following sections describe the threatened and endangered species habitat assessment methodology, site description, and results of the investigation.
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II. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY The threatened and endangered species habitat assessment involved a review of pertinent literature, a request for threatened and endangered species data from the NHP, review of the Landscape Project habitat map, review of a pine snake habitat map based on draft ENSP methodology, and an on-site investigation. The following provides details on the various aspects of the assessment:
A. Backwround 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 Map The NJDEP Natural Heritage Program maintains an inventory of rare plant and animal
-species and exceptional natural communities. It is one of the single best resources regarding general T & E information in the state. Records of rare species are provided through museums, publications, wildlife and botanical experts, and fieldwork. Some regulatory agencies make use of the Natural Heritage Database to help make better informed decisions.
Starting in July 2002, the NHP adopted use of the Landscape Project to supplement T & E data requests. The Landscape Project was developed by the NJDEP, Division of Fish & Wildlife, Endangered & Nongame Species Program. 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 (NJDEP, NHP, 2004, pers. corr.). Landscape Project data can be downloaded from the ENSP website and viewed with stand-alone Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software or on the web at httT)://www.crssalrut yers.edu/nroiects/biodiv/biodiv.htm.
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C. 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 is available for download at the. NJDEP's Bureau of Geographic Information Systems website (www.state.ni.us/dep/gis) and may be displayed using GIS software. The map consists of a coarse grid with cells ranging from 358 to 372 acres in size, only indicating 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.
D. Vernal Habitat Map 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 field work if the above criteria are met. The map is available on the web (www.crssa.rutgers.edu/proiects/biodiv/biodiv.htm) and is continuously updated as potential vernal habitats are certified or proven not to meet the criteria.
E. Pine Snake Habitat Map The Endangered & Nongame Species Program has developed draft habitat delineation criteria for northern pine snake in a report entitled, Northern Pine Snake HabitatAssessment and Mapping (www.state.ni/dep/fgw/pinesnak.htm). A map of potential habitat was prepared through the integration of selected digital land use/land cover and soils data through Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The map is.not available from the ENSP but can be reproduced using ArcView GIS software on readily obtainable data from the NJDEP, Office of Information Management, Bureau of Geographic Information Systems and following the methodology outlined within the report.
According to the ENSP methodology, specific land use/land cover and soils associated with northern pine snake are selected. Selected 1995/97 land use/land cover is classified into two categories, either primary (i.e., pine-dominant forests) or secondary (i.e., mixed deciduous forests).
All soils types ate considered and are categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary. Primary (i.e.,
Lakehurst sands) and secondary (i.e., Woodmansie sands) are specific soil types frequently associated with pine snakes. Remaining soils are classified as tertiary.
Five habitat types are formed by the overlap of selected land use/land cover and soil polygons, with some types influenced in part by adjacency to other polygons. The intersection of primary land cover and primary soils forms I-A, Preferred Habitat. Areas of primary land cover FX1085S04\EnlO4-086\Repoat\TE-Irev-hab_eval~doc5 5
over secondary soils that are also adjacent to 1-A habitat are referred to as I-B, Preferred Habitat.
However, when isolated from 1-A, this same combination is classified as 2, Suitable Habitat.
Secondary cover that overlaps primary soils is considered 3, Suitable Habitat, only when adjacent to 1-A or 1-B Preferred Habitat; otherwise, it is excluded from consideration. Areas of primary cover that overlap tertiary. soils and are adjacent to 1-A and 1B habitat form the last considered pine snake habitat unit, 4, Suitable Habitat.
F. Field Investigation Conditions presented in the Landscape Project and pine snake habitat maps were field verified in a site inspection conducted on April 28, 2004. Notes on existing vegetation and soil characteristics were taken. Present 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 habitat for threatened and endangered species. A survey for Pine Barrens treefrog was conducted within the on-site wetlands on the evenings of June 15, 22, and 30. On each evening, a control site was used to verify conditions were appropriate for sampling.
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- 11. 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 Proiect Map The NHP has responded to a request for threatened and endangered species information for the site and its immediate vicinity (Attachment A). According to the Natural Heritage Database and Landscape Project (Version 2.0) habitat mapping, the following species occur on the site: the State-threatened Pine Barrens treefrog, northern pine snake, wood turtle, barred owl, Cooper's hawk and Pine Barrens treefrog; herptile species of special concern; and invertebrate species of special concern. In addition, the NHP has indicated that three wetland-dependent rare plant species, New Jersey rush, Pine Barrens boneset, and curly grass fern, may be in the immediate vicinity of the site.
Figure 2 presents Landscape Project (Version 2.0) mapping for the area surrounding the site and is not consistent with the NHP response regarding threatened and endangered species on the site. 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 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 endangered, threatened, or priority species. The NHP response letter suggests the site boundary portrayed in Figure 1was buffered, and this buffer intersects with large forest and forested wetland polygons that are adjacent to the canal. These large polygons have all wildlife species mentioned in the NHP letter.
The spatial extent of a polygon is dependent in part upon contiguity of areas of similar land use/land cover and is divided 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 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.
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Critical Areas Sood Turtle Habitat 0 250500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Emergent Wetlands Forest Mutftw Biouttdsly i-eet
.RANK RANK T)Suitable Habitat j1) C.Suitable Habitat j ) Ara oftIntaeafit
()Priority Speciesf2) C )Prilory Specdes (2) FIGURE 2: LANDSCAPE PROJECT
()State Threatened (3).~ State Threatened 13)
- State Endangered (4). (Z State Endangered (4)
TeandE (5) Federal T and E (5)
Oyster Creek Generating Station I. Federad Forested Wetlands Grasslands Township of Lacey RANK RANK Ocean County, New Jersey Sources:
Cý:) Suitable Habitat (1I(:C) Suitiable Habitat (1) NJF.P, DPW, ENSP. 2004. New Jersey's Landscape ProJect (Version 2.0)
CD Priority Spea*d (2) -) Priority Specie. (2) Stateof New Jersey. OIT. 2003. New Jetees 2002 High Resolutlon Ortlophotography.
C) StateThreatened (3) (79State Fehreatened (3)
C)State Endangered (4)
()Federal T and E(5)
State Endangered (4)
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B. Natural Heritage Grid Map Figure 3 presents Natural Heritage Grid Mapping for the site. As with the Natural Heritage Program response letter, the map indicates that three wetland-dependent species, New Jersey rush, Pine Barrens boneset, and curly-grass fern, occur within both cells the area of interest occupies.
New Jersey rush and Pine Barrens boneset are State-endangered plant species while curly-grass fern has no such status in New Jersey outside of the Pine Barrens. In addition to the above, the northern cell indicates that a record of awned mountain mint, an upland plant of dry fields and upland woods, occurs nearby. The southern cell shows that a data sensitive species or ecological community with no identifying information occurs here. Figure 3 and the Natural Heritage Program response letter shows that the Forked River Natural Heritage Priority Site occurs near the area of interest. Its boundary justification is based on the presence of several globally rare and State listed plant species.
C. Vernal Habitat Map The Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis has mapped a single potential vernal pool in the southern portion of the area of interest (Figure 4). This pooi has not been. surveyed to determine if it meets the NJDEP's criteria. This includes an assessment of obligate and/or facultative species that may be present.
D. Pine Snake Habitat Map The NHP and Landscape Project mapping indicate records of northern pine snake near the area of interest. Based on these records, it is warranted to review pine snake habitat mapping using draft ENSP methodology. Figures 5 through 7 show, in steps, how the pine snake habitat map for the site was put together following this methodology.
Figure 5 reveals most of the area of interest is mapped as primary (4220 - coniferous forest) pine snake land use/land cover. Land use/land cover used in this figure is based on the same data used to create the Landscape Project. The majority of the area of interest is mapped as Lakehurst (LhA) soils, a primary pine snake substrate according to the ENSP (Figure 6). When both land use/land cover and soils are intersected (Figure 7), it results in Preferred Habitat (I-A) mapped for the majority of the area of interest. This suitable habitat represents areas of mapped primary cover over primary soils.
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If Legend 0 250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Natural Heritage Grid Map , Feet February 2004 Version Generalzed Locatloios of Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communies FIGURE 3: NATURAL HERITAGE GRID MAP S8- Documented Location Known PrecbelY M - DocUnvefntd Location Known WiSdn 1,6 Miles Oyster Creek Generating Station Both - Both 'M and 'V c:cuTrences Township of Lacey Ocean County, New Jersey Sources:
NJDEP, ONLM. 2004. Natural H-erage Grid Map.
Munic*,al Boundary ftSe of New Jersey, CIT. 2003. New Jersey 2002 High Resolulon Orthopholigraphy.
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Legend 0 250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 reei Potential/Certified Vernal Pools-VERNAL FIGURE 4: VERNAL HABITAT C Certffied Not Surveyed Oyster Creek Generating Station Township of Lacey
( Yesivernal pool Ocean County, New Jersey Not Vernal Pools Source: NJDEP and Rutgers CRSSA. 2004. Maplpng New Jerseys Vernal Pools.
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.1 Legend 0 250500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Feet I
- Primary Vegetation Code 4210 Coniferous Forest (10-50% Crown Closure) 4220 Coniferous Forest (>50% Crown Closure)
FIGURE 5: PINE SNAKE LAND USE/LAND COVER*
4311. Mixed Forest (>50% Coniferous wih 10-50% Crown Closure) 4312 Mixed Forest (>50% Coniferous with >50% Crown Closure) Oyster Creek Generating Station Township of Lacey
= Secondary Vegetatio Ocean County, New Jersey Code 4321 Mixed Forest (>50% Deciduous with 10-50% Crown Closure) NJDEP. OIRM. BGIS. 2001. 1995W97Land Use/Land Cover, Salries 1. Vokume 5.
4322 Mixed Forest (>50% Deciduous with >50% Crown Closure) State of New Jersey, Ofice of Infbrma"onTechnology. 2003. New Jersey 2002 High Resouflion Or*lophotomprhy 4430 Coniferous Brush/Shrubland 4440 Mixed Deciduous/Coniferous Brush/Shrubland
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0 250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Legend Feet Soils Boundaries P,inury Sails FIGURE 6: PINE SNAKE SOILS*
Lakehurst Lakewood Oyster Creek Generating Station Evesboro Sands Secondary Soils Township of Lacey Kiel Sands Ocean County, New Jersey Sources:
KMel Loamy Sands NJDEP. CIRM. B016. 1996. G1S Resource Data, Selle. 1,Volume 2.
Hammornton Loamy Sands State of New Jersey. Office of InformatlonTechnolog'. 2003. New Jersey Woodmansie Sands 2002 High Resolution Ortolphot* l*aphy Abandoned Sand Mines All Other Soils Tertiary According to ENSP methodology Ecoi~ciDate.,
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I 0M 250, 500 1,000 1,500 ZOOO Feet Legend FIGURE 7: PINE SNAKE HABITATr
, 1-A Preferred Habitat: Primary Cover, Primary Soils Oyster Creek Generating Station r 1-B Preferred Habitat: Primary Cover, Secondary Soils (adjacent to I-A)
Township of Lacey 2 Suitable Habitat Prinmry Cover. Secondary Soils (isolated from I-A) 3 Suitable Habitat Secondary Cover, Primary Sofl (adjacent to I-ANi-B)
Ocean County, New Jersey NJDEP, ORM, BG. 1996. 01S Resource Data, Sod*e1, Volume 2.
NJDEP, OIRM, MGIS. 2001. 1995/97 Land Use/Land Cover, Sweries1,Volume 5.
4 Suitable Habitat: Pimary Cover, Tertiary Soils (adjacent to I-All B) State of New Jersey. Office of IrormastbnTectnology. 2003. New Jersey 2002 H1nhReeo/9fon Orfl*photography
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E. Field Investigation The site investigation was used to gather information on the on-site conditions and surrounding character of the area and to field verify conditions presented in Landscape Project and pine snake habitat mapping. The area of interest was found to consist of a mix of field, pine-oak woodland, and scrub/shrub and forested wetland vegetation.
Pitch pine is particularly prevalent within upland woodland portions of the area, growing densely especially to the north. Other fairly common trees within this community include black cherry, sassafras, and eastern red cedar. Scrub oak is common in the understory while black huckleberry and saplings of the above-mentioned trees are occasionally encountered. According to the Ocean County Soil Survey, as prepared by the USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS, 1980),
soils within the bulk of the area of interest 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 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 visit and the dense canopy and other human-influenced factors also likely combine to preclude the use of the woodland as Cooper's hawk habitat.
The potential Pine Barrens treefrog habitat consists of an area of emergent/scrub-shrub and forested wetlands just north of the discharge canal. 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.
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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.
Although no impacts to on-site wetlands are proposed as part of the planned security upgrades, the presence of Pine Barrens treefrog may affect the proposed activities in the adjacent pine-oak woodland. No Pine Barrens treefrogs were encountered during the preliminary site inspection, 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 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 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 Generating Station. Green frogs were heard from this wetland on each sampling date while bullfrog was identified by' call on June 22 only. In contrast, at the control site near Webbs Mill Branch, 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 the study area at the Oyster Creek Generating. Station.
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Legend 0 0.5 1 2 3 4Miles Streams
- )Lakes FIGURE 8: PINE BARRENS TREEFROG CONTROL SITE Relative Locations of Control Site, Local Roads Webbs Mill Branch, County Route 539 and Major Roads Study Area, Oyster Creek Generating Station Municipal Boundary both Township of Lacey Ocean County, New Jersey Li_) County Boundary EcoiSciences, Inc.
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IV. CONCLUSION EcoISciences conducted a habitat evaluation for threatened and endangered species on a portion of the site of the Oyster Creek Generating Station, Lacey Township, Ocean County.
Planned National Security upgrades around the generating station have necessitated a review of possible impacts to potential threatened and endangered species habitat in undeveloped portions of the facility.
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 a 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 field investigation, was determined to be potential habitat for Pine Barrens treefrog. Although no activities have been proposed in this area, presence of Pine Barrens treefrog may affect adjacent upland habitat, including the area of the proposed parking lot expansion. A survey for Pine Barrens treefrog is therefore necessary.
- EcolSciences 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 study conducted by EcolSciences indicates that no fuirther investigation for threatened and endangered species is warranted for this site.
" The proposed National Security upgrades will not negatively impact threatened and endangered species and as such should be permitted by the NJDEP.
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V. REFERENCES New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2002. 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.ni.us/dep/fw/pinesnak.htm NJDEP, Office of Information Resources Management (OIRM), Bureau of Geographic Information Systems (BGIS). '1996. GIS ResourceData, 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/proiects/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\EnO4-086\Report\TE rev hab eval.doc 19
ATTACHMENT A Natural Heritage Program Letter EcoiSciences, Inc.
Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance F:'JOBS04\En04-096\Report\TE rev hab eval.doc
P? S.,.I !Y-*.-
ECOLSUB'LiJJ, MONU tkate ozf Xeiv Terag mes E. McGreevey Department of Environmental Protection Bradley M. Campbell Governor Division of Parks and Forestry Commissioner Office of Natural Lands Management Natural Heritage Program P.O. Box 404.
Trenton, NJ 08625-0404 Tel. #609-984-1339 Fax. #609-984-1427 May 11, 2004 Daniel Brill EcolSciences, Inc.
75 Fleetwood Drive, Suite 250 Rockaway, NJ 07866 Re: Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, EN04-086
Dear Mr. Brill:
Thank you for your data request regarding rare species information for the above referenced project site in Lacey 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 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 wildlife species or wildlife habitat on the referenced site. Please see Table I for species list and conservation status.
Table I (on referenced site).
Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status State Status Grank Stank barred owl Strix varia T/T G5 S3B Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii T/T G5 S3B,S4N dotted skipper Hespera attalus slossonae Special Concern G3G4T3 S2S3 eastern box turtle Terrapene carolina Special Concern G5 S5B northern pine snake Pituophis m. melanoleucus T G4T4 S3 pine barrens treefrog Hyla andersonii T G4 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 Stank black skimmer foraging area Rynchops niger E G5 S1B black-crowned night-heron foraging habitat Nycticorax nycticorax T/S G5 S3B,S4N colonial waterbird foraging habitat Fowler's toad Bufo woodhousii fowleri Special Concern G5 S4 spotted turtle Clemmys guttata Special Concern G5 S4 tern species foraging habitat We have also checked the Natural Heritage Database for occurrences of rare plant species or natural communities. The Natural Heritage Data Base has records for occurrences of Eupatorium resinosum, Pycnanthemum setosum, Juncts New Jersey is an Equal OpportunityEmployer
caesariensisand 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 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 natural 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 INNATURAL 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 natural 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/imapnj/imapnj.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 NHP File No. 04-3907472
JUN 2002 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES .PPESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL CRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS Vertebrates ACCIPITER COOPERII COOPER'S HAWK T/T G5 S3B,S4N C5T5 AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM TIGRINUM EASTERN TIGER SALAMANDER E S2 AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM GRASSHOPPER SPARROW T/S G5 S2B ARDEA HERODIAS GREAT BLUE HERON S/S GS S2B, S4N BARTRAMIA LONGICAUDA UPLAND SANDPIPER E G5 SIB BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS AMERICAN BITTERN E/S G4 S2B BUTEO LINEATUS RED-SHOULDERED HAWK E/T G5. SIB, S2N CALIDRIS CANUTUS RED KNOT T G5 S3N CHARADRIUS MELODUS PIPING PLOVER LT E G3 SIB C5 CIRCUS CYANEUS NORTHERN HARRIER E/U SIB, S3N G5 SIB CISTOTHORUS PLATENSIS SEDGE WREN E CLEMMYS INSCULPTA WOOD TURTLE T G4 S3 CLEMMYS MUHLENBERGII BOG TURTLE LT E G3 S2 CROTALUS HORRIDUS HORRIDUS TIMBER RATTLESNAKE E G4T4 S2 EGRETTA .CAERULEA LITTLE BLUE HERON S/S G5 S2B EGRETTA THULA SNOWY EGRET S/S G5 S3B, S4N EGRETTA TRICOLOR TRI COLORED HERON INC/S G5 S32 ELAPHE GUTTATA GUTTATA CORN SNAKE E G5T5 Si, EUMECES FASCIATUS FIVE-LINED SKINK U G5 S3 FALCO PEREGRINUS PEREGRINE FALCON E G4 SIB, S?N HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS BALD EAGLE LT E G4 SIB, S2N HYLA ANDERSONII PINE BARRENS TREEFROG E G4 S3 HYLA CHRYSOSCELIS COPE'S GRAY TREEFROG E 05 S2 IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS LEAST BITTERI; D/S G5 S3B LAMPROPELTIS GETULA GETULA EASTERN KING SNAKE SC G5TS S3 LATERALLUS JAMAICENSIS BLACK RAIL T/T 04 S2B LYNX RUFUS BOBCAT E G5 S3 MELANERPES ERYTHROCEPHALUS RED-HEADED WOODPECKER T/T G5 " S2B, S2N NYCTANASSA VIOLACEA YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON T/T G5 S2B
2 27 JUN 2002 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 NYCTICORAX NYCTICORAX BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON T/S G5 SIB, S4N PANDION HALIAETUS OSPREY T/T G5 S2B PITUOPHIS MELANOLEUCUS NORTHERN PINE SNAKE T G4 T4 S3 MELANOLEUCUS PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS GLOSSY IBIS D/S G5 S3B, S4N PODILYMBUS PODICEPS PIED-BILLED GREBE E/S G5 SIB, S3N POOECETES GRAMINEUS VESPER SPARROW E G5 SIB,S2N RYNCHOPS NIGER BLACK SKIMMER E G5 SIB STERNA ANTI LLARUM LEAST TERN E G4 SIB STERNA DOUGALLII DOUGALLII ROSEATE TERN LE E G4T3 SHB STERNA HIRUNDO COMMON TERN D/S G5 S3B STERNA NILOTICA SlB GULL-BILLED TERN S G5 SIB STRIX VARIA BARRED OWL T/T G5 S3B SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI SOUTHERN BOG LEMMING U G5 S2
- - Ecosystems COASTAL DUNE SHRUBLAND COASTAL DUNE SHRUBLAND G4 S2?
COASTAL DUNE WOODLAND COASTAL DUNE WOODLAND G2G3 S1 MARINE INTERTIDAL GRAVEL/SAND MARINE INTERTIDAL GRAVEL/SAND GU SU BEACH COMMUNITY BEACH COMMUNITY PINE PLAINS DWARF PITCH PINE-BLACKJACK OAK Gi Si PINE PLAINS PINUS RIGIDA-CALAMOVILFA PITCH PINE-PINELANDS REEDGRASS G1 'SI BREVIPILIS SAVANNA SAVANNA
- Invertebrates ACRONI CTA ALBARUFA BARRENS DAGGERMOTH G3G4 SU AESHNA CLEPSYDRA MOTTLED DARNER G4 $2S3 AGROTIS BUCHHOLZI BUCHHOLZ'S DART G2 S2 AMBLYSCIRTES VIALIS. ROADSIDE SKIPPER G5 $2S3
JUN 2002 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN
.THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS APHARETRA. DENTATA A NOCTUID MOTH G4 $2S3 ATRYTONE AROGOS AROGOS AROGOS SKIPPER E G3G4TIT2 S1 BOLORIA SELENE MYRINA A SILVER-BORDERED FRITILLARY T G5T5 82 CALLOPHRYS HENRICI HENRY'S ELFIN G5 S3S4 CALLOPHRYS HESSELI HESSEL'S HAIRSTREAK G3G4 SIS4 CALLOPHRYS IRUS FROSTED ELFIN T G3 $2S3 CALLOPHRYS POLIOS HOARY ELFIN G5 S3 CALLOPISTRIA GRANITOSA GRANITOSA FERN MOTH G4G5 S2S3 CATOCALA HERODIAS GERHARDI HERODIAS OR GERHARD'S G3T3 S3 UNDERWING CATOCALA JAIR SSP 2 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 $2S3 CONSENTANEA CRANBUS DAECRELLUS DAECKE'S PYRALID MOTH GIG3 SIS3 DATANA RANAECEPS A HAND-MAID MOTH G3G4 $3S4 ENALLAGMA PICTUM SCARLET BLUET G3 S3 ENALLAGMA RECURVATUM PINE BARRENS BLUET 03 S3 ERYNNIS PERSIUS PERSIUS A PERSIUS DUSKY WING G5T2T3 SH EUPHYES BIMACULA TWO-SPOTTED SKIPPER G4 S3
.FARONTA RUBRIPENNIS PINK STREAK G3G4 S3 GLENA PLUMOSARIA G4 SU GRAMMIA PLACENTIA PLACENTIA TIGER MOTH G4 SS3 HESPERIA ATTALUS SLOSSONAE DOTTED SKIPPER G3G4T3 $2S3 HETAERINA AMERICANA AMERICAN RUBYSPOT G5 S3 HETEROCAMPA'VARIA A NOTODONTID MOTH G3G4 S3 HYPOMECIS BUCHHOLZARIA BUCHHOLZ' S GRAY G3G4 S3 ITAME SP 1 A SPANWORM G3 S3
4 27 JUN 2002 OCEAN COUNTY
- RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS LIBELLULA AURIPENNIS GOLDEN-WINGED SKIMMER 05 SIS2 LIBELLULA AXILENA BAR-WINGED SKIMMER G5 S2BS3B, SZ N
LITHOPHANE LEMMERI LEMMER'S PINION MOTH G3G4 S2 MACROCHILO SP I A NOCTUID MOTH G3 S3 MEROLONCHE DOLLI DOLL'S MEROLONCHE G3G4 SIS3 METARRANTHI S PILOSARIA COASTAL BOG METARRANTHIS G3G4 S3S4 METARRANTHIS SP 1 A GEOMETRID MOTH G3 S2 NEONYMPHA AREOLATA A SATYR G4T3T4 S3 SEPTENTRIONALIS NICROPHORUS AMERICANUS AMERICAN BURYING BEETLE LE E G2G3 SH PONTIA PROTODICE CHECKERED WHITE T G4 S1 PTICHODIS BISTRIGATA SOUTHERN PTICHODI S G3 S1S3 PYGARCTIA ABDOMINALI S YELLOW EDGED PYGARCTIA G3G4 SH RICHIA SP 2 GIQ Si G4 SEMIOTHISA EREMIATA THREE-LINED ANGLE MOTH SU G2G3 SPARTINI PHAGA CARTERAE CARTER'S NOCTUID MOTH - S2 G3G4 ZALE SP 1 PINE BARRENS ZALE S3 ZANCLOGNATHA SP 1 G3G4 S3 ZANCLOGNATHA THERALI S G4 SH
- Other types BALD EAGLE WINTERING SITE BALD EAGLE WINTERING SITE G? S?
COASTAL HERON ROOKERY COASTAL HERON ROOKERY GU S3 MIGRATORY SHOREBIRD MIGRATORY SHOREBIRD G? S?
CONCENTRATION SITE CONCENTRATION SITE
- Vascular plants ALOPECURUS AEQUALIS VAR SHORT-AWN MEADOW-FOXTAIL G5T? S2 AEQUALIS
JUN 2002 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS AMARANTHUS PUMILUS SEABEACH AMARANTH LT E G2 S1 AMIANTHIUM MUSCITOXICUM FLY POISON G4GS S2 ARETHUSA BULBOSA DRAGON MOUTH G4 S2 ARISTIDA DICHOTOMA VAR CURTISS' THREE-AWN GRASS C5T5 S2 CURTISSII ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT G4 S3 ARTEMISIA CAMPESTRIS SSP BEACH WORMWOOD G5T5 S2 CAUDATA ASCLEPIAS LANCEOLATA SMOOTH ORANGE MILKWEED G5 S2 ASCLEPIAS RUBRA RED MILKWEED LP G4G5 S2 ASTER RADULA LOW ROUGH ASTER E G5 Si BUCHNERA AMERICANA BLUEHEARTS G5? SX CACALIA ATRIPLICIFOLIA PALE INDIAN PLANTAIN E G4G5 CALAMOVILFA BREVIPILIS PINE BARREN REEDGRASS LP G4 S4 CARDAMINE LONGII LONG'S BITTERCRESS E G3 SH G4 CAREX BARRATTII BARRATT'S SEDGE LP S4 G3G4 CAREX MITCHELLIANA MITCHELL'S SEDGE S2 G5 S2 CAREX PALLESCENS PALE SEDGE G5T5 S2 CAREX WILLDENOWII VAR WILLDENOW'S SEDGE WILLDENOWII CIRSIUM VIRGINIANUM VIRGINIA THISTLE E G3 S1 CLITORIA MARIANA BUTTERFLY-PEA 05 Si COREMA CONRADIII BROOM CROWBERRY LP G4 S1 COREOPSIS ROSEA ROSE-COLOR COREOPSIS E LP G3 S2 CROTON WILLDENOWII ELLIPTICAL RUSHFOIL LP G5 S2 E
E DESMODIUM PAUCIFLORUM FEW-FLOWER TICK-TREFOIL G5 Sl SALT-MARSH SPIKE-RUSH G4 S2 ELEOCHARIS NALOPHILA ELEOCHARIS TORTILIS TWISTED SPIKE-RUSH E E G5 Si ERIOCAULON PARKERI PARKER'S PIPEWORT G3 S2 ROUGH COTTON-GRASS G5 Si ERIOPHORUM TENELLUM
6 27 JUN 2002 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMWNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL .GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM VAR MARSH RATTLESNAKE-MASTER G4T4 S3 AQUATICUM EUPATORIUM RESINOSUM PINE BARREN BONESET LP G3 S2 FIMBRISTYLIS CAROLINIANA CAROLINA FIMBRY G4 S2 FRAXINUS PROFUNDA PUMPKIN ASH G4 Si FUIRENA SQUARROSA HAIRY UMBRELLA-SEDGE G4G5 S3 GALACTIA VOLUBILIS DOWNY MILK-PEA G5 SH GENTIANA AUTUMNALIS PINE BARREN GENTIAN LP G3 S3 GLAUX MARITIMA SEA-MILKWORT E G5 SX. 1 GNAPHALI UM HELLERI SMALL EVERLASTING E G4G5T3?' SH HELONIAS BULLATA SWAMP- PINK LT E LP G3 S3 HONCKENYA PEPLOIDES VAR SEABEACH. SANDWORT GST4 S2 ROBUSTA HOTTONIA INFLATA FEATHERFOIL
- E G4 Sl HOUSTONIA LONGIFOLIA LONG-LEAF SUMMER BLUET G4G5 SH JEFFERSONIA DIPHYLLA TWINLEAF E G5 Si JUNCUS CAESARIENSIS NEW JERSEY RUSH E LP G2 S2 JUNCUS GREENEI GREENE'S RUSH G5 S2 JUNCUS TORREYI TORREY'S RUSH E G5 SI LIMOSELLA SUBULATA AWL-LEAP MUDWORT E G4G5 SI E G4 LINUM INTERCURSUM SANDPLAIN FLAX G4 LISTERA AUSTRALIS SOUTHERN TWAYBLADE LP S2 G4 LOBELIA CANBYL CANBY 'S LOBELIA LP S3 G4G5 LUDWIGIA BREVIPES TUCKER'S ISLAND SX. 1 PRIMROSE-WILLOW LUZULA ACUMINATA HAIRY WOOD-RUSH E GST4T5 52 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
JUN 2002 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL' COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS nARTHECIUM AMERICANUN BOG ASPHODEL C E LP G2 S2 NYMPHOIDES CORDATA FLOATINGHEART LP G5 S3 OENOTHERA HUMIFUSA SEA-BEACH EVENING-PRIMROSE E G5 S2 ONOSMODIUM VIRGINIANUM VIRGINIA FALSE-GROMWELL E G4 Si PASPALUM DISSECTUM MUDBANK CROWN GRASS G4? S2 PHORADENDRON LEUCARPUM AMERICAN MISTLETOE LP G5 S2 PITYOPSIS FALCATA SICKLE-LEAF GOLDEN-ASTER LP G3G4 S3 PLANTAGO MARITIMA VAR SEASIDE PLANTAIN G5T5 S2 JUNCOIDES PLANTAGO PUSILLA DWARF PLANTAIN E G5 SH POLYGONUM GLAUCUM SEA-BEACH KNOTWEED E G3 Si PRENANTHES AUTUMNALI S PINE BARREN RATTLESNAKE-ROOT LP G4G5 S2 PRUNUS ANGUSTIFOLIA CHICKASAW PLUM G5T4T5 S2 PUCCINELLIA FASCICULATA SALTMARSH ALKALI GRASS G3G5 S2 PYCNANTHEMUM SETOSUM AWNED MOUNTAIN-MINT G3? S3 RANUNCULUS CYMBALARIA SEASIDE BUTTERCUP E G5 SH RHODODENDRON ATLANTICUM DWARF AZALEA E G4G5 St RHYNCHOSPORA CEPHALANTHA LARGE-HEAD BEAKED-RUSH LP G5 S3 RHYNCHOSPORA GLOBULARI S COARSE GRASS-LIKE BEAKED-RUSH G5? Si RIJYNCHOSPORA INNUNDATA SLENDER HORNED-RUSH LP G3G4 S2 RHYNCHOSPORA KNI ESKERNI I KNIESKERN'S BEAKED-RUSH G .I LT E LP S1 RHYNCHOSPORA MICROCEPHALA SMALL- HEAD BEAKED-RUSH E 05Tt Si RHYNCHOSPORA NITENS SHORT-BEAKED BALD-RUSH G4? S2 RHYNCHOSPORA PALLIDA PALE BEAKED-RUSH G3 S3 RUBUS RECURVICAULIS BLANCHARD'S DEWBERRY G4? Si.1 RUMEX HASTATULUS ENGE4ANN'S SORREL G5 SH SABATIA CAMPANULATA SLENDER MARSH-PINK G5 S3 SABATIA DODECANDRA VAR LARGE MARSH-PINK G5?T4TS S2 DODECANDRA SCHIZAEA PUSILLA CURLY GRARS FERN LP G3 S3
a 27 JUN 2002 OCEAN COUNTY RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK STATUS STATUS STATUS SCHWALBEA AMERICANA CHAFFSEED LE E LP G2 Si SCIRPUS LONGII LONG'S WOOLORASS LP G2 S2 SCIRPUS MARITIMUS SALTMARSH BULRUSH E GS SH SCLERIA MINOR SLENDER NUT-RUSH LP S4 G5 SOLIDAGO STRICTA WAND-LIKE GOLDENROD LP 53 SOLIDAGO TARDA LATE GOLDENROD G4?Q S3 SPIRANTHES LACINIATA LACE-LIP LADIES'-TRESSES G4GS SI SPIRANTHES ODORATA FRAGRANT LADIES'-TRESSES GS S2 STYLISMA PICKERINGiI VAR PICKERING'S MORNING-GLORY E LP G4T2T3 Si PICKERINGII E
TIPULARIA DISCOLOR CRANEFLY ORCHID G4G5 S3 TRIDENS FLAVUS VAR CHAPMANII CHAPMAN'S REDTOP GST? SH E
TRIGLOCHIN MARITIMA SEASIDE ARROW-GRASS G5 Si E
UTRICULARIA BIFLORA TWO-FLOWER BLADDERWORT G5 Si E
UTRICULARIA MINOR LESSER BLADDERWORT GS. Si UTRICULARIA PURPUREA PURPLE BLADDERWORT E LP GS S3 UVULARIA PUBERULA VAR NITIDA PINE BARREN BELLWORT GST3? S2 E
VERBENA SIMPLEX NARROW-LEAF VERVAIN G5 Si E
XYRIS FIMBRIATA FRINGED YELLOW-EYED-GRASS GS SI E
ZIGADENUS LEIMANTHOIDES DEATH-CAMUS G4Q S1 201 Records Processed
CAUTIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON NATURAL HERITAGE DATA 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 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 required for environmental assessments. The attached data is. provided as one source of information to assist others in thepreservation of natural diversity.
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, Trenton, NJ 08625-0401.
The Landscape Project was developed by the Division of Fish .& Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program to map critical habitat for rare animal species. Some of the. rare species data in the Landscape Project is in the Natural Heritage Database, while other records were. obtained from other sources. Natural Heritage Database response letters will list all species (if any) found during a search of the Landscape Project. However, any reports that are included with the response letter will only reference specific records if they are in the Natural Heritage Database. This office.
cannot answer, any 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.
This cautions and restrictions notice'must be included whenever information provided by the Natural. Heritage Database is published.
" iDepprtent 'o'Enviromenta Protection
. DisN of Patursf and Mr agmr Naual Lands Mfanagement
MAY 2004 IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF PROJECT SITE BASED ON SEARCH OF NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK DATE OBSERVED IDENT. LOCATION STATUS STATUS STATUS Vascular plants
'ATORIUM RESINOSUM PINE BARREN BONESET E LP G3 S2 1993-09-?? Y EAST SIDE OF ROUTE 9 JUST NORTH OF BAY PARKWAY. IN RECOVERING CRANBERRY BOG ON SOUTH BANK OF OYSTER CREEK.
JCUS CAESARIENSIS 'NEW JERSEY RUSH E LP G2 S2 1922-09-?? Y OYSTER CREEK ALONG TUCKERTON
.R, NW [OF) WARETOWN.
MANTHEMUM SETOSUM AWNED MOUNTAIN-MINT G3? S3 1993-??-?? Y EAST SIDE OF ROUTE 9. JUST NORTH OF BAY PARKWAY, SOUTH OF OYSTER CREEK.
IIZAEA PUSILLA CURLY GRASS FERN LP G3 S3 1915-07-10 Y BY OYSTER CREEK NN ALONG TUCKERTON RE FROM WARETOWN.
!ecords Processed
Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Heritage Priority Sites What are Natural Heritage Priority Sites? endangered or threatened species have been Through its Natural Heritage Database, the Office documented from a particular piece of land, a of Natural Lands Management (ONLM) identifies.. Natural Heritage Database search can be requested critically important areas to conserve New Jerseys by contacting the Office of Natural Lands biological diversity. .The..database provides . Management at .the address below.
detailed, up-to-date information on rare species and.
nnatural communities to planners, developers, and What do the boundaries of the sites contain?
conservation agencies for use in resource The boundaries of each Natural Heritage Priority
- management, environmental impact assessment, Site are drawn to encompass critical habitat for the and both public and private land protection efforts. rare species or natural communities. Often. the boundaries extend to include additional buffer*
Using the database, ONLM has identified Natural lands that should be managed to protect the habitat.
Heritage Priority Sites that represent some of the A justification for the boundary is provided for
- b.est.remaining habitat for rare species and each site. The term "primary bounds" is sometimes exemplary natural communities in the state. These *used to refer to boundaries, enclosing critical
- areas should be considered to be top priorities for habitat. The term "secondary bounds" is the preservation-of biological diversityin New: sometimes used to refer to boundaries enclosing Jersey. If these.sites become degraded or
- additional buffer.. In maps where both primary and
- destroyed, we may lose some of the unique. secondary.. boundaries;are described,. only the components of our natural heritage. outermost boundaryis provided in the mapping.
ONLM has identified 410 priority sitebover the 'What is the background map that the sites course of more than 10 years. We have received are drawn upon?
assistance from many partner individuals and The sites are portrayed on background maps
- agencies over this time. The Nature Conservancy produced from a digital copyof the U.S. Geological and the DEP Endangered and Nongame. Species .Survey 7.5.miniute topographic maps. The Program have provided. key. information. or assisted background maps contain.topographic lines as well with:the delineation of a-number of the sites. as streams, lakes, roads, towns and place names.
These background maps do not always reflect How are Natural*Heritage Priority Site maps ..recent changes in land development. Some maybe used in conservation of biological diversity? more than 20 years old. Some sites appear to be Natural Heritage Priority .Site maps are used by shifted in position against this topo map. This shift individuals and agencies concerned with the is due to the fact that most sites have been digitized protection and management of land. The maps against a background of rectified aerial have been used by municipalities preparing natural photography, and some of the digitized USGS topo resource inventories; public and private maps do not align with this photography.
conservation organizations preparing open space acquisition goals; land developers and consultants What do "public lands" depict on the maps?
identifying environmentally sensitive lands; and The "public lands" shaded on these maps are state-public and private landowners developing land owned open space landsthat have been digitized as management plans.. a GIS coverage by the state Green Acres Program.
This information is provided to show patterns of Natural Heritage Priority Sites contain some of the State land ownership in the.vicinity of the Priority best and most viable occurrences of endangered Site. The public lands are areas such as State Parks and threatened species and natural. communities, : and Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, and but they do not cover all known habitat for Natural Lands Trust preserves. They do not endangered and threatened species in New Jersey. 'currently include lands owned by otherstate If information is needed on whether or not agencies, federal, county or municipal governments
or nonprofit conservation organizations. This GIS elements that are rare in the State.
coverage is constantly being updated, and therefore future editions of the maps will. likely contain B5 - Of general biodiversity interest.
additional public lands that are not currently mapped as such.. How can.I obtain Natural Heritage Priori Site maps for an area of interest to me?
What is the biodiversity significance rank Natural Heritage Priority Site hard copy maps can be obtained by submitting a written request and how is it used?
accompanied by a check or money order made Each site is ranked.according to its significance for
- payable to the Office of Natural Lands biological diversity using a scale developed by The Management at the following address:
Nature Conservancy and the network of Natural
.Heritage Programs. The ranks can be used to Office of Natural Lands Management distinguish between sites that are of global P.O. Box 404 significance for conservation of biological diversity Trenton, NJ 08625-0404 vs. those that, are of statesignificance. The scale Phone: 609-984-1339; Fax: 609-984-1427 ranges fi'om B I to B15 with sites rariked BI-B3 generally being of global significance and sites
.. Individual 8.5" X 11" maps are available at the,..
ranked B4-B5 being of state significance. The following rate:..,,}- -
specific definitions for each rank are as follows:
- 1 - 10 site maps & reports: $1.50/sice.
B i - Outstanding significance, generally the "last of the 11-.20 site maps & reports: . $1.00/site least' in the world, such as the only known occurrence of S> 20.sites: _- .- . " .. $0.50/sit.
any element (species or natural cormnunity), the best or :t an excellent occurrence of an element ranked critically: DigitalGIS Coverage of NaturalHeritage Prioruy:
imperiled globally, or a concentration (4+) of good.or .Sites-excellent occurrences of elenments, that are imperiled.or-. A digital version. of the ArcView GIS file of ".
critically imperiled glo.bally. The site should be viable Natural Heritage Priority Sites is also. available.
and defensible for the elements or ecological processes The zipped version of the file is approximately 1_.
contained. l:.RM.in size. The. 2001. version of Natural Heritage Priority Sites will be emailed: upon request.. The B2 - Very high significahice,such as the most outstanding .1999.version of the digital. files cani be obtained &*.
occurrence of any natural Community. Also includes areas containing other occurrences of elements that are " the internet at the following'address:.
critically imperiled globally, a good or excellent .- http://ivw..wwstate.nj.us/dep/gis/ -Click on "GIS Data occurrence of an element that is imperiled globally, an Downloads'.'.. and then ."$elect a data layer'! and. then excellent occurrence of an element that is rare globally, '."Natural Heritage Priority Sites". Thereis no or a concentration (4+) of'good occurrences of globally charge for emailing or.downloading the GIS data.
rare elements or viable occurrences of globally imperiled elements.
How often are the maps updated?
B3 - High significance, such as any other viable The Natural Heritage Priority -Site information is occurrence of an element that is globally imperiled, a constantly being updated in the Natural Heritage good occurrence of a globally rare element, an excellent Database. Anew edition of the maps will be made occurrence of any natural community, or a concentration available after significant revisions or additions to, (4+) of good or excellent occurrences of elements that the Database.
are critically imperiled in the State.
April 9, 2002 B4 - Moderate significance, such as a viable occurrence of a globally rare element, a good occurrence of any.
natural community, a good or excellent occurrence or only viable state occurrence of an element that is NJ Department of Environmental. Protection critically imperiled in the State, an excellent occurrence Division of Parks and Forestry of an element that is imperiled in the State,.or a - .
concentration (4+) of good occurrences of elements that - A Natural Lands Management are imperiled in the State or excellent occurrences of
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Natural Heritage Priority Site Middle Branch Forked River Locational Information.
Quad Name: Forked River County: Ocean Municipality Lacey Twp Descriptionof Site Open wetlands adjacent to pine barren stream through Atantic white cedar swamp.
Boundary Justification Boundaries include wetland habitat for rare plant species plus undeveloped uplands in the drainage basin east of the Garden State Parkway. With additional field work, bounds may be expanded upstream west of the Parkway.
Biodiversity Rank Wfl Several globally rare and State listed plant species.
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.d Foq July, 2001 7Natural Lands Management Site Code: S.USNJRP1*365
EXPLANATIONS OF CODES USED IN NATURAL HERITAGE REPORTS
.FEDERAL STATUS CODES The following U.S. Fish and WildlifeService 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. S0 CFR P-rt 17). Federal Status codes reported for species follow the most recent Ilstir.g.'
LE Taxa formally listed as endangered.
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.
S/A Similarity of appearance species.
STATE STATUS CODES Two animal lists provide state status codes after the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act of 1973 (NSSA 23:2A-13 et. seq.): the list of endangered species (NJ.A.C. 7:25-4.13) and the list defining status of indigenous, nongame wildlife species of NewJersey (NJ.A.C. 7:25-4.1 7(a)). The status of 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.
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 specles-a species that formerly occurred in NewJersey, but is not now known to exist within the state.
I " Introduced species-a species-not native to New Jersey 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 New Jersey is at the extreme* edge of its present natural range.
S Stable species-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.
Status 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 migratory or winter population.
.Page 2 Planttaxa listed as endangeted are from New Jersey's official Endangered Plant Species List NJ.S.A. 131 B- 15.151 et seq.
E Native New Jersey plant species whose survival in the State or nation is In jeopardy, REGIONAL STATUS CODES FOR PLANTS 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.
EXPLANATION OF GLOBAL AND STATE ELEMENT.RANKS The Nature Conservancy has developed a ranking system for use in Identifying elements (rare species and natural communities) of natural diversity most endangered with extinction. Each element Is ranked according to its global, national, and state (or subnational in other countries) rarity. These ranks are used to prioritize conservation work.so that the most endangered elements receive attention first. Definitions for eJement ranks are after The Nature Conservancy (1982: Chapter 4, 4.1-I through 4.4.1.3-3).
GLOBAL 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 especialiy vulnerable to extinction.
G2 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.
G3 Either very rare and local throughout Its range or found locally (even a.bundantly at sorie.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.
G5 Demonstrably secure globally; although it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
GH Ofhistorical occurrence throughout its range I.e., formerly part of the established biota, 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.
STATE ELEMENT RANKS Sl Critically Imperiled in New lersey because of extreme rarity (S 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.
Page 3 52 Imperiled in NewJersey 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',pdditional occurrences.
53 Rare in state with 21 to 100 occurrences (plant species in this category have only 21 to 50 occurrences), Includes elemertts 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.
SS 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; 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.
(viable introduced occurrences of GI or G2 elements may be exceptions).
SH. Elements of historical occurrence in NewJersey. Despite some searching of historical occurrences and/or potential habitat; no extant occurrences are known. Since not all ofthe historical occurrences have beenfheld surveyed, and unsearched potential habitat remains, historically ranked taxa are considered possibly extant, and remain a conservation priority for continued field work.
SP Element has potential to occur in NewJersey, but no occurrences have been reported.
SR Elements reported from New Jersey, but without persuasive documentation which would provide a basis for either accepting or rejecting the report. In some instances documentation 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.
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 NewJersey. All historical occurrences have been searched and a reasonable search of potential habitat has been completed. Extirpated taxa are not a current conservation priority.
SXC Elements presumed extirpated from New Jersey, but native populations collected from the wild exist in cultivation.
SZ Not of practical conservation concern in Newjersey, because there are no definable occurrences, although the taxon is native and appears regularly in the state. An SZ rank will generally be used for long distance migrants whose occurrences during their migrations 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 a non-breeding population (N) in the state - for example, birds on migration. An SZ rank may in a few instances also apply to a breeding population (B), for example certain lepidoptera which regularly die out every year with no significant return migration.
Page 4 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 "GST? SH" 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" inthe 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.
Note: To express uncertainty, the most likely rank is assigned and a question mark added (e.g., G2?). A range is indicated by combining two ranks (e.g.,
G1G2, SS3).
IDENTIFICATION CODES These codes refer to whether the identification of the species or community has been checked by a reliable individual and is Indicative of significant habitat.
Y Identification has been verified and is indicative of significant habitat.
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 determined if the. record Is indicative of significant habitat or the identification of thi species or community may be confusing or disputed.
R&nsd SpIý*f 1990
ATTACHMENT B Qualifications of Preparers EcoliSciences, Inc.
Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance F:\JOBS04\EnO4-086\Report\TE rev hab eval.doc
EcolSciences, Inc., was founded in 1973 in response to the growing need for responsible environmental planning, as mandated by NEPA, The National Environmental Policy Act. EcolSciences specializes in performing environmental investigations relating to permit acquisition and regulatory 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.
During more than twenty years, EcolSciences has successfully completed more than 3,000 studies for private, quasi-public and public clients. EcolSciences has represented many of the country's leading industries, corporations, developers, and financial institutions including AT&T, American Cyanamid Company, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Hartz Mountain Industries, Trammell Crow Company, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, Midlantic National Bank, and First Fidelity 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 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. EcoiSciences 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 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 testimony; senior staff of the firm have testified in public hearings, Administrative Law proceedings, and county, regional and municipal planning boards.
EcolSciences, lnc.
Environmental Management &Regulatory Compliance
Since the promulgation of the New Jersey Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act (ECRA) and it successor, the Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), EcolSciences has been involved in the implementation of the entire ECRA/ISRA program for its industrial clients. More recently, as the demonstration of "due diligence" has become a lending. industry standard, EcolSciences has completed numerous Phase I environmental audits and follow-up Phase II studies to clarify the level of environmental risk, and liability associated with past and current practices at a particular site or facility. These audits typically include such activities as hazardous materials inventories, building and site inspections, subsurface soil investigations, groundwater monitoring, tank testing, asbestos bulk sampling, 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, closure, and subsurface evaluation. All work is conducted under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer.
The biological staff of EcolSciences has conducted over 2,000 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 environmental, engineering and cost factors. This approach provides the information necessary for sound and practical project decisions.
EcolSciences, Inc.
Environmental Management &Regulatory Compliance
DAVID P. MOSKOWITZ EDUCATION: B.A., 1984 - EnvironmentalStudies George Washington. University Washington, D.C.
M.S. 2000 - Environmental Policy Studies New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, N.J.
PROFESSIONAL Society of Wetland Scientists AFFILIATIONS: Association ofField Ornithologists
-ASTM Environmental Committee (1.998-2002)
DragonflySociety of the Americas PROFESSIONAL Professional Wetland Scientist - SWS CERTIFICATIONS: Certified Wetland Delineator- Corps of Engineers USEPA Wetland Delineation - WTI QualifiedOrnithologist- NJDEP QualifiedBog Turtle Surveyor - USFWS OTHER: Wetland JournalTechnical Review Board (2000-2002)
SWS CertificationReview Panel (1998-2001)
Poricy Park Board of Directors (1999-2002)
East Brunswick Environmental Commission USFWS N.J. Breeding BirdSurvey Coordinator(1995-1997)
Identification of Sedges and Rushes - Rutgers University FieldIdentification of Raptors - University of Maine Identification ofAdult Dragonflies - University of Maine Identification of Larval Dragonflies - University of Maine Systematics & Conservationof Lepidoptera - University of Maine EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Moskowitz is currently a Vice President with EcolSciences, Inc. During the past 17 years, Mr. Moskowitz has conducted more than 3,000 environmental studies for a wide range of clients including government agencies, and the development, legal, engineering and financial professions. The majority of these studies have been focused on wetland and wildlife issues including delineations, mitigation, -field surveys and regulatory compliance. Mr. Moskowitz has also provided expert testimony before numerous municipal boards and has been qualified in Superior Court of New Jersey, and before the 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.
t!. EcolSciences,Inc.
Environmental Management &Regulatory ComplianCe
David P. Moskowitz Page 2 of 5 Wetland Studies 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:
- 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.
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 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.
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.
David P. Moskowvitz Page 3 of 5 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.
- 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. AMoskowitz Page 4 of 5 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(1): 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.
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.
DavidP. Moskowitz Page 5 of 5 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 butterfl' 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 20.01? 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 (ArctiidaeiLithosiinae). 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.
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DANIEL BRILL EDUCATION: B.A., 1996 - Environmental Studies Richard Stockton College AREAS OF Ornithology EXPERTISE: Geographic Information Systems PROFESSIONAL New Jersey Audubon Society ASSOCIATIONS:
PROFESSIONAL Rutgers Cook College Office of Continuing Professional CERTIFICATION: Education (2001)
Wetlands Delineation Certificate Series Professional Certificate Program in Geomatics (Geographic Information Systems)
EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Brill is employed as an environmental scientist with EcolSciences, Inc. His expertise lies in wildlife survey and mapping using GIS.
Mr. Brill's responsibilities include: delineating wetlands based on the Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands, performing wildlife surveys, and preparing Letter of Interpretation and Statewide general applications, and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).
Mr. Brill was an educator. at the Cooper Environmental Center with Ocean County Parks and Recreation and a volunteer on numerous occasions with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and New Jersey Audubon Society preceding his position with EcolSciences.
An outline of Mr. Brill's applicable skills and experience accumulated over the last few years are presented as follows:
4 Assisted in the delineation of wetlands using the Federal Manual methodology of vegetation, soils, and hydrology including:
- Delineation of a 28-acre parcel in Hamburg Borough and Hardyston Township, Sussex County, New Jersey.
- Delineation of a 29-acre parcel in Mount Olive Township, Morris County, New Jersey.
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Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance
Daniel Brill Page 2 Assisted in the composition of Environmental Impact Statements and Assessments for residential, industrial, and commercial projects including:
- A proposed 4-acre light industrial facility in South Plainfield Borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
- .A proposed 4-acre office complex in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.
A proposed 25-acre residential development in Edison Township, Middlesex County,New Jersey.
Ornithological and other wildlife studies frequently involving threatened and endangered species with extensive field work and point and roadside counts including:
- Aided the. Sandy Hook Spring Hawk Count. Thirteen species of raptors were identified and recorded including bald eagle and peregrine falcon.
This work included educating the public on. raptor identification and conservation.
- Project assistance for Neotropical Passerine Critical Areas: Pinelands Survey (Landscape Project for Protection of Rare Species). The objective of this NJDEP sponsored task was to determine the distribution and abundance of neotropical migratory birds and other species along with their structure of habitat. Personal observations include Cooper's hawk and grasshopper sparrow, NJ threatened species.
Participation in New Jersey Breeding Bird Atlas with data contributed towards Birds of New Jersey, published in 1999. Work involved surveying all bird species in all habitats within blocks, one sixth of a USGS quadrangle, during the breeding season in Atlantic County. Detected species were recorded with breeding codes assigned to each based on observed behavior.
Submitted personal observations of rare. and accidental species in the state to the New Jersey Bird Records Committee including swallow-tailed kite and the tenth accepted state record of wood stork, a federally endangered species.
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Environmental Management &Regulatory Compliance
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Environmental Management & Regulatory Compliance