ML17103A180
| ML17103A180 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Waterford  |
| Issue date: | 04/13/2017 |
| From: | US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service |
| To: | Division of License Renewal |
| Briana Grange 301-415-1042 | |
| References | |
| 04EL1000-2016-SLI-0334, 04EL1000-2017-E-00657 | |
| Download: ML17103A180 (6) | |
Text
April 13, 2017 United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Suite 400 Lafayette, LA 70506-4290 Phone: (337) 291-3100 Fax: (337) 291-3139 In Reply Refer To:
Consultation Code: 04EL1000-2016-SLI-0334 Event Code: 04EL1000-2017-E-00657 Project Name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal
Subject:
Updated list of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project To Whom It May Concern:
The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered and candidate species, as well as designated and proposed critical habitat that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and may be affected by your proposed project. The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is providing this list under section 7 (c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531
). Changes in this species list may occur due to new information from et seq.
updated surveys, changes in species habitat, new listed species and other factors. Because of these possible changes, feel free to contact our office (337/291-3126) for more information or assistance regarding impacts to federally listed species. The Service recommends visiting the ECOS-IPaC site or the Louisiana Ecological Services website (www.fws.gov/lafayette) at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updated species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.
The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the habitats upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402
), Federal agencies are required to et seq.
utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of Federal trust resources and to determine whether projects may affect Federally listed species and/or designated critical habitat.
A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)
(c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may
04/13/2017 Event Code: 04EL1000-2017-E-00657 2
affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12.
If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected (e.g. adverse, beneficial, insignificant or discountable) by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the Endangered Species Consultation Handbook at or by contacting our office at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF the number above.
Bald eagles have recovered and were removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Species as of August 8, 2007. Although no longer listed, please be aware that bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) (16 U.S.C. 668
).
et seq.
The Service developed the National Bald Eagle Management (NBEM) Guidelines to provide landowners, land managers, and others with information and recommendations to minimize potential project impacts to bald eagles, particularly where such impacts may constitute disturbance, which is prohibited by the BGEPA. A copy of the NBEM Guidelines is available at:
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/es/baldeagle/NationalBaldEagleManagementGuidelines.pdf Those guidelines recommend: (1) maintaining a specified distance between the activity and the nest (buffer area); (2) maintaining natural areas (preferably forested) between the activity and nest trees (landscape buffers); and (3) avoiding certain activities during the breeding season.
On-site personnel should be informed of the possible presence of nesting bald eagles within the project boundary, and should identify, avoid, and immediately report any such nests to this office. If a bald eagle nest occurs or is discovered within or adjacent to the proposed project area, then an evaluation must be performed to determine whether the project is likely to disturb nesting bald eagles. That evaluation may be conducted on-line at:
. Following completion of the evaluation, that website http://www.fws.gov/southeast/es/baldeagle will provide a determination of whether additional consultation is necessary. The Division of Migratory Birds for the Southeast Region of the Service (phone: 404/679-7051, e-mail:
SEmigratorybirds@fws.gov) has the lead role in conducting any necessary consultation. Should you need further assistance interpreting the guidelines or performing an on-line project evaluation, please contact this office.
Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications towers (e.g. cellular, digital television, radio and emergency broadcast) can be found at:
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm
- and http://www.towerkill.com http://fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/comtow.html Activities that involve State-designated scenic streams and/or wetlands are regulated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, respectively. We, therefore, recommend that you contact those agencies to determine their interest in proposed projects in these areas.
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Activities that would be located within a National Wildlife Refuge are regulated by the refuge staff. We, therefore, recommend that you contact them to determine their interest in proposed projects in these areas.
Additional information on Federal trust species in Louisiana can be obtained from the Louisiana Ecological Services website at:
or by calling 337/291-3100.
www.fws.gov/lafayette We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office.
Attachment(s):
Official Species List
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Official Species List This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed action".
This species list is provided by:
Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Suite 400 Lafayette, LA 70506-4290 (337) 291-3100
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Project Summary Consultation Code:
04EL1000-2016-SLI-0334 Event Code:
04EL1000-2017-E-00657 Project Name:
Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal Project Type:
POWER GENERATION Project
Description:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing an application from Entergy Operations, Inc., to allow Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, to operate for an additional 20 years. Waterford is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana in the northwestern section of St. Charles Parish.
License renewal would allow for continued operation of the plant and its cooling system, which draws water from the Mississippi River. License renewal would not involve any construction, construction-type, or ground-disturbing activities.
Project Location:
Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/29.99210200211037N90.47162608344041W Counties:
St. Charles, LA l St. John the Baptist, LA
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Endangered Species Act Species There is a total of 3 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on your species list. Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species. See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially within your project area. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions.
Mammals NAME STATUS West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus)
There is a designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated final critical habitat critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4469 Threatened Fishes NAME STATUS Atlantic Sturgeon (gulf Subspecies) (Acipenser oxyrinchus (=oxyrhynchus) desotoi)
There is a designated for this species. Your location is outside the designated final critical habitat critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/651 Threatened Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7162 Endangered Critical habitats There are no critical habitats within your project area.