Davey Resource Group

Hocking and Athens Counties, Ohio: Endangered Species Consultation for the Le-Ax Water District Expansion Project

The Le-Ax Water District is planning a 105-mile expansion project that will bring water services into portions of Hocking County, Ohio. The expansion project will occur within the known ranges of three federally listed plant and animal species: federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), federally threatened Aconitum noveboracense (northern monkshood), and federally threatened Isotria medeoloides (small whorled pogonia).

Because each of these species is known to occur within close proximity to the project corridor, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) took an active role consulting on the project and provided specific guidance to identify and minimize any potential impacts to these three species. Davey's expertise with these three species allowed USFWS concerns to be thoroughly addressed and allowed the project planning process to remain on schedule.

Davey's key tasks included:

Indiana bat (potential) maternity roost survey: All potential maternity roost trees within 50 feet of the planned project alignment were documented and mapped using a global positioning system (GPS) unit with sub-meter accuracy.
Indiana bat potential habitat survey: Specific criteria were used to determine if woodlots contained habitat suitable for the Indiana bat. Characteristics included the proximity of a woodlot to a water source, open understory, presence of potential roost trees, presence of flyways and foraging areas within and adjacent to woodlot, and a dominance of mature trees.
Identify potential bat mist-net locations: If potential maternity roost trees could not be avoided during construction, mist-net surveys would be required. Davey biologists experienced in mist-net surveys identified potential netting sites within one-quarter mile of the planned project alignment.
Northern Monkshood and Small Whorled Pogonia Habitat and Presence/Absence Surveys: Davey botanists identified potential habitat for each plant within the project corridor. Areas exhibiting potential habitat characteristics were thoroughly surveyed during each plant species' known blooming periods for evidence of individuals or populations.