January 19, 2012
Terra Technologies has successfully completed threatened and endangered species critical habitat due diligence under the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act for a linear utility project in the Mill Creek Watershed of Johnson County, Kansas. David Flick, Principal with the firm, served as project manager.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism previously completed the assessment for the Johnson County Waste Water Mill Creek 19 project and identified the location and extent of critical habitat for the Redbelly and Smooth Earth snakes. Because the project would impact designated critical habitat, an Action Permit was required to authorize the proposed activity. In order to offset the negative impacts to critical habitat, Terra Technologies developed an extensive mitigation plan for habitat improvement at an off-site parcel in an adjacent watershed. The plan included a mitigation work plan complete with construction details, measurable performance standards to document achievement of the mitigation goals, a detailed maintenance plan, both short term and long term monitoring plans, and adaptive management strategies to ensure that the long term maintenance needs of the mitigation area are met. Ecological improvements at the mitigation site will include:
- Removal of early successional tree species
- Native prairie seeding restoration
- Construction of brush habitat piles
- Oak/hickory tree plantings
To learn more about threatened and endangered species permitting, contact your local Terra Technologies office. |
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