May 23, 2011
Terra Technologies has successfully completed threatened and endangered species critical habitat due diligence under the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act for a development parcel in the Village West area of Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Craig Gump, Terrestrial Ecologist with the firm, served as project manager.
Terra Technologies completed a critical habitat investigation on the parcel and identified the location and extent of critical habitat for the Redbelly and Smooth Earth snakes. As the project proposed to impact designated critical habitat, an Action Permit was obtained from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to authorize the proposed activity. In order to offset the negative impacts to critical habitat, Terra Technologies designed an extensive on-site mitigation plan. The mitigation 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 exotic and undesirable tree and shrub species
- Native prairie seeding restoration
- Construction of rock habitat piles
- Oak/hickory tree plantings
Terra Technologies also drafted the conservation easement, which will be held by the third party easement holder the Midwest Mitigation Oversight Association, to provide legal protection of the mitigation site in perpetuity. To find out more about threatened and endangered species permitting, contact your local Terra Technologies office. |
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