With respect to federal activities in Indiana, during the 3rd quarter of FY 2007, BFO reviewed 17 Section 404 permits (including 2 individual permits), 30 highway projects, 54 other federal aid projects, 37 cell tower projects (resulting in 3 site-specific letters),  17 coal mining activities (including 3 new mining permits and 5 Abandoned Mine Lands projects), 4 FERC hydropower projects, 1 wind power project, 2 federal projects and 15 other federal/state/local permit projects.

This report does not include non-Section 7 aspects of the Endangered Species Program, or the Private Lands or Contaminants programs. It also does not include our northern Indiana sub-office.

Highlights of the third quarter project reviews included the following:

- Met with project sponsors for a major new wind power project in Benton County (with assistance from Jeff Gosse and Bob Russell of the Regional Office).   The project footprint overlays an Important Bird Area which includes the world's most significant spring staging area for migrating American golden plovers.   Based on the most recent estimates, almost half of the entire global population forages on that site during a period of a few weeks in spring.   We're working with the project sponsors to implement conservation measures for the species (contact Mike Litwin).

Continued to coordinate on the multi-state RexEast gas pipeline project.  The project is currently in an environmental study phase and had recently conducted bat surveys that resulted in the capture of several Indiana bats in Indiana (contact Forest Clark).

Attended a preliminary coordination meeting for a US 50 Highway reconstruction project spanning approximately 25 miles in Jennings County, with a major new terrain component.  The route passes near Muscatuck NWR and Big Oaks NWR, which are also involved in project coordination (Contact Mike Litwin).  

Reviewed 3 new surface coal mining permit applications covering approximately 2600 acres.  One of the mining operation surrounds and would adversely affect a dedicated State Nature Preserve (contact Mike Litwin).