Public Comment Invited to Comment on Draft Environmental Assessement/Habitat Conservation Plan that Would Conserve Rare Snake on Kelleys Island, OH as Proposed Development Proceeds
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites public comment on a draft plan that would provide conservation and protection for the federally threatened Lake Erie watersnake and its habitat on Kelleys Island in Erie County, Ohio. Proposed residential development on Kelleys Island would alter habitat used by the rare snake.
A notice of availability of a draft Environmental Assessment and Habitat Conservation Plan and an application for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act, appears in the August 12, 2005 Federal Register. The public will have 60 days to comment on the assessment and plan. The permit application was made by Predevelopment LTD which proposes a single residential development on Long Point on Kelleys Island. The proposed development would alter or destroy habitat needed by the Lake Erie watersnake.
If approved, the incidental take permit would allow the proposed residential development to affect some habitat used by the snakes, as well as take of some snakes, as long as measures outlined in the Habitat Conservation Plan to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts are followed. Before issuing an incidental take permit, the Service must evaluate alternatives considered in the Habitat Conservation Plan. This analysis is included in the draft Environmental Assessment that is now available for public review and comment, along with the plan.
The Endangered Species Act prohibits take – harming, harassing, or killing a listed species, including destruction of habitat. However, the Act allows incidental take – take which is incidental to but not the intent of a particular activity – as long as an approved Habitat Conservation Plan is in place that would mitigate the effects of take and provide for future conservation of the species.
Predevelopment LTD is proposing to develop a 6.45-acre property on Kelleys Island, an area occupied by Lake Erie watersnakes. The area contains one multi-owner residential lot, and under the draft Habitat Conservation Plan, measures would be taken by landowners to conserve the snake and its habitat on the property. Proposed actions to conserve the snake and lessen the impacts of construction and development include:
- Restrictions on when ground-disturbing activities, such as construction and mowing, can occur. Snakes are vulnerable in spring and fall while moving to and from hibernating areas;
- Establishment of a conservation area to protect important lakeside habitat, used by the Lake Erie watersnakes during summer and winter months;
- Restrictions on the use of pesticides and fertilizers in the conservation area, although spot-treatment for poison ivy would be permitted;
- Restrictions on the size and placement of the residence, garage, deck, driveway and septic system;
- Monitoring of the Lake Erie watersnake for 15 years to gauge the effectiveness of these measures.
Written comments on the draft plan and assessment may be directed to Regional HCP Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, MN, 55111-4056; fax 612-713-5292; e-mail: permitsR3ES@fws.gov . Copies of the draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment are available below or by writing, telephoning (612-713-5343), faxing, or e-mailing the addresses above. A copy is also available at the public library at 528 Division Street on Kelleys Island. Comments are due on or before October 11, 2005.
Kelleys Island harbors the largest population of Lake Erie watersnakes in the United States. Lake Erie watersnake habitat includes rocky shorelines and adjacent vegetation. Long Point’s rocky shoreline provides important shelter, breeding, foraging and hibernation habitat for Lake Erie Watersnakes. The species forages for small fish and amphibians near these locations and uses spaces among the rocks in man-made structures and along the shoreline for rest, reproduction and protection from predators. On Long Point, Lake Erie watersnakes hibernate in sites above the water level on the shoreline and inland. The property proposed for development contains both summer shelter habitat and winter hibernation habitat for the Lake Erie watersnake.
Draft Environmental Assessment
Appendix A. Agency Correspondence
Appendix B. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lake Erie Watersnake Management Guidelines
Appendix C. Legal Description of 6.45-acre Predevelopment LTD property
Appendix D. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management Coastal Consistency Letter to Predevelopment LTD
Appendix E. Phase I Cultural Resources Investigations of the Predevelopment, LTD Project on Long Point of Kelleys Island, Erie County, Ohio
Overview Cover Page Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9
Appendix F. Deed restriction for adherence to terms of the HCP and Incidental Take Permit (not currently available)
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