[OHIOBWG] FW: Notice of Availability of draft EA and NiSource HCP Amendment Request for the Northern Long-Eared Bat for Public Review and Comment

[Titchenell, Marne]

FYI…

[The Ohio State University]
Marne A. Titchenell

Wildlife Program Specialist

Ohio State University Extension
School of Environment and Natural Resources

210 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43210

614-292-0402  Office
titchenell.4 at osu.edu<mailto:titchenell.4 at osu.edu>

woodlandstewards.osu.edu<http://woodlandstewards.osu.edu>


Dear Interested Party:

We are writing to let you know that NiSource, Inc. has requested that their Endangered Species Act incidental take permit and associated Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) be amended to include the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis).  In 2013, NiSource received an incidental take permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 10 federally endangered and threatened species. Since that time, the Service has proposed listing the northern long-eared bat as endangered.

The northern long-eared bat occurs in forested areas throughout much of the NiSource operating area, including Ohio.  NiSource is requesting the amendment in anticipation that the bat will be protected under the Endangered Species Act.  The Service will make a final decision on listing the northern long-eared bat by April 2, 2015.  NiSource has been working with the Service on revising their HCP to incorporate measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate incidental take of northern long-eared bats.

The Service’s issuance of incidental take permits, including amendments to permits, are federal actions subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act.  Therefore, the Service prepared an environmental assessment that analyzes and discloses affects that could result from including the northern long-eared bat in the NiSource incidental take permit and HCP.

On March 20, 2015, a Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register to announce that the environmental assessment and revised HCP are available for public review and comment.  The Notice of Availability will open a 30-day public comment period.  Information gathered during the public comment period will be used to finalize our environmental assessment and make a determination on NiSource’s application for an amended incidental take permit

For more information about the NiSource incidental take permit and HCP as well as information about the requested amendment to add the northern long-eared bat, you may call or write Karen Herrington at  Karen_Herrington at fws.gov<mailto:Karen_Herrington at fws.gov> (phone: (850) 348-6495) or Tom Magnuson at Tom_Magnuson at fws.gov<mailto:Tom_Magnuson at fws.gov> (phone: (612)713–5467).  Copies of documents pertaining to the NiSource incidental take permit and habitat conservation plan will be available on our website at www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/permits/hcp/nisource<http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/permits/hcp/nisource> when the Notice of Availability publishes in the Federal Register.  You may contact Karen Herrington to receive hard copies of the environmental assessment and revised HCP.

Sincerely,
Angela Boyer
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4625 Morse Road, Suite 104
Columbus, Ohio  43230
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