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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFWS 8.8.2025United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE New England Ecological Services Field Office 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300 Concord, NH 03301-5094 Phone: (603) 223-2541 Fax: (603) 223-0104 In Reply Refer To: Project code: 2025-0132517 Project Name: Hayes East Bar Oyster Grant Federal Nexus: no Federal Action Agency (if applicable): 08/06/2025 22:57:16 UTC Subject: Federal agency coordination under the Endangered Species Act, Section 7 for 'Hayes East Bar Oyster Grant' Dear Christian Hayes: This letter records your determination using the Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) system provided to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on August 06, 2025, for "Hayes East Bar Oyster Grant" (here forward, Project). This project has been assigned Project Code 2025-0132517 and all future correspondence should clearly reference this number. The Service developed the IPaC system and associated species' determination keys in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and based on a standing analysis. All information submitted by the Project proponent into the IPaC must accurately represent the full scope and details of the Project. Failure to accurately represent or implement the Project as detailed in IPaC or the Northeast Determination Key (DKey), invalidates this letter. Answers to certain ue dons in the DK commit thepCQigct pMgonent to implementation gi conservadon Measures that must be Lollowed or e ESA determination to =ain valid. To make a no effect determination, the full scope of the proposed project implementation (action) should not have any effects (either positive or negative effect(s)), to a federally listed species or designated critical habitat. Effects of the action are all consequences to listed species or critical habitat that are caused by the proposed action, including the consequences of other activities that are caused by the proposed action. A consequence is caused by the proposed action if it would not occur but for the proposed action and it is reasonably certain to occur. Effects of the action may occur later in time and may include consequences occurring outside the immediate area involved in the action. (See § 402.17). Under Section 7 of the ESA, if a federal action agency makes a no effect determination, no further consultation with, or concurrence from, the Service is required (ESA §7). If a proposed Federal action may affect a listed species or designated critical habitat, formal consultation is required (except when the Service concurs, in writing, that a proposed action "is not likely to adversely affect" listed species or designated critical habitat [50 CFR §402.02, 50 CFR§402.13]). The IPaC results indicated the following species is (are) potentially present in your project area and, based on your responses to the Service's Northeast DKey, you determined the proposed Project will have the following effect determinations: Species Listing Status Determination Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallff dougailfi) Endangered No effect Rufa Red Knot (Calfdris canutus rufa) Threatened No effect Conclusion If there are no updates on listed species, no further consuitation/coordination for this project is required for the species identified above. However, the Service recommends that project proponents re-evaluate the Project in IPaC if: 1) the scope, timing, duration, or location of the Project changes (includes any project changes or amendments); 2) new information reveals the Project may impact (positively or negatively) federally listed species or designated critical habitat; or 3) a new species is listed, or critical habitat designated. If any of the above conditions occurs, additional consultation with the Service should take place before project implements any changes which are final or commits additional resources. Other Species and Critical Habitat that May be Present in the Action Area In addition to the species listed above, the following species and/or critical habitats may also occur in your project area and are not covered by this conclusion: ■ Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Proposed Threatened * Northern bong -eared Bat Myotfs septentrionalis Endangered ■ Tricolored Bat Perimyotis subflavus Proposed Endangered To complete consultation for species that have reached a "May Affect" determination and/or species may occur in your project area and are not covered by this conclusion, please visit the "New England Field Office Endangered Species Project Review and Consultation" website for step-by-step instructions on how to consider effects on these listed species and/or critical habitats, avoid and minimize potential adverse effects, and prepare and submit a project review package if necessary: https://www.fws.gov/office/new-england-ecological-services/endangered- species-project-review Please Note: If the Action may impact bald or golden eagles, additional coordination with the Service under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) (54 Stat. 250, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 668a-d) by the prospective permittee may be required. Please contact the Migratory Birds Permit Office, (413) 253-8643, or PermitsR5MB@fws.gov, with any questions regarding potential impacts to Eagles. t}Key Version Publish -ate• 08/04/2025 Y 2 Of 9