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South Atlantic Regional Biological Assessment

South Atlantic Regional Biological Assessment. Update on Status of Re-initation of Consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Terri Jordan – Biologist – Jacksonville District Douglas Piatkowski – Biologist – Wilmington District US Army Corps of Engineers.

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South Atlantic Regional Biological Assessment

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  1. South Atlantic Regional Biological Assessment Update on Status of Re-initation of Consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act Terri Jordan – Biologist – Jacksonville District Douglas Piatkowski – Biologist – Wilmington District US Army Corps of Engineers

  2. History of Consultation - SARBO • 1991 – 1st regional Biological Opinion for hopper, clamshell, pipeline dredges • 1995 – incorporate clamshell and pipeline determination, incidental take of sea turtles for hopper • 1997 – 2 opinions – increase of loggerhead take due to high mortality year – covers hopper, keeps 1991 determination on clamshell and pipeline dredges • Jan 2007 - Completion of Gulf Regional Biological Opinion

  3. Listed species/actions NOT covered by 1997 SARBO

  4. Geographic areas NOT covered by 1997 SARBO

  5. ESA Reinitation Triggers • Action is modified in a manner causing effects to listed species or critical habitat not previously considered • New species listed or new critical habitat designated • Amount or extent of incidental take is exceeded • New information reveals effects of the action that may affect listed species or critical habitat in a manner/to an extent not previously considered   

  6. Reinitation of Consultation • Begun Jan 2007 by conference call between USACE and NMFS-PRD-SERO • Letter from SAD to NMFS formally reinitiating - April 30,2007 • May 2007 scope determination meeting in St. Pete, FL – NMFS staff, biologists from CW and RD programs of SAD, SAJ, SAW, SAC and SAS

  7. Actions Covered by New SARBO • Federal, Federally-permitted, or Federally sponsored • dredging of the Coastal Waters, Navigation Channels, and Sand Mining Areas Along the South Atlantic Coast. • Sand placement within previously approved templates (except in Acropora habitat) • Dredge types – hopper; cutterhead; clamshell; bed-leveling; water-jetting; side-casting • Add Canaveral Harbor dredging with hopper dredge • Transport activities – Hopper; scow-barge; tugboats

  8. Actions NOT covered by new SARBO • Sand placement within habitat of coral species (Martin/Palm Beach County line south through Monroe county, Florida; USVI or PR). • Port Expansion (deepening, widening) • Separate opinion will be required for these activities

  9. Emerging Issues • NMFS 10-knot speed rule for right whale protection • Genetic sampling of all relocated and lethally taken sea turtles • Bed-leveling as a construction activity • Pending Acropora and smalltooth sawfish draft Critical Habitat Designations • Pending Acropora 4(d) rule defining “take” • Sedimentation/turbidity effects on corals from dredging (all dredging methods)

  10. Status and Schedule • Data gathering continues • First draft being drafted by lead authors (Piatkowski and Jordan) • First Draft – trying to finish ~ Nov 2007 • Circulate to team for review, edits • Circulate to District and Division leadership • Finalize and submit to NMFS ~Feb 2008

  11. Thank You Questions???

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