united states department of the interior · services office, vero beach, florida. consultation...

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE South Florida Ecological Services Office

1339 20' Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960

January 3 1,2002

Tori Agramonte U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Stuart Regulatory Office 2 1 8 Atlanta Avenue Stuart, Florida 34994

Log No.: 4-1-02-1-448 Application No.: 19920 1740(IP-TA)

Dated: September 14,2001 Applicant: Town of Jupiter Island

County: Martin

Dear Ms. Agramonte:

This document transmits the Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) biological opinion based on our review of the proposed beach renourishment located in Martin County, Florida, and its effects on loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 153 1 et seq.).

This biological opinion is based on information provided in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) September 12,2001, Public Notice, responses to the Corps' November 5,2001, request for additional information, field investigations, and other sources of information. A complete administrative record of this consultation is on file at the Service's South Florida Ecological Services Office, Vero Beach, Florida.

CONSULTATION HISTORY

The Service issued a Biological Opinion on a previous renourishment at this site on February 24, 1987 (FWS Log Number 4-1 -87-045). Upon receipt of updated information concerning modifications to the permitted beach renourishment, the Service re-initiated consultation. The Biological Opinion stated that the proposed project was not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed sea turtles.