APPENDIX Q

Endangered & Threatened Species Information

PIN 0229.48

Long Island Expressway (I-495) at Crooked Hill Road (CR 13) Operational Improvements

Towns of Islip and Smithtown Suffolk County

New York Division Leo W. O'Brien Federal Building

11A Clinton Avenue, Suite 719 Albany, NY 12207 December 5, 2019 518-431-4127 518-431-4121 NewYork.FHWA@dot.gov In Reply Refer To: HPD-NY Anthony Becker, Environmental Specialist NYSDOT; Region 10 250 Veterans’ Memorial Highway Hauppauge, NY 11788 Subject: PIN 0229.48 – Long Island Expressway (LIE) at Crooked Hill Road Suffolk County Section 7 of Endangered Species Act (ESA) Determination Dear Mr. Becker: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has reviewed the ESA documentation submitted by New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) with your e-mail dated 6 August 2019, for the subject project. We concur with NYSDOT’s determination that the project will have No Effect on the Piping Plover (Charadrius Melodus), the Red Knot (Calidris Canutus Rufa), the Roseate tern (Sterna Dougallii Dougallii), Sandplain gerardia (Agalinis Acuta), or Seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus Pumilus), and we concur with NYSDOT’s May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect (MANLAA) determination for Northern Long-eared Bats (NLEB). The submittal included a map/aerial photograph of the project location that will reduce congestion and mitigate traffic issues between the LIE, Crooked Hill Road, and the Sagtikos Parkway and as further documented in the project Environmental Assessment (August 2019). According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) correspondence dated March 7, 2019, and included in your request package, the Piping Plover, Red Knot, Roseate tern, Northern long-eared Bat (NLEB), Sandplain gerardia, and Seabeach amaranth may occur within the project area. The NYSDOT has found that this project will have No Effect on the Red Knot, the Piping Plover, the Roseate Tern, the Seabeach Amaranth, or the Sandplain Gerardia because the species have not been found and do not have habitat near this project location. FHWA concurs with the NYSDOT finding of No Effect for Piping Plover, Red Knot, Roseate tern, Sandplain gerardia, and Seabeach amaranth. NYSDOT has offered a finding of May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect (MANLAA) for NLEB and has provided a NLEB Suitable Habitat Assessment Form for Trees (NLEB SHAFT) that recognizes suitable habitat for the NLEB within this project. To mitigate risk to NLEB, trees will be cut between October 31 and April 1. FHWA concurs with NYSDOT’s finding of MANLAA NLEB based upon the plan to remove suitable habitat during the NLEBs’ inactive period. If at any time during construction, the presence of any of the Federally-listed species or their habitat are discovered or suspected, construction activities must be stopped and cannot resume until FHWA and the Service are consulted.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 401-528-4551. Sincerely,

John D Nickelson, PE Area Engineer

1

From: Becker, Anthony T (DOT) <Anthony.Becker@dot.ny.gov>Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2019 10:10 AMTo: john.nickelson@dot.govCc: Pacelli, Lindsay K (DOT); Williams, Gregg (DOT); Makadia, Bhavna (DOT)Subject: PIN 0229.48 Crooked Hill Rd - ESA Section 7 Concurrence RequestAttachments: 0229.48 Crooked Hill Road ESA Concurrence Request Package.pdf

John, 

The NYSDOT has a project coming up that involves mitigating traffic issues between the LIE, Crooked Hill Road, and the Sagtikos Parkway. The purpose of this project is to alleviate congestion and improve safety on the roadway system in the vicinity of Crooked Hill Road (CR 13) and the LIE North and South Collector Distributor Roads. This will provide access to Crooked Hill Road from the LIE and provide return moves from Crooked Hill Road to the LIE. Here is our request for concurrence for our determination that the subject project may affect but is not likely to affect the Northern Long‐eared Bat. The subject project will have no effect on the Piping plover, the Red Knot, the Roseate Tern, the Sandplain Gerardia, or the Seabeach Amaranth.  

The nearest recorded known presence of the NLEB is 4.2 miles away in the Caleb Smith State Park non‐wintering location. The nearest piping plover community is 7.6 miles away to the north at the Sunken Meadow breeding location. There are no known recordings of Red Knot on Long Island. The closest roseate tern community is 10.3 miles away to the south at the Sexton Island breeding location. The closest sandplain gerardia location is 10 miles away to the southeast at the Sayville Grasslands. The closest seabeach amaranth location is 12 miles to the south along Fire Island.  

Please let us know if you have any questions (you should be receiving the draft design report soon).  ______ 

Bhavna – please include this concurrence package in Appendix Q.  

Anthony Becker Environmental Specialist 1 New York State Department of Transportation Region 10 Long Island State Office Building, Hauppauge, NY 11788 (631) 952‐6489 

NYS ITS GIS Program Office

±

0 0.3 0.60.15 Miles

0229.48 Tree Cutting Map

LegendProject BoundaryTree Cutting Limits (approx. 1 acre)

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICELong Island Ecological Services Field Office

340 Smith Road

Shirley, NY 11967-2258

Phone: (631) 286-0485 Fax: (631) 286-4003

In Reply Refer To:

Consultation Code: 05E1LI00-2019-SLI-0326

Event Code: 05E1LI00-2019-E-00738

Project Name: 0229.48 Crooked Hill Road Operational Improvements

Subject: List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project

location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project

To Whom It May Concern:

The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, as

well as proposed and final designated critical habitat, that may occur within the boundary of your

proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the

requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the

Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of

species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list. Please feel free to

contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to

federally proposed, listed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical

habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the

Act, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be

completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be

completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and

implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested

through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.

The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the

ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the

Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq.), Federal agencies are required to

utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered

species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or

designated critical habitat.

March 07, 2019

03/07/2019 Event Code: 05E1LI00-2019-E-00738   2

   

A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having

similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the

human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)

(c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological

evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may

affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended

contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12.

If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that

listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the

agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service

recommends that candidate species, proposed species and proposed critical habitat be addressed

within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7

consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered

Species Consultation Handbook" at:

http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF

Please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle

Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.), and projects affecting these species may require

development of an eagle conservation plan (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/

eagle_guidance.html). Additionally, wind energy projects should follow the wind energy

guidelines (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/) for minimizing impacts to migratory birds and

bats.

Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications

towers (e.g., cellular, digital television, radio, and emergency broadcast) can be found at: http://

www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm; http://

www.towerkill.com; and http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/

comtow.html.

We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages

Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project

planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in

the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project

that you submit to our office.

Attachment(s):

▪ Official Species List

03/07/2019 Event Code: 05E1LI00-2019-E-00738   1

   

Official Species ListThis list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the

requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether

any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed

action".

This species list is provided by:

Long Island Ecological Services Field Office

340 Smith Road

Shirley, NY 11967-2258

(631) 286-0485

03/07/2019 Event Code: 05E1LI00-2019-E-00738   2

   

Project SummaryConsultation Code: 05E1LI00-2019-SLI-0326

Event Code: 05E1LI00-2019-E-00738

Project Name: 0229.48 Crooked Hill Road Operational Improvements

Project Type: TRANSPORTATION

Project Description: The purpose of this project is to alleviate congestion and improve safety

on the roadway system in the vicinity of Crooked Hill Road and the Long

Island Expressway (I-495) North and South Service Roads/Collector

Distributor Roads.

Project Location:

Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https://

www.google.com/maps/place/40.79998741133509N73.2803485124676W

Counties: Suffolk, NY

03/07/2019 Event Code: 05E1LI00-2019-E-00738   3

   

Endangered Species Act SpeciesThere is a total of 6 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list.

Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include

species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species

list because a project could affect downstream species.

IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA

Fisheries , as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the

Department of Commerce.

See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially

within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office

if you have questions.

1. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an

office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of

Commerce.

MammalsNAME STATUS

Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalisNo critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9045

Threatened

BirdsNAME STATUS

Piping Plover Charadrius melodusPopulation: [Atlantic Coast and Northern Great Plains populations] - Wherever found, except

those areas where listed as endangered.

There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6039

Threatened

Red Knot Calidris canutus rufaNo critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1864

Threatened

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii dougalliiPopulation: northeast U.S. nesting pop.

No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2083

Endangered

1

03/07/2019 Event Code: 05E1LI00-2019-E-00738   4

   

Flowering PlantsNAME STATUS

Sandplain Gerardia Agalinis acutaNo critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8128

Endangered

Seabeach Amaranth Amaranthus pumilusNo critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8549

Threatened

Critical habitatsTHERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS WITHIN YOUR PROJECT AREA UNDER THIS OFFICE'S JURISDICTION.

1

NYSDOTHighway Imrovements

LegendCrooked Hill Cover Types

Mixed hardwoods. Understory of multi floral roseand other small shrubsMixed turf grass and planted shrubs. Few treesOak woodland with thick understory ofhoneysuckle and multiflora rosePotential roost trees (3-7)Roadside, all grassThick dogwood with sparse oak and maplesteep side hill

192310930 REVA

Crooked Hill, IslipSuffolk County, New York

Prepared by JNN on 2019-05-06TR by AS on 2019-05-XX

IR Review by XXX on 2019-XX-XX

Crooked Hill Cover Types

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Disclaimer: This document has been prepared based on information provided by others as cited in the Notes section. Stantec has not verified the accuracy and/or completeness of this information and shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions which may be incorporated herein as a result. Stantec assumes no responsibility for data supplied in electronic format, and the recipient accepts full responsibility for verifying the accuracy and completeness of the data.

Project Location

Client/Project

Figure No.

Title

Notes1. Coordinate System: WGS 1984 Web Mercator Auxiliary Sphere2. Data Sources:3. Background: Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, EsriJapan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMapcontributors, and the GIS User CommunitySource: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

0 200 400metres

(At original document size of 11x17) 1:10,456

Site

LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY (I-495)

SOUTH SERVICE RD

NORTH SERVICE RD

VANDERBILT PKWY

CROOKED HILL RD

SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

LIU- BRENTWOOD CAMPUS

FAMILY SERVICE LEAGUE

IRON HORSE EQUIPMENT

PILGRIM PSYCHIATRIC CENTER/ PILGRIM STATE HOSPITAL

COLLEGE RD

MORELAND

SAGTIKOS STATE PKWY

PILG

RIM

CENT

ER RD

RAMP Q

RAMP P

RA MP

D

RAMP ERAMP QC

RAMP C

RAMP B

1

2

3

4

65

10

11

12

9

8 7

STEEP SIDE HILL

MIXED TURF GRASS AND PLANTED SHRUBS

FEW TREES

POTENTIAL ROOST TREES (3-7)

THICK DOGWOOD WITH SPARSE OAK

AND MAPLE

OAK WOODLAND WITH THICH UNDERSTORY

OF HONEYSUCKLE AND MULTIFLORA ROSE

MIXED HARDWOODS UNDERSTORY OF MULTI

FLORAL ROSE AND OTHER SMALL SHRUBS

ROADSIDE ALL GRASS

PHOTO 1: CROOKED HILL AREA 7- ALL ROADSIDE GRASS PHOTO 2: CROOKED HILL AREA 7: MEDIAN- ALL ROADSIDE GRASS

CROOKED HILL HABITAT AND VEGETATION COVER ASSESMENT

PHOTO 3: CROOKED HILL AREA 5 PHOTO 4: CROOKED HILL AREA 4

CROOKED HILL HABITAT AND VEGETATION COVER ASSESMENT

PHOTO 5: CROOKED HILL AREA 2 - SHRUBBY/GRASS MIX PHOTO 6: CROOKED HILL AREA 2

CROOKED HILL HABITAT AND VEGETATION COVER ASSESMENT

PHOTO 7: CROOKED HILL AREA 1 - VIEW OF NEW ROAD. NO ACCESS DUE TO FENCING PHOTO 8: CROOKED HILL AREA 1

CROOKED HILL HABITAT AND VEGETATION COVER ASSESMENT

PHOTO 9: CROOKED HILL AREA 1 PHOTO 10: CROOKED HILL AREA 1

CROOKED HILL HABITAT AND VEGETATION COVER ASSESMENT

PHOTO 11: CROOKED HILL AREA 3 - OAK, CHERRY, PINE

PHOTO 12: CROOKED HILL AREA 3 CROOKED HILL AREA 2 OAK, CHERRY, PITCH PINE

CROOKED HILL HABITAT AND VEGETATION COVER ASSESMENT