THE PROCESS

 

Kingfisher Natural Resource Management (KNRM) routinely completes habitat assessments, threatened and endangered species surveys and ecological assessments to identify the presence of listed species and their habitats. Data from these investigations are incorporated into ecological assessments for use in natural resource management strategies and habitat conservation plan development.

 

Preliminary Habitat Assessments

 

Typically, the process KNRM employs for ensuring project’s compliance with the ESA begins with a preliminary habitat assessment, often conducted in conjunction with other initial ecological investigations. A preliminary habitat survey involves a characterization of the extant habitats occurring within the proposed project area. This involves a review of existing published data from a variety of sources including: current and historical aerial photographs, regional habitat maps, state and federal species databases and other resources. This information is supplemented and further refined by onsite reconnaissance of the project area and, to the most practicable extent, adjacent lands.  This data is ultimately developed into due diligence documentation to support ESA compliance.

 

Species Specific Surveys

 

Should a preliminary habitat assessment reveal the presence of ecological conditions suitable to support or aid in the support of T&E species, further investigations would be recommended to thoroughly confirm the presence of or utilization by specific listed species. This often involves performing multiple species specific surveys conducted per the specifications of prescribed methodologies. The data obtained from these surveys is critical in the determination and documentation of how a proposed project may impact a given species while aiding the client in refining project goals to avoid or minimize impacts to listed species. This data will also serve as the baseline information for the development of conservation measures that may require Service authorization.

 

Habitat Conservation Planning

 

The development of an HCP which supports issuance of an Incidental Take Permit is a comprehensive conservation plan requiring significant design, coordination and preparation efforts.  The general elements of a HCP are listed below.

• A Summary of the Conservation Project – This includes the area covered under the permit, the species covered within the plan and a discussion of regulatory compliance.

 

• A Description of the Project – This section includes a detailed description of the project and the activities which are proposed under the permit.

 

• The Environmental Setting and Biological Resource – This includes a discussion of the general environmental setting, as well as a discussion of the listed plant and animal species to be managed.

 

• Discussion of Impacts – Direct and indirect impacts to the listed species and their habitat, cumulative impacts, and impacts anticipated to result from the taking must be detailed and discussed.

 

• Plan for Conservation – This details the stated goals and objective of the HCP, the performance of avoidance and minimization, and actions taken to mitigate for impacts. A discussion relating to the development success criteria, performance monitoring and reporting is also included.

 

• Plan Implementation and Funding – This section details how the plan will be implemented and funded along with a discussion of contingencies and updates as required for permit renewal.

 

• Alternatives Analysis –This list includes the “no action” alternative and the selection of the preferred alternative.