OBG PRESENTS:

OBG PRESENTS:

Christina DeFrancesco, PE

Endangered Species Act Compliance and the Role of a Biological Assessment as Part of Dredging and Beach Enhancement/Replenishment

Photo: National Geographic Kids

AGENDASection 7 Consultation

SDI-5 Project Overview

Takeaways

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Section 7 Consultation

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Section 7 (a)(1)

All Federal agencies will use their authoritiesto carry out conservation programs for endangered species

T Photo: B. Moose PetersonE Photo credit: Klaus NiggeEPhoto credit: Carol Grant/Getty Images

Section 7 (a)(2)

▪ Jeopardize the continued existence of threatened or endangered species (survival and recovery)

▪ Destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat

Federal agencies must ensure that the actions they authorize, finance, or carry out will not:

E

E

E

Photo: By Michael Milicia

Example Species of Concern

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North Atlantic Right Whale - E

Piping Plover - E Loggerhead Sea Turtle - E

Credit: Gene Nieminen

Seabeach Amaranth - T

How does Section 7 relate to beach nourishment?

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Federal approval (USACE Wilmington District) required for beach nourishment

Biological Assessment (BA)

to evaluate the Proposed Action

If species affected: formal ESA

consultation with USFWS and/or NMFS required

USFWS reviews and issuesBiological

Opinion (BO) and RPM/T&Cs 8

NOAA NMFS

Endangered Species Act defines take as "to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct where endangered species are present”

Take

Case Study: SDI-”6” Project Overview

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Continue maintenance dredging in support of navigation if USACE cannot

Stakeholders pooled resources to submit joint CAMA Permit

Application

Used existing studies and templates for most elements

• Required updated and expanded BA

Participants

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Project Area Applicant

Bogue Inlet, Connecting Channel, AIWW Crossing Town of Emerald Isle

New Topsail Inlet, Topsail Creek, Banks Channel, AIWW Crossing

Town of Topsail Beach

Carolina Beach Inlet, AIWW Crossing New Hanover County

Lockwoods Folly Inlet, AIWW Crossing Town of Holden Beach

Shallotte River Inlet CSDR Borrow Area, AIWW Crossing Town of Ocean Isle Beach

*In progress: Town of Oak Island for the Lockwoods Folly Inlet

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Lockwoods Folly Inlet Carolina Beach Inlet

New Topsail Inlet

Shallotte River Inlet

Bogue Inlet

Beneficial placement (Nov-Apr)

Nearshore placement (Apr-Nov)

Confined Disposal Facilities

Material Placement

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AIWW crossings and wideners

Connecting channels

Inlets

Dredging Locations

Expanded Biological

Assessment

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Biological Opinion

Evaluated listed species identified in Expanded BA

Incidental take determinations

Issued species-specific Reasonable and Prudent Measures (RPMs)

Issued species-specific Terms & Conditions (TCs)

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Example RPMs

Sand placement above MHW between November and April

Predator-proof trash receptacles installed at beach access points

Sea turtle nesting surveys between May and November

Daily visual surveys for piping plovers and red knots

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Takeaways

Dredging and beach nourishment requires federal approval

BA ESA Consultation BO

SDI-5 Project used unique collaboration and approach

Issuance of RPMs and T&Cs

Protection of listed species

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QUESTIONS?

OBG PRESENTS:OBG | THERE’S A WAY

Thank you!Christina DeFrancesco, PE Christina.DeFrancesco@obg.com