B08_Attachment_13_Eastern_Box_Turtle_Protection_Plan_0003.pdf

Eastern Box Turtle Protection Plan

Purpose

This Eastern Box Turtle Protection Plan is intended to protect state-listed Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina) during the work activities associated with the Mill Creek Water Control Structure construction project, as depicted on the Construction Documents prepared by Fuss & O’Neill, Inc., dated May 30, 2023.

Prior to the start of work, a NHESP-approved wildlife biologist, will conduct a contractor education session as defined below. Daily turtle surveys shall by conducted by contractors, trained, and certified by the wildlife biologist, ahead of the segmented construction work involving machinery at the beginning of each day between April-October. Additional turtle surveys shall be conducted following any long periods of inactivity (e.g., lunch breaks).

No pre-construction turtle sweeps shall be required for work activities occurring between November 1st and March 31st (of any year); however, contractors shall be aware that Eastern Box Turtles may be active during warm days in November or March.

Contractor Education

Prior to the commencement of any work activities, the wildlife biologist will conduct a training session to educate contractors on the likely presence of Eastern Box Turtles within the vicinity of the work areas.

Reference materials will be distributed to describe proper species identification and appropriate protocols should a turtle be encountered within work areas. The wildlife biologist will certify those contractors who attended the training session to be eligible for conducting the turtle sweeps.

Pre-Construction Turtle Sweeps / Monitoring

The Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS) Chief of Natural Resources Management and Science will authorize relocation of any found turtles. (phone 774-722-0885)

Refer to Construction Drawings for demarcating the Limit of Work in the field (e.g., flagging, staking, or similar), including biodegradable wattles upgradient of wetland areas prior to commencement of work activities, including vegetative cutting. Trucks and equipment will stage and access the project area from the adjacent roadways. Any stockpiles of stone, sand, dirt, etc., shall be contained within biodegradable wattles to prevent turtles from accessing.

All barriers shall be maintained through construction, especially during the nesting period (May 15-July

15).

Daily and prior to work and between April 1st and October 31st, the trained and approved contractors will search specific work zones to be worked on for that particular day to find and relocate any Eastern

Box Turtles. All searches shall extend 25 feet (min) off work limits abutting naturally vegetated areas and precede access by the construction vehicles. The duration for the daily turtle sweeps will be based off existing vegetative cover within or abutting the Limits of Work. In other words, greater effort shall be placed on areas of denser vegetation.

Additional turtle sweeps shall be conducted prior to construction vehicle and equipment use following any long periods of inactivity (e.g., lunch breaks).

Daily turtle sweeps shall also be conducted around equipment and stockpile areas prior to activity.

Any Eastern Box Turtles encountered during these searches shall be released in similar appropriate habitat within the CCNS property at least 200 feet from any Limits of Work. The wildlife biologist will review appropriate habitat areas for relocation during the contractor education session. Found turtles shall be photographed, including the carapace (top), plastron (bottom), and a side view. Work shall be halted until the turtle is safely relocated outside of the project area.

All Eastern box turtles encountered shall be reported to the NHESP through a Rare Animal Observation

Report, submitted through MassWildlife’s Heritage Hub, within 10 days of the observation. The Heritage

Hub submission shall include the observation location and release point, in addition to the above-referenced photographs.

Sediment and erosion controls shall be removed immediately upon site stabilization to ensure that they do not become barriers to wildlife movement