Appendix B - Standard Manatee Conditions.pdf

Appendix B Standard Manatee Conditions for In-water Activities

STANDARD MANATEE CONDITIONS FOR IN-WATER ACTIVITIES

During in-water work in areas that potentially support manatees, all personnel associated with the project shall be instructed and aware of the potential presence of manatees, manatee speed zones, and the need to avoid collisions with, and injury to, manatee. All personnel shall be advised that there are civil and criminal penalties for harming, harassing, or killing manatees which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Additionally, personnel shall be instructed not to attempt to feed or otherwise interact with the animal.

All on-site personnel are responsible for observing water-related activities for the presence of manatee(s). To minimize potential impacts to manatees in areas of their potential presence, the permittee shall insure the following are adhered to:

All work, equipment, and vessel operation shall cease if a manatee is spotted within a 50-foot radius (buffer zone) of the active work area. Once the manatee has left the buffer zone on its own accord (manatees must not be herded or harassed into leaving), or after 30 minutes have passed without additional sightings of manatee(s) in the buffer zone, in-water work can resume under careful observation for manatee(s).

If a manatee(s) is sighted in or near the project area, all vessels associated with the times while in waters where the draft of the vessel provides less than a four-foot clearance from the bottom. Vessels shall follow routes of deep water whenever possible.

If used, siltation or turbidity barriers shall be properly secured, made of material in which manatees cannot become entangled, and be monitored to avoid manatee entrapment or impeding their movement.

Temporary signs concerning manatees shall be posted prior to and during all in-water project activities and removed upon completion. Each vessel involved in construction activities shall display at the vessel control station or in a prominent location, visible to all employees operating the vessel, a temporary sign at least 8½ " X 11" reading language

REQUIRED IN CONSTRUCTION AREA AND WHERE THERE IS LESS THAN FOUR

personnel engaged in water-related activities and shall read language similar to the

Collisions with, injury to, or sightings of manatees shall be immediately reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife , Louisiana Ecological Services Office (337/291-3100) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Heritage Program (225/765-2821). Please provide the nature of the call (i.e., report of an incident, manatee sighting, etc.); time of incident/sighting; and the approximate location, including the latitude and longitude coordinates, if possible.