Report_NEPA_Red_Knot_Seasonal_Monitoring_Plan.pdf

Red Knot Seasonal Monitoring Plan Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge West Pond Project

Background In February 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) signed a Finding of No Significant Impact to support the preferred alternative selected in the Gateway National Recreation Area, Jamaica Bay Unit West Pond Environmental Assessment that was prepared to evaluate potential impacts to repair damages to the West Pond Trail sustained during Hurricane Sandy. The NPS, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is moving forward with the advertisement of a construction project to make repairs to the West Pond Trail. The construction contract is anticipated to start in late October 2016 and may take up to 8 months to complete.

The FHWA will advertise, award and manage the construction contract on behalf of the NPS.

This monitoring plan has been developed per the letter dated February 1, 2016, regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) comments on the NPS Environmental Assessment to make repairs at West Pond. In this letter the Service confirmed that the NPS will implement a construction time of year restriction and undertake monitoring to avoid potential for disruption of foraging red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) and roseate terns (Sterna dougallii dougallii) . This letter also stated that the NPS will undertake monitoring for red knot prior to and after these dates to obtain information on species’ presence and, if observed, will cease construction activities and consult with the Service on their findings and proposed measures to avoid any adverse effects to these species.

Small numbers of red knots may occur in New Jersey year-round, while large numbers of birds rely on New Jersey's coastal stopover habitats during the spring (mid-May through early June) and fall (late-July through November) migration periods. Smaller numbers of knots may spend all or part of the winter in New Jersey. It is expected that similar behaviors would occur in New York. Large gatherings of migratory shorebirds—including red knots—are observed feeding on horseshoe crab eggs each spring along the beaches of Sandy Hook Bay, Lower New York Bay and Jamaica Bay (http://www.fws.gov/northeast/njfieldoffice/endangered/redknot.html).

Monitoring Efforts Are Defined to Include the Following:

Monitoring for red knots will occur from March 1 through November 31. The areas monitored will include (The project area and with a certain distance of buffer? The project area and all areas used for access and staging of materials and equipment?). If a red knot is sighted within the monitoring area, work occurring within 200 feet of the location of the sighting will cease and the Service will be contacted in order to develop and agree upon measures to avoid any adverse effects to the species. Less disruptive work such as hauling, excavation and compaction may be allowed to continue. The Service will consult with the NPS/FHWA within 72 hours of the notification. If work has been stopped and consultation is underway prior to June 15, work will be allowed to resume after June 15.

The project area will be monitored by biologists with experience identifying shorebirds, specifically the red knot and shall be certified by the US F&WS and the New York State Department of Environment and Conservation. The biologist will prepare written daily reports summarizing their findings and submit to the FHWA and the NPS for review.

Surveys will be conducted at different times of day (during the daylight hours) and tide conditions, 7 days a week. If a red knot is observed, the monitors will record the number of birds observed, the location, GPS coordinates, tide level and position along the shoreline (Sample Data Sheet).

SAMPLE DATA SHEET

RED KNOT (Calidris canutus) MONITORING DATA SHEET

Name of Observer:_____________________________ Date:____________________

Location: _____________________________________ Time: ___________________

Total # red knot’s

Construction

Site Marker

GPS

Coordinates

Type of

Disturbance

Tide

Accuracy