NEPA CE Screening Checklist (3).docx

ATTACHMENT 2: NEPA CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION SCREENING CHECKLIST

Project: KGYX Radar Vegetation Management – Phase 1: Survey & Inventory Location: Radar located near 1 Weather Lane, Gray, ME Reference: NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6A (2025 Companion Manual, Appendix A, CE F3(a)*); 2016 Historical Site Survey (Attachment 1)

INSTRUCTIONS TO FORESTER:

The purpose of this checklist is to field-verify if a future selective harvest of the identified "Tier 1" and “Tier 2” obstructions would qualify for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) under NEPA.

CONSTRAINT: This is a Non-Destructive Survey. No vegetation is to be cut or permanently marked. You are assessing the feasibility of removal against environmental constraints.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE: While CE F3(a)* does not strictly require documentation under the 2025 Companion Manual, the NOAA decision maker has elected to require this evaluation due to the potential presence of extraordinary circumstances (e.g., ESA-listed species, wetlands) in the action area.

SECTION 1: QUANTITATIVE LIMITS & INTENSITY

To qualify for CE F3(a)*, the harvest footprint must be limited and targeted strictly to the LiDAR-identified obstruction clusters.

· Fail (> 70 Acres)

· Fail (Protected species must be cut)

Note for Traceability: The 70-acre maximum footprint threshold is adopted as a project-management constraint based on the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Categorical Exclusion for low-impact, small-scale timber harvests (36 CFR 220.6(e)(12)). It is applied here to establish a strictly defensible quantitative limit that ensures the harvest remains well below the threshold for significant environmental impact.

SECTION 2: EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES SCREENING

Presence of the following may trigger a full Environmental Assessment (EA). Evaluate feasibility of avoidance.

A. Biological Resources

· Protected Hemlock Groves (State Rank S3):

· Reference: Stands A & B in the 2016 Survey are S3 Ranked Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis).

· Assessment: Can the identified target trees (obstructions) be safely removed without damaging these strict Hemlock exclusion zones?

· [ ] Yes (Feasible)

· [ ] No (Removal would damage protected Hemlocks)

· Northern Long-Eared Bat - ENDANGERED STATUS:

· Constraint: Strict prohibition on cutting suitable maternity roost trees during pup season (June 1 through July 31).

· Assessment: Do the specific Tier 1/Tier 2 targets exhibit "Roost Tree" characteristics (dead/dying, >3" DBH, peeling bark, cavities)?

· [ ] No

· [ ] Yes (Note: Harvest must be restricted to Nov 15 – Mar 31).

B. Physical Terrain (Erosion Control)

· Steep Slopes (Stand B):

· Reference: Stand B contains slopes of 15–25%.

· Assessment: Is heavy machinery required to reach targets in this zone?

· [ ] No (Hand-felling / Cable-logging is feasible)

· [ ] Yes (Standard equipment would cause >15% soil disturbance) C. Water Resources

· Wetlands & Vernal Pools:

· Assessment: Are there delineated wetlands or vernal pools within the drop zones of the target trees?

· [ ] No

· [ ] Yes (Buffer required: _______ ft)

SECTION 3: SPECIMEN TREE VERIFICATION

The 2016 Report identified 8 "Specimen Trees" (>30" DBH).

Q: Are any of the identified Tier 1/Tier 2 obstructions on the "Specimen Tree" list?

· [ ] No

· [ ] Yes (Identify Tree IDs below and photograph for Valuation Report).

· Tree IDs: __________________________________________________

SECTION 4: PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATION

Based on the field survey of the Action Area:

· FINDING OF NO EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES:

A future selective harvest of the identified target trees appears consistent with a Categorical Exclusion (CE). The work can be performed without causing considerable adverse effects to protected species or unique habitats, provided the following operational constraints are implemented (Forester to check all that apply based on Section 2 findings):

· [ ] Northern Long-Eared Bat Winter Window: Harvest restricted to Nov 15 – Mar 31 due to presence of suitable roost trees.

· [ ] Slope/Soil Restrictions: Hand-felling or cable-logging required to access targets in Stand B.

· [ ] Wetland Buffers: Strict adherence to the stand-off buffers identified in Section 2(C).

· [ ] Standard Operations: No special constraints required; targets can be accessed via standard best management practices without impacting Hemlocks or other sensitive resources.

· POTENTIAL IMPACTS IDENTIFIED:

Specific "Tier 1/Tier 2" targets cannot be removed without triggering environmental thresholds (e.g., "Tree #45 is surrounded by S3 Hemlocks").

Details: ______________________________________________________________________

CERTIFICATION

I certify that this screening was conducted in accordance with standard forestry practices and current USFWS/State of Maine guidelines.

Forester Name: _________________________________________________ License Number: _________________________________________________ Signature: _________________________________________________ Date: ___________________