Standard_Protection_Measures_-_Eastern_Indigo_Snake_.pdf

December 2023

STANDARD PROTECTION MEASURES FOR THE

EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service December 2023

The Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake (Plan) below has been developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Florida and Georgia for use by project proponents and their construction personnel help minimize adverse impacts to eastern indigo snakes. However, implementation of this Plan does not replace any state of federal consultation or regulatory requirements. At least 30 days prior to any land disturbance activities, the project proponent shall notify the appropriate USFWS Field Office (see Field Office contact information) via e-mail that the Plan will be implemented as described below.

As long as the signatory of the e-mail certifies compliance with the below Plan (including use of the approved poster and pamphlet (USFWS Eastern Indigo Snake Conservation webpage), no further written confirmation or approval from the USFWS is needed regarding use of this Plan as a component of the project.

If the project proponent decides to use an eastern indigo snake protection/education plan other than the approved Plan below, written confirmation or approval from the USFWS that the plan is adequate must be obtained. The project proponent shall submit their unique plan for review and approval. The USFWS will respond via e-mail, typically within 30 days of receiving the plan, either concurring that the plan is adequate or requesting additional information. A concurrence e-mail from the appropriate USFWS Field Office will fulfill approval requirements.

STANDARD PROTECTION MEASURES

BEFORE AND DURING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES:

• All Project personnel shall be notified about the potential presence and appearance of the federally protected eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi).

• All personnel shall be advised that there are civil and criminal penalties for harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, capturing, or collecting the species, in knowing violation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

• The project proponent or designated agent will post educational posters in the construction office and throughout the construction site. The posters must be clearly visible to all construction staff and shall be posted in a conspicuous location in the https://www.fws.gov/story/eastern-indigo-snake-conservation

Project field office until such time that Project construction has been completed and time charges have stopped.

• Prior to the onset of construction activities, the project proponent or designated agent will conduct a meeting with all construction staff (annually for multi-year projects) to discuss identification of the snake, its protected status, what to do if a snake is observed within the project area, and applicable penalties that may be imposed if state and/or federal regulations are violated. An educational pamphlet including color photographs of the snake will be given to each staff member in attendance and additional copies will be provided to the construction superintendent to make available in the onsite construction office. Photos of eastern indigo snakes may be accessed on USFWS, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and/or Georgia Department of Natural Resources websites.

• Each day, prior to the commencement of maintenance or construction activities, the Contractor shall perform a thorough inspection for the species of all worksite equipment.

• If an eastern indigo snake (alive, dead or skin shed) is observed on the project site during construction activities, all such activities are to cease until the established procedures are implemented according to the Plan, which includes notification of the appropriate USFWS Office. The contact information for the USFWS is provided below and on the referenced posters and pamphlets.

• During initial site clearing activities, an onsite observer is recommended to determine whether habitat conditions suggest a reasonable probability of an eastern indigo snake sighting (example: discovery of snake sheds, tracks, lots of refugia and cavities present in the area of clearing activities, and presence of gopher tortoises and burrows).

• Periodically during construction activities, the project area should be visited to observe the condition of the posters and Plan materials and replace them as needed.

Construction personnel should be reminded of the instructions (above) as to what is expected if any eastern indigo snakes are seen.

• For erosion control use biodegradable, 100% natural fiber, net-free rolled erosion control blankets to avoid wildlife entanglement.

POST CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES:

Whether or not eastern indigo snakes are observed during construction activities, a monitoring report should be submitted to the appropriate USFWS Field Office within 60 days of project completion (See USFWS Field Office Contact Information).

USFWS FIELD OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

Georgia Field Office: Phone: (706) 613-9493, email: gaes_assistance@fws.gov Florida Field Office: Phone: (352) 448-9151, email: fw4flesregs@fws.gov

POSTER & PAMPHLET INFORMATION

Posters with the following information shall be placed at strategic locations on the construction site and along any proposed access roads (final posters for Plan compliance are available on our website in English and Spanish and should be printed on 11 x 17in or larger paper and laminated (USFWS Eastern Indigo Snake Conservation webpage).

Pamphlets are also available on our webpage and should be printed on 8.5 x 11in paper and folded, and available and distributed to staff working on the site.

POSTER CONTENT (ENGLISH):

ATTENTION

Federally-Threatened Eastern Indigo Snakes may be present on this site!

Killing, harming, or harassing eastern indigo snakes is strictly prohibited and punishable under State and Federal Law.

IF YOU SEE A LIVE EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE OR ANY BLACK SNAKE ON

THE SITE:

• Stop land disturbing activities and allow the snake time to move away from the site without interference. Do NOT attempt to touch or handle the snake.

• Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes.

• Immediately notify supervisor/agent, and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Ecological Services Field Office, with the location information and condition of the snake.

• If the snake is located near clearing or construction activities that will cause harm to the snake, the activities must pause until a representative of the USFWS returns the call (within one day) with further guidance.

IF YOU SEE A DEAD EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE:

• Stop land disturbing activities and immediately notify supervisor/applicant, and a USFWS Ecological Services Field Office, with the location information and condition of the snake.

• Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes.

• Thoroughly soak the dead snake in water and then freeze the specimen. The appropriate wildlife agency will retrieve the dead snake.

DESCRIPTION: The eastern indigo snake is one of the largest non-venomous snakes in North America, reaching up to 8 ft long. Named for the glossy, blue-black scales above and slate blue below, they often have orange to reddish color (cream color in some cases) in the throat area. They are not typically aggressive.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The black racer resembles the eastern indigo snake. However, black racers have a white or cream chin, and thinner bodies.

LIFE HISTORY: Eastern indigo snakes live in a variety of terrestrial habitat types.

Although they prefer uplands, they also use wetlands and agricultural areas. They will shelter inside gopher tortoise burrows, other animal burrows, stumps, roots, and debris piles. Females may lay from 4 to 12 white eggs as early as April through June, with young hatching in late July through October.

PROTECTED STATUS: The eastern indigo snake is protected by the USFWS, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Any attempt to kill, harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, trap, capture, collect, or engage eastern indigo snakes is prohibited by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Penalties include a maximum fine of $25,000 for civil violations and up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for criminal offenses. Only authorized individuals with a permit (or an Incidental Take Statement associated with a USFWS Biological Opinion) may handle an eastern indigo snake.

Please contact your nearest USFWS Ecological Services Field Office if a live or dead eastern indigo snake is encountered:

Florida Office: (352) 448-9151

Georgia Office: (706) 613-9493

POSTER CONTENT (SPANISH):

ATENCIÓN

¡Especie amenazada, la culebra Índigo del Este, puede ocupar el área!

Matar, herir o hostigar culebras Índigo del Este es estrictamente prohibido bajo la Ley Federal.

SI VES UNA CULEBRA ÍNDIGO DEL ESTE O UNA CULEBRA NEGRA VIVA EN

EL ÁREA:

• Pare excavación y permite el movimiento de la culebra fuera del área sin interferir. NO atentes tocar o recoger la culebra.

• Fotografié la culebra si es posible para identificación y documentación.

• Notifique supervisor/agente, y la Oficina de Campo de Servicios Ecológicos del Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre (USFWS) apropiada con información acerca del sitio y condición de la culebra.

• Si la culebra está cerca de un área de construcción que le pueda causar daño, las actividades deben parar hasta un representante del USFWS regrese la llamada (dentro de un día) con más orientación.

SI VES UNA CULEBRA ÍNDIGO DEL ESTE MUERTA EN EL ÁREA:

• Pare excavación. Notifique supervisor/aplicante, y la Oficina de Campo de Servicios Ecológicos apropiada con información acerca del sitio y condición de la culebra.

• Fotografié la culebra si es posible para identificación y documentación.

• Emerge completamente la culebra en agua y congele la especie hasta que personal apropiado de la agencia de vida silvestre la recoja.

DESCRIPCIÓN. La culebra Índigo del Este es una de las serpientes sin veneno más grande en Norte América, alcanzando hasta 8 pies de largo. Su nombre proviene del color azul-negro brilloso de sus escamas, pero pueden tener un color anaranjado-rojizo (color crema en algunos casos) en su mandíbula inferior. No tienden a ser agresivas.

SERPIENTES PARECIDAS. La corredora negra, que es de color negro sólido, es la única otra serpiente que se asemeja a la Índigo del Este. La corredora negra se diferencia por una mandíbula inferior color blanca o crema y un cuerpo más delgado.

HÁBITATS Y ECOLOGÍA. La culebra Índigo del Este vive en una variedad de hábitats, incluyendo tierras secas, humedales, y áreas de agricultura. Ellas buscan refugio en agujeros o huecos de tierra, en especial madrigueras de tortugas de tierra. Las hembras ponen 4 hasta 12 huevos blancos entre abril y junio, y la cría emergen entre julio y octubre.

PROTECCIÓN LEGAL. La culebra Índigo del Este es clasificada como especie amenazada por el USFWS, la Comisión de Conservación de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de Florida y el Departamento de Recursos Naturales de Georgia. Intento de matar, hostigar, herir, lastimar, perseguir, cazar, disparar, capturar, colectar o conducta parecida hacia las culebras Índigo del Este es prohibido por la Ley Federal de Especies en Peligro de Extinción. Penalidades incluyen un máximo de $25,000 por violaciones civiles y $50,000 y/o encarcelamiento por actos criminales. Solos individuales autorizados con un permiso o Determinación de toma incidental (Incidental Take Statement) asociado con una Opinión Biológico del USFWS pueden recoger una Índigo del Este.

Por favor de contactar tu Oficina de Campo de Servicios Ecológicos más cercana si encuentras una culebra Índigo del Este viva o muerta:

Oficina de Florida: (352) 448-9151

Oficina de Georgia: (706) 613-9493