Non-RTE Species: desk report

The MBTA (16 U.S.C. 703-712), prohibits the taking of any migratory bird or any part, nest, or egg, except as permitted by regulation.

Stressor: Vegetation Removal Conservation Goal: Avoid direct take of adults, chicks, or eggs. Conservation Measure 1: Schedule all vegetation removal, trimming, and grading of vegetated areas outside of the peak bird breeding season to the maximum extent practicable.

Conservation Measure 2: When project activities cannot occur outside the bird nesting season, conduct surveys prior to scheduled activity to determine if active nests are present within the area of impact and buffer any nesting locations found during surveys. 1) Generally, the surveys should be conducted no more than five days prior to scheduled activity.

This permit authorizes take of bald eagles and golden eagles where the take is compatible with the preservation of the bald eagle and the golden eagle; is necessary to protect an interest in a particular locality; is associated with, but not the purpose of, the activity; and cannot practicably be avoided.

Disturb means to agitate or bother a bald or golden eagle to a degree that causes, or is likely to cause, based on the best scientific information available, (1) injury to an eagle, (2) a decrease in its productivity, by substantially interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior, or (3) nest abandonment

We are not including permit issuance timeframes in the regulations because the time it takes to issue a permit varies enormously depending on the scale and complexity of the activity that will result in take, the need to prepare an analysis under NEPA, the quality and completeness of the data and other information provided by the applicant

The rules shall provide for the taking of species threatened with statewide extinction, for zoological, educational, and scientific purposes, and for propagation in captivity to preserve the species, under written permits from the chief.

the following native species and subspecies of wild animals shall be designated as endangered in accordance with section 1531.25 of the Revised Code: (1) Mammals Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis Allegheny woodrat, Neotoma magister Black bear, Ursus americanus Little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus Tricolored bat, Perimyotis subflavus Northern long-eared bat, Myotis septentrionalis

unlawful for any person to take, transport, sell, offer for sale or possess any of the native endangered species of wild animals, applying to endangered wild animals that are either resident within or migrate into or through Ohio, or hides or parts thereof listed in this rule or any other wildlife order without first obtaining a written permit

No person shall willfully root up, injure, destroy, remove, or carry away on or from public highways, public property, or waters of the state, or on or from the property of another, without the written permission of the owner, lessee, or other person entitled to possession, any endangered or threatened plant

(B) No public agency or political subdivision of this state may require any approval, consent, permit, certificate, or other condition for the construction or operation of a major utility facility or economically significant wind farm authorized by a certificate issued pursuant to Chapter 4906. of the Revised Code.

If your project meets any of the following criteria, or you are interested in a more comprehensive review, please submit for an Environmental Review. Project requires coordination with ODNR to fulfill NEPA, ESA, FWCA, or CWA requirements. Project will be submitted to Ohio Power Siting Board.

Any Ohio project that is not within a known bat record buffer, and tree clearing between April 1 and September 31 is being proposed, may have a presence/probable absence survey conducted between June 1 and August 15 following the range-wide guidance. If a presence/probable absence survey is not performed, presence of listed bats is assumed.

If potential hibernacula are found during the desktop assessment: - Assume bats are using these hibernacula and refrain from clearing trees from March 15-November 15 -Or- - Conduct a field habitat assessment to determine if a potential hibernaculum(a) is present within the action area.

Disclaimer: The guidance document is non-exhaustive. Project recommendations are made on a site-specific basis and may include additional considerations. It is ODNR’s expectation that the conditions below are incorporated into the site development plan for all proposed solar energy facilities in Ohio which are subject to Ohio Power Siting Board regulation.

Conduct environmental resource surveys as described in the ODNR Environmental Review process. Delineate wetlands and streams, prior to OPSB application submission.

Avoid existing wetlands and adjacent woodlands. A minimum 120-foot buffer should be maintained on Category 1 and 2 wetlands. A minimum 300-foot buffer should be maintained on Category 3 wetlands to preserve ecological integrity.

Fencing around panels should incorporate gaps or spaces of at least 6 inches x 6 inches to allow passage of small mammals.

Solar development sites are required to plant a minimum of 70% of the developed project area in beneficial vegetation, utilizing plant species as described in Attachment A (or other suitable species as approved) and follow the Ohio Solar Site Pollinator Habitat Planning and Assessment Form with a minimum score of 80 points.

Routine mowing will be limited to fall/spring seasons, as needed, to allow for natural reseeding of plantings and reduce impacts to ground-nesting birds. These requirements are intended to provide wildlife habitat, encourage water infiltration, and reduce erosion. This requirement not applicable to sites committed to alternative agricultural uses to control vegetation, as described in the vegetation management plan.

The Applicant shall contact OPSB staff, ODNR DOW, and USFWS within 24 hours if state or federal listed species are encountered during construction activities. Construction activities that could adversely impact the identified plants or animals shall be immediately halted until an appropriate course of action has been agreed upon by the Applicant, OPSB staff, and the appropriate agencies.

Planned management practices for areas designated as part of the pollinator habitat site. Check all that apply. Detailed establishment and management plan developed for site 10 points Mowing Follows OPHI mowing schedule for monarchs each year 5 points Mowing is staggered over a 2 week period 5 points