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Welcome to Oregon’s Programmatic ESA Consultation for Highway Projects

Welcome to Oregon’s Programmatic ESA Consultation for Highway Projects. User’s Training June-July 2013

lynn-nelson
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Welcome to Oregon’s Programmatic ESA Consultation for Highway Projects

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  1. Welcome to Oregon’s Programmatic ESA Consultation for Highway Projects User’s Training June-July 2013 Presented by ODOT Geo-Environmental Section (Highway Div., Technical Services), the Federal-Highway Administration (Oregon Div.), and National Marine Fisheries Service (Oregon State Habitat Office)

  2. Background & Purpose • Emphasis on Programmatic Agreements • SLOPES only provides coverage for some species and some Highway actions • Only if USACE nexus • No FWS species • Didn’t cover stormwater-only actions • FAHP: FHWA as the lead Federal Nexus • Project Notification • Certain activities do not require regulatory “approval”

  3. Programmatic Goals • Overall Goals • Improve the condition of the environmental baseline related to transportation (e.g., habitat connectivity, water quality) • Avoid and minimize adverse impacts to federally-listed species and critical habitat • FHWA Obligation Section 7(a)(1) • Better tracking of project effects (good and bad)…fewer actions need regulatory approval in future • Necessary for ODOT and Local Agency

  4. Programmatic Scope Page numbers refer to May 2013 User’s Guide • NMFS Species (pg 2) • Formal consultation • Informal consultation • USFWS Species • Formal consultation • Informal consultation • Action Area • Aquatic and riparian effects • Stormwater effects • Consider for Each Design Standard Credit: Jamie King, Alaska DFW

  5. Qualifying Actions

  6. Exclusions Tidegates(except removal) NEPA Class I (EIS) New intersections, Entirely mass transit or rail;(depends on land-use changes) New permanent stream crossings or roads in the riparian zone(except bridge approaches or as needed to restore historic stream channels) In-water work downstream of Willamette Falls Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 Stream channel realignment(except “site restoration”, to restore former channels or eroding banks) Others (see pgs 2-3) Excluded activities may require Individual Consultation

  7. Modifications • NMFS interest in Programmatics • Expedite Project Notification by designing & building according to Design Standards • NMFS recognizes one-size-does-not-fit-all • Minor modifications – report in Notification • Substantive modifications – Early Coordination; likely will trigger Services approval of Notification • Major modifications may exceed “programmatic effects” = exclusion

  8. Other ESA consultation Options • SLOPES IV or V • Bridge Preservation (USFWS) • Vernal Pools (USFWS) • ODOT Maintenance 4d exemption • ODOT Maintenance HCP • Individual Consultation • To streamline, model after FAHP

  9. Roles & Responsibilities Project Biologist (pg 4) ODOT Env. Employee or ODOT ESA Qualified Coordinate Early Coordination Coordinate Avoidance, Minimization, Mitigation during Project Development Coordinate relevant Special provisions Prepare Notification Report Possibly other duties during construction Page numbers refer to May 2013 User’s Guide

  10. Roles & Responsibilities (cont.) Fish Biologist “Qualified” Inspect streams for fish presence if certain in-water work activities like geo-tech drilling, construction access through streams Lead fish salvage (ODFW has additional qualification requirements) ODOT fish salvage permit does not cover Local Agency projects

  11. Roles & Responsibilities (cont.) Env. Inspector ODOT Env. employee, qualified Biologist, or ODOT-certified Env. Insp. As needed to document construction activities in/near habitat (pg 7) Minimum requirement: 1 inspection visit & report per year More details on Day 2

  12. Roles & Responsibilities (cont.) FHWA Operations Engineer Review & Process Project Notifications, Review Change requests Region Env. Units Identify FAHP Project Stakeholders QC internally and of Local Agency reports Process Local Agency reports Natural Resources Unit Manage FAHP Track effects Prepare summary reports Facilitate annual meetings We NEED copies of all FAHP project reports

  13. Local Agency Contracting Local Agency Agreements Federal-Aid Funding is for PE and CE Ensure tasks for Early Coordination, Biologist’s duties during PE & CE, Roadside Development and Hydraulics support during CE, Env. Inspections Compliance with FAHP, Post-Construction Managing and monitoring site restoration, mitigation, habitat enhancements Contracted separately & funded by Local Agency share of project Stormwater facilities should be managed by Agency public works or road maintenance Scope of Work Templates for Env. Services Available through GE & FAHP websites

  14. Break Time!

  15. Design Standards

  16. Qualifying Actions

  17. Considerations During Project Development (pg 16) No work zones Material sources Staging areas & disposal sites Temporary access & containment Advance geo-tech drilling Possible separate notification if in/near Covered Species In-water work windows do not apply “In-water” not allowed if certain fish resources present (coordinate with fish bio)

  18. Offsetting Measures (pg 18) Consider during Project Development Certain modifications to Design Standard require mitigation Fish passage Stormwater management Net increase in floodplain fill or riprap above OHW (except scour protection) New flow control structures Possibly: pile driving, bridge, habitat mod. ALL must be negotiated with Services General guidance for offsetting (pg 18) More information later today…

  19. Enhancements (pg 17) Consider during Project Development Important for Programmatic Goals, and JTA, and ODOT is partner in The Oregon Plan for Salmon & Watersheds and The Oregon Conservation Strategy NRU is tracking; future advantages Opportunities (pg 17)

  20. General Construction Design standards in FAHP are for project components that are most likely to adversely impact aquatic resources stormwater management clearing and site preparation streambank stabilization and scour protection site restoration habitat restoration, modifications and enhancements many are similar to OTIA III, SLOPES IV many are already incorporated into Specifications More information later today

  21. Site Preparation • Standards are similar to SLOPES IV (pg 31) • Flag clearing limits to protect sensitive areas • Install erosion controls • Salvage native materials for site restoration • More information later today (“Specs”)

  22. Coming Up… Design Standards for Bridges, Streambank Stabilization, Stormwater Management, Habitat Modifications …

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