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Section 7 Environmental Effects of the Selected Plan

EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006

7-12

Raptor Protection on Power lines: The State of the Art in 1996" shall be

consulted for recommended measures to protect bald eagles from electrocution.

The USACE determines that this project “may affect, but is not likely to

adversely affect” the bald eagle.

7.9.5 Audubon’s Crested Caracara

Audubon’s crested caracara is a widely foraging species using agricultural lands.

Juveniles are nomadic, foraging sporadically over much of the agricultural lands

in the EAA. Since the project footprint is outside their core breeding and nesting

areas, it is unlikely that loss of foraging habitat will adversely affect this species.

If caracaras or nests are encountered on the site, the USFWS will be consulted to

ensure caracaras are not affected by the proposed activities. The USACE

determines there will be “no effect” on the caracara.

7.9.6 Everglade Snail Kite

Although conditions may be suitable for apple snail populations in some isolated

wetlands, canals, and ditches in Compartment A, no apple snails were observed

during ground surveys and it is doubtful that these areas could support viable

long-term apple snail populations. In addition, due to fluctuations in water

levels and absence of vegetation, it is unlikely that apple snails would establish

populations inside the EAA Project reservoir and along the embankment system

once construction is complete. Therefore, significant foraging habitat impacts for

snail kites are not expected in Compartment A or the reservoir as a result of the

EAA Project Selected Plan. Due to the expected short-hydroperiod of the

wetland portion of the seepage/habitat buffer and littoral shelves along the

seepage canal, conditions suitable to apple snail reproduction and snail kite

foraging are possible, but unlikely.

This project may impact water stage conditions in WCA 2 and 3. The initial

operating plan has been designed to minimize increases in high stage events and

low stage withdrawals. In addition, littoral zones around Lake Okeechobee

should significantly benefit from reduction in high stage events. This should

benefit the conditions for apple snail populations and subsequently snail kites in

the Lake Okeechobee littoral zone. The initial operations plan would be in place

until other CERP features are functional and can receive the additional water

that can be made available by the EAA Storage Reservoir. With all CERP

projects functioning, the long-term operational plan of EAA should improve

habitat for apple snails. Therefore foraging habitat for snail kites should

improve with this project. The USACE determines that this project “may affect,

but is not likely to adversely affect” the snail kite or its critical habitat.

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Wenger 72944 Spezifikationen Seite 278