Alternative Energy Draft EA - NASA Visitor Center at Wallops Flight ...

Environmental Consequences
Piping Plover nesting announcement; this annual message is sent to all WFF employees,
informing them of the potential for encountering the protected species.
Although suitable habitat would not be affected by the project, avian mortality has been
documented as an adverse effect of birds colliding with the rotating blades of wind turbines and
cannot be discounted. As such, the Proposed Action may affect, and is likely to adversely affect,
the Piping Plover.
Wilson’s Plover
The utility-scale wind turbines and access roads would be constructed on the opposite side of the
island from the preferred habitat of Wilson’s Plover, presenting a reduced risk of avian mortality
associated with wind turbine collision. No construction is planned for areas within potential
nesting habitats or areas of the beach and lagoon environments within which the species typically
would stopover, nest, and/or feed. Noise from the construction activities would be of short
duration and would likely present minor, if any, startle reactions. The Proposed Action may
result in minor adverse impacts on the Wilson’s Plover.
Red Knot
All construction activities would be located outside of the beach and lagoon environments within
which the species typically would stopover and/or feed. Red Knots would be expected to be
present in areas suitable for Piping Plover nesting during similar times of year. As such, NASA
would continue to coordinate with CNWR and USDA staff during their monitoring efforts along
the Wallops Island beach. Additionally, educational signs would be posted at all beach access
points to raise awareness of the species. Basic species identification will be included in the
natural resources training module of the WFF EMS, a requirement for all new employees at the
facility. WFF would add the Red Knot to its annual Piping Plover nesting announcement; this
annual message is sent to all WFF employees informing them of the potential for encountering
the protected species.
Although the Red Knot has been observed in Accomack County, the Proposed Action would
occur on the opposite side of Wallops Island from the Red Knot’s preferred habitat of tidal flats
and sandy or pebbly beaches (i.e., on the sound side). This is where Red Knots have been
historically been observed to occur on Wallops Island. However, because Red Knots may also
utilize marsh habitat and that potential effects cannot be discounted, the Proposed Action may
affect, and is likely to adversely affect, the Red Knot.
Peregrine Falcon
The utility-scale wind turbines and access roads would be constructed within potentially suitable
habitat for the Peregrine Falcon. Avian mortality has been documented as an adverse effect of
birds colliding with the rotating blades of wind turbines. Nesting habitat would not be affected
by the project. To reduce the effects to the Peregrine Falcon resulting from habitat disturbance,
NASA has proposed the minimum necessary width for the access roads to the utility-scale wind
turbines. Because Peregrine Falcons may utilize marsh habitat, the Proposed Action may result
in minor adverse impacts on the Peregrine Falcon.
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