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

Environmental Consequences
necessary width for the access roads to the utility-scale wind turbines. Although records exist for
the Migrant Loggerhead Shrike in Accomack County, Virginia, field identification to subspecies
is rarely reported. Therefore, records for Migrant Loggerhead Shrike in Accomack County are
likely to be Loggerhead Shrike, and Migrant Loggerhead Shrike is not likely to occur within the
action area. The Proposed Action may result in minor adverse impacts on the species since
Shrikes may utilize marsh and marsh-edge habitat.
Delmarva Fox Squirrel
No effects are anticipated to the Delmarva fox squirrel because the site of the Proposed Action
lacks essential habitat elements for the species. Their preferred habitat is old growth loblolly pine
forests; deep, deciduous swamps; or backwoods adjacent to pine woods. The Proposed Action is
anticipated to have no effect on the Delmarva fox squirrel.
Rafinesque’s Eastern Big-Eared Bat
The utility-scale wind turbines and access roads would be constructed within potentially suitable
habitat for this species. In addition, bat mortality has been documented as an adverse effect of
bats colliding with the rotating blades of wind turbines. However, Rafinesque’s eastern big-eared
bat is not known to occur in Accomack County; the northern limit of its range is southeast
Virginia. Therefore, nesting habitat would not be affected by the Proposed Action. To reduce the
potential effects to Rafinesque’s eastern big-eared bat resulting from habitat disturbance, NASA
has proposed the minimum necessary width for the access roads to the utility-scale wind
turbines. The Proposed Action may result in minor adverse impacts on affect the species.
Sea Turtles
The sites of the Proposed Action lacks essential habitat elements for the loggerhead sea turtle,
green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. The
Proposed Action is anticipated to have no effects on federally listed sea turtles.
Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle
The site of the Proposed Action lack essential habitat elements for the Northeast beach tiger
beetle. There are no beaches within the project study limits or in close proximity to the proposed
construction activity. No effect to this species is anticipated due to the lack of habitat in the area
of the Proposed Action.
Seabeach Amaranth
The sites of the Proposed Action lack essential habitat elements for the seabeach amaranth.
There are no beaches within the project study limits or in close proximity to the proposed
construction activity. No effect to the seabeach amaranth is anticipated due to the lack of habitat
in the area of the Proposed Action.
Agency Consultation
NASA prepared a Biological Assessment (BA) (Appendix D) with determinations of effects to
the species listed in Table 25. The BA was submitted to USFWS and NMFS along with
submittal of this Draft EA. No response has been received to date.
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