Innovative Airport Responses to Threatened and Endangered Species (2014)

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47 Overview of CRP-CD-160: Airport Toolbox for ACRP Report 122 CRP-CD-160: Airport Toolbox for ACRP Report 122 (bound into this report and available on the ACRP Report 122 web page) is a cache of resources that airports may use to identify potential listed species issues as well as strategies and tools to aid in resolution of those issues. The individual toolbox items are included on CRP-CD-160, grouped into four sections: • Understanding Airports • Endangered Species Act Information for Airports • Tools for Airports: Assessing and Documenting Listed Species • Additional Information Brief descriptions of the individual toolbox components in each group and a discussion of how these tools might be useful are provided below. Understanding Airports This section of the Airport Toolbox includes information that may be shared with agencies, stakeholders, and the pub- lic related to the rules, regulations, policies, operations, and other considerations specific to airports. Understanding the Airport Environment—This infor- mational overview, which can be customized into a brochure- style handout, may be used by airports to provide agencies, stakeholders, decision makers, and the public with easily understandable information related to airport operations and safety and how those regulations and requirements may relate to listed species and protected habitats on airports. An airport may choose to add site-specific information, includ- ing specific listed species that occur on a particular airport. MOA—An MOA was executed in 2003 as a joint agree- ment between the FAA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, the U.S. EPA, USFWS, and USDA to address aircraft-wild- life strikes. This MOA is included in the Airport Toolbox to provide awareness of the document as well as access to this resource for both airports and regulatory agencies. The named agencies in the MOA establish procedures necessary to coordinate their missions to more effectively address exist- ing and future environmental conditions contributing to aircraft-wildlife strikes throughout the United States. These efforts are intended to minimize wildlife risks to aviation and human safety, while protecting the nation’s valuable environ- mental resources. Endangered Species Act Information for Airports The information included in this section of the Airport Tool- box is intended to assist airports in understanding the ESA, including the regulations, responsible agencies and parties, and compliance actions specific to airports. ESA Basics (USFWS factsheet)—This factsheet was developed by USFWS and provides a summary of the ESA and the various components, terms, and processes covered under the ESA. Endangered Species and Airports: An Overview of Endangered Species Issues for Airports under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA)—This document was developed to provide a quick overview of how the ESA is handled under NEPA and how that applies to airports. This is intended to provide a brief background on NEPA, a summary of the NEPA process, and definition of the terms used in NEPA coordination. The doc- ument also includes web addresses for obtaining additional information. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Consultations: An Overview of Endangered Species Issues for Airports— This document was developed to provide a summary of section 7 consultation under the ESA, including relevant terminology, the typical process, and timeframes for review. It includes web addresses for obtaining additional information. S E C T I O N 7

48 The Endangered Species Act (ESA): Section 10 Incidental Take Options for Airports—This document was developed to provide a summary of section 10 incidental take under the ESA, including relevant terminology, conditions, and help- ful tips. It includes web addresses for obtaining additional information. Habitat Conservation Plans under the Endangered Spe- cies Act (USFWS factsheet)—This factsheet was developed by USFWS and provides a summary of HCP planning docu- ments required as part of an application for an incidental take permit. This factsheet discusses when HCPs are required, what they do, and the process and responsible parties. Candidate Conservation Agreements (USFWS fact- sheet)—This factsheet was developed by USFWS and pro- vides a summary of Candidate Conservation Agreements. Collaborative approaches, such as Candidate Conservation Agreements with assurances, may provide airports with oppor- tunities to better control land-use restrictions in the future. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Native Endangered & Threat- ened Species Permit Contacts—This is included to pro- vide airports with a quick reference to find the appropriate USFWS office and contact information for issues associated with federally listed species. Tools for Airports: Assessing and Documenting Listed Species The information included in this section of the Airport Toolbox can assist airports in assessing and documenting listed species and their habitats and also provides templates for managing those habitats. Environmental Resources Inventory Methodology and Checklist—This document includes instructions on how to develop an inventory of the natural resources, potential listed species occurrence, and protected habitats on or near the airport. This information is intended to assist airports in development of site-specific inventories and tools. Airport Wildlife Incident Report (Form Template)— This is intended to be a user-friendly form for airports to use as required for accidental and lethal take incidents involving wildlife. The form is a sample template, which is intended to be adapted or expanded with airport-specific information for use by airport employees, contractors, or other stakeholders. Sample Template for Listed Species Identification Cards—This is a business-card-sized template (when pro- duced for an airport, it is usually laminated) that may be incorporated into contractor and employee training related to projects with the potential to encounter listed species. The species included would be specific to the individual airport. The identification cards can be combined into a brochure or poster if more appropriate. Construction Project Environmental Awareness Bro- chure Template—This is a sample brochure, which when produced for an airport, would be project and site specific. This sample is included to demonstrate the type of infor- mation regarding listed species and other environmental considerations that may be conveyed to contractors and/or employees in a simple but useful format. Additional Information The information included in this section of the Airport Toolbox is intended to provide other relevant information that may be useful in the management of listed species and their habitats on airports. Delisting a Species: Section 4 of the Endangered Spe- cies Act (USFWS factsheet)—This factsheet, developed by USFWS, describes the federal down listing/delisting process and includes information on what occurs once a species is downlisted/delisted. Migratory Bird Permits: Authorized Activities Involv- ing Migratory Birds (USFWS factsheet)—This factsheet is included to provide airports with information on the regula- tions and USFWS contact information for activities that may affect migratory birds, including Bald Eagles. Midwest Region Division of Migratory Birds: Autho- rized Activities Involving Unintentional Eagle Disturbance (USFWS factsheet)—This factsheet, developed by USFWS, includes information on the recently changed regulations and rules that apply specifically to Bald and Golden Eagles. This includes information on recent ESA delisting of the Bald Eagle and how eagles are currently regulated, including take permit provisions. Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Application Form (Take of Depredating Eagles & Eagles that Pose a Risk to Human or Eagle Health or Safety) (USFWS permit application)—A Federal Eagle Depredation Permit is required to intention- ally take or disturb (haze) Bald Eagles or Golden Eagles that have become injurious to wildlife, agriculture, or other per- sonal property, or human health and safety. A depredation permit is intended to provide short-term relief from depreda- tion damage until long-term measures can be implemented to reduce or eliminate the depredation problem through nonlethal control techniques. This USFWS application is the mechanism for obtaining that authorization.