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Mr. Wayne Kaneshiro
Conservation Measures The following measures identified in your letter and phone conversation will be implemented at the project site to avoid and minimize project effects to listed seabirds. These conservation measures are considered part of the project description. Any changes to, modifications of, or failure to implement these conservation measures may result in the need to reinitiate this consultation. 1. All roadway lighting on the access road will be down-shielded. 2. No night-time construction work.
Newell's shearwater and Hawaiian petrel Seabirds may traverse the project area at night during the breeding season and outdoor lighting at this project site could result in seabird disorientation, fallout, and injury or mortality. Young birds (fledglings) traversing the project area between September 15 and December 15, in their first flight from their mountain nests to the sea, are particularly vulnerable. However, due to the aforementioned conservation measures to reduce seabird attraction to the project site and because seabird fallout has not been documented in the action area (incidences offallout occur primarily on the southern portion of the island), we concur with your determination the proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect listed seabirds. Hawaiian hoary bat Hawaiian hoary bats have been detected near the proposed project site. The proposed project site consists of former sugarcane fields now converted to open grassland with scattered shrubs. There is no suitable habitat for roosting Hawaiian hoary bats at the proposed project site. Therefore we concur that the proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, the Hawaiian hoary bat. Blackburn's sphinx moth Blackburn's sphinx moths have been detected near the proposed project site. Surveys for Blackburn's sphinx moths were conducted at the site in 2008 and 2011. Three potential host plants were detected at the site but no. Blackburn's sphinx moths, eggs, or larvae were detected. Therefore we concur that the proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, the Blackburn's sphinx moth. Thank you for your efforts to conserve endangered species. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this consultation, please contact Rachel Rounds, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, (phone: 808-792-9400, email: rachel, rounds@fws.gov). Sincerely,
,(if Loyal Mehrhoff Field Supervisor