Vol. 24, No. 4 February 17, 2016

      In This Issue:
      Final 4(d) Rule for Northern Long-Eared Bat Published
      VA Updates Endangered and Threatened Species: Two New Bats Included
      2nd Annual Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt
      Swamp Pink Surveys Help Avoid Costly Project Delays
      Pamunkey Tribe Recognized: May Change Historic Review Process
      WSSI Hosting the Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Roundtable
     

Final 4(d) Rule for Northern Long-Eared Bat Published

On January 14, 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released its final 4(d) rule regarding the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). The final rule has some significant differences from the interim 4(d) rule that was issued with the listing of the bat last April. The final rule went into effect on February 16, 2016.

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VA Updates Endangered and Threatened Species: Two New Bats         Included

On January 11, 2016, the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries published a proposed action in the Virginia Register of Regulations to update the state’s endangered and threatened species list. Two additional species of bats are included in this proposal, which could result in time of year restrictions on tree clearing activities.

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2nd Annual Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV), a nonprofit group dedicated to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities within the Commonwealth, and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) will host the 2nd Annual Old Dominion One Shot Turkey Hunt on April 16, 2016. The One Shot is a state-wide turkey hunt fundraiser; it attracted 39 hunters and 37 guides from across Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia in its inaugural year and is guaranteed to be bigger and even better this year!

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Swamp Pink Surveys Help Avoid Costly Project Delays

With spring almost here, Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI) is diving into another season of swamp pink (Helonias bullata) surveys. The swamp pink is found in forested wetlands in central Virginia and in eastern Maryland. The field survey "window" for swamp pink is open from April 15 to September 30. So schedule now and avoid critical delays in obtaining your wetlands permit, or other federal actions that require Endangered Species Act compliance.

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Pamunkey Tribe Recognized: May Change Historic Review Process

Virginia’s Pamunkey Tribe finally succeeded in its quest for federal recognition on January 28, 2016, when the Interior Department knocked down a last minute appeal to the status the tribe tentatively gained in July 2015. This means that consultation with the tribe is now required (rather than encouraged) on development projects that may impact their cultural resources and ancestral landscapes.

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WSSI Hosting the Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Roundtable

Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. is hosting the Trees Virginia Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Roundtable on February 25, 2016 at 8 a.m. The topic is Building Better Urban Soils: Soil Amendments. Roundtables are open to professional arborists, planners, engineers, landscape architects, tree stewards and all interested citizens. Certified Arborists can earn 2.5 continuing education units; ASLA credits may also be available as well.

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About Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI):

WSSI is the leading provider of natural and cultural resource consulting services in the Mid-Atlantic. The firm has worked on a total of over 5,000 projects, comprising 220,000 acres, and has created hundreds of acres of wetlands and restored miles of streams. Our team of 100+ engineers, scientists, archeologists, ecosystem technicians, GIS/survey/compliance and technology/training specialists, and administrative staff yield a unique combination of disciplines focused on wetlands and water resources and provide creative solutions for integrating the constraints of economics and land plan requirements with local, state, and federal environmental regulations. For more information about WSSI, visit our website at www.wetlandstudies.com.