Specifications include, but are not limited to: (1) Similar to our Species Evaluation Process for listed species, NDOT will determine if a proposed project occurs in a county within the most current available breeding range map (2012 example attached) and if there are known nest observations identified by NGPC’s Heritage Program or the Breeding Bird Atlas within a 0.5-mile radius of the project. (2) In addition to range & nest location data, other types of desktop (GIS) information could be analyzed to determine whether the Limits of Construction are within 0.5-mile of the following Golden Eagle habitat indicators: Undeveloped Native grassland Trees Steep terrain Biologically Unique Landscapes (Pine Ridge, Wildcat Hills, Panhandle Prairies, Kimball grasslands, Oglala Grasslands) Rocky escarpments Cliffs Rock outcrop Shortgrass prairie Sandhills dune prairie with 400-foot-high rolling dunes Prairie dog towns (3) If a known nest does occur within 0.5-mile of the project, or the habitat within 0.5-mile of the project appears to suggest a strong likelihood for Golden Eagle occupancy, a planned site visit prior to construction should take place: It is recommended that the dates of the site visit should be sensitive to the local nesting (i.e. laying, incubating, and brooding) and conducted during weather conditions favorable for observing from medium to long range distances (+300 - 700 meters) (Pagel et al, 2010).
