Specifications include, but are not limited to: MnDOT needs various field investigations and surveys for the northern long-eared bat and tricolored bat in accordance with federal protocols. These surveys and investigations will support environmental review processes National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations in support of a proposed bridge replacement project. No bats are known to occur on the bridge itself, but the project is in proximity (within 0.25 miles) of a probable bat hibernaculum, and the bridge replacement project is expected to result in impacts to potentially suitable bat habitat via tree clearing and construction noise (e.g., pile driving, drilling, grinding). Task 1. Conduct Summer Presence / Probable Absence Bat Surveys a. Submit Draft Survey Plan to MnDOT b. Submit Approved Survey Plan to MnDOT c. Conduct Survey (after July 1, 2024) d. Survey report within 21 days of the survey competition. Task 2. Conduct Phase 1 Habitat Assessment of Potentially Suitable Hibernacula a. Submit Draft Assessment Plan b. Submit USFWS Approved Assessment Plan c. Conduct Assessment Task 3. If hibernaculum features are present, conduct Fall surveys of mine/cave entrances. Cave entry is not expected to be possible at this location. a. Submit Draft Survey Plan to MnDOT b. Submit Approved Survey Plan to MnDOT c. Conduct Survey (Fall 2024) d. Survey report within 21 days of the survey competition.
