Jackson Environmental was contracted by Rockies Express Pipeline (REX)-West and REX-East to aid in a baseline bat study for a portion of a petroleum line corridor proposed to be constructed between Kansas City, Missouri and Wheeling, West Virginia. The project consisted of conducting summer mist net surveys for Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) and the distribution and characteristics of roost trees and potential roost trees. Additionally, surveys were conducted for the presence of raptors and other migratory bird, as well as their nest.
Approximately 700 miles of the pipeline corridor was surveyed for bats using the mist netting guidelines established in, the Agency Draft Indiana Bat (M. sodalis) Revised Recovery Plan (USFWS 1999), raptors, and migratory birds beginning 2007, concluding in 2009.
Over 250 bats comprised eight species were captured during this study including Indiana bats. Radio Telemetry was performed documenting roost tree characteristics and distributions within in each of the four states surveyed. Nine new maternity colonies of Indiana bats were documented. Over 50 raptor nest were documented and threatened migratory bird species.
This project was successfully completed on time and on budget.
