APPENDIX B

Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation (including IPaC) and USFWS Review
Terracon Consultants, Inc. 600 SW 7th Street, Suite M Des Moines, Iowa 50309

P [515] 244-3184 F [515] 244-5249 terracon.com

November 6, 2019

Des Moines Industrial, LLC

512 1⁄2 East Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50309

Attn: Mr. Paul Cownie Mr. Gabe Claypool

E: paulcownie@dsmindustrial.com gabeclaypool@dsmindustrial.com

Re: Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility

200 SE 15th Street

Des Moines, IA 50317

Terracon Proposal No. 08197038

Dear Sirs:

Terracon Consultants, Inc. (Terracon) is pleased to submit this Threatened and Endangered 

Species Habitat Evaluation report detailing the results of field studies for the above referenced 

site. This work was performed in general accordance with the scope of services outlined in 

Terracon Proposal No. P08197267 dated September 23, 2019. This report has been prepared 

for the exclusive reliance of Des Moines Industrical, LLC. Use or reliance by any other party is 

prohibited without the written authorization of Des Moines Industrial, LLC. and Terracon.

We appreciate the opportunity to provide services to Des Moines Industrial, LLC. If you have 

any questions concerning this report, or if we can assist you in any other matter, please call our 

office at 515-244-3184.

Very truly yours,

Terracon Consultants, Inc.

Adam C. Corcoran Gerald T. Hentges, P.G.

Environmental Scientist Senior Project Manager
Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation

Des Moines Industrial, LLC ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 6, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction.........................................................................................3

2.0 Habitat Survey.....................................................................................3

3.0 Summary and Findings ......................................................................5

4.0 General Comments .............................................................................6

5.0 References ..........................................................................................6

ATTACHMENTS

Exhibit 1 – Topographic Site Vicinity Map

Exhibit 2 – Site Diagram

Exhibit 3A & 3B – Habitat Evaluation Map

Photo-log
Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 3

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT EVALUATION

DES MOINES AREA TRANSLOADING FACILITY

NE 14TH STREET & MLK PARKWAY

DES MOINES, IOWA

Terracon Project No. 08197038

November 6, 2019

1.0 Introduction

Des Moines Industrial, LLC is preparing plans to develop the project site located north of MLK 

Parkway in the area of NE 14th Street. The subject site covers approximately 40-acres and is 

located in the SE 1⁄4 of Section 3 and the SW 1⁄4 of Section 2, Township 78 North, Range 24 

West, Des Moines, Iowa as depicted on Exhibit 1 in Appendix A. The center of the project area 

is located at approximately the following latitude and longitude: 41035’10.09’’, 93035;48.73’’.

Terracon ordered a United Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information, Planning, and 

Consultation System (IPAC) report for the site (report dated November 6, 2019, consultation 

code 03E18000-2020-SLI-0165). According to the IPAC report, the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), 

northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), least tern (Sterna antillarum), prairie bushclover (Lespedeza leptostachy), and western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) are

federally-listed endangered species whose range extends into Polk County, Iowa where the 

proposed project area is located. The IPAC did not identify critical habitat for the listed species 

on the project site. The purpose of our services is to evaluate whether potential habitat exists for 

the listed species. 

1.1 General Site Description

The project site is an approximately 40-acre tract of land with four City stormwater detention 

basins. The site formerly consisted of a railyard followed by a salvage yard. There are 

approximately 6.45-acres of woodlands in the assessed area. The remaining land consists of 

disturbed grassland and City stormwater basins. Standing water was observed in two of the 

four stormwater basins onsite. 

2.0 Habitat Survey

Terracon’s habitat survey was performed by Mr. Adam Corcoran (Terracon Environmental 

Scientist). The survey was conducted on October 15, 2019. 
Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 6, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 4

2.1 Methods

The habitat evaluation for the Indiana and northern long-eared bats was performed in 

accordance with the 2018 Range Wide Indiana Bat Summer Guidelines (2018 Guidelines). 

These guidelines define suitable habitat as a wide variety of forested/wooded habitats where 

they can roost, forage, and travel and may also include some adjacent and interspersed nonforested habitats such as emergent wetlands and adjacent edges of agricultural fields, old fields, 

and pastures. This includes forests and woodlots containing potential roosts (i.e., live trees 

and/or snags ≥5 inches diameter breast height (dbh) (12.7 centimeters) that have exfoliating 

bark, cracks, crevices, and/or hollows), as well as linear features such as fencerows, riparian 

forests, and other wooded corridors. These wooded areas may be dense or loose aggregates of 

trees with variable amounts of canopy closure. Individual trees may be considered suitable 

habitat when they exhibit the characteristics of a potential roost tree and are located within 

1,000 feet (305 meters) of other forested/wooded habitat. Potentially suitable Northern LongEared Bat summer habitat is similar to that of the Indiana Bat with the exception of the inclusion 

of trees and/or snags ≥3 inches dbh.

Terracon also evaluated the site for suitable habitat for the least tern, prairie bush-clover, and 

western prairie fringed orchid. Suitable habitat for these species is based on the USFWS 2015 

County Distribution of Federally Threatened, Endangered, Proposed Candidate Species.

◼ Least Tern: Bare alluvial and dredged spoil islands.

◼ Prairie bush-clover: Dry to mesic prairies with gravely soils.

◼ Western prairie fringed orchid: Wet prairies and sedge meadows.

2.2 Field Observations

On October 15, 2019, Terracon performed the threatened and endangered species habitat 

evaluation on the site. During the visit, suitable habitat for the prairie bush-clover, western 

prairie fringed orchid, and least tern were not observed. Bare alluvial, dredged spoil islands, and 

prairie or prairie remnants were not observed. The grassland that was observed was highly 

disturbed from past railyard and salvage yard activities and consisted largely of species such as 

smooth brome, wild parsnip, white aster, thistle, giant and western ragweed, and red clover.
Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 6, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 5

Terracon did identify suitable habitat for the Indiana/northern long-eared bats. Terracon 

evaluated the trees’ suitability based on the USFWS guidelines presented in Section 2.1. 

Tree Inventory Table

Number1 Species Size

(inches DBH) Notes

1 Cottonwood 22/36 Dual trunks, dead or dying, 20% lose & peeling bark

2 Cottonwood 17 Snag, lose and peeling bark, crevices

3 Cottonwood 7.5 Snag, 40% lose and peeling bark

4 Black Walnut 7.5 Snag, 15% lose and peeling bark

5 Black Walnut 5.5 Snag, 10% lose and peeling bark, most of bark gone

6 Black Walnut 8 Split vertically, crevices

7 Boxelder 5.5/7.5 Dual trunk, 10% lose and peeling bark

8 Dead/Unknown 4 to 14 Cluster of 4 snags, bark mostly gone, crevices, 

hollows

9 Black Walnut 9.5 10-15% lose and peeling bark

10 Dead/Unknown 3/4/6 3 snag cluster, 20% lose and peeling bark

11 Dead/Unknown 9/10/11 3 snag cluster, crevices, hollows, most of bark gone

12 Dead/Unknown 8 to 13 6 snag cluster, most of bark is gone, what is left is 

loose and peeling

13 Dead/Unknown 8.5 Snag, most of bark gone, of what’s left, 80% is lose 

and peeling

14 Dead/Unknown 11 Snag, 30% lose and peeling bark

15 Elm 6 Snag, 20% lose and peeling bark

16 Cottonwood 6/7

3 tree cluster, both snapped off around breast height

and leaning against nearby trees. Crevices and some 

lose and peeling bark

17 Dead/Unknown 5

Half of bark missing, of that, 20% lose and peeling 

bark.

18 Red Mulberry 6 Snag, 30% lose and peeling bark

19 Dead/Unknown 7 Sang, most of bark missing, of that, 10-15% 

20 Boxelder 5.5 to 7 5 tree cluster, mostly dead, 35% lose and peeling 

bark, crevices

21 Dead/Unknown 5 Sang, 30-40% lose and peeling bark

22 Dead/Unknown 4.5 Snag, most of bark gone, of that, 25% lose and 

peeling bark

23 Elm 4

Triple trunk but only one trunk suitable, 20% lose and 

peeling bark

24 Dead/Unknown 5 to 7 Triple trunk, dead, 30% lose and peeling

25 Dead/Unknown 7.5 Dead, 15-20% lose and peeling bark

26 Dead/Unknown 8 to 13

5 snag cluster, 20% lose and peeling bark, crevices

Please Note that these snags were not marked 

with marker paint due to accessibility problems
Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 6, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 6

27 Dead/Unknown 9 Snag, crevices

28 Dead/Unknown 6 to 8 3 snag cluster lose and peeling bark, crevices, 

hallows

29 Dead/Unknown 15.5 30% lose and peeling bark, crevices

30 Dead/Unknown 9 to 12 Multi trunk snag, crevices

31 Black Cherry 9/18 Dual trunk, partially broken with crevices

32 Dead/Unknown 9 Snag, 30% lose and peeling bark

33 Dead/Unknown 11 Snag, crevices

34 Dead/Unknown 10.5 Snag, half of bark gone, of that, 40% is lose and 

peeling

35 Red Mulberry 4/9 Dual trunk, half dead, crevices, 10-20% lose and 

peeling bark

36 Dead/Unknown 8 to 14 7 tree cluster, crevices, hallows, lose and peeling 

bark

37 Red Mulberry 6/10 Dual trunk, split, crevices, 10% lose and peeling bark

38 Elm 8 to 14 Triple trunk, crevices, split

39 Elm 14 crevices

40 Dead/Unknown 7/8 2 snag cluster, one had bark and the other did not, 

crevices

41 Red Mulberry 4 20% lose and peeling bark

2Cluster with multiple suitable habitat trees. Each tree within the cluster was counted when figuring the total number 

suitable habitat trees.

Based on the 2018 Guidelines, seventy-two trees at 41 locations were observed that could 

potentially provide suitable habitat for the Indiana/northern long-eared bat on the project site. 

The tree locations identified in the table above are depicted in in Exhibits 3A and 3B.

A photo log depicting the site and representative suitable habitat trees has been attached as 

Appendix B.

3.0 Summary of Findings

◼ Trees that could potentially provide suitable habitat for the Indiana/northern 

long-eared bat were identified on the project site.

◼ Permanent waterbodies were identified on the site.

◼ Suitable habitat for the prairie bush-clover, western prairie fringed orchid, and 

least tern were not identified. 

Based on information collected for this Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation, 

suitable Indiana/northern long-eared bat was identified. However, due to the urban setting and 

abundance of suitable habitat along the Des Moines River corridor located approximately onemile south of the site, the Indiana/northern long-eared bat would not likely be adversely affected
Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 6, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable 7

as long as the trees are cleared outside of the Indiana bat active season, which is considered to 

be April 1 through September 30th in Iowa. 

4.0 General Comments

The Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Evaluation was conducted based on UFWS 

criteria as described in this report. The guidance provided assistance for identifying potential 

Indiana/northern long-eared bat habitat; however, this guidance alone may not satisfy 

requirements by all agencies for a threatened and endangered species habitat assessment. 

Terracon did not attempt to identify every possible tree species within the project area. Due to 

seasonal changes, Terracon cannot guarantee the area to exhibit permanent water sources. 

The limitations of this habitat evaluation should be recognized. This report has been prepared 

in accordance with generally accepted scientific and engineering evaluation practices. This 

report is for the exclusive use of the client for the project being discussed. No warranties, either 

express or implied, are intended or made.

5.0 References

USFWS, 2018. Range Wide Indiana Bat Summer Survey Guidelines, dated April 2018.

USFWS, 2015. County Distribution of Federally Threatened, Endangered, Proposed Candidate 

Species.
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EXHIBITS
NORTH

APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 1/4 MILE

Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name:

Project No. Date: EXHIBIT

08197038-T3-BATS.dwg

E1

11/1/2019 TOPOGRAPHIC SITE VICINITY MAP

JAH JAL

08197038-T1

1

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER

200 SE 15TH STREET

DES MOINES, IOWA

CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists

600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515 2-318 FAX. (515 2-529

TOPOGRAPHIC IMAGE FROM IOWA GEOGRAPHIC MAP SERVER MAINTAINED BY

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY AND MIT - http://cairo.gis.iastate.edu/map.html

LEGEND

- BOUNDARY OF ASSESSED AREA

PROJECT 6,TE
SE 12TH STREET SE 13TH STREET SE 14TH STREET SE 15TH STREET SE 16TH STREET SE ASTOR DR SE 18TH STREET SE 11TH STREET SE 9TH STREET SE 10TH STREET

SHAW STREET

MARTIN LUTHER KING PARKWAY

SCOTT AVENUE

E VINE STREET

EAST COURT AVENUE

NORTH

APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 500'

Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name:

Project No. Date: EXHIBIT

08197038-T3-BATS.dwg

E2

11/1/2019 SITE DIAGRAM

JAH JAL

08197038-T1

2

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER

200 SE 15TH STREET

DES MOINES, IOWA

CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists

600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515 2-318 FAX. (515 2-529

LEGEND

AERIAL PHOTO FROM GOOGLE EARTH - BOUNDARY OF ASSESSED AREA
41

24

23

22

1918 21

25

40

16

15

17

13

12

14 11 10

9 8

2

1

7

6

5

4

3

20

RAILROAD TIE PILE

50' HIGH

NORTH

APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 200'

Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name:

Project No. Date: EXHIBIT

08197038-T3-BATS.dwg

E3A

11/1/2019 HABITAT EVALUATION MAP

JAH JAL

08197038-T1

3A

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER

200 SE 15TH STREET

DES MOINES, IOWA

CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists

600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515 2-318 FAX. (515 2-529

LEGEND

AERIAL PHOTO FROM GOOGLE EARTH - BOUNDARY OF ASSESSED AREA
MARTIN LUTHER KING PARKWAY

37

36

35 34

33

32

31

38 30

39

26

27

28

29

42

NORTH

APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 200'

Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name:

Project No. Date: EXHIBIT

08197038-T3-BATS.dwg

E3B

11/1/2019 HABITAT EVALUATION MAP

JAH JAL

08197038-T1

3B

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER

200 SE 15TH STREET

DES MOINES, IOWA

CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists

600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515 2-318 FAX. (515 2-529

LEGEND

AERIAL PHOTO FROM GOOGLE EARTH - BOUNDARY OF ASSESSED AREA
PHOTO-LOG
WETLAND DELINEATION

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility

Des Moines, Iowa

Photo 1: View of the central portion of the site, looking northwest.

Photo 2: View of the west-central portion of the site, looking west.
WETLAND DELINEATION

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility

Des Moines, Iowa

Photo 3: View of the westernmost portion of the site, looking west.

Photo 4: View of the eastern portion of the site, looking west.
WETLAND DELINEATION

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility

Des Moines, Iowa

Photo 5: View of tree identified in the table as No. 1, looking northeast.

Photo 6: View of the tree cluster identified in the table as No 11.
WETLAND DELINEATION

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility

Des Moines, Iowa

Photo 7: View of cluster identified in the table as No. 20.

Photo 8: View of the tree identified in the table as No. 27.
WETLAND DELINEATION

Des Moines Area Transloading Facility

Des Moines, Iowa

Photo 9: View of the tree identified in the table as No. 35.

Photo 10: View of the tree identified in the table as No. 41.
IPAC REPORT
November 06, 2019

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Illinois-Iowa Ecological Services Field Office

Illinois & Iowa Ecological Services Field Office

1511 47th Ave

Moline, IL 61265-7022

Phone: (309) 757-5800 Fax: (309) 757-5807

In Reply Refer To: 

Consultation Code: 03E18000-2020-SLI-0165 

Event Code: 03E18000-2020-E-00398 

Project Name: Des Moines Insustrial

Subject: List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project 

location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project

To Whom It May Concern:

The attached species list identifies any federally threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate 

species that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project or may be affected by your 

proposed project. The list also includes designated critical habitat if present within your proposed 

project area or affected by your project. This list is provided to you as the initial step of the 

consultation process required under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, also referred to 

as Section 7 Consultation.

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires that actions authorized, funded, or 

carried out by Federal agencies not jeopardize federally threatened or endangered species or 

adversely modify designated critical habitat. To fulfill this mandate, Federal agencies (or their 

designated non-federal representative) must consult with the Service if they determine their 

project “may affect” listed species or critical habitat.

Under 50 CFR 402.12(e) (the regulations that implement Section 7 of the Endangered Species 

Act) the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be 

completed formally or informally. You may verify the list by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website 

http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ at regular intervals during project planning and implementation and 

completing the same process you used to receive the attached list. As an alternative, you may 

contact this Ecological Services Field Office for updates.

Please use the species list provided and visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Region 3 

Section 7 Technical Assistance website at - http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/section7/ 

s7process/index.html. This website contains step-by-step instructions which will help you 
11/06/2019 Event Code: 03E18000-2020-E-00398   2

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determine if your project will have an adverse effect on listed species and will help lead you 

through the Section 7 process.

For all wind energy projects, please contact this field office directly for assistance, even if no 

federally listed plants, animals or critical habitat are present within your proposed project or may 

be affected by your proposed project.

Although no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act, be aware that bald eagles are 

protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.) and Migratory 

Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq), as are golden eagles. Projects affecting these species may 

require measures to avoid harming eagles or may require a permit. If your project is near an 

eagle nest or winter roost area, see our Eagle Permits website at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ 

midwestbird/EaglePermits/index.html to help you determine if you can avoid impacting eagles or 

if a permit may be necessary.

We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. Please include the 

Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or 

correspondence about your project that you submit to our office.

Attachment(s):

Official Species List

USFWS National Wildlife Refuges and Fish Hatcheries

Wetlands
11/06/2019 Event Code: 03E18000-2020-E-00398   1

Official Species List

This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the 

requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether 

any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed 

action".

This species list is provided by:

Illinois-Iowa Ecological Services Field Office

Illinois & Iowa Ecological Services Field Office

1511 47th Ave

Moline, IL 61265-7022

(309) 757-5800
11/06/2019 Event Code: 03E18000-2020-E-00398   2

Project Summary

Consultation Code: 03E18000-2020-SLI-0165

Event Code: 03E18000-2020-E-00398

Project Name: Des Moines Insustrial

Project Type: DEVELOPMENT

Project Description: The project will consist of the construction of a transloading facility. The 

site is located in the SE 1/4 of Section 3 and the SW 1/4 of Section 2, 

Township 78 North, Range 24 West, Des Moines, Iowa.

Project Location:

Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https://

www.google.com/maps/place/41.58604236423649N93.59334787843369W

Counties: Polk, IA
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1.

Endangered Species Act Species

There is a total of 5 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list.

Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include 

species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species 

list because a project could affect downstream species.

IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA 

Fisheries , as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the 

Department of Commerce.

See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially 

within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office 

if you have questions.

NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an 

office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of 

Commerce.

Mammals

NAME STATUS

Indiana Bat Myotis sodalis

There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5949

Endangered

Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis

No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9045

Threatened

Birds

NAME STATUS

Least Tern Sterna antillarum

Population: interior pop.

No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8505

Endangered

1
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Flowering Plants

NAME STATUS

Prairie Bush-clover Lespedeza leptostachya

No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4458

Threatened

Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Platanthera praeclara

No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1669

Threatened

Critical habitats

THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS WITHIN YOUR PROJECT AREA UNDER THIS OFFICE'S 

JURISDICTION.
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USFWS National Wildlife Refuge Lands And Fish 

Hatcheries

Any activity proposed on lands managed by the National Wildlife Refuge system must undergo a 

'Compatibility Determination' conducted by the Refuge. Please contact the individual Refuges to 

discuss any questions or concerns.

THERE ARE NO REFUGE LANDS OR FISH HATCHERIES WITHIN YOUR PROJECT AREA.
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Wetlands

Impacts to NWI wetlands and other aquatic habitats may be subject to regulation under Section 

404 of the Clean Water Act, or other State/Federal statutes.

For more information please contact the Regulatory Program of the local U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers District.

Please note that the NWI data being shown may be out of date. We are currently working to 

update our NWI data set. We recommend you verify these results with a site visit to determine 

the actual extent of wetlands on site.

FRESHWATER EMERGENT WETLAND

PEM1Ax

PEM1Cx

PEM1Fx

FRESHWATER FORESTED/SHRUB WETLAND

PFO1Ax

PSS1Cx
Amanda E. Ciampolillo Electronic Mail

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): February 13, 2020 

We have reviewed your electronic mail dated February 13, 2020, for the Des Moines Transloading 

facility located north of Martin Luther King Parkway in the area of NE 14th Street, Des Moines, Polk 

County, Iowa. The proposed project covers approximately 40 acres and involves the construction of 

tracks, warehousing, storage areas, and retention ponds to create the transloading facility. The 

proposed facility is in an urban setting and will require approximately 3.15 acres of tree clearing. 

FRA has reviewed the list of threatened or endangered species which may be present in Polk County 

and has determined that there may be suitable habitat in the project area for Indiana bats and 

Northern long-eared bats. A tree clearing date restriction will be included to avoid direct impacts to 

bat species. Additionally, FRA will add the following Avoidance and Minimization Measures 

(AMMs) for this project:

• General AMM 1. Ensure all operators, employees, and contractors working in areas of 

known or presumed bat habitat are aware of all Transportation Agency environmental 

commitments, including all applicable AMMs.

• Tree Removal AMM 1. Modify all phases/aspects of the project (e.g., temporary work areas, 

alignments) to the extent practicable to avoid tree removal in excess of what is required to 

implement the project safely.

• Tree Removal AMM 3. Ensure tree removal is limited to that specified in project plans and 

ensure that contractors understand clearing limits and how they are marked in the field (e.g., 

install bright colored flagging/fencing prior to any tree clearing to ensure contractors stay 

within clearing limits).

• Lighting AMM 2. When installing new or replacing existing permanent lights, use 

downward-facing, full cut-off33 lens lights (with same intensity or less for replacement 

lighting); or for those transportation agencies using the BUG system developed by the 

Illuminating Engineering Society,34 the goal is to be as close to 0 for all three ratings with a 

priority of "uplight" of 0 and "backlight" as low as practicable.

FRA used the NLEB-Ibat determination key within IPaC to determine applicability of the project 

with the USFWS revised programmatic biological opinion for transportation projects dated 12-15-

2016 and to assess what effect the project would have on Northern long-eared bats (NLEB) or 

Indiana bats (Ibats). FRA completed an IPaC qualification interview and determined that the project 

is not within the scope of the programmatic biological opinion. FRA, therefore, has determined that 

the project is not likely to adversely affect the NLEB or Ibat provided the tree clearing date 

restriction is in place. We concur with this determination. Further, FRA has adequately addressed 

 

 

 IN REPLY REFER 

 TO: 

IL-IAFO

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Rock Island Field Office 

1511 47th Avenue

Moline, Illinois 61265

Phone: (309) 757-5800 Fax: (309) 757-5807 
the potential impacts of the project alternatives on federally listed threatened and endangered species 

in the project area.

Although no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act, be aware that bald eagles are

protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.) and Migratory

Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq), as are golden eagles. Projects affecting these species may

require measures to avoid harming eagles or may require a permit. If your project is near an

eagle nest or winter roost area, see our Eagle Permits website at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/

midwestbird/EaglePermits/index.html to help you determine if you can avoid impacting eagles or

if a permit may be necessary.

This precludes the need for further action on this project as required under Section 7 of the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Should this project be modified or new information 

indicate endangered species may be affected, consultation should be initiated.

Heidi Woeber

Fish and Wildlife Biologist

Ecological Services

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1511 47th Avenue

Moline, IL 61265

309/757-5800, ext. 209

309/757-5807 Fax

heidi_woeber@fws.gov