Appendix 2: Wetlands and Natural Resources

APPENDIX 2: WETLANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES

2-A: Correspondence with NJDEP-NHP and NMFS

1 – Letter to NJDEP – NHP: August 24, 2015

2 – Letter from NJDEP – NHP: September 17, 2015

3 – Letter to NMFS – T&E Species: August 24, 2015

4 – Email from NMFS – T&E Species: September 3, 2015

5 – Letter to NMFS – EFH: August 24, 2015

6 – Email from NMFS – EFH: September 28, 2015

7 – Letter to NJDEP – NHP: March 13, 2018

8 – Letter / Email from NJDEP – NHP: April 3, 2018

9 – Letter to NMFS – EFH: March 13, 2018

10 – Letter to NMFS – T&E Species: March 13, 2018

11 – Email from NMFS: March 16, 2018

2-B: IPaC Trust Resource Report

2-C: Wetland Photo Sheets
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A

CORRESPONDENCE WITH NJDEP-NHP AND NMFS
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 1

LETTER TO NJDEP – NHP: AUGUST 24, 2015
Environmental and Planning Consultants

440 Park Avenue South

7th Floor

New York, NY 10016

tel: 212 696-0670

fax: 212 213-3191

www.akrf.com

AKRF, Inc. ● New York City ● Hudson Valley Region ● Long Island ● Baltimore / Washington Area ● New Jersey 

August 24, 2015

Robert J. Cartica

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

State Forestry Services

Mail Code 501-04

ONLM - Natural Heritage Program

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420

Re: Threatened or Endangered Species Information Request,

Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges, Town of Kearny, Hudson County, NJ

Dear Mr. Cartica:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is proposing the replacement of Amtrak Bridge 

No. 7.80 (which carries Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor over NJ Transit rail tracks) and Amtrak Bridge No. 

7.96 (which carries the Northeast Corridor over PATH and Conrail rail tracks). These two bridges are 

collectively referred to as the “Sawtooth Bridges”. The Sawtooth Bridges are located along a critical 

segment of the Northeast Corridor between Newark, NJ and New York, NY. The existing two-track 

Sawtooth Bridges were constructed in 1908, and comprise a concrete-encased floor beam system 

connected to girders supported on concrete-encased columns. It is anticipated that the proposed project 

will result in a four-track crossing and that maximum allowable speeds will be increased from 60 miles 

per hour (mph) to 90 mph. The project limits extend approximately from Hudson Interlocking at MP 8.3 

to Swift Interlocking at MP 7.2 (see Figure 1).

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the lead federal agency for the environmental review, 

which is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In support 

of this effort and on behalf of Amtrak, we are requesting information on federally and/or state-listed 

threatened or endangered species, species of special concern, and habitats of special concern within 0.5 

miles of the project site. The information provided by New Jersey Natural Heritage Program (NJNHP) 

will be used in the preparation of environmental documentation for the proposed project. However, 

map(s) showing specific locations of sensitive species or habitats developed from lists provided by 

NJNHP will not be published in any document.
Mr. Cartica, NJNHP 2 August 24, 2015

Please feel free to contact me at (646) 388-9756 or by email at lmesnick@akrf.com if you should have 

any questions regarding this information request. Thank you for your time in providing us with this 

information.

Sincerely,

Leslie Mesnick

Vice President

Enclosure

cc: John Brun, Amtrak

7/7/2015

0 2,000FEET

Figure 1

Project Site

Half-Mile Study Area

U SGS7.5Min uteTopogra phicMa p

Eliza beth,Jersey City,Ora n gea n dWeeha wk en Qua ds

Approxim a tecoordin a tes ofProjectSite:

40° 44’38"N,74° 7’31"W

AREAOFDETAIL

SAWTOOTH BRIDGE
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 2

LETTER FROM NJDEP – NHP: SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
NHP File No. 15-4007462-8350 

CHRIS CHRISTIE

Governor

KIM GUADAGNO

Lt. Governor 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

State Forestry Services 

Mail Code 501-04 

ONLM -Natural Heritage Program 

P.O. Box 420 

Trenton, NJ 08625-0420 

Tel. #609-984-1339 

Fax. #609-984-1427

 BOB MARTIN

 Commissioner

 September 17, 2015 

Leslie Mesnick 

AKRF, Inc. 

440 Park Avenue South, 7th Floor 

New York, NY 10016 

Re: Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project 

Kearny Town and Harrison Town, Hudson County 

 

Dear Leslie Mesnick: 

Thank you for your data request regarding rare species information for the above referenced project site in Kearny Town 

and Harrison Town, Hudson County. 

Searches of the Natural Heritage Database and the Landscape Project (Version 3.1) are based on a representation of the 

boundaries of your project site in our Geographic Information System (GIS). We make every effort to accurately transfer 

your project bounds from the topographic map(s) submitted with the Request for Data into our Geographic Information 

System. We do not typically verify that your project bounds are accurate, or check them against other sources. 

We have checked the Landscape Project habitat mapping and the Biotics Database for occurrences of any rare wildlife 

species or wildlife habitat on the referenced site. The Natural Heritage Database was searched for occurrences of rare 

plant species or ecological communities that may be on the project site. Please refer to Table 1 (attached) to determine if 

any rare plant species, ecological communities, or rare wildlife species or wildlife habitat are documented on site. A 

detailed report is provided for each category coded as ‘Yes’ in Table 1. 

We have also checked the Landscape Project habitat mapping and Biotics Database for occurrences of rare wildlife 

species or wildlife habitat in the immediate vicinity (within 1⁄2 mile) of the referenced site. Additionally, the Natural 

Heritage Database was checked for occurrences of rare plant species or ecological communities within 1⁄2 mile of the site. 

Please refer to Table 2 (attached) to determine if any rare plant species, ecological communities, or rare wildlife species or 

wildlife habitat are documented within the immediate vicinity of the site. Detailed reports are provided for all categories 

coded as ‘Yes’ in Table 2. These reports may include species that have also been documented on the project site.

The Natural Heritage Program reviews its data periodically to identify priority sites for natural diversity in the State. 

Included as priority sites are some of the State’s best habitats for rare and endangered species and ecological communities. 

Please refer to Tables 1 and 2 (attached) to determine if any priority sites are located on or in the vicinity of the site. 

A list of rare plant species and ecological communities that have been documented from the project site, referenced above, 

can be downloaded from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/countylist.html. If suitable habitat is 

present at the project site, the species in that list have potential to be present. 

Status and rank codes used in the tables and lists are defined in EXPLANATION OF CODES USED IN NATURAL HERITAGE 

REPORTS, which can be downloaded from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/nhpcodes_2010.pdf. 

If you have questions concerning the wildlife records or wildlife species mentioned in this response, we recommend that 

you visit the interactive NJ-GeoWeb website at the following URL, http://www.state.nj.us/dep/gis/geowebsplash.htm or 

contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program at (609) 292-9400. 
NHP File No. 15-4007462-8350 

PLEASE SEE ‘CAUTIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON NHP DATA’, which can be downloaded from 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/newcaution2008.pdf. 

Thank you for consulting the Natural Heritage Program. The attached invoice details the payment due for processing this 

data request. Feel free to contact us again regarding any future data requests. 

Sincerely, 

 

Robert J. Cartica 

Administrator 

c: NHP File No. 15-4007462-8350 

 
NHP File No. 15-4007462-8350 

Mail Code 501-04 

Department of Environmental Protection 

State Forestry Services 

Office of Natural Lands Management 

P.O. Box 420 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420 

(609) 984-1339 Fax: (609) 984-1427 

Invoice

Date Invoice # 

9/17/2015 8350 

Bill to: Make check payable to: 

AKRF, Inc. 

440 Park Avenue South, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10016 

Office of Natural Lands Management 

And forward with a copy of this statement to:

Mail Code 501-04 

Office of Natural Lands Management

P.O. Box 420 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420 

Quantity (hrs.) Description Rate (per hr.) Amount 

1 Charge for Natural Heritage Database search for 

rare species and ecological communities locational 

information.

Project: 15-4007462-8350 

$ 70.00 $ 70.00 

Leslie Mesnick 

Project Name: Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project Total $ 70.00 
Table 1: On Site Data Request Search Results (7 Possible Reports)

1. Possibly on Project Site Based on Search of Natural Heritage Database: 

Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities Currently Recorded in the 

New Jersey Natural Heritage Database

No

2. On or In the Immediate Vicinity of the Project Site Based on Search of the 

Natural Heritage Database: Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities 

Currently Recorded in the New Jersey Natural Heritage Database

No

3. Natural Heritage Priority Sites On Site No

4. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat on the Project Site Based on 

Search of Landscape Project 3.1 Species Based Patches

Yes

5. Vernal Pool Habitat on the Project Site Based on Search of Landscape 

Project 3.1

No

6. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat on the Project Site Based on 

Search of Landscape Project 3.1 Stream Habitat File

No

7. Other Animal Species On the Project Site Based on Additional Species 

Tracked by Endangered and Nongame Species Program

No

0 pages included

0 pages included

1 page(s) included

0 pages included

Report Name Included Number of Pages

0 pages included

0 pages included

0 pages included

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Page 1 of 1

NHP File No.: 15-4007462-8350
Common Name Scientific Name Feature Type Rank Federal Protection

Status

State ProtectionStatus

Class 

Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat on the Project 

Site Based on Search of

Landscape Project 3.1 Species Based Patches

Aves

Glossy Ibis Foraging Plegadis falcinellus 2 NA Special Concern Little Blue Heron Foraging Egretta caerulea 2 NA Special Concern Snowy Egret Foraging Egretta thula 2 NA Special Concern 

Thursday, September 17, 2015
Table 2: Vicinity Data Request Search Results (6 possible reports)

1. Immediate Vicinity of the Project Site Based on Search of Natural 

Heritage Database Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities 

Currently Recorded in the New Jersey Natural Heritage Database

No

2. Natural Heritage Priority Sites within the Vicinity No

3. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat Within the Immediate 

Vicinity of the Project Site Based on Search of Landscape Project 3.1 

Species Based Patches

Yes

4. Vernal Pool Habitat In the Immediate Vicinity of Project Site Based 

on Search of Landscape Project 3.1

No

5. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat In the Immediate Vicinity 

of the Project Site Based on Search of Landscape Project 3.1 Stream 

Habitat File

No

6. Other Animal Species In the Immediate Vicinity of the Project Site 

Based on Additional Species Tracked by Endangered and Nongame 

Species Program

No

Report Name Included Number of Pages

0 pages included

1 page(s) included

0 pages included

0 pages included

0 pages included

0 pages included

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Page 1 of 1

NHP File No.: 15-4007462-8350
Class Common Name Feature Type Scientific Name Rank Federal 

Protection Status

StateProtection Status

Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat Within th

e

Immediate Vicinity of the Project Site Based on Search of

Landscape Project 3.1 Species Based Patches

Aves

Cattle Egret Foraging Bubulcus ibis 3 NA State Threatened Glossy Ibis Foraging Plegadis falcinellus 2 NA Special Concern Little Blue Heron Foraging Egretta caerulea 2 NA Special Concern Northern Harrier Non-breeding 

Sighting

Circus cyaneus 2 NA Special Concern 

Snowy Egret Foraging Egretta thula 2 NA Special Concern 

Thursday, September 17, 2015
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 3

LETTER TO NMFS – T&E SPECIES: AUGUST 24, 2015
Environmental and Planning Consultants

440 Park Avenue South

7th Floor

New York, NY 10016

tel: 212 696-0670

fax: 212 213-3191

www.akrf.com

AKRF, Inc. ● New York City ● Hudson Valley Region ● Long Island ● Baltimore / Washington Area ● New Jersey 

August 24, 2015

Mary A. Colligan

Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Protected Resources Division

1 Blackburn Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930

Re: Consultation Regarding Threatened and Endangered Species and Marine Mammals

Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges, Town of Kearny, Hudson County, NJ

Dear Ms. Colligan:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is proposing the replacement of Amtrak Bridge 

No. 7.80 (which carries Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor over NJ Transit rail tracks) and Amtrak Bridge No. 

7.96 (which carries the Northeast Corridor over PATH and Conrail rail tracks). These two bridges are 

collectively referred to as the “Sawtooth Bridges”. The Sawtooth Bridges are located along a critical 

segment of the Northeast Corridor between Newark, NJ and New York, NY. The existing two-track 

Sawtooth Bridges were constructed in 1908, and comprise a concrete-encased floor beam system 

connected to girders supported on concrete-encased columns. It is anticipated that the proposed project 

will result in a four-track crossing and that maximum allowable speeds will be increased from 60 miles 

per hour (mph) to 90 mph. The project limits extend approximately from Hudson Interlocking at MP 8.3 

to Swift Interlocking at MP 7.2 (see Figure 1).

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the lead federal agency for the environmental review, 

which is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In support of 

this effort and on behalf of Amtrak, we are requesting information on federally-listed threatened or 

endangered species, species of special concern, and marine mammals under the jurisdiction of the 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) within the vicinity of the study area for the proposed project. 

The information provided by NMFS will be used in the preparation of environmental documentation for 

this project. However, map(s) showing specific locations of sensitive species or habitats developed from 

lists provided by NMFS will not be published in any document. 
Ms. Colligan, NMFS 2 August 24, 2015

Please feel free to contact me at (646) 388-9756 or by email at lmesnick@akrf.com if you should have 

any questions regarding this information request. Thank you for your time in providing us with this 

information.

Sincerely,

Leslie Mesnick

Vice President

enclosure

cc: John Brun, Amtrak
7/7/2015

0 2,000FEET

Figure 1

Project Site

Half-Mile Study Area

U SGS7.5Min uteTopogra phicMa p

Eliza beth,Jersey City,Ora n gea n dWeeha wk en Qua ds

Approxim a tecoordin a tes ofProjectSite:

40° 44’38"N,74° 7’31"W

AREAOFDETAIL

SAWTOOTH BRIDGE
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 4 

EMAIL FROM NMFS – T&E SPECIES: SEPTEMBER 3, 2015
9/18/2015 Mail ­ Fwd: Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges: ESA listed species request

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ui=2&ik=a98661e5fd&view=pt&search=inbox&th=14fe162302c3778c&siml=14fe162302c3778c 1/1

Sarah Vorsanger <svorsanger@akrf.com>

Fwd: Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges: ESA listed species request

1 message

Leslie Mesnick <lmesnick@akrf.com> Fri, Sep 18, 2015 at 12:55 PM

To: Sarah Vorsanger <svorsanger@akrf.com>

­­­­­­­­­­ Forwarded message ­­­­­­­­­­

From: Daniel Marrone ­ NOAA Federal <daniel.marrone@noaa.gov>

Date: Thu, Sep 3, 2015 at 10:55 AM

Subject: Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges: ESA listed species request

To: lmesnick@akrf.com

Cc: Katherine StCyr ­ NOAA Federal <Katherine.StCyr@noaa.gov>

Hi Leslie,

No ESA­listed species under NMFS jurisdiction occur within the vicinity of the proposed Amtrak Sawtooth

Bridges project in Kearny, NJ. No ESA section 7 consultation is necessary. Please let me know if you have

any question.

Thanks,

Dan
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 5

LETTER TO NMFS – EFH: AUGUST 24, 2015
Environmental and Planning Consultants

440 Park Avenue South

7th Floor

New York, NY 10016

tel: 212 696-0670

fax: 212 213-3191

www.akrf.com

AKRF, Inc. ● New York City ● Hudson Valley Region ● Long Island ● Baltimore / Washington Area ● New Jersey 

August 24, 2015

Christopher Boelke

Habitat Conservation Division

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930-2276

Re: Essential Fish Habitat and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Species Information

Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges, Town of Kearny, Hudson County, NJ

Dear Mr. Boelke:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is proposing the replacement of Amtrak Bridge 

No. 7.80 (which carries Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor over NJ Transit rail tracks) and Amtrak Bridge No. 

7.96 (which carries the Northeast Corridor over PATH and Conrail rail tracks). These two bridges are 

collectively referred to as the “Sawtooth Bridges”. The Sawtooth Bridges are located along a critical 

segment of the Northeast Corridor between Newark, NJ and New York, NY. The existing two-track 

Sawtooth Bridges were constructed in 1908, and comprise a concrete-encased floor beam system 

connected to girders supported on concrete-encased columns. It is anticipated that the proposed project 

will result in a four-track crossing and that maximum allowable speeds will be increased from 60 miles 

per hour (mph) to 90 mph. The project limits extend approximately from Hudson Interlocking at MP 8.3 

to Swift Interlocking at MP 7.2 (see Figure 1).

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the lead federal agency for the environmental review, 

which is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In support of 

this effort and on behalf of Amtrak, we are requesting information on Essential Fish Habitat and Fish and 

Wildlife Coordination Act species under NMFS’s jurisdiction and input on any construction restrictions 

(i.e., construction windows) for this portion of New Jersey with respect to these resources. Information 

provided by NMFS will be used to aid in the design, schedule, and environmental review of the project, 

but maps of protected species or habitats will not be published in any document.
Mr. Boelke, NMFS 2 August 24, 2015

Please feel free to contact me at (646) 388-9756 or by email at lmesnick@akrf.com if you should have 

any questions regarding this information request. Thank you for your time in providing us with this 

information.

Sincerely,

Leslie Mesnick

Vice President

enclosure

cc: John Brun, Amtrak
7/7/2015

0 2,000FEET

Figure 1

Project Site

Half-Mile Study Area

U SGS7.5Min uteTopogra phicMa p

Eliza beth,Jersey City,Ora n gea n dWeeha wk en Qua ds

Approxim a tecoordin a tes ofProjectSite:

40° 44’38"N,74° 7’31"W

AREAOFDETAIL

SAWTOOTH BRIDGE
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 6

EMAIL FROM NMFS – EFH: SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
10/22/2015 Mail ­ EFH and FWCA information request for Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges project, Kearny NJ

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=ea858aef2a&view=pt&as_from=karen.greene%40noaa.gov&as_sizeoperator=s_sl&as_sizeunit=s_smb&as_subset=... 1/2

Leslie Mesnick <lmesnick@akrf.com>

EFH and FWCA information request for Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges project,

Kearny NJ

1 message

Karen Greene ­ NOAA Federal <karen.greene@noaa.gov> Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 12:18 PM

To: Leslie Mesnick <lmesnick@akrf.com>

Cc: Melissa Alvarez ­ NOAA Federal <melissa.alvarez@noaa.gov>

Dear Ms. Mesnick:

This is in response to your August 24, 2015 request for essential fish habitat and Fish and Wildlife Coordination

Act information request for Amtrak's proposed replacement of Amtrak Bridge No 7.80 and 7.96 which carry the

Amtrak Northeast Corridor line over the NJ Transit and Conrail tracks in Kearny, Hudson County New Jersey.

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

The Passaic River is a migratory pathway and spawning, nursery and forage area for anadromous fishes

including striped bass, alewife, blueback herring and American shad. Because landing statistics and the

number of fish observed on annual spawning runs indicate a drastic decline in alewife and blueback herring

populations throughout much of their range since the mid­1960’s they have designated as Species of Concern

by NOAA. To minimize impacts to these and other migrating diadromous species including American shad,

striped bass and American eel, in­water work should be avoided from March 1 to June 30 of each year. In

addition, wetlands in the area perform many important ecological functions. Impacts to wetlands and other

aquatic habitat should be avoid and minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Compensatory mitigation

should be provided for all unavoidable impacts. Should project plans change that would alter the basis for

determination, consultation should be reinitiated.

Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

Essential Fish Habitat

Essential fish habitat (EFH) has been designated within the Passaic River and its tributaries. As a result,

further EFH consultation by the federal action agency may be required as part of the federal permit process.

Should project plans change that would alter the basis for determination, or if new species or EFH is designated,

consultation should be reinitiated. For a listing of EFH and further information, please go to our website at:

http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/habitat If you wish to discuss this further, please contact

Melissa Alvarez at melissa.alvarez@noaa.gov or 732­872­3116.

Karen Greene

Mid­Atlantic Field Offices Supervisor

National Marine Fisheries Service

Habitat Conservation Division

James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory

74 Magruder Rd.

Highlands, NJ 07732

732 872­3023 (office)

732 872­3077 (fax)

karen.greene@noaa.gov
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 7

 LETTER TO NJDEP – NHP: MARCH 13, 2018
Environmental and Planning Consultants

440 Park Avenue South

7th Floor

New York, NY 10016

tel: 212 696-0670

fax: 212 213-3191

www.akrf.com

AKRF, Inc. ● New York City ● Hudson Valley Region ● Long Island ● Baltimore / Washington Area ● New Jersey 

March 13, 2018

Robert J. Cartica

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

State Forestry Services

Mail Code 501-04

ONLM - Natural Heritage Program

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420

Re: Threatened or Endangered Species Information Request,

Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges, Town of Kearny, Hudson County, NJ

Dear Mr. Cartica:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is proposing the replacement of Amtrak Bridge 

No. 7.80 (which carries Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor over NJ Transit rail tracks) and Amtrak Bridge No. 

7.96 (which carries the Northeast Corridor over PATH and Conrail rail tracks). These two bridges are 

collectively referred to as the “Sawtooth Bridges”. The Sawtooth Bridges are located along a critical 

segment of the Northeast Corridor between Newark, NJ and New York, NY. The existing two-track 

Sawtooth Bridges were constructed in 1908, and comprise a concrete-encased floor beam system 

connected to girders supported on concrete-encased columns. It is anticipated that the proposed project 

will result in a four-track crossing and that maximum allowable speeds will be increased from 60 miles 

per hour (mph) to 90 mph. The project limits extend approximately from Hudson Interlocking at MP 8.3 

to Swift Interlocking at MP 7.2 (see Figure 1).

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the lead federal agency for the environmental review,

which is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In support 

of this effort and on behalf of Amtrak, we are requesting information on federally and/or state-listed 

threatened or endangered species, species of special concern, and habitats of special concern within 0.5 

miles of the project site. The information provided by New Jersey Natural Heritage Program (NJNHP) 

will be used in the preparation of environmental documentation for the proposed project. However, 

map(s) showing specific locations of sensitive species or habitats developed from lists provided by 

NJNHP will not be published in any document.
Mr. Cartica, NJNHP 2 March 13, 2018

Please feel free to contact me at (856) 797-9930 or by email at SShotzberger@akrf.com if you should 

have any questions regarding this information request. Thank you for your time in providing us with this 

information.

Sincerely,

Shawn Shotzberger

Senior Technical Director

Enclosure

cc: John Brun, Amtrak
7/7/2015

0 2,000FEET

Figure 1

Project Site

Half-Mile Study Area

U SGS7.5Min uteTopogra phicMa p

Eliza beth,Jersey City,Ora n gea n dWeeha wk en Qua ds

Approxim a tecoordin a tes ofProjectSite:

40° 44’38"N,74° 7’31"W

AREAOFDETAIL

SAWTOOTH BRIDGE
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 8

EMAIL / LETTER FROM NJDEP – NHP: APRIL 3, 2018
4/4/2018 Fwd: Natural Heritage Data Request - - hannah@calladiumgroup.com - The Calladium Group Mail

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/162908dea4887441 1/1

From: DEP NATLANDS <NATLANDS@dep.nj.gov>

Date: Tue, Apr 3, 2018 at 4:19 PM

Subject: Natural Heritage Data Request -

To: "sshotzberger@akrf.com" <sshotzberger@akrf.com>

Dear Mr. Shotzberger:

The response to your Natural Heritage Data Request is attached.

Please note the following changes to Natural Heritage Database Reports:

Beginning May 9, 2017, the Natural Heritage Program reports for wildlife species will utilize data from the Landscape

Project Version 3.3. This is an update from the previous Version 3.1 released in February of 2012. It contains

approximately 3,400 new occurrences and three (3) previously unrepresented animal species: the Federally and State

Endangered Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus), the Federally Threatened Northern myotis/Northern long-eared

bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and the State Special Concern carpenter frog (Lithobates virgatipes).

There have been no changes to any of the other datasets and no changes to the format of the Heritage reports. All users will

continue to receive reports listing all rare species and ecological communities that may be on their project sites. In 2016, the

Natural Heritage Program, revised the reports for rare plant and ecological community data. There has been no change to

these reports. For rare plant species, the standard database searches and those provided for projects subject to the Flood

Hazard Control Act rules use slightly different search protocols. The 2016 revisions to the reports for rare plant species and

ecological communities are summarized below:

All users will receive a consolidated report for all occurrences of rare plant species and rare ecological communities in the

immediate vicinity (within 1⁄4 mile) of their project sites. These reports include rare plant species and ecological communities in

addition to those wetland plant species regulated by the Flood Hazard Area Control Act rules. These reports may include

records for rare plant species for which the precise location of the occurrence is not known. These are often older records, and

surveys are needed in order to determine the current condition and location of these occurrences in relation to proposed

projects.

Users requesting reports for Flood Hazard Area Control Act (FHACA) permits will continue to receive the same reports for those

wetland plant species identified by the FHACA regulations as being critically dependent on the watercourse. These reports are

limited to precisely located records for these species within one mile of the project site. The Department of Environmental

Protection, Division of Land Use Regulation (DLUR) will use this report to determine whether the habitat for any regulated plant

species occurs on site or within one mile downstream. The Natural Heritage Program cannot make a regulatory determination

about whether rare species occurrences on these reports are subject to the provisions of the FHACA. Applicants should

contact the DLUR directly.

Larry Miller

Natural Heritage Program
NHP File No. 18-4007462-13917 

 April 3, 2018 

Shawn L. Shotzberger 

AKRF, Inc. 

307 Fellowship Road, Suite 214 

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 

Re: NJ TRANSIT Sawtooth Bridge Replacement 

Kearny Town, Hudson County 

Dear Mr. Shotzberger: 

Thank you for your data request regarding rare species information for the above referenced project site. 

Searches of the Natural Heritage Database and the Landscape Project (Version 3.3) are based on a representation of the 

boundaries of your project site in our Geographic Information System (GIS). We make every effort to accurately transfer 

your project bounds from the topographic map(s) submitted with the Natural Heritage Data Request Form into our 

Geographic Information System. We do not typically verify that your project bounds are accurate, or check them against 

other sources. 

We have checked the Landscape Project habitat mapping and the Biotics Database for occurrences of any rare wildlife 

species or wildlife habitat on the referenced site. The Natural Heritage Database was searched for occurrences of rare plant 

species or ecological communities that may be on the project site. Please refer to Table 1 (attached) to determine if any rare 

plant species, ecological communities, or rare wildlife species or wildlife habitat are documented on site. A detailed report 

is provided for each category coded as ‘Yes’ in Table 1.

We have also checked the Landscape Project habitat mapping and Biotics Database for occurrences of rare wildlife species 

or wildlife habitat in the immediate vicinity (within 1⁄2 mile) of the referenced site. Additionally, the Natural Heritage 

Database was checked for occurrences of rare plant species or ecological communities within 1⁄2 mile of the site. Please 

refer to Table 2 (attached) to determine if any rare plant species, ecological communities, or rare wildlife species or wildlife 

habitat are documented within the immediate vicinity of the site. Detailed reports are provided for all categories coded as 

‘Yes’ in Table 2. These reports may include species that have also been documented on the project site. 

We have also checked the Landscape Project habitat mapping and Biotics Database for all occurrences of rare wildlife 

species or wildlife habitat within one mile of the referenced site. Please refer to Table 3 (attached) to determine if any rare 

wildlife species or wildlife habitat is documented within one mile of the project site. Detailed reports are provided for each 

category coded as ‘Yes’ in Table 3. These reports may include species that have also been documented on the project site. 

For requests submitted as part of a Flood Hazard Area Control Act (FHACA) rule application, we report records for all rare 

plant species and ecological communities tracked by the Natural Heritage Program that may be on, or in the immediate 

vicinity of, your project site. A subset of these plant species are also covered by the FHACA rules when the records are 

located within one mile of the project site. One mile searches for FHACA plant species will only report precisely located 

occurrences for those wetland plant species identified under the FHACA regulations as being critically dependent on the 

watercourse. Please refer to Table 3 (attached) to determine if any precisely located rare wetland plant species covered by 

the FHACA rules have been documented. Detailed reports are provided for each category coded as ‘Yes’ in Table 3. 

These reports may include species that have also been documented on, or in the immediate vicinity of, the project site. 

MAIL CODE 501-04

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

DIVISION OF PARKS & FORESTRY

PHILIP D. MURPHY NEW JERSEY FOREST SERVICE CATHERINE R. MCCABE

Governor OFFICE OF NATURAL LANDS MANAGEMENT Acting Commissioner 

P.O. BOX 420

SHEILA Y. OLIVER TRENTON, NJ 08625-0420 

Lt. Governor Tel. (609) 984-1339 Fax (609) 984-0427 
NHP File No. 18-4007462-13917 

The Natural Heritage Program reviews its data periodically to identify priority sites for natural diversity in the State. 

Included as priority sites are some of the State’s best habitats for rare and endangered species and ecological communities. 

Please refer to Tables 1, 2 and 3 (attached) to determine if any priority sites are located on, in the immediate vicinity, or 

within one mile of the project site. 

A list of rare plant species and ecological communities that have been documented from the county (or counties), 

referenced above, can be downloaded from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/countylist.html. If 

suitable habitat is present at the project site, the species in that list have potential to be present. 

Status and rank codes used in the tables and lists are defined in EXPLANATION OF CODES USED IN NATURAL HERITAGE 

REPORTS, which can be downloaded from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/nhpcodes_2010.pdf. 

Beginning May 9, 2017, the Natural Heritage Program reports for wildlife species will utilize data from Landscape Project 

Version 3.3. If you have questions concerning the wildlife records or wildlife species mentioned in this response, we 

recommend that you visit the interactive web application at the following URL,

https://njdep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0e6a44098c524ed99bf739953cb4d4c7, or contact the 

Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program at (609) 292-9400. 

For additional information regarding any Federally listed plant or animal species, please contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife 

Service, New Jersey Field Office at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/njfieldoffice/endangered/consultation.html. 

PLEASE SEE ‘CAUTIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON NHP DATA’, which can be downloaded from 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/heritage/newcaution2008.pdf. 

Thank you for consulting the Natural Heritage Program. The attached invoice details the payment due for processing this 

data request. Feel free to contact us again regarding any future data requests. 

Sincerely, 

 

Robert J. Cartica 

Administrator 

c: NHP File No. 18-4007462-13917 

 
NHP File No. 18-4007462-13917 

Mail Code 501-04 

Department of Environmental Protection 

New Jersey Forest Service 

Office of Natural Lands Management 

P.O. Box 420 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420 

Tel. (609) 984-1339 Fax. (609) 984-1427 

Invoice

Date Invoice # 

4/3/2018 13917 

Bill to: Make check payable to: 

AKRF, Inc. 

307 Fellowship Road, Suite 214

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 

DEP - Office of Natural Lands Management 

And forward with a copy of this statement to:

Mail Code 501-04 

Office of Natural Lands Management

P.O. Box 420 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420 

Quantity (hrs.) Description Rate (per hr.) Amount 

1 Natural Heritage Database search for locational 

information of rare species and ecological 

communities.

Project: 18-4007462-13917 

$ 70.00 $ 70.00 

Shawn L. Shotzberger 

Project Name: NJ TRANSIT Sawtooth Bridge Replacement Total $ 70.00 
Table 1: On Site Data Request Search Results (6 Possible Reports)

1. Possibly on Project Site Based on Search of Natural Heritage Database: 

Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities Currently Recorded in the 

New Jersey Natural Heritage Database

No

2. Natural Heritage Priority Sites On Site No

3. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat on the Project Site Based on 

Search of Landscape Project 3.3 Species Based Patches

Yes

4. Vernal Pool Habitat on the Project Site Based on Search of Landscape 

Project 3.3

No

5. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat on the Project Site Based on 

Search of Landscape Project 3.3 Stream Habitat File

No

6. Other Animal Species On the Project Site Based on Additional Species 

Tracked by Endangered and Nongame Species Program

No

0 pages included

1 page(s) included

0 pages included

Report Name Included Number of Pages

0 pages included

0 pages included

0 pages included

Tuesday, April 03, 2018

Page 1 of 1

NHP File No.:18-4007462-13917
Common Name Scientific Name Feature Type Rank Federal Protection

Status

State ProtectionStatus

Class 

Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat on the

Project Site Based on Search of

Landscape Project 3.3 Species Based Patches

Aves

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus Foraging

leucocephalus

4 NA State 

Endangered

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 2 NA Special Concern 

Foraging

Little Blue Heron Foraging Egretta caerulea 2 NA Special Concern Osprey Pandion haliaetus 3 NA State Threatened 

Foraging

Snowy Egret Foraging Egretta thula 2 NA Special Concern 

Tuesday, April 03, 2018
Table 2: Vicinity Data Request Search Results (6 possible reports)

1. Immediate Vicinity of the Project Site Based on Search of Natural 

Heritage Database: Rare Plant Species and Ecological Communities 

Currently Recorded in the New Jersey Natural Heritage Database

No

2. Natural Heritage Priority Sites within the Immediate Vicinity No

3. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat Within the Immediate 

Vicinity of the Project Site Based on Search of Landscape Project 3.3 

Species Based Patches

Yes

4. Vernal Pool Habitat In the Immediate Vicinity of Project Site Based 

on Search of Landscape Project 3.3

No

5. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat In the Immediate Vicinity 

of the Project Site Based on Search of Landscape Project 3.3 Stream 

Habitat File

No

6. Other Animal Species In the Immediate Vicinity of the Project Site 

Based on Additional Species Tracked by Endangered and Nongame 

Species Program

No

Report Name Included Number of Pages

0 pages included

1 page(s) included

0 pages included

0 pages included

0 pages included

0 pages included

Tuesday, April 03, 2018

Page 1 of 1

NHP File No.: 18-4007462-13917
Class Common Name Feature Type Scientific Name Rank Federal 

Protection Status

StateProtection Status

Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat Within th

e

Immediate Vicinity of the Project Site Based on Search of

Landscape Project 3.3 Species Based Patches

Aves

Bald Eagle Foraging Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus

4 NA State 

Endangered

Cattle Egret Foraging Bubulcus ibis 3 NA State Threatened 

Glossy Ibis Foraging Plegadis falcinellus 2 NA Special Concern Little Blue Heron Foraging Egretta caerulea 2 NA Special Concern Northern Harrier Non-breeding 

Sighting

Circus cyaneus 2 NA Special Concern 

Osprey Pandion haliaetus 3 NA State Threatened 

Foraging

Snowy Egret Foraging Egretta thula 2 NA Special Concern 

Tuesday, April 03, 2018
Table 3: Within 1 Mile for FHACA Searches (6 possible reports)

1. Rare Plant Species Occurrences Covered by the Flood 

Hazard Area Control Act Rule Within One Mile of the

Project Site Based on Search of Natural Heritage Database

No

2. Natural Heritage Priority Sites within 1 mile No

3. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat Within One 

Mile of the Project Site Based on Search of Landscape 

Project 3.3 Species Based Patches

Yes

4. Vernal Pool Habitat Within One Mile of the Project Site

Based on Search of Landscape Project 3.3

No

5. Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat Within One 

Mile of the Project Site Based on Search of Landscape 

Project 3.3 Stream Habitat File

No

6. Other Animal Species Within One Mile of the Project 

Site Based on Additional Species Tracked by Endangered 

and Nongame Species Program

No

Report Name Included Number of Pages

0 pages included

2 page(s) included

0 pages included

0 pages included

0 pages included

0 pages included

Tuesday, April 03, 2018

Page 1 of 1

NHP File No.: 18-4007462-13917
Class Common Name Scientific Name Feature Type Rank Federal Protection

Status

State ProtectionStatus

Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat Within

One Mile of the Project Site Based on Search of 

Landscape Project 3.3 Species Based Patches

Aves

Bald Eagle Foraging Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus

4 NA State 

Endangered

Bald Eagle Nest Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus

4 NA State 

Endangered

Black-crowned Night-heron

Nycticorax nycticorax 3 NA State Threatened 

Foraging

Cattle Egret Foraging Bubulcus ibis 3 NA State Threatened Glossy Ibis Foraging Plegadis falcinellus 2 NA Special Concern Least Bittern Breeding 

SightingConfirmed

Ixobrychus exilis 2 NA Special Concern 

Little Blue Heron Foraging Egretta caerulea 2 NA Special Concern Northern Harrier Non-breeding 

Sighting

Circus cyaneus 2 NA Special Concern 

Osprey Pandion haliaetus 3 NA State Threatened 

Foraging

Osprey Pandion haliaetus 3 NA State Threatened 

Nest

Peregrine Falcon Urban Nest Falco peregrinus 4 NA State 

Endangered

Pied-billed Grebe Breeding 

SightingConfirmed

Podilymbus podiceps 4 NA State 

Endangered

Tuesday, April 03, 2018
Class Common Name Scientific Name Feature Type Rank Federal Protection

Status

State ProtectionStatus

Rare Wildlife Species or Wildlife Habitat Within

One Mile of the Project Site Based on Search of 

Landscape Project 3.3 Species Based Patches

Snowy Egret Foraging Egretta thula 2 NA Special Concern 

Tuesday, April 03, 2018
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 9

LETTER TO NMFS – EFH: MARCH 13, 2018
Environmental and Planning Consultants

440 Park Avenue South

7th Floor

New York, NY 10016

tel: 212 696-0670

fax: 212 213-3191

www.akrf.com

AKRF, Inc. ● New York City ● Hudson Valley Region ● Long Island ● Baltimore / Washington Area ● New Jersey 

March 13, 2018

Christopher Boelke

Habitat Conservation Division

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930-2276

Re: Essential Fish Habitat and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Species Information

Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges, Town of Kearny, Hudson County, NJ

Dear Mr. Boelke:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is proposing the replacement of Amtrak Bridge 

No. 7.80 (which carries Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor over NJ Transit rail tracks) and Amtrak Bridge No. 

7.96 (which carries the Northeast Corridor over PATH and Conrail rail tracks). These two bridges are 

collectively referred to as the “Sawtooth Bridges”. The Sawtooth Bridges are located along a critical 

segment of the Northeast Corridor between Newark, NJ and New York, NY. The existing two-track 

Sawtooth Bridges were constructed in 1908, and comprise a concrete-encased floor beam system 

connected to girders supported on concrete-encased columns. It is anticipated that the proposed project 

will result in a four-track crossing and that maximum allowable speeds will be increased from 60 miles 

per hour (mph) to 90 mph. The project limits extend approximately from Hudson Interlocking at MP 8.3 

to Swift Interlocking at MP 7.2 (see Figure 1).

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the lead federal agency for the environmental review,

which is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In support of 

this effort and on behalf of Amtrak, we are requesting information on Essential Fish Habitat and Fish and 

Wildlife Coordination Act species under NMFS’s jurisdiction and input on any construction restrictions 

(i.e., construction windows) for this portion of New Jersey with respect to these resources. Information 

provided by NMFS will be used to aid in the design, schedule, and environmental review of the project, 

but maps of protected species or habitats will not be published in any document.
Mr. Boelke, NMFS 2 March 13, 2018

Please feel free to contact me at (856) 797-9930 or by email at SShotzberger@akrf.com if you should 

have any questions regarding this information request. Thank you for your time in providing us with this 

information.

Sincerely,

Shawn Shotzberger

Senior Technical Director

enclosure

cc: John Brun, Amtrak
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 10

LETTER TO NMFS – T&E SPECIES: MARCH 13, 2018
Environmental and Planning Consultants

440 Park Avenue South

7th Floor

New York, NY 10016

tel: 212 696-0670

fax: 212 213-3191

www.akrf.com

AKRF, Inc. ● New York City ● Hudson Valley Region ● Long Island ● Baltimore / Washington Area ● New Jersey 

March 13, 2018

Mary A. Colligan

Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Protected Resources Division

1 Blackburn Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930

Re: Consultation Regarding Threatened and Endangered Species and Marine Mammals

Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges, Town of Kearny, Hudson County, NJ

Dear Ms. Colligan:

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is proposing the replacement of Amtrak Bridge 

No. 7.80 (which carries Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor over NJ Transit rail tracks) and Amtrak Bridge No. 

7.96 (which carries the Northeast Corridor over PATH and Conrail rail tracks). These two bridges are 

collectively referred to as the “Sawtooth Bridges”. The Sawtooth Bridges are located along a critical 

segment of the Northeast Corridor between Newark, NJ and New York, NY. The existing two-track 

Sawtooth Bridges were constructed in 1908, and comprise a concrete-encased floor beam system 

connected to girders supported on concrete-encased columns. It is anticipated that the proposed project 

will result in a four-track crossing and that maximum allowable speeds will be increased from 60 miles 

per hour (mph) to 90 mph. The project limits extend approximately from Hudson Interlocking at MP 8.3 

to Swift Interlocking at MP 7.2 (see Figure 1).

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is the lead federal agency for the environmental review,

which is being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In support of 

this effort and on behalf of Amtrak, we are requesting information on federally-listed threatened or 

endangered species, species of special concern, and marine mammals under the jurisdiction of the 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) within the vicinity of the study area for the proposed project. 

The information provided by NMFS will be used in the preparation of environmental documentation for 

this project. However, map(s) showing specific locations of sensitive species or habitats developed from 

lists provided by NMFS will not be published in any document. 
Ms. Colligan, NMFS 2 March 13, 2018

Please feel free to contact me at (856) 797-9930 or by email at SShotzberger@akrf.com if you should 

have any questions regarding this information request. Thank you for your time in providing us with this 

information.

Sincerely,

Shawn Shotzberger

Senior Technical Director

enclosure

cc: John Brun, Amtrak
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – A – 11

EMAIL FROM NMFS: MARCH 16, 2018
4/3/2018 Fwd: AKRF Amtrack Sawtooth Bridges Kearny, NJ - hannah@calladiumgroup.com - The Calladium Group Mail

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/16288118533bd92f 1/1

From: Edith Carson - NOAA Federal <edith.carson@noaa.gov>

Date: Fri, Mar 16, 2018 at 4:50 PM

Subject: AKRF Amtrack Sawtooth Bridges Kearny, NJ

To: sshotzberger@akrf.com

Cc: Ursula Howson - NOAA Affiliate <ursula.howson@noaa.gov>

Mr. Shotzberger,

We received your letter on March 16, 2018, regarding the Amtrack Sawtooth Bridge project in Kearny, NJ. Here are our

comments.

Endangered Species Act

No federally listed or proposed threatened or endangered species under our jurisdiction are known to exist in the site of your

proposed project. Based on this, we do not believe a consultation in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act

is necessary. As such, no further coordination on this activity with the NMFS Protected Resources Division is necessary at this

time. Should project plans change or new information become available that changes the basis for this determination, further

coordination should be pursued. Please contact me (978) 282-8490 or Edith.Carson@noaa.gov), should you have any

questions regarding these comments.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act - Essential Fish Habitat

Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) has been designated within the project area for a number of federally managed fish species.

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) requires federal agencies to consult us on any

action or proposed action authorized, funded, or undertaken by the agency that may adversely affect EFH identified under

the MSA. The EFH regulations, 50 CFR Section 600.920, outline that consultation procedure and require the preparation

of an EFH assessment by the action agency, or its designated non-federal representative. Based upon the information

provided, further EFH consultation by the federal action agency will be required for this project. For a listing of EFH and

further information, please go to our website at: https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/habitat/

efh/efhassessment.html. If you wish to discuss this further, please contact Ursula Howson at 732-872-3116 or ursula.hows

on@noaa.gov.

 

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

The project area provides habitat for a wide variety of NOAA resources including resident, migratory and forage fish species

such as weakfish, tautog, American eel, winter flounder, summer flounder, bluefish and many others. Depending upon the

nature and extent of the work proposed, seasonal in-water work restrictions or other conditions may be required to avoid,

minimize or mitigate for any adverse effects to aquatic resources and their habitats. Compensatory mitigation may also be

necessary to offset habitat loss or degradation.

Thank you,

Edith

Edith Carson, M.Sc.

Section 7/Shortnose Sturgeon Fish Biologist

NOAA Fisheries

U.S. Department of Commerce

Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office

Phone: 978-282-8490

edith.carson@noaa.gov

For ESA Section 7 guidance please see:

https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/section7
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – B

IPaC TRUST REPORT
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

AMTRAK Sawtooth

IPaC Trust Resource Report

Generated July 31, 2015 10:58 AM MDT
IPaC Trust Resource Report MYQUJ-FNKNZ-G57KM-V7ITC-7X72KY

07/31/2015 10:58 IPaC Information for Planning and Conservation Page 2

Version 2.1.0

US Fish & Wildlife Service

IPaC Trust Resource Report

Project Description

NAME

AMTRAK Sawtooth

PROJECT CODE

MYQUJ-FNKNZ-G57KM-V7ITC-7X72KY

LOCATION

Essex and Hudson counties, New

Jersey

DESCRIPTION

No description provided

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Contact Information

Species in this report are managed by:

New Jersey Ecological Services Field Office

927 North Main Street, Building D

Pleasantville, NJ 08232-1454 

(609) 646-9310
IPaC Trust Resource Report MYQUJ-FNKNZ-G57KM-V7ITC-7X72KY

07/31/2015 10:58 IPaC Information for Planning and Conservation Page 3

Version 2.1.0

Endangered Species

Proposed, candidate, threatened, and endangered species that are managed by the 

Endangered Species Program and should be considered as part of an effect analysis

for this project.

This unofficial species list is for informational purposes only and does not fulfill the

requirements under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, which states that Federal

agencies are required to "request of the Secretary of Interior information whether any

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

proposed action." This requirement applies to projects which are conducted, permitted

or licensed by any Federal agency.

A letter from the local office and a species list which fulfills this requirement can be

obtained by returning to this project on the IPaC website and requesting an Official

Species List from the regulatory documents section.

There are no endangered species identified for this project area

Critical Habitats

Potential effects to critical habitat(s) within the project area must be analyzed along with

the endangered species themselves.

There is no critical habitat within this project area
IPaC Trust Resource Report MYQUJ-FNKNZ-G57KM-V7ITC-7X72KY

07/31/2015 10:58 IPaC Information for Planning and Conservation Page 4

Version 2.1.0

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Migratory Birds

Birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle

Protection Act.

Any activity which results in the take of migratory birds or eagles is prohibited unless

authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1). There are no provisions for

allowing the take of migratory birds that are unintentionally killed or injured.

You are responsible for complying with the appropriate regulations for the protection of

birds as part of this project. This involves analyzing potential impacts and implementing

appropriate conservation measures for all project activities.

American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

Year-round

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0G8

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus

Season: Breeding

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0F3

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Year-round

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B008

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger

Season: Breeding

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0EO

Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Season: Breeding

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0HI

Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus

Season: Breeding

Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis

Season: Breeding

Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea

Season: Breeding

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B09I

Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca

Season: Wintering

Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera

Season: Breeding

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0G4

Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica

Season: Migrating

Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus

Season: Breeding
IPaC Trust Resource Report MYQUJ-FNKNZ-G57KM-V7ITC-7X72KY

07/31/2015 10:58 IPaC Information for Planning and Conservation Page 5

Version 2.1.0

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Bird of conservation concern

Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis Bird of conservation concern

Season: Breeding

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Season: Wintering

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0FU

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Year-round

Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor

Season: Breeding

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima

Season: Wintering

Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa

Season: Wintering

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0DM

Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus

Season: Wintering

Saltmarsh Sparrow Ammodramus caudacutus

Season: Breeding

Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritimus

Year-round

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Season: Wintering

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0HD

Snowy Egret Egretta thula

Season: Breeding

Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda

Season: Breeding

https://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=B0HC

Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina

Season: Breeding

Worm Eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum

Season: Breeding
IPaC Trust Resource Report MYQUJ-FNKNZ-G57KM-V7ITC-7X72KY

07/31/2015 10:58 IPaC Information for Planning and Conservation Page 6

Version 2.1.0

Refuges

Any activity proposed on National Wildlife Refuge lands must undergo a 'Compatibility

Determination' conducted by the Refuge. If your project overlaps or otherwise impacts a

Refuge, please contact that Refuge to discuss the authorization process.

There are no refuges within this project area
IPaC Trust Resource Report MYQUJ-FNKNZ-G57KM-V7ITC-7X72KY

07/31/2015 10:58 IPaC Information for Planning and Conservation Page 7

Version 2.1.0

Wetlands

Impacts to NWI wetlands and other aquatic habitats from your project may be subject to

regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, or other State/Federal Statutes.

Project proponents should discuss the relationship of these requirements to their project

with the Regulatory Program of the appropriate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District.

DATA LIMITATIONS

The Service's objective of mapping wetlands and deepwater habitats is to produce reconnaissance level information

on the location, type and size of these resources. The maps are prepared from the analysis of high altitude imagery.

Wetlands are identified based on vegetation, visible hydrology and geography. A margin of error is inherent in the use

of imagery; thus, detailed on-the-ground inspection of any particular site may result in revision of the wetland

boundaries or classification established through image analysis.

The accuracy of image interpretation depends on the quality of the imagery, the experience of the image analysts,

the amount and quality of the collateral data and the amount of ground truth verification work conducted. Metadata

should be consulted to determine the date of the source imagery used and any mapping problems.

Wetlands or other mapped features may have changed since the date of the imagery or field work. There may be

occasional differences in polygon boundaries or classifications between the information depicted on the map and the

actual conditions on site.

DATA EXCLUSIONS

Certain wetland habitats are excluded from the National mapping program because of the limitations of aerial

imagery as the primary data source used to detect wetlands. These habitats include seagrasses or submerged

aquatic vegetation that are found in the intertidal and subtidal zones of estuaries and nearshore coastal waters.

Some deepwater reef communities (coral or tuberficid worm reefs) have also been excluded from the inventory.

These habitats, because of their depth, go undetected by aerial imagery.

DATA PRECAUTIONS

Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over wetlands may define and describe wetlands in a

different manner than that used in this inventory. There is no attempt, in either the design or products of this

inventory, to define the limits of proprietary jurisdiction of any Federal, state, or local government or to establish the

geographical scope of the regulatory programs of government agencies. Persons intending to engage in activities

involving modifications within or adjacent to wetland areas should seek the advice of appropriate federal, state, or

local agencies concerning specified agency regulatory programs and proprietary jurisdictions that may affect such

activities.

Wetland data is unavailable at this time.
Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Appendix 2 – C

WETLAND PHOTO SHEETS
Open water area on south side of landfill 1D. Note emergent wetland fringe dominated by 

Phragmites

Open water area on south side of landfill 1D. Note emergent wetland fringe dominated by 

Phragmites
Cedar Creek Marsh South open water. View looking east.

Culvert connection from Cedar Creek Marsh South under New Jersey Turnpike. View looking 

east.
Open channel connection from Cedar Creek Marsh South. View looking west. Note gabion/rip 

rap shoreline.

Cedar Creek Marsh North. View looking northeast.
Open water area connecting open channel extending from Cedar Creek Marsh South to Northern 

Pond. View looking north. Note culvert connection under rail not visible.

Small open water area under the New Jersey Turnpike located east of Northern Pond.