The documents will also be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the Regional Office or the East Lansing Field Office. Written data or comments concerning the application, EA, or HCP should be submitted to the Regional Office. Please reference permit under TE-025433 in such comments. Regulations governing permits for endangered species are promulgated in 50 CFR 17.22 Regulations governing permits for threatened species are promulgated in 50 CFR 17.32. Background Piping plovers are sensitive to human disturbance and the effects of human activity throughout the Great Lakes and Atlantic Coast breeding range lead to its listing as an endangered species in 1985.
Human activity remains the primary threat to the species survival in the Great Lakes region.
Of the total 91 acre parcel proposed for development, a maximum of 3 acres may be potential piping plover habitat. The beach within the proposed development is not good nesting habitat and there are no records of piping plover nesting or other use on the property. Excellent nesting habitat occurs 0.5 mile west of the proposed development. Three and two pairs of piping plovers nested within Leelanau State Park in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Seven young plovers fledged in 1998, while seven hatched but disappeared prior to fledging in 1999.