NORMANDEAUenvironmental consultants

Indiana Bat Survey Study Plan, Proposed Bell Bend Nuclear Power Plant, DCSLuzerne County, PA

Prepared by Normandeau Associates, Inc. for PPL Nuclear Development, LLCSubmitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State College PA Field OfficeApril 10, 2013

Normandeau Associates Inc. proposes the following scope of work regarding bat studies at the proposedBell Bend Nuclear Power Plant. There are 2055 acres within the project boundary along the East Branch ofthe Susquehanna River in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (see attached map). Within the project boundary,disturbance from construction will be confined to 687 acres. Much of the disturbance area is cleared land,paved areas, or open field and therefore is not considered to be bat habitat. Within this Limit ofDisturbance there is a total area of 222 acres of impacted upland forest and 24 total acres of water andwetland, for a grand total of 246 acres of potential bat habitat within the Limit of Disturbance. This iswhere the Indiana Bat study will take place. Our study will follow the guidance from the PennsylvaniaGame Commission as well as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This will involve mist-net surveysto determine presence or probable absence of Indiana bats.

During the summer of 2008, an Indiana bat study was conducted at the proposed Bell Bend site. At thetime, the limit of disturbance encompassed 630 acres. Nine mist-net sites were sampled. These nine siteswere concentrated in the central part of the Limit of Disturbance and did not sample all areas. In a July2009 letter from the USFWS, it was suggested that wetlands in the southwestern portion of the site shouldhave been surveyed for bats. While that portion of the site is no longer within the Limit of Disturbance, wehave ensured that any area that is likely to be used by Indiana bats for foraging or commuting, within theLimit of Disturbance, will be surveyed. To achieve coverage of all of these areas, we find that ten surveysites (see attached map) are required.

According to the latest draft of the USFWS Rangewide Indiana Bat Summer Survey Guidelines, there shouldbe a minimum of one survey site per 30 acres of habitat. That results in 8.2 survey sites for this project.Our proposed number often sites exceeds that minimum.

In the summer of 2013, between May 15 th and August 15th, we will conduct mist-net surveys at ten surveysites. We will adhere to bat survey guidance from the USFWS in the 2007 Range-wide Indiana BatRecovery Plan and the PGC 2012 Standard and Minimum Effort Requirements for Qualified Indiana BatSurveyor Netting within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for Environmental Review Projects. Mist-netting will be conducted by our Qualified Indiana Bat Surveyor, Michael O'Mahony and severaltechnicians, who will possess a PGC Special Use Permit. Mr. O'Mahony has held PGC Special Use Permitsfor Indiana bat studies and has been listed as a Qualified Indiana Bat Surveyor by the PA field office of theUSFWS since the year 2000. All stipulations of the PGC permit will be followed. Although the exact siteplacement will be finalized in the field, we have established proposed survey sites in the best habitat thatcan be surveyed across the entire Limit of Disturbance.

400 OLd Reading Pike, Building A, Suite 101, Stowe, PA 19464Tel. (610) 705-5733 www.normandeau.com

Normandeau Associates, Inc. -Corporate: 25 Nashua Rd., Bedford, NH 03110- 603.472.5191

NORMANDEAU&wvioimnrwn1 consufttnts

The USFWS has drafted a new set of Indiana bat survey guidelines that will require acoustic monitoringwhen enacted. At this time the new guidelines have not been made available. Therefore, this study plandoes not involve acoustical monitoring. In the event that acoustical monitoring is required at Bell Bend inthe future, Normandeau can provide that service. However, the current scope-of-work does not coveracoustical monitoring.

Normandeau will be prepared to conduct radio telemetry, according to USFWS and PGC guidance, in theevent that any bat species of special concern are captured. However, because capture of these species isunlikely, telemetry is not planned at this time. Results of the mist-net and possible radio telemetry surveyswill be reported within 90 days of project completion. The final report, containing the compilation of alldata gathered during the Indiana bat study, will be provided in the format satisfactory to the USFWS andPGC. The report will include PGC data forms, maps, references and other information necessary forreporting on bat mist netting at the proposed Bell Bend Nuclear Power Plant.

Netting at each site will include at least four net nights, consisting of a minimum of two net locations ateach site (at least 100 feet apart) and a minimum of two nights of netting (i.e., two net locations for twonights = four net nights per site). Netting will begin at dusk and continue for at least five hours. In theevent of unsuitable weather for a majority of the survey night including strong wind and rain or fog heavyenough to make the nets wet, the survey night will be repeated. If the temperature falls below 10°Cduring the survey, that will also require a repeat of the survey night. We will target travel corridors such asstreams or small roads which are typically the most effective places to capture bats. Nets will be placedapproximately perpendicular across the corridors. Nets will fill the corridors from side to side and fromstream (or ground) level up to the overhanging canopy if applicable. In accordance with PGC guidance, allnets will be stacked three-high in all survey sites that can accommodate such nets. In forested areaswithout any useable corridors, nets will be placed along forest edges, perpendicular to the edge. Thismethod has been proven to be effective in the capture of Indiana bats in eastern Ohio. The finest availablenetting will be used (two-ply, 50 denier nylon). Nets will be checked every 10 minutes. Any captured batswill be removed from the nets by the QIBS or skilled technicians under his supervision. Bats will beidentified, measured, and released immediately. All data, including GPS location, date, weather, sitedescription, surveyor names, bat captures, and bat measurements will be recorded on PGC data forms. Toprevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome by bat handlers, USFWS Decontamination Protocol will befollowed. GPS will be used to identify specific net sites, with all data plotted to USGS 1:24000 quadranglesusing GIS. In the event of capture of bat species of special concern, photographs will be taken todocument identification characteristics.

Capture of any listed bat will be reported to PPL immediately and the appropriate state or federal agencywill be notified within 24 hours. Mortality of any listed bats will be reported to agency biologistsimmediately or within eight hours.

Please contact Mick O'Mahony (484) 945-2681 should you have any comments, questions or suggestionson this proposed study plan.

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LEGEND

* Mist Net Sample Site

Limit of Disturbance

Forest

Palustrine Forested Wetland

Palustrine Emergent Wetland

Palustrine Scrub/Shrub Wetland

Streams/Waterbodies

3 BBNPP Project Boundary

246 acresof

forest/wetland/waterwithin the LOD

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NORMANDEAUenvironmenlol consullonlo

04/09/13 I

Site Location Map for Indiana batmist net sample sites

at the Bell Bend Nuclear Power Plant,Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

400 Old Reading Pike Bldg A Suite 101 Stowe, PA 194640 750 1,500 3,000 Feet

PREPARED FOR: MEO PROJECT: 22932.001 PREPARED BY: SAS

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PM Weands OIBS GIS BatsNON-

ASI SP PS PS Ss S4 S4 S3 $3 A3 T3 T2 A4 Man-fv. LABOR Labr Mild & No. Mia. LABOR TASKPLR'8W4B JOR Ridh Alt KRM Mick SIdlv Sdadfe L-e Sto.- Ra Kidh MKE bvTod SuoalD Coi Food Mile Vehide Eoe l Sdlbk TOTAL

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TOTAL LABOR COST $43,851.80 Notes 20 site niegWtAssumes one tip in tle beginnig for USFWS tour and to look for clear lacations for access

I[Dm43 Cods.Nm,-rVol: $8,052 Assumes 1o delays due to access related issues-if team is asked to demoS. we may read to charge another mob-demob fee.

Assumes woek is peltormed in two field vists. one USFWS visit and one foe mistoettig on mobdemob)TOTAL PROJECT: AssMUes acoustic monaton N wi8 not be peWormed I I I I

Assuumes o radio teeeetry I I IAssumes______ ___ nocaptive of species of special conceen i I I i 1 1 I___

______ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Asue ________________ u__ __ hs study plan is sufficient tor USFWS and PGC. bothler agency consablation and Witer revision of studty plan are not covered in this cost

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