Bog turtles, Indiana bats, Northern long-eared bats and a freshwater mussel called the dwarf wedgemussel are among the federally-threatened species that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fear could be adversely impacted by the proposed PennEast Pipeline.

Though the species were referenced in PennEast's draft environmental impact statement written by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission earlier this year, the service said the information isn't thorough enough to make a definitive analysis."Upon reviewing the draft impact statement, the Service finds inadequate survey data and information to concur with potential effects to federally listed species," said Eric Schrading, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field supervisor.Schrading said, "It appears (PennEAST) may have to engage the judicial system via eminent domain to allow surveys to be completed within the action area."After surveys are completed and additional information is submitted, Schrading said the service will coordinate with FERC to determine the next steps, according to the Endangered Species Act.BackgroundPennEast is proposing a 118-mile natural gas pipeline from Luzerne County to Mercer County, New Jersey. The pipeline would run through Kidder, Penn Forest, Towamensing and Lower Towamensing townships in Carbon County.FERC, who has the final say on the project, released its draft EIS in late July and determined "that construction and operation of the project would result in some adverse environmental impacts, but impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with the implementation of PennEast's proposed and FERC staff's recommended mitigation measures."FERC plans to release its final environmental impact statement by December.A final decision on the pipeline is due by March 2017, according to a timeline released earlier this year, but nothing statutorily requires approval or disapproval be granted by that date.Bog turtlesBog turtles inhabit emergent and scrub/shrub wetlands such as shallow spring-fed fens, sphagnum bogs, swamps, marshy meadows, and wet pastures, according to Schrading.During the inactive season and active season, bog turtles may also use forested wetlands.According to the draft impact statement, phase one habitat surveys will be completed in all delineated wetlands that are within 400 feet of the project. If bog turtle habitat is identified, phase two surveys will be completed to determine the presence or absence of the species.The draft also states that only 29 percent of wetland delineations are complete for the project.Schrading said, "The service recommends PennEast prepare a bog turtle plan to avoid and minimize impacts to the turtles and their habitat."Indiana batsBetween April and September, Indiana bats inhabit floodplain, riparian, and upland forests, roosting under loose tree bark during the day, and foraging for flying insects in and around the tree canopy at night, Schrading said. Before hibernation, Indiana bats engage in fall swarming activity and may forage and roost within 10 miles from a hibernaculum.A mist net survey was completed in August 2015. No Indiana bats were captured, but 16 sites in New Jersey could not be surveyed due to lack of property access.Impacts described in the statement that may happen include the death or injury of bats by tree clearing activities and roost abandonment."Results from the 2015 summer bat surveys are missing and incomplete," Schrading said. "For example, there is no description of the total number of species captured, nor does the statement describe the sex, age, or reproductive condition of individual bats that were captured in 2015."The service recommends clearing trees from March 15 to Sept. 30.Northern long-eared batAccording to Schrading, Northern long-eared bats roost singly or in colonies underneath bark, in cavities, or in crevices of both live and dead trees. Maternity colonies generally consist of 30 to 60 females and young.A total of 20 bats were captured during summer surveys in 2015, according to the draft impact statement."The service requests FERC further describe the results of the 2015 summer survey in the final impact statement and complete a detailed effects analysis on the proposed activities that may affect the bats," Schrading said.Dwarf wedgemusselSchrading said dwarf wedgemussel occurs on sand and gravel bottoms in creeks and rivers of various sizes.In parts of the project's range, they also occur in clay banks and small riffle areas. The species requires areas with a slow to moderate current, little silt deposition, and well-oxygenated, unpolluted water."The project has the potential to result in adverse effects to the dwarf wedgemussel," Schrading said."However, the draft impact statement does not describe the extent of dwarf wedgemussel habitat within the route. To adequately determine the impacts on dwarf wedgemussel, the service requests a habitat survey along all stream crossings in New Jersey."