A potential bog turtle habitat is present at or near where Lower Towamensing Township's new $1.4 million sewer plant will be built.

Supervisors Chairman Brent Green briefly addressed the results of a bog turtle habitat survey at Tuesday's board of supervisors meeting.Green said results of the study "did find several areas that are going to be problems in Aquashicola."He said those areas will be redesigned when the township moves forward."This brings us one step closer in the process of submittal to DEP (Department of Environmental Protection)," Green said.Last November, supervisors agreed to contract with Environmental Consultation Services Inc. of Pen Argyl to conduct the wetlands/bog turtle study at a cost of $13,300.The study, recommended by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, was conducted in the area where the new sewage plant will be built.Information will be sent to DEP since the turtle is listed as an endangered species.The surveyThe Phase I bog turtle habitat survey was performed to determine if potential bog turtle habitat exists at or near the proposed township sewer line right of way. An environmental review conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates potential conflict with the bog turtle.Three criteria must be evaluated to determine habitat: Hydrology, soils and vegetation, according to the study.Site description and proposed activitiesThe township sewer project consists of a proposed linear sewer line segment that extends from Aquashicola east along Little Gap Road to the Little Gap, the study says. In addition, two study area polygons are located within Palmerton.The project study area includes the proposed sewer line right of way and a 150-200-foot buffer on either side of the right of way known as the study area.Proposed activities are the excavation of a ditch to install sewer utility lines. The objective of the habitat study was to identify potential bog turtle habitat areas within the study area so the final design and construction of the line avoids causing earth disturbances to any potential bog turtle habitat.Field data, such as vegetation, soils, hydrology and photographs were documented as part of the habitat evaluations conducted by the firm at 11 distinct potential bog turtle habitat areas in the study area.ProceduresThe survey was conducted pursuant to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat protocols.The surveys were conducted on May 18 and June 18 by a USFWS-Recognized Qualified Bog Turtle Surveyor.The three criteria of potential bog turtle habitat were evaluated in each wetland area to determine whether habitat was present.Photographs were taken during the survey to provide a visual of key parameters that indicate whether a site has wetlands containing potential bog turtle habitat.ResultsPer the survey, a total of 31 wetlands were evaluated for potential bog turtle habitat.Of those, a total of 11 wetland areas were identified as potential bog turtle habitat over the extent of the project study area.Several of the habitats were hydrologically connected, and shared similar characteristics; therefore, habitat descriptions were grouped accordingly.ConclusionsIn light of these findings, ECSI has requested USFWS authorization to proceed under the following conditions, which are believed to effectively avoid impacts to the bog turtle if in fact they are present in any of the potential habitat areas: Assume presence of the bog turtle in each of the identified potential bog turtle habitat areas if direct impacts to the potential habitat will be avoided, in lieu of conducting Phase 2/Absence Surveys during the survey season (April-June); and assume presence, and conduct bog turtle construction monitoring, during any construction activities in the vicinity of the adjacent potential habitat.If a turtle is found in the project area, it will be left where it is.