National Grid's Karner Blue & Frosted Elfin Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan & Incidental Take Permit
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) received an Endangered and Threatened Species Incidental Take Permit application from National Grid (NG) for incidental take of state listed Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) and state listed frosted elfin (Callophyrs irus) over the next 50 years during operations, maintenance, and construction activities associated with electric and natural gas facilities. A conservation program to minimize and mitigate for the incidental take would be implemented by National Grid, described in the National Grid Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Activities are undertaken in geographical areas in DEC Regions 4, 5, and 6. National Grid has estimated 3.5 acres of permanent habitat loss, and up to 84 acres of temporary disturbance of habitat over the duration of the fifty (50) year state permit from these activities. DEC anticipates these mitigation strategies of the HCP will create or enhance approximately 59 acres of habitat, increase connectivity of habitat, enable more effective management in habitat adjacent to National Grid's Rights of Way, and reduce existing threats such as damage from off-road vehicles, all of which will result in a net benefit for both species. This permit is issued in conformance with the Federal Permit, and is based on the Final HCP dated March, 2012. National Grid will implement avoidance and minimization measures to reduce take and will mitigate for permanent take with strategies presented, approved and to be implemented in the HCP.
The figures provided below highlight the primary habitat areas to be affected:
- Figure 16: APBPC Habitat Management Area (PDF) (423 KB)
- Figure 18: Enhanced ROW Vegetation Management Area (PDF) (160 KB)
- Figure 19: Off-ROW Preserve Area (PDF) (271 KB)
The above-referenced documents can be viewed at USFWS web site (link in the right column)
