Due to the potential environmental impacts related to the proposed construction and operation of a new U.S. Army Reserve Center in Asheville, North Carolina, biologists from The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District elected to conduct a multi-species survey for federally listed species, specifically under the National Environmental Policy Act and Section of the Endangered Species Act. This requires Federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that actions they fund, authorize, permit or otherwise carry out will not jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or adversely modify designated critical habitats.
The survey was a necessary step before the Louisville District could begin the project, which includes the acquisition of approximately 20 acres and construction of primary facilities to include an ARC training building, vehicle maintenance shop and unheated storage building, as well as supporting facilities and security measures, designed to support the 81st Readiness Division’s mission to provide trained and ready units and individuals to mobilize in support of the national military strategy.
The construction contract was awarded June 20, 2024, for approximately $31.9 million and is anticipated to be completed in winter 2027.
The Louisville District recognized for the survey to be successful they needed to partner with the USACE Savannah District, who is familiar with the geographic area and has a relationship with the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field office.
“The collaboration between the Louisville District project managers, project engineer/architects and biologists, as well as the Savannah District, was effective because working together helped solve problems and different challenges without escalation,” said Anthony Spicer, Louisville District project manager. “Having successful partnerships, helps to lead to easy resolutions and prevents lost time.”
The survey was conducted on-site in Asheville from May 20-22, by Louisville District biologists, Jeff Hawkins and Micah Cothren.
Hawkins and Cothren recorded a total of 933 call sequences representing seven species, including the tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), a candidate for federal listing.
A total of eight bats representing two species, the red bat (Lasiurus borealis) and the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) were also captured in mist nets during the period.
The environmental study also included a botanical survey, which documented no federally listed species, as well as the assessment of an abandoned building on the project site, which showed no evidence the bats utilized the structure as a roost, according to Hawkins.
With the initial construction phase slated to begin in October 2024, beginning with clearing the land of the project footprint prior to construction, the team had a short window to complete their surveys.
“Due to physical requirements, biting insects, weather, and difficult hours, field work for bats can often be challenging,” Hawkins said. “There are many steps that need to occur in a study of this type, including pre- and post-study coordination with regulatory agencies, finding a window in local weather to complete the work, field work, data analysis, and the writing of the summary report. Completing all of these within the project window was the toughest aspect of the project.”
Hawkins cited knowledge of the regulatory process, ability to work in difficult conditions, and preparation as the keys for the team to overcome these obstacles.
After initiating Section 7 coordination and submitting a “May Affect, Not Likely To Adversely Affect” determination to the USFWS, the team received an email in late July formally concurring with their determination, satisfying USACE’s Section 7/ESA/NEPA regulatory requirements and providing the green light for the clearing of the Army Reserve project’s footprint.
“There is something satisfying about knowing your work helps protect listed species while simultaneously helping to make Louisville District’s vision a reality,” Cothren said. “In our case, the data we gathered through our mist netting and acoustical surveys allowed the USFWS to concur with our analysis that the proposed project wouldn’t adversely affect the bat species we surveyed for. It doesn’t get much better than that!”