PD Background Report (PL-USE-2023-000008)

Home

ATTACHMENT 1—Project Narrative AT&T's Application—HIL03306 Volcano Village East Page 6 of 17 the Facility consists of undeveloped land to the south, facilities associated with the plant nursery in all other directions. 2.3.1.1. Wilderness Areas. The project area and vicinity is not located within a federal-designated Wilderness Area. Please refer to Attachment 13—NEPA Screening Report for relevant supporting documentation. 2.3.1.2. Wildlife Preserves The project area is not located within a federal-designated Wildlife Preserve. Please refer to Attachment 13—NEPA Screening Report for relevant supporting documentation. 2.3.1.3. Protected Species & Critical Habitats. EBI Consulting utilized on-line U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) information to identify federal-listed threatened and endangered species and designated critical habitat that are known to occur within the vicinity (See Attachment 13—NEPA Screening Report). EBI Consulting also reviewed the USFWS Critical Habitat Portal online mapping tool to identify critical habitats within the immediate project vicinity. EBI also evaluated State-protected species and habitat data to evaluate whether either might be present in the project vicinity. Based on EBI's review, suitable habitats capable of supporting the listed species were not noted at the proposed Project Site. As such, the Wireless Facility is anticipated to have 'No Effect' on the identified species. Based on EBI's findings above, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), no consultation with the USFWS is required. EBI submitted project details and a request for species data and /or comment to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. In response to EBI's submittal, no specific concerns relative to potential impacts of the Wireless Facility on protected species or critical habitat were identified. The response did include standard language reiterating the need to assess for potential impacts to flood zones. Please refer to Attachment 13—NEPA Screening Report for relevant supporting documentation. Wetlands EBI reviewed USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps and any other publicly available Geographic Information System (GIS) wetlands mapping resources to identify the presence of known wetlands at or in the vicinity of the Project Site. EBI also reviewed online aerial photography and available Project Site photos, as well as project design and location details provided by the Applicant.