Apéndice 3.2 Biological Evaluation Raptors in Puerto Rico DIA-P Gasoducto

8/8/2019 Apndice 3.2 Biological Evaluation Raptors in Puerto Rico DIA-P Gasoducto

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APNDICE 2

Biological Evaluation of Potential Impacts Associated with the Via Verde

Pipeline Project on Endangered Raptors in Puerto Rico


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Biological Evaluation of PotentialImpacts Associated with the Via Verde

Pipeline Project on EndangeredRaptors in Puerto Rico

Prepared for:

Asesores Ambientalesy Educativos (A.E.E)

By:

Tetra Tech, Inc451 Presumpscot St.

Portland, Maine 04103

August 2010


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Biological Evaluation of the Via Verde Pipeline Project onEndangered Raptors in Puerto Rico

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 3

2.0 BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION ................................................................................ 5

3.0 CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATIONS ..................................................... 10

4.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 14

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Via Verde Pipeline Project, Puerto Rico ....................................................................... 4

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Detailed breakdown of potential occurrence for Broad-winged Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks in Focal Area 1 along the proposed Via Verde Project .................... 12

Table 2. Detailed breakdown of potential occurrence for Broad-winged Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks in Focal Area 2 along the proposed Via Verde Project .................... 13


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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

The Puerto Rican Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is proposing to develop a 91 mile pipelineproject (Via Verde) in Puerto Rico (Figure 1). To assist in compliance with the federalendangered species act (ESA) of 1973, PREPA contracted Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra Tech) tocomplete a Biological Evaluation (BE) to evaluate the effects of the proposed project on thePuerto Rican Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus brunnescens) and Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus venator). Mr. Derek Hengstenberg, a recognized expert onthese raptor species and current avian biologist with Tetra Tech, conducted the evaluation.

1.2 Goals and Objectives

The goal of this Biological Evaluation was to determine if the proposed pipeline project wouldlikely adversely affect the federally listed Puerto Rican Broad-winged Hawk and Puerto Rican

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Specific objectives included 1) examine how each species would beexposed to project activities and 2) determine if individuals and/or their habitat are likely torespond in a negative manner to this exposure or if the effects of the project would be beneficial,insignificant, or discountable.

1.3 GIS Analysis and Methods

Using the Via Verde Pipeline shapefile provided by Asesores Ambientales y Educativos (A.E.E),endangered raptor habitats were assessed and classified based on known habitat requirements.First, areas of the southern and northern coastal plains of Puerto Rico were removed from the

assessment area. The remaining areas of the Via Verde Pipeline occurred in the karsttopography and central mountain region of Puerto Rico; potential endangered raptor habitat.Two Focal Areas were designated along the pipeline as having potential endangered raptorhabitat. The Focal Areas were divided into as either forested (i.e., potential habitats) or non-forested habitat (e.g., shrub, agricultural, developed, etc.) within 50 feet either side of thepipeline center line; 100 foot right-of-way (ROW). Habitats within the ROW along the two FocalAreas were heads-up digitized using color digital aerial photography from ESRIs world imagerydatabase. The length of each habitat type with each focal area was assigned a linear distancecorresponding to the pipeline route distance. The area of evaluation was divided into two FocalAreas (Figure 1). Table 1 and 2 provide an assessment of the potential occurrence ofendangered raptors and corresponding mileage marker for both Focal Areas. The followingaddress how particular sections/regions of the proposed Via Verde pipeline may affect each

species of raptor.


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0Prepared

By:

Prepared For:

Asesores Ambientales y Edu

Figure 1.

Via Verde Pipeline Projec

Focal Area #1

Focal Area #2

Start (Mile 0.0)

End (Mile 90.7)

0 5 10 15 202.5

Miles

Projection/Coordinate System:North American Datum of 1983,Puerto Rico State Plane, US Feet

Legend

Via Verde Pipeline

Endangered Raptors Focal Area #1 (Miles 9.6 - 37.6)

Endangered Raptors Focal Area #2 (Miles 58.9 - 68.3)

Notes:World Imagery of Puerto Rico obtained fromhttp://services.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/services


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2.0 BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION

The following biological evaluation includes the following:

A description of the proposed project

A description of the project area including identification of the specific action area Species evaluated

An examination of the habitat characteristics of the forested regions (canopy type,coverage, geographic preferences [e.g., distance to water, karst hills, etc.]) withinpipeline corridor route.

An evaluation of whether there are any of the examined forested communities suitablefor maintaining an endemic population of hawks within or immediately adjacent to thepipeline corridor.

An evaluation of whether the forested areas identified constitute critical habitat orsuitable nesting habitat for the species.

An evaluation of the proposed temporary impacts and how it may preclude future use ofthese areas by the hawks.

An assessment of the effects analysis A set of recommended additional studies

Project Description

The Via Verde project consists of the construction of a high pressure gas pipeline from themunicipality of Peuelas in the south, through the central mountain region, and along thenorthern coast to the municipality of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The pipeline will run through themunicipalities of Peuelas, Adjuntas, Utuado, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Manat, Vega Baja, VegaAlto, Dorado, Toa Baja, Catano, and Guaynabo. The pipeline will consist of a temporary right ofway of 100 feet (50 feet either side of the pipeline). The permanent right-of-way to be

maintained after construction will be reduced to 50 feet wide (25 feet either side of the pipeline).After construction, the right-of-way corridor will be allowed to naturally revegetate.

Project and Action Area

The Via Verde pipeline runs through four of the six life zones of Puerto Rico. The zones are thesubtropical dry forest, lower montane wet forest, subtropical wet forest, and subtropical moistforest. Both species of raptors have been reported from each of these life zones, except thesubtropical dry forest. Topography and elevation in the project area vary widely from thesouthern and northern coast to the rugged karst region and upper elevation central mountainregion. Elevations within the project area range from 1 meter to 1,040 meters, with the highest

elevations occurring in the municipalities of Peuelas and Adjuntas. The project area crossesmany hydrographic features including the Rio Grande de Arecibo and the Rio Grande deManat.

The Via Verde also intersects or is located near at least two Important Bird Areas (IBA) ofPuerto Rico, the Karso del Norte IBA (PR 003) and the Cordillera Central IBA (PR 010). Both ofthe IBAs consist of state forests, protected natural areas, and unprotected zones. Broad-winged Hawks are known to occur within the Karso del Norte IBA and Sharp-shinned Hawks areknown to occur within the Cordillera Central IBA (Birdlife International 2010


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Species Evaluated

As stated above, only the Puerto Rican Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned hawk were evaluatedas part of this Biological Evaluation. Both the Puerto Rican Broad-winged and Sharp-shinnedhawk are considered subspecies. Unlike their North American counterparts, both thesesubspecies are non-migratory and remain year-round residents of Puerto Rico. Both the PuertoRican Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned hawk were listed as endangered in 1994, pursuant tothe Endangered Species Act of 1973. At this time, critical habitat has not been designated forthe two subspecies. In 1997, the US Fish and Wildlife Service established a recovery plan forboth the Puerto Rican Broad-winged Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk to aid in the protection andhelp in the recovery of these species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1997). The recovery criteriaare to protect, enhance, and stabilize the existing population in Puerto Rico.

The Broad-winged Hawk and Sharp-shinned hawk are both endemic and uncommon woodlandraptors of Puerto Rico, with small populations restricted to montane forests of the CordilleraCentral, karst region, Sierra de Cayey, and the Sierra de Luquillo (Delannoy 1997). During thelast island-wide population census in 1991 and 1992, there were approximately 125 Sharp-

shinned Hawks and 150 Broad-winged Hawks identified (Delannoy 1997). Other studies havestudied these species in more detail but counts were restricted to areas where there are knownpopulations (Hengstenberg and Vilella 2004, 2005; Vilella and Hengstenberg 2006). There hasnot been an island-wide count in close to 20 years for these species. During this time, there hasbeen a significant increase in the amount of secondary growth forests island-wide, mostly due toa shift away from an agrarian based society. Previous studies indicated Broad-winged Hawks inPuerto Rico have a limited geographic range and their abundance is higher in the karst regioncompared to other life zones on the island (Delannoy 1997).

Broad-winged Hawks use forest habitats in the subtropical wet zone, the subtropical lowermontane wet forest and the subtropical moist zone. Broad-winged Hawks nest sites in Rio Abajowere continuous tracts of closed-canopy forests intersected by small forest dirt roads. Broad-

winged Hawks nested in mixed species timber plantations and mature secondary forest(Delannoy and Tossas 2002; Hengstenberg and Vilella 2005). Nests were placed in the upperreaches of large trees emerging from the canopy. Nest tree DBH, understory stem density, anddistance to karst cliff wall correctly classified nest sites (Hengstenberg and Vilella 2005).

Broad-winged Hawks hunt from perches just below the canopy where they can scan the groundin search of prey. Broad-winged Hawks prey on small invertebrates, especially frogs and lizards,although small birds as heavy as 200 g, rats, and centipedes also are consumed (Hengstenbergand Vilella 2005). Although, Broad-winged Hawks spend a small proportional time in the airsoaring (i.e. aerial displays, territorial flights) it has not been documented whether Broad-wingedHawks hunt in flight.

Karst topography adds much relief to the landscape, creating areas between limestone hills thatmay harbor high concentrations of prey (Vilella and Hengstenberg 2006). In Puerto Rico, thepresence of continuous closed canopy forests may represent the principal structural featuredescribing Broad-winged Hawks habitat suitability at the home range scale.

It appears that the Sharp-shinned Hawk population in Puerto Rico may be declining. From 1991to 1992, the island-wide population of SSHAs was estimated at 130, which is quite a bit lessthan the population estimate of 240 during a status survey in the 1980s (Cruz and Delannoy


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1986). Extant population of Sharp-shinned Hawks have been mostly found from the uplandforests (elevation of 200 meters or greater) of Puerto Rico including Maricao, Toro Negro,Carite, and Luquillo. Sharp-shinned Hawks are noticeably absent from karst forests and coastalplains.

Sharp-shinned Hawk habitat appears restricted to upper elevation habitat. Sharp-shinnedHawks showed high site fidelity within subtropical wet forest and subtropical lower mountainforest life zone. It appears that Sharp-shinned Hawks are selecting certain habitat other others(Delannoy 1997). High stem density, closed-canopy, and tall-large diameter trees are importanthabitat features for Sharp-shinned Hawks. Sharp-shinned Hawks prey mostly on birds (range of3 grams to 180 grams) with females selecting larger prey items than males (Delannoy and Cruz1999).

Human disturbance from road building and recreation has significantly impacted the nestingsuccess of Sharp-shinned Hawks in historical breeding areas. Delannoy (1997) recommendedsome management techniques including: leaving an area of approximately 3.1 ha (7.8 acres)undisturbed near a nest site and restricting activities near know nests during the breedingseason. Both species of forest raptors are susceptible to urban development, road construction,

energy projects, logging, recreation, botfly parasitism, and natural events such as hurricanesand landslides.

Effects Analysis

Puerto Rican Broad-winged Hawk:

As noted above, the broad-winged hawk is dependent on closed canopy forest; therefore, anyactions that involve forest clearing in areas of suitable habitat may likely have a direct, andpossibly indirect adverse effect on this species. However, because areas outside of Focal Areas1 and 2 traverse either segments containing little or no suitable habitat (areas containing karstforests), or would disturb pre-existing non-forested habitat it is expected that there would be no

effect on Puerto Rican Broad-winged Hawks in these areas.

Based on a review of existing data, corridor sections within Focal Areas 1 and 2 contain karstforest areas known to be preferred by this species. However, certain sections of Focal Areas 1and 2 have not been directly surveyed for the presence and extent of broad-winged hawks. Inaddition, project activities in these Focal Areas would involve direct clearing of the forestcanopy. As stated previously, forest clearing would create openings in the forest. Forestclearing could potentially directly impact nest locations and courtship areas. Also, forest clearingwould directly remove those areas as foraging locations. Based on the extent of the existingavailable habitat it is assumed that these changes may have only an insignificant impact on thelocal population and subspecies as a whole. However, unless site specific surveys areconducted it is currently not known whether any individuals or nest locations would be taken.

Therefore, it seems prudent that site specific surveys of nest locations and specific use of theproject corridor be undertaken in areas where the forest canopy would be cleared within FocalAreas 1 and 2.


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Site Specific Survey Recommendations:

Northern Coast:A smaller area of evaluation is between the towns of Manati and Vega Bajawhere the proposed pipeline intersects karst topography of mogotes and sinkholes for a 9 milestretch of pipeline. The section from mile marker 59 to mile marker 68 is an overland pipelinesection through karst topography. There is potential Broad-winged Hawk habitat and a survey isrecommended for this area. The remaining coastal area from mileage marker 38 to 58 and 69to 91 do not contain Broad-winged Hawk habitat. No surveys are recommended in thesesections.

Central Karst Region:The proposed Via Verde pipeline will pass through the Rio Abajo Forest(karst region) where there is the highest abundance of Broad-winged Hawks nesting on theisland (Delannoy 1997; Hengstenberg and Vilella 2004, 2005). This forest is also home to arecently re-introduced population of endangered Puerto Rican Parrots (Amazona vittata). In2000 and 2001, one Broad-winged Hawk had a home range (Hengstenberg and Vilella 2004,2005; Vilella and Hengstenbeg 2006) that encompassed area on both sides of Highway Route10 in the northern section of Rio Abajo. In addition, the Puerto Rico Breeding Bird Atlasrecorded Broad-winged Hawks on a couple of their survey routes in this region: # 0608, # 0610,

# 0613, #0537, and #0687. Broad-winged Hawks in this stretch of pipeline, from mile marker 30to 37.5 have been studied in the early 1990s and early 2000s.

In this particular section, the pipeline is to be co-located in the same right-of-way as theHighway Route 10. Due to the co-location of the Via Verde pipeline, there should not be anygreater disturbance to Broad-winged Hawks than the already existing highway. For this reason,the pipeline in this section may affect but is not likely to adversely affect the Broad-wingedHawk. We still recommend conducting a Broad-winged Hawk survey along the pipeline corridorin this section to document presence/absence along the proposed route. Three survey pointsshould be established, one at the northern, one in the central portion, and one at the southernextreme of the forest boundary to cover the Rio Abajo Forest section of pipeline.

Central Mountain Volcanic Region: The section of pipeline running just south of Rio Abajothrough the volcanic region to just north of Ponce in subtropical dry forest zone is a section thatneeds to be evaluated for the Broad-winged Hawk. The evaluation area is a stretch of pipelineof approximately 20 miles. This section contains a combination of upper elevation forests withforested habitat and there have been historical and as well as recent records of Broad-wingedHawks. The Puerto Rico Breeding Bird Atlas recorded birds from the Guaraguoa, Ponce survey

route (# 0987). In this section, the pipeline follows some roads but the majority of the pipelinewill be overland (through intact forests) and will require a temporary 100-foot corridor (in placesof forested habitat) during the construction process and then maintaining a 50-foot corridor. Dueto the limited data from this area, the occurrence during a breeding bird survey, historicincidental observations, and potential habitat in this region, a Broad-winged Hawk survey isrecommended.

Southern Coastal Dry Forest Region: Broad-winged Hawks are not known from region ofPuerto Rico. No surveys are recommended from mile marker 0 to miler mark 9.67.

Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk

As noted above, the sharp-shinned hawk is likewise dependent on closed canopy forest;therefore, any actions that involve forest clearing in areas of suitable habitat may likely have a


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direct, and possibly indirect adverse effect on this species. However, because areas outside ofFocal Areas 1 and 2 traverse either segments containing little or no suitable habitat (areasbelow 200 m elevation), or would disturb pre-existing non-forested habitat it is expected thatthere would be no effect on Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk in these areas.

Based on a review of existing data, corridor sections within Focal Areas 1 and 2 contain forestareas at elevations known to be preferred by this species. However, certain sections of FocalAreas 1 and 2, particularly in the Central Mountain Volcanic Region Cordillera Central, havenot been directly surveyed for the presence and extent of broad-winged hawks. In addition,project activities in these Focal Areas would involve direct clearing of the forest canopy. Asstated previously, forest clearing would create openings in the forest. Forest clearing couldpotentially directly impact nest locations and courtship areas. Also, forest clearing woulddirectly remove those areas as foraging locations. Based on the extent of the existing availablehabitat it is assumed that these changes may have only an insignificant impact on the localpopulation and subspecies as a whole. However, unless site specific surveys are conducted itis currently not known whether any individuals or nest locations would be taken. Therefore, itseems prudent that site specific surveys of nest locations and specific use of the project corridorbe undertaken in areas where the forest canopy would be cleared within Focal Areas 1 and 2.

Site Specific Survey Recommendations

Of the 91 miles of pipeline proposed, approximately 20 miles is within potential Sharp-shinnedHawk habitat in parts of Focal Area 1 (Figure 1). A no impact area was calculated from mileagemarker 30 to mileage marker 91 along the central and northern part of the pipeline and thenagain from mileage marker 0 to 10 along the southern section. Sharp-shinned hawks are notknown from the karst region and are typically found at elevations greater than 900 feet.

Northern Coast: There should be no impact to Sharp-shinned Hawks from mileage marker 38to mileage marker 91 along Via Verde Pipeline.

Central Karst Region: There should be no impact to Sharp-shinned Hawks in these sections ofthe Via Verde Pipeline from mileage marker 30 to mileage marker 37.

Central Mountain Volcanic Region:The proposed Via Verde pipeline does not pass through anycommonwealth forests that support known Sharp-shinned Hawks. However, the pipelinecrosses stretches of continuous forest tracts in the Cordillera Central that may provide habitatfor the Sharp-shinned Hawk (mileage marker 10 to 30). According to the Puerto Rico BreedingBird Atlas, the Adjuntas Pueblo survey route (# 0910) confirmed the presences of Sharp-shinned hawks. This survey route is in close proximity to the proposed path of the pipeline.

The moist/wet subtropical forested tracts of land that occur north of the subtropical dry forest lifezone and extend until the karst region near Lago Dos Bocas is the area that should be further

evaluated (Figure 2). In this section, the pipeline follows some mountainous roads but themajority of the pipeline will be overland (through intact forests) and will require a temporary 100-foot corridor (in places of forested habitat) to be cleared during the construction process andthen a 50-foot corridor maintained for the life of the project. In these interior forest sections, verylittle data exists on Sharp-shinned Hawks. Although sporadic, the data suggest the occurrenceof Sharp-shinned hawks in these mountainous montane sections. Sections of pipeline that areproposed for overland development and contain intact forest structure in the moist/wet lifezoneshould be evaluated.


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Southern Coastal Dry Forest Region: Sharp-shinned Hawks have not been reported from thisregion of Puerto Rico. No surveys are recommended from mile marker 0 to miler mark 10.

3.0 CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATIONSThe results from our Biological Evaluation indicate that project activities within the pipelinesection within the two Focal Areas may adversely affect both endangered raptors if 1) eitherspecies is nesting or specifically using the project corridor, or, 2) if found to be present, nomitigation measures are employed to reduce the effects of project activities to being eitherinsignificant or discountable. Options for mitigation may include rerouting certain pipelinesegments to avoid direct impacts or other techniques to reduce impacts on these species.Activities in the remaining areas of the proposed pipeline corridor (outside the two Focal Areas)would constitute either a no effect or, at most, a may affect, but not likely to adversely affecteach species. Again, this is due to either the lack of suitable habitat and/or lack of forestclearing.

Further studies are recommended within the Focal Areas to help provide sufficient data to makethis final effect determination. Results from the GIS analysis and data review, indicate thatsections of the Via Verde pipeline contain potentially suitable habitat for the Broad-winged Hawkand Sharp-shinned Hawk, as well as, confirmed sightings and known breeding birds in the FocalAreas.

Tetra Tech recommends that visual observations for Broad-winged Hawks and Sharp-shinnedHawks be conducted in the Focal Area 1 (mile marker 9.67 to mile marker 37.5) and Focal Area2 (mile marker 59 to mile marker 68). Focal Area 1 contains both karst and upper elevationmontane forests. In particular, the pipeline section from mile marker 10 to mile marker 30, verylittle data exists on presence or absence of these two forest raptors. Both the Broad-winged

Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk have been incidentally observed in the upper mountain forestsbetween Utuado and Adjuntas in 2001 (personal communication) and during breeding bird atlassurveys within the last ten years. Within the Rio Abajo section (mile marker 30 to mile marker38) surveys for Broad-winged Hawks should be conducted to determine presence/absence.Within Focal Area 2, between mile marker 59 and mile marker 68, the proposed pipelineintersects karst topography. A Broad-winged Hawk survey would be recommended within thissection. As with any raptor surveys, all species of raptors should be recorded.

Raptor observations should be conducted from vantage points during the period of lateDecember to early March period, when both species of raptors are engaged in aerial courtshipand territorial displays (Delannoy 1997; Hengstenberg and Vilella 2004, 2005; Vilella andHengstenberg 2006). These displays and vocalizations usually occur above the canopy which

provides the observer the best opportunity to document presence or absence. Mid-May is agood time to conduct follow-up post-fledgling surveys. Outside of the breeding season, bothspecies of raptors are very cryptic and most of their flights are below the canopy of the forest.Observation points should be spaced every mile to ensure the most accurate count of thesespecies. Surveys should occur over a month period to account for differences in timing ofdisplays for each species.

In areas where a Broad-winged or Sharp-shinned Hawk have been observed, a follow up nestsite surveys should be conducted to determine nest site location. These surveys should be


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conducted using a combination of playback calls and grid searches. If a nest site is found, aGPS coordinate should be taken and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should be contacted.

In an effort to minimize potential impacts to forest structure, the amount of canopy clearingshould be minimized when possible. An area with an open understory with at least 75% canopycover will still provide foraging habitat for raptors. Construction activity should be restricted tothe non-breeding season (July to December) to minimize impacts to nesting birds and tominimize impacts during their courtship aerial flights. If the opportunity arises on coffeeplantations (on-site or nearby mitigation) encouraging the use of shade-grown coffee is apositive mitigation tool for conservation of forest raptors and their habitat. Shade-grown coffeeplantations provides suitable foraging habitat for both species of raptors.

During the construction process, having a specialized biologist familiar with both raptor speciesconduct surveys ahead of the construction crews will help in determining presence or absencefor both species. If construction within the Rio Abajo Forest section occurs during the non-breeding season, no impacts to Broad-winged Hawks would be anticipated.


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BWHA/SSHA (X

Table 1. Detailed breakdown of potential occurrence for Broad-winged Hawks and Sharp-

shinned Hawks in Focal Area 1 along the proposed Via Verde Project

FocalArea Segment StartMileage EndMileage Length(mi) CoverClass BWHA SSHA1 1 9.67 9.87 0.20 F x x

1 2 9.87 10.03 0.16 N

1 3 10.03 10.20 0.16 F x x

1 4 10.20 10.38 0.18 N

1 5 10.38 10.70 0.33 F x x

1 6 10.70 10.76 0.06 N

1 7 10.76 11.20 0.44 F x x

1 8 11.20 11.38 0.18 N

1 9 11.38 12.68 1.30 F x x

1 10 12.68 12.86 0.18 N

1 11 12.86 15.34 2.49 F x x

1 12 15.34 15.49 0.14 N

1 13 15.49 16.22 0.74 F x x

1 14 16.22 16.27 0.05 N

1 15 16.27 16.90 0.63 F x x

1 16 16.90 17.05 0.15 N

1 17 17.05 17.56 0.50 F x x

1 18 17.56 17.70 0.14 N

1 19 17.70 18.19 0.49 F x x

1 20 18.19 18.24 0.05 N 1 21 18.24 18.97 0.73 F x x

1 22 18.97 19.03 0.06 N

1 23 19.03 19.99 0.96 F x x

1 24 19.99 20.28 0.29 N

1 25 20.28 20.38 0.10 F x x

1 26 20.38 20.51 0.13 N

1 27 20.51 20.61 0.10 F x x

1 28 20.61 20.68 0.07 N

1 29 20.68 20.77 0.09 F x x

1 30 20.77 20.97 0.20 N

1 31 20.97 21.09 0.12 F x x

1 32 21.09 21.19 0.10 N

1 33 21.19 22.03 0.83 F x x

1 34 22.03 22.18 0.16 N

1 35 22.18 22.69 0.51 F x x

1 36 22.69 22.79 0.09 N

1 37 22.79 22.97 0.18 F x x

1 38 22.97 23.04 0.07 N

1 39 23.04 23.22 0.19 F x x

1 40 23.22 23.29 0.06 N

1 41 23.29 23.43 0.15 F x x

1 42 23.43 23.47 0.04 N

1 43 23.47 23.98 0.51 F x x

1 44 23.98 24.06 0.08 N

1 45 24.06 24.19 0.13 F x x1 46 24.19 24.45 0.25 N

1 47 24.45 25.07 0.63 F x x

1 48 25.07 27.30 2.23 N

1 49 27.30 27.37 0.07 F x x

1 50 27.37 27.51 0.14 N

1 51 27.51 29.66 2.14 F x x

1 52 29.66 29.78 0.12 N

1 53 29.78 30.09 0.31 F x x

1 54 30.09 36.63 6.55 N

1 55 36.63 36.70 0.07 F x

1 56 36.70 37.61 0.91 N

CoverClass (F=Forested,N=NonForested)=Possible

=

Notlikely)


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Table 2. Detailed breakdown of potential occurrence for Broad-winged Hawks and Sharp-

shinned Hawks in Focal Area 2 along the proposed Via Verde Project

FocalArea Segment StartMileage EndMileage Length(mi) CoverClass BWHA SSHA2 1 58.93 59.02 0.10 N

2 2 59.02 59.06 0.04 F x

2 3 59.06 59.16 0.10 N

2 4 59.16 59.27 0.11 F x

2 5 59.27 59.29 0.02 N

2 6 59.29 60.67 1.38 F x

2 7 60.67 60.69 0.02 N

2 7 60.69 60.84 0.14 F x

2 8 60.84 60.90 0.06 F x

2 8 60.90 61.01 0.11 N

2 9 61.01 61.09 0.08 N

2 9 61.09 61.18 0.09 F x

2 10 61.18 62.40 1.22 N

2 11 62.40 62.54 0.14 F x

2 12 62.54 63.72 1.18 N

2 13 63.72 63.80 0.08 F x

2 14 63.80 63.85 0.05 N

2 15 63.85 63.88 0.03 F x

2 16 63.88 64.54 0.66 N

2 17 64.54 64.63 0.09 F x

2 18 64.63 64.68 0.06 N

2 19 64.68 64.76 0.08 F x

2 20 64.76 64.77 0.01 N

2 21 64.77 64.83 0.06 F x

2 22 64.83 65.20 0.37 N 2 23 65.20 65.23 0.03 F x

2 24 65.23 65.28 0.05 N

2 25 65.28 65.33 0.05 F x

2 26 65.33 65.51 0.18 N

2 27 65.51 66.09 0.59 F x

2 28 66.09 66.81 0.72 N

2 29 66.81 66.91 0.09 F x

2 30 66.91 66.94 0.04 N

2 31 66.94 67.03 0.09 F x

2 32 67.03 67.07 0.04 N

2 33 67.07 67.14 0.07 F x

2 34 67.14 67.28 0.15 N

2 35 67.28 67.33 0.05 F x

2 36 67.33 67.48 0.14 N

2 37 67.48 67.79 0.32 F x

2 38 67.79 67.94 0.15 N

2 39 67.94 68.20 0.26 F x

2 40 68.20 68.33 0.13 N

CoverClass (F=Forested,N=NonForested)BWHA/SSHA (X=Possible= Notlikely)


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4.0 REFERENCES

Birdlife International. 2010. Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean- Puerto Rico.http://www.birdlife.info/docs/CaribCntryPDFs/Puerto_Rico_(to_USA).pdf . Accessed 2August 2010.

Cruz, A. and C. A. Delannoy. 1986. Status, breeding biology and conservation needs of thePuerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus venator). Final Report submitted toU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Contract no. 14-16-0004-82-047.

Delannoy, C. A. 1997. Status of the Broad-winged Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk in PuertoRico. Caribbean Journal of Science 38: 2026.

Delannoy, C.A. and A. Cruz. 1999. Patterns of prey abundance and use by male and femalePuerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawks. Caribbean Journal of Science 35: 3845.

Delannoy, C.A. and A. Tossas. 2002. Breeding biology and nest site characteristics of Puerto

Rican Broad-winged Hawks at Rio Abajo Forest. Caribbean Journal of Science 38: 2026.

Hengstenberg, D W. and F. J. Vilella. 2004. Reproductive biology, abundance and movementpatterns of the Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus brunnescensin a moist limestoneforest of Puerto Rico. Final Report submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey underCooperative Agreement No. 14-45-009-1543-59.

Hengstenberg, D.W. and F. J. Vilella. 2005. Nesting ecology and behavior of Broad-wingedhawks in moist karst forests of Puerto Rico. Journal of Raptor Research 39: 404416.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1997. Puerto Rican Broad-winged Hawk and Puerto Rican

Sharp-shinned Hawk Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, Georgia. 30pp.

Vilella, F. J. and D. W. Hengstenberg. 2006. Broad-winged Hawk movements and habitat usein a moist limestone forest of Puerto Rico. Ornithologia Neotropical 17: 563579.

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Apéndice 3.2 Biological Evaluation Raptors in Puerto Rico DIA-P Gasoducto

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