The purpose of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (Act), passed by Congress in 1973, is to prevent the extinction of native and foreign animals and plants. The Endangered Species Act is under the administration of two federal agencies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), are responsible for all endangered and threatened marine species.  The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are responsible for freshwater fish and all other species.  With some exceptions, the Act prohibits activities affecting these protected species unless authorized by a permit from the FWS or NMFS.

The activities authorized by permits differ depending whether the species is listed as endangered or threatened.  An “endangered species” is defined as any animal or plant that is in danger of extinction.  A “threatened species” is defined as any animal or plant that is likely to become endangered in the near future.

For endangered species, permits may be issued for scientific research, enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, including conservation education, and unintentional destruction that is incidental to an otherwise lawful activity.  For threatened species, permits also may be issued for zoological, horticultural, or botanical exhibition; educational use; and special purposes consistent with the Act.

EnviroScience biologists have experience in completing surveys for numerous state and federally endangered and threatened species, including:

• Freshwater Mussel surveys and translocations
• Indiana bats
• Burrowing owls
• Birds of prey
• Plant inventory
• Reptile and amphibian surveys including Massasauga Rattlesnake surveys Running Buffalo Clover surveys

Indiana - Bat in brown glove

In addition, EnviroScience’s strong technical reputation with regulatory agencies allows our company to rapidly complete agency coordination, including:

• Section 7 Consultations
• Biological assessments
• Programmatic agreements
• Litigation
• Resident Important Species (RIS)
• Population estimates
• Qualitative surveys
• Quantitative surveys

Cyperus acuminatus, paleumbrella-sedge

Threatened Species

Federally Endangered Indiana Bat

Bat Survey Services

The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is a medium-sized bat which was listed as a federally endangered species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1967. As a listed species activities that may have an effect on the species are regulated by the USFWS. The current listed range for the Indiana bat includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Indiana bat is considered a cave dwelling bat, in that it hibernates in caves during cold winter months. In the warmer spring and summer months the Indiana Bat uses forested habitats across its range to roost, forage, and rear young. Because of their summer use of forested habitats, projects that involve clearing or removal of trees or other potential habitats must go through coordination with the USFWS.

EnviroScience biologists are highly familiar with the coordination process and the surveys that may be required as a result. We have experience with projects of all types and sizes across the range of the Indiana Bat. Our clients include federal, state and local government agencies, coal and energy companies, transportation departments, developers, and private companies. ES survey capabilities include:

• Full coordination with federal and state agencies
• Habitat, Tree, and Potential Hibernacula Surveys
• Emergence Surveys
• Mist-net Surveys
• Acoustical Monitoring
• Radio Telemetry
• Protection and Enhancement Plans

Captured Indiana Bat showing identifying characteristics such as pelage color, keeled calcar, and ear tragus

Indiana Bat Threatened Species