The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today demolished and is removing Bri-Mar Stable at the Fort River Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Hadley, Mass. In announcing its decision to remove the stable last month, the Service noted the deteriorating structure was beyond repair and posed a major safety threat to refuge staff and visitors—including barn swallows.
In a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the stable removal released Dec. 4, 2019, the Service’s selected alternative called for demolishing the stable before the next nesting season.
The FONSI noted that even a partial building collapse could threaten refuge staff and visitors, possible nesting barn swallows, an adjacent refuge building with stored equipment for the refuge complex, and the main electrical power transformer for the refuge located adjacent to the building. A small portion of the second floor has already collapsed under its own weight, and floor joists and primary support beams supporting the second floor appear to be close to failure due to prolonged exposure to water and related ongoing decay.
As required by Service policy, the FONSI was made available for a 30-day public review starting on the date of its release. No action was taken to implement the selected alternative during the review period, which ended Friday, Jan. 3.
Acknowledging local concerns about the fate of barn swallows that have inhabited the stable, Refuge Manager Andy French said refuge staff will continue working to provide suitable habitat and nesting areas for the birds in other locations on refuge land and within the larger Connecticut River watershed area.
Barn swallows are not a federally endangered or threatened species, although they and many other aerial insectivores (insect-eating birds and bats) are showing population declines in many portions of their North American range, including New England. According to the Partners in Flight Populations Estimates Database, barn swallows are the most widely distributed and abundant swallow species worldwide with a global population of approximately 190 million.
French said the Service is committed to supporting ongoing public dialog, research, and conservation efforts with partners to better understand and help address regional population declines of barn swallows and other aerial insectivores. He said people and groups interested in helping with this effort can contact him directly.
To view the FONSI decision document and response to comments, the EA, and frequently asked questions related to the issue, visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Silvio_O_Conte/News/Bri-Mar-Stable.html
