The Service signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on June 4, selecting the proposed alternative in the environmental assessment. The proposed alternative is a plan that would conserve Lake Erie water snake habitat on 15 acres of the Long Point peninsula of Kelleys Island in Erie County, Ohio, while still allowing some private development to occur.
A habitat conservation plan is an agreement between a landowner and the Service that allows a landowner to kill, harm or harass a threatened or endangered species in the course of otherwise lawful activities -- known as "incidental take." The landowner in turn agrees to conservation measures that will mitigate and minimize the impact of the taking.
The approval of the environmental assessment and the accompanying habitat conservation plan for the Lake Erie water snake allow the Service to issue an Incidental Take Permit to the Long Point Homeowners Association. Permit holders will be allowed to continue activities such as development within the range of endangered species without fear of violating Endangered Species Act provisions which prohibit "taking" -- killing, harming or harassing -- listed species.
In return, permit holders must follow the habitat conservation plan to ensure the welfare of the snakes through minimizing impacts and implementing mitigation measures to help affected species.
"The Lake Erie water snake habitat conservation plan is an excellent example of what the Fish and Wildlife Services mission is all about -- working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife resources for the American people," said Mary Knapp, supervisor at the Services Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Field Office.
The area covered by the Lake Erie water snake habitat conservation plan currently provides both summer and hibernation habitat for the Lake Erie water snake. Measures outlined in the plan to conserve snake habitat include:
--incorporating a 125-foot setback from the shoreline for construction of residences to minimize disturbance of the snakes summer habitat;
--adhering to seasonal and location-specific restrictions on mowing to minimize the potential of harming snakes with lawnmowers;
--installing artificial hibernacula to replace natural hibernacula disturbed by construction of residences;
--adhering to seasonal and temperature restrictions on excavation to avoid disturbing snakes during hibernation;
--limiting the total area that can be cleared of existing vegetation to preserve both summer and hibernation habitat; and
--allowing access to state and federal biologists and researchers to monitor snakes on the property.
The Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Lake Erie water snake as a threatened species in 1999 because the snakes populations have experienced major declines during the past 150 years. Most of the decline can be attributed to habitat loss, such as development of the snakes shoreline habitat with marinas and houses. Lake Erie water snake populations are also threatened by intentional and accidental death as a result of human activity.
The non-poisonous Lake Erie water snake is a uniform gray to brown color, and may have dark bands or blotches. Mature snakes can range from 1 to 5 feet in length. The largest populations of the water snake in the U.S. occur on North, Middle, and South Bass Islands and Kelleys Island. Lake Erie water snakes also occur on the Canadian Lake Erie islands. The snakes spend the summer along the rocky shorelines of the islands and forage for fish in the lake. During the winter, Lake Erie water snakes hibernate underground.
The environmental assessment/habitat conservation plan, FONSI and associated documents are available on the Internet at
