Habitat: One of the most ill defined and perhaps frequently used words in the environmental field. Frequently it is called Wildlife Habitat and generally is spoken as a gasp soon as the development plan is unrolled before a group of people.
What does Habitat mean? Something not human lives in or uses that particular spot. Pretty general, no? Since everything is good for some organism, where is the intended protections line?
Enter the charismatic megafauna. Bear, deer, pileated woodpecker, turkeys, beaver and salamander. Before you point out that salamanders are not charismatic, take a look at the mole salamander group. The cherubic paedamorphic symmetry of the face says, “snuggle me”. Though not an official method, check your child’s stuffed animal box and plan to protect the critters you find.
Species of concern are automatically protected. These include, without regulatory difference: Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern. They are commonly referred to as “Listed” species. Fortunately, the critters picked are based on population dynamics and scientific study standards- not according to chances of being on a calender.
If a Listed species is on the property, special considerations have to be made. It does not matter if there are wetlands or not. These critters are upland, wetland and in between. Check with the current Natural Heritage and Endangered Species (NHESP) Mapping because bad things will happen if you place a housing development on one of the few Karner Blue butterfly sites. Oh, and before you get frustrated, the the NHESP mapping will tell you if you have a species on the site, but it won’t tell you the species. You’ll have to fill out a form and send money to NHESP to get that info. Seriously though, if you’re in a mapped polygon and you’re going forward with your project, pay the fee and get the species.
Working with habitat can also be determined by the scope of the project. Placing a deck or addition on the back of the house rarely incurs the request to provide a habitat corridor, increased no disturbance areas, off site habitat bond money or managing for a particular species. Commercial construction, if proposed within a wooded or non-urban environment, frequently incurs these requests. Be prepared to give as much as you can and be told it isn’t enough.
In terms of Massachusetts regulatory, the definition is more clear (though not crystal). The habitat must have specific features that support functions of overwintering, shelter, food, migration or breeding. So trees may or may not be habitat. If the trees are densely clustered pine tree saplings, chances are it is not going to be considered habitat. If the trees are 25 inch diameter hardwoods with an open understory with observed nest holes, chances are the area will be called habitat- though it may be for an unlisted species such as the pileated woodpecker or great horned owl.
A new pseudo-regulatory document, commonly known as Guidance, has been issued from DEP. In it is outlined when and where the State expects to see a habitat analysis conducted. The triggers are based on the type of resource, the alteration proposed (in square feet) and whether in is in the resource area or within 100/200 feet of the resource. The Guidance is composed of Appendix A and Appendix B. Appendix A is the short one- for sites where there isn’t much potential impact, but it needs to be shown that habitat was considered. Appendix B is superficially a bit more intense (still in a checklist format), but much more intense in terms of the potential for discussion items. Even if you don’t find an osprey nest or an otter slide or bank swallow nests, various boards and agencies will want more information. Be prepared for the request for your scientist to go back out and to prepare another report.
If the project and agencies can agree during the process what species will receive the additional design protections, life is easier. The habitat analysis can be conducted to understand the chosen species, the design can be catered to supporting the functions of those species and future site management knows what is being managed. Plus, everyone is focused on the same goal.
And that’s what it is all about, isn’t it? To have everything be happy in the forest.
