MUS-93 New Alignment

Lawhon & Associates, Inc. staff managed Level 2 Ecological Survey and ESA Screening for the MUS-93 New Alignment Project in Zanesville, Ohio.  The survey area was located west of Zanesville, and was approximately 6 miles long and 1.5 miles wide.  Terrestrial species and habitats were identified and mapped.  More than 100 streams were evaluated (HHEI, QHEI) and 25 streams were sampled for fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates.  More than 150 wetlands were identified and analyzed using ORAM, and wetlands along the preferred alignment were delineated.  A potentially-threatened plant was located within the survey area, and was subsequently avoided in the preferred alignment.  Numerous potential Indiana bat roost trees were identified within the preferred alignment.  An ESA Screening was performed within the survey area.  Parcels within the survey area were recommended for ESA Phase I analysis; however, since none of the parcels were in the preferred alignment, no ESA Phase I investigations were performed.