Ecological Survey Reports The level of ESR Report is determined by the type

of project and its probable level of impacts.

Ecological Survey Reports Ecological Survey Reports are

coordinated with the resource agencies: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service U. S. Environmental Protection

Agency Ohio Department of Natural

Resources Ohio Environmental Protection

Agency

Ecological Survey Reports Three Levels of Ecological Survey Reports

Level 1 Ecological Survey (was called the MOA report) Level 2 Ecological Survey Level 3 Ecological Survey: Includes 3 Reports

Preliminary Draft Level 3 ESR Draft Level 3 ESR Final Level 3 ESR

Level 1 Ecological Survey Report Used to coordinate projects that meet the

Memorandum of Agreement between ODOT, ODNR, FHWA and USFWS for Interagency Coordination for Highway Projects which involve Stream Crossings, Bank Stabilizations, and/or Minor Wetland Fills (1/12/11). Fulfills coordination and consultation requirements of the Fish &

Wildlife Act and ESA, Section 7. Coordinated with USFWS and ODNR

Level 1 Ecological Survey Reports • Projects that can be authorized under USACE Nationwide Permits,

and/or require a Level 1 or 2 PAN. • Bridge replacement/rehabilitation • Minor road realignment • Road widening • Bike trail • Slip repairs • Stream erosion repairs along roadways

• Projects that may impact Scenic Rivers, State Listed species, or mussel beds will require project specific coordination, but may still be coordinated under the MOA, using the Level 1 ESR.

• If a specimen of a federally listed species is found in the project area, or a recent record of a federally listed species occurs within the project area, contact OES for instructions.

What Projects Qualify?

Level 2 and 3 Ecological Survey Reports Projects that require

Individual Waterway Permits Individual 404, Individual 401, and/or a Level 3 PAN

Projects that will impact a National Scenic River below OHWM.

Level 2 and 3 Ecological Survey Reports

• Checklist of Environmental and Engineering Issues

• Requires literature review (portions can be used for the ESR)

• Requires field visit (quick review)

• The Project Initiation Package is not coordinated with the agencies

Both Level 2 and Level 3 Reports Require a Project Initiation Package (Red Flag Summary)

Level 2 Ecological Survey Reports Example of Level 2 Project Areas

Level 3 Ecological Survey Reports Large complex projects (often new roads on new

location) that require: Corridor Studies Feasibility Study Refinement of the preferred alternative

Example Level 3 ESR Study Area

Level 3 Ecological Survey Reports

Preliminary Draft Level 3 ESR Draft Level 3 ESR Final Level 3 ESR

Level 3 ESR’s require submission of 3 Documents:

Level 3 Ecological Survey Reports Document #1: Preliminary Draft Ecological Survey

Report Survey all of the ecological resources within a wide

corridor(s). Used by ODOT to aid in the development of feasible

alternative alignments. Preliminary Draft does not include a discussion of impacts (as

no alternatives have been developed).

Level 3 Ecological Survey Report Document #2: Draft Ecological Survey Report

Includes a discussion of the proposed feasible alternative alignments

Includes a comparison of the impacts associated with each of the feasible alternative alignments

Used to aid in the selection of a preferred alternative

Level 3 Ecological Survey Reports Document #3: Final Ecological Survey Report

Used to follow up ecological survey reports with final impacts (including wetland delineations and final stream assessments) on the PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ONLY.

Used in the jurisdictional determination field review with the USACE and OEPA.

Data used to prepare the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit and the Ohio EPA’s 401 Water Quality Certification.

Survey and Report Selection Flowchart ECOLOGICAL SURVEY AND REPORT SELECTION FLOWCHART

NO

YES

NO

NO

Proposed project will require Level Three Survey and Reporting (See

Ecological Survey Report section for report requirements and Ecological

Coordination and Conclusions section for details on number of

copies required).

Proposed project will require Level Two Survey and Reporting (See

Ecological Survey Report section for report requirements and Ecological

Coordination and Conclusions section for details on number of

copies required).

Yes

Meets the MOA and will require Level One Survey and Reporting

(See Ecological Survey Report section for report requirements and

Ecological Coordination and Conclusions section for details on

number of copies required).

NO

Does the proposed project follow the ODOT Path 1, 2, or 3 of the

PDP ?

Does the proposed project meet the USACE Nationwide Permit Program or RGP requirements (See ODOT Waterway Permit

Manual for details ?)

Will the project directly impact (below the OHWM*) a nationally

designated scenic river component?

Project follows Path 4 or 5 of the PDP. Will multiple corridor be

studied?

YES

YES

YES

*Ordinary High Water Mark

Additional Coordination Requirements:• Coastal consistency coordination is required if the project is located within the Lake Erie Coastal Management Zone (See

Coastal Zone MOU and Ecological Survey Section of the Ecological Manual for more details). • State scenic river coordination is required if the project is located within 1,000 feet of a state designated scenic river (See

the Scenic River MOA and Ecological Survey Section for more details).

Supplemental Information Any level of project may require

additional resource specific coordination, such as: Coastal Consistency if project is located

within Coastal Management Zone (Lake Erie).

State and National Scenic River Coordination if project is located within 1,000 feet of a designated wild or scenic river...

Federally Listed Species: Biological Assessment Biological Opinions

State Listed Species.

Things To Remember Three Levels of Ecological Survey Reports

Level 1 (MOA projects) Level 2 Level 3 (3 separate report submissions)

IMPORTANT: Consultants need to work with the ODOT District environmental staff so that projects are scoped for the correct level of effort and ecological report.

Ecological Survey Reports All information regarding ecological surveys and reporting can be

found on the ODOT-OES website: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/Environment/Ecologi

cal_Resources_Permits/Ecology/Pages/MANUALSANDFORMS.aspx

QUESTIONS ?

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