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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet

Indiana bat cave inventory

Funding Source:	Bernardin, Lochmueller & Associates, Inc., and the Indiana Department of Transportation
Period of Contract:	1 Oct 2004 to 31 Mar 2007
Status:	active — Definition of status type
Project Director:	John Steinmetz

Issue

The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is an endangered species.

Objective

As part of Tier 2 environmental studies being conducted in association with the proposed Interstate-69 transportation corridor through southwestern Indiana, it is necessary to determine if any caves within 5 miles of the proposed corridor are winter hibernacula for this species of bat.

Approach

Personnel of the IGS are attempting to locate all known caves within 5 miles of the proposed transportation corridor that potentially represent hibernacula for the Indiana bat. As each cave is visited in the field, an accurate location is determined using GPS (global positioning system) instruments, photographs are taken, and notes are made regarding the potential suitability of the cave as a hibernaculum. Subsequently, teams of biologists visit selected caves to conduct mist-netting and other surveys to determine if Indiana bats are entering the caves and using them as hibernacula.

Products

Because of the sensitive nature of information concerning the geographic distribution of this endangered species of bat, the data are not publicly available at this time except in a summary fashion.

Benefits

Thorough biological assessments of caves will assist in the avoidance or mitigation of any negative impacts on the endangered Indiana bat.

Locations Affected:

Greene

Lawrence

Monroe

Indiana House Districts Affected:

45

60

61

62

65

Indiana Senate Districts Affected:

39

40

44

Indiana Congressional Districts Affected:

Information Updated February 1, 2007

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