The following is an excerpt from the Cleveland Innerbelt Project Level I Ecological Survey Report.

This documents the findings of a detailed field investigation to characterize the study area’s aquatic, terrestrial and wetland resources and endangered species, and to determine the potential impacts resulting from the proposed Cleveland Innerbelt project. Field surveys of the study area were conducted by consultants URS Corp. in June, July and August of 2005.

Contact with the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves Natural Heritage Database revealed no known occurrences of federally listed threatened or endangered species, or their critical habitat; or state endangered, threatened, potentially threatened species; or species of special concern; or proposed state nature preserves or scenic rivers within the boundaries of the study area. [emphasis ours. ODOT defines the study area for the bridge as 100 feet upstream and downstream of the river crossing.]

Cuyahoga County is within the known range of the state and federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), the state endangered and federally threatened bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and the piping plover (Charadrius melodus).

Field investigations did not reveal the presence of the Indiana bat, piping plover, or bald eagle within the study area. Indiana bat habitat was investigated in areas outside of the USFWS Urban Area. The only portion of the study area outside of the USFWS Urban Area, and therefore possessing the potential to have Indiana bat habitat, is approximately 100 feet wide along both banks of the Cuyahoga River near the I-90 bridge.

ODOT OES staff performed a desktop review of the riparian area outside the USFWS Urban Area using recent aerial photography and determined that no potential Indiana bat habitat exists within the project study area. Additionally, URS staff investigated the Cuyahoga River riparian corridor and found no potential Indiana bat habitat within this area. Therefore, a “no effect” decision is anticipated for the Indiana bat for this project.

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) was identified as being actively monitored for recovery, threats and population status. Two active nest boxes are currently located on the Cleveland Innerbelt Bridge.

A URS representative contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) regarding the peregrine falcon nests located on the I-90 bridge. According to the ODNR, the period between mid-March and the end of July is when the peregrine falcons may be nesting on the bridge and possibly raising fledglings. This is the period in which any disturbance to the nest should be avoided or minimized.

The ODNR, in conjunction with ODOT, have been actively working on providing suitable habitat for peregrine falcon(s) on the Interstate 90 bridge understructure for a number of years. While the bridge location will continue to provide habitat for the falcon for some time to come, there will be a point in the future where it will become necessary to perform major rehabilitation including the possibility of the bridge being demolished and replaced with a new and improved bridge structure.

As currently being studied and developed, the plan to address the aging original bridge will likely involve extensive work in the year 2011. ODOT will provide updates and coordinate with the ODNR as the studies develop. As the plan becomes finalized, ODOT will work with ODNR to ensure that work impacting the falcons, including nest removal, will be performed at a time that is minimally disruptive to the falcons.

Furthermore, ODOT will work with ODNR to identified location(s) on the new bridge that would provide suitable habitat for peregrine falcons. ODOT intends to comply with all applicable regulations pertaining to the peregrine falcon including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

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The ODOT Ecological Manual (ODOT, 2005) sets requirements for data collection in aquatic systems. For streams where the drainage area upstream of the project location is greater than 200mi2, full aquatic biological sampling is not required; a Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) may be performed if possible (Rankin, 1989). Water quality and biological data for projects containing large streams may be extracted from published sources. The Cuyahoga River has a drainage area greater than 200 mi2 upstream of the project area, thus full sampling is not required for this project. The Cuyahoga watershed drains 813 mi2 upstream.