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Blanding’s turtle habitat prompts request for biological assessments and a potential incidental take permit
Summary
Consultants told the Planning Board the site contains habitat for Blanding’s turtle and other conservation‑need species; the board asked for additional biological surveys, a combined scope from Hudsonia and the applicant’s ecologists, and details of any incidental take permit requirements.
The Planning Board flagged potential impacts to sensitive habitat on the site — notably Blanding's turtle habitat — and asked the applicant to submit additional biological assessments and documentation of any incidental take permit requirements.
Board consultants said the site contains areas that may support rare, threatened or conservation‑need species, and they recommended a biological assessment that would identify undisturbed habitat, detail management of disturbance zones, and establish monitoring by qualified wildlife biologists during construction.
The applicant said it has engaged Hudsonia (Eric Kiviot referenced) and that consultants will reconcile existing habitat assessments and identify any additional areas needing study. The board discussed how conservation easements on undeveloped parcels might weigh in future determinations but noted that requiring easements would require a rational nexus to specific impacts.
The board marked Part 2 subitems concerning habitat degradation and interference with nesting/foraging as Moderate/Large, instructed the applicant to provide combined consultant scopes and reports, and signaled that those materials should inform part‑three mitigation and permit planning.
