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Queue · FWS-2026-0241 · §7 BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Bowie County Metro Connect

Lone Star Broadband · BEAD · 31 mi · Bowie County

UNDER REVIEW Start Tour Request info Issue biological opinion
Lead biologist
LH Dr. Lauren Hébert
Critical habitat
1 unit · 2.4 mi
Proposed determination
May affect · NLAA
ESA clock · day 24 of 30
6 days to May 31, 2026
IPaC species returned
7
Critical habitat units
3
May affect · NLAA
3
No effect / not required
4
List verified
Apr 14
Critical habitat flags
1
Wetland intersects
0
Species buffers
3
BA checklist
2 / 5 complete
Open comments
1
Last annotated
2026-03-08
Total files
11
Package submitted
2026-03-08
Applicant
Lone Star Broadband
Log entries
3
Last activity
Apr 22
Pending response
1

Pending biological opinion

2 open items
Applicant's proposed determination
May affect, not likely to adversely affect
From biological assessment · effects analysis

Biological assessment review is in progress. A biological opinion can be issued once effects analysis and conservation measures are fully supported by the record.

Issue biological opinion Request more information Request BA revision

Completeness & effects review

3 / 6 cleared
✓
Project description complete
Route geometry, deployment method, and timeline provided.
✓
Action area adequately defined
0.5-mi effects buffer mapped from route centerline.
✓
Species & critical habitat accounts
All 7 IPaC species addressed with rationale.
Effects analysis — NLEB summer roosting
Needs review: tree-clearing acreage and timing not fully quantified.
Conservation measures confirmed
Seasonal clearing window (Nov 1 – Mar 31) proposed — confirm enforceability.
Determination supported by record
Pending resolution of effects-analysis items above.

Consultation workflow

  • Consultation initiated · IPaC
    Apr 12
  • Official species list verified
    Apr 14
  • Biological assessment received
    May 02
  • Effects analysis review
    In progress
  • Biological opinion
    Target date: ~ May 31
  • Consultation closed

Statutory clock

Day 24 / 30
Formal consultation 6 days remaining
Received Mar 08, 2026 Due May 31, 2026

Listed species in the action area

Source · IPaC official list
Species ESA status Crit. habitat Effect determination
Indiana bat
Myotis sodalis
 Threatened Designated
May affect · NLAA
ROW crosses designated habitat unit buffer.
Red-cockaded woodpecker
Picoides borealis
 Endangered Designated
May affect · NLAA
Tree clearing within summer roosting range.
Virginia big-eared bat
Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus
 Endangered —
No effect
ROW avoids known cave buffers.
Rusty patched bumble bee
Bombus affinis
 Endangered —
No effect
No suitable habitat within project footprint.
Candy darter
Etheostoma osburni
 Endangered Designated
Not required
No in-stream work proposed; upland project.
Bald eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
 Delisted —
No effect
Nesting buffer maintained per guidance.
Alligator snapping turtle
Macrochelys temminckii
 Proposed E —
May affect · NLAA
Bore pits near wetland edge.
Environmental layers loading…
Loading layers…
Screening route…

Biological assessment review

Technical review of applicant-submitted biological assessment.

  • ✓ Species list matches IPaC output
  • ✓ Project description adequate
  • Effects analysis supported by data
  • Critical habitat discussion complete
  • Reasonable and prudent measures (if needed)
Biological Assessment (draft)
2026-03-08 · PDF
1.8 MB
Annotate in workbench

Reference files

11 files · submitted 2026-03-08
Biological Assessment (draft)
Applicant submitted
1.8 MB
Project narrative & scope
Submitted 2026-03-08
124 KB
Route alignment (GeoJSON)
WGS84 · LINESTRING · 4,217 vertices
2.1 MB
IPaC official species list
Auto-generated
48 KB
NEPA categorical exclusion
CatEx · signed
210 KB
Utility easement exhibits
PDF bundle
3.4 MB
Construction staging plan
Draft
890 KB
Wetland delineation report
USACE reference
1.2 MB
Cultural resources desktop review
SHPO
156 KB
Applicant cover letter
2026-03-08
42 KB
Agency intake checklist
Internal
28 KB
Open document workbench

Consultation log

Agency correspondence for §7 biological assessment.

Apr 15 — Consultation request received from Lone Star Broadband
Apr 18 — Completeness review initiated
Apr 22 — IPaC species list confirmed
— Awaiting effects analysis completion —
Log entry