The town is working to improve storm-water drainage in areas that have historically been impacted by flooding. . . .
But while environmental scientists were examining the upper portion of Beechwood Road, where phase two of the project will begin, they noted that the clearing and removal of trees may interfere with the bat species, said Senior Managing Engineer Charles White of Barton & Loguidice.
The firm alerted the Town Board of the issue earlier this month. Now, Barton & Loguidice will perform an environmental study costing about $11,000 to identify if the bats are in fact roosting in the trees. . . .
The bats have been on the endangered species list since 1967 and if they are found here, trees cannot be cleared until fall when the bats head back to the Indiana caves where they hibernate. [emphasis supplied]
HELLO??? Based on the statement above, the prudent (and less costly) thing would seem to be to assume that the bats actually roost in Beechwood Road's trees and then do all tree clearing between the fall and the time that the bats return from Indiana, whenever that is. [There may even be time now if they hurry.]
Why spend money studying bats when tree-cutting can be timed for when they won't be around?
1 comment:
Hey, I have an idea! How 'bout if a few students from say Morrisville College who are studying enviromental science be asked to take a walk thru the area & observe whether or not the bats are actually roosting there, instead of blowing $11 grand of taxpayer money on a study? I'm sure thy would be more than happy to take on such a SIMPLE project? Or would the Town Board rather pi** away taxpayer money instead of having to get off their duffs & make arrangements to accomplish this?
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