As part of a multi-firm effort on the I-94 East-West project, Kapur was an integral member in leading portions of the 2.5-mile corridor study for freeway expansion, including the bridge/structure bat assessment.
Involving federal nexus, the project corridor was highly urbanized with little suitable habitat. However, an evaluation of the project indicated it might affect the northern long-eared bat (NLEB) but is not likely to adversely affect it.
As part of the final EIS, WisDOT and FHWA used the Programmatic Consultation of Transportation Projects Affecting NLEB model to determine the project’s impact, with Kapur completing early-stage off-site habitat review, as well as other data review, like past inspection reports.
Not all structures being fully accessible due to safety was anticipated, resulting in Kapur observing portions during dusk and using an emergence survey approach. Data sheets were compiled immediately following inspection efforts to be submitted with the Determination Key for US FWS coordination.
The EIS reached the conclusion of “may affect but is not likely to affect adversely.”
