Mitigation of Impacts to Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus horridus) During Replacement of a Natural Gas Transmission Line in Southeastern New York

Roderick Soper and Karl Schoeberl

Timber rattlesnakes are listed as a threatened species in the State of New York and as such are afforded legal protection under State Law. Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation replaced approximately 9.7 km (6 miles) of a 25.4 cm (10-inch) natural gas pipeline in southeastern, New York. Preliminary wildlife surveys revealed that approximately 0.5 km (0.3 mile) of the right-of-way was located within an area used by timber rattlesnakes as basking habitat. Concern was expressed by regulatory agencies over possible impacts to rattlesnake populations in this area. A mitigation plan was developed in consultation with the involved agencies that outlined a procedure to capture and remove any timber rattlesnakes encountered during all phases of construction, and right-of-way restoration procedures to restore rattlesnake habitat within the delineated basking area. During construction, three timber rattlesnakes were captured and removed from the right-of-way. Restoration procedures involved the careful replacement of boulders and smaller rocks that were utilized as basking areas and escape cover for the rattlesnake. This mitigation plan documented that impacts to a threatened species can be successfully mitigated while concurrently improving wildlife habitat.

Keywords: Timber rattlesnake, pipeline, habitat, mitigation plan, regulatory review, utility, construction, New York State Public Service Commission