Encounters with Species
Each encounter with a covered amphibian will be treated on a case-by-case basis. If any life stage of the Covered Species of amphibian is found and these individuals may potentially be killed or injured by work activities, the following will apply:
a. If a Covered Species of amphibian is detected in the project area, work activities within 50 feet of the individual that may potentially be harmed, injured, or killed will cease immediately, and the USFWS-Approved Biologist will be notified. Based on the
professional judgment of the USFWS-Approved Biologist, if project activities can be conducted without harming or injuring the species, it may be left at the location of discovery and monitored by the USFWS-Approved Biologist. All project personnel will
be notified of the finding, and at no time will work occur within 50 feet of a species without a USFWS-Approved Biologist present.
b. Contact with the Covered Species of amphibian will be avoided, and the amphibian will be allowed to move out of the potentially hazardous situation of its own volition. Allowing a Covered Species of amphibian to move out of the potentially hazardous situation of its own volition may not be appropriate for multi-day projects because covered amphibians could stay or move back into the project site. If there is an immediate hazard or if there is no suitable, accessible habitat nearby to which the amphibian may relocate, the amphibian will be moved following approved handling protocol (see AMP-11, Species Observations and Handling Protocol).
c. Not to exceed the self-imposed take limits provided in Table 4.