Bat Screening

The Road and Bridge Department for Greenwood County, Kansas, asked Kirkham Michael to conduct Phase 1 Initial Project Screening around a bridge that had been washed out several years prior. Residents have expressed a desire to replace the bridge because they now have to take a four- to six-mile detour around it.

The screening was needed because the bridge is located within the range of habitat of the Northern Long-eared Bat (NLEB), which is classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Bats are known to use span bridges, as well as trees for roosting.

No previous NLEB screenings had been performed in Kansas. Kirkham Michael was literally setting the baseline. Flooding rains occurred two days before the field screening survey, resulting in less-than-desirable site conditions. The Kirkham Michael team worked closely with county staff, who were well-versed in the area and its roads, to complete the screening.

The screening found no evidence of bats using the bridge or the surrounding trees. This assessment will help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks learn more about bats and their habitats nationwide. Amid growing concern for bat populations, this information provides important support to USACE as they implement this new process.

Our screening made it possible for Greenwood County to move forward with the design of the bridge replacement project.