Post by Sharon Faulkner on May 2, 2006 7:25:58 GMT -5
Endangered bat could delay construction of university arena
Associated Press
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - An endangered bat could delay a $64.2 million arena project at Northern Kentucky University. Wildlife experts next month will check to see if Indiana bats, an endangered species, are living in trees in the area along U.S. 27 where the Bank of Kentucky Center is being planned. The 10,000-seat arena will host sports and entertainment events on the campus.
But if the bats are found on the site in large numbers, it could delay site clearing - scheduled to begin in June - until they leave in late October or November to hibernate in caves. "Isn't it amazing that a bunch of bats could slow down a $60 million structure," said Northern Kentucky President James Votruba. "It's troubling because it could delay construction up to six months. But I don't want to allow our preoccupation with getting construction started quickly to cause any environmental damage."
The Indiana bat leaves its winter caves to roost in trees in northern Kentucky and southern Indiana in the spring. A few weeks ago, Turner Construction Co. workers were cutting a portion out of the woods to put in a temporary utility line when they identified certain trees that are a natural habitat for the bat. It is against federal law to harm the endangered bats or their environment. The construction company notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after finding the trees the bats prefer.
Federal wildlife officials ordered a survey of the area, which will begin in the latter part of May. "The state doesn't believe we have Indiana bats here," said Ken Ramey, a university vice president. "They believe the closest Indiana bat locale to us is 60 miles away." But Ramey said if the bats are found in a large quantity on the construction site, the project could be delayed until the fall.
Votruba said a six-month delay on the building project would push the opening into December 2008. He said the issue of a rare species on the property was somewhat of a surprise. "I had been assured we looked at every conceivable issue, but I don't think a question about bats ever came up," he said. Votruba also said a delay would likely push up the cost of the arena, which is scheduled to host about 130 events each year. "And, it would mean lost revenue from events we couldn't have because of a delayed opening." Votruba said.
www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/state/14458342.htm
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Information from: The Cincinnati Post, www.cincypost.com
Associated Press
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - An endangered bat could delay a $64.2 million arena project at Northern Kentucky University. Wildlife experts next month will check to see if Indiana bats, an endangered species, are living in trees in the area along U.S. 27 where the Bank of Kentucky Center is being planned. The 10,000-seat arena will host sports and entertainment events on the campus.
But if the bats are found on the site in large numbers, it could delay site clearing - scheduled to begin in June - until they leave in late October or November to hibernate in caves. "Isn't it amazing that a bunch of bats could slow down a $60 million structure," said Northern Kentucky President James Votruba. "It's troubling because it could delay construction up to six months. But I don't want to allow our preoccupation with getting construction started quickly to cause any environmental damage."
The Indiana bat leaves its winter caves to roost in trees in northern Kentucky and southern Indiana in the spring. A few weeks ago, Turner Construction Co. workers were cutting a portion out of the woods to put in a temporary utility line when they identified certain trees that are a natural habitat for the bat. It is against federal law to harm the endangered bats or their environment. The construction company notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after finding the trees the bats prefer.
Federal wildlife officials ordered a survey of the area, which will begin in the latter part of May. "The state doesn't believe we have Indiana bats here," said Ken Ramey, a university vice president. "They believe the closest Indiana bat locale to us is 60 miles away." But Ramey said if the bats are found in a large quantity on the construction site, the project could be delayed until the fall.
Votruba said a six-month delay on the building project would push the opening into December 2008. He said the issue of a rare species on the property was somewhat of a surprise. "I had been assured we looked at every conceivable issue, but I don't think a question about bats ever came up," he said. Votruba also said a delay would likely push up the cost of the arena, which is scheduled to host about 130 events each year. "And, it would mean lost revenue from events we couldn't have because of a delayed opening." Votruba said.
www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/state/14458342.htm
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Information from: The Cincinnati Post, www.cincypost.com