Post by Sharon Faulkner on Sept 21, 2006 8:03:44 GMT -5
Bats delay E. Main work
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Jennifer Freeze
Endangered Indiana bats are living in trees near the site of the future interchange.
An endangered species of bat has delayed construction at the site of the East Main Street interchange project.
Indiana bats are inhabiting large trees around the site of the future interchange, which will be at mile marker 102 on Interstate 55 between Jackson and Cape Girardeau.
Work at the site, expected to begin the first of September, has been put on hold until Oct. 2, said Alan Friedrich, a senior construction inspector for the Missouri Department of Transportation.
"We can't knock down the trees until after this bat leaves," he said.
Bob Gillespie, a natural history biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the Indiana bat inhabit large trees with scaly bark during the summer months. "That's typically where they have their young," he said.
After Sept. 30, Indiana bats hibernate in caves for the winter. "They can be very prevalent in this area, which is why we have to wait until they leave before we can clear the trees," Gillespie said.
www.semissourian.com/story/1168993.html
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Jennifer Freeze
Endangered Indiana bats are living in trees near the site of the future interchange.
An endangered species of bat has delayed construction at the site of the East Main Street interchange project.
Indiana bats are inhabiting large trees around the site of the future interchange, which will be at mile marker 102 on Interstate 55 between Jackson and Cape Girardeau.
Work at the site, expected to begin the first of September, has been put on hold until Oct. 2, said Alan Friedrich, a senior construction inspector for the Missouri Department of Transportation.
"We can't knock down the trees until after this bat leaves," he said.
Bob Gillespie, a natural history biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the Indiana bat inhabit large trees with scaly bark during the summer months. "That's typically where they have their young," he said.
After Sept. 30, Indiana bats hibernate in caves for the winter. "They can be very prevalent in this area, which is why we have to wait until they leave before we can clear the trees," Gillespie said.
www.semissourian.com/story/1168993.html
