The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 mandated assessment of specified developments. This was the governments first attempt to evaluate planned activities which may affect environmental quality. The assessments were initially required for all Federal projects, including those on Federal land, with Federal funding, or by a Federal agency. Under NEPA (1969) there are four basic steps in the environmental assessment process. Firstly, NEPA Pre-Assessments are used by governmental agencies to determine potential impact of a project. If a potential effect or disturbance of the natural environmental is expected, after examining basic criteria about the project, an environmental assessment or more extensive environmental impact report will be required by the jurisdictional agency reviewing the project approval. Stokes Environmental Associates, Ltd. assists public and private clients by preparing the documents necessary to comply with NEPA.
Threatened and Endangered Species
The orchid, Isotria medeoloides (Pursh) Raf., commonly referred to as the small whorled pogonia, is currently listed as a threatened plant species by the federal government. In the revised edition of the Small Whorled Pogonia Recovery Plan, the Us Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recognized two regions of Virginia as the general locales for several historical, as well as extant, colony sites for I. medeoloides. One of these regions is generally centered between the York and James Rivers, northwest of Williamsburg, Virginia.
Plants of I. medeoliodes are small, perennial herbaceous plants with pale green stems and a single whorl of leaves at the top of the stem. They are commonly found in association with the large whorled pogonia (Isotria verticillata) and Indian cucumber (Medeola virginiana). The large whorled pogonia is recognized by the purplish coloration of its thick lower stem, while Indian cucumber is characterized by a thin, tough, hairy stem with several whorls of leaves.
There is no clear correlation between known habitats of I. medeoloides and specific soil types, such as hydric soils. Colonies in northern Virginia are generally found in areas of open, mixed hardwoods (usually Liriodendron tulipifera(tulip tree), Quercus alba (white oak), and Fagus grandifolia (beech) with species of Acer (maple), Cornus (dogwood), and Ilex (holly) in the understory). The small whorled pogonia is often found in areas with decomposing tree trunks and limbs, where the humus is thick. Most colonies of the orchid are found along moist, gentle slopes with little herbaceous cover, but deep leaf litter and humus from rotting logs. Most colonies have been located along drainage draws facing north to east and leading up slope from the floodplains of major streams.
Federal regulations protect this plant from disturbances typically associated with land development and other projects. Surveys may be required in areas where the plant is suspected to occur, prior to completion of federal or state permits, or issuance of government funding for the projects.
