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3/21/80 5050.4 b Phasing of construction to avoid breeding or nesting periods and to promote escape routes for mobile species. c Landscape restoration to reconstitute existing habitat or create new habitat. 3 If the proposal would cause only a minor permanent alteration of existing habitat, it may be assumed that'there would be no significant impact on biotic communities. "Minor alteration" generally refers to the removal of a few acres of habitat which represent a small percentage of the area's inventory or which support a limited variety or number of common wildlife species. "Minor alteration" is not applicable if the action involves removal of relatively small areas which are sensitive tracts occupy- ing a strategic position in the vicinity or which supports rare (meaning not common) species or:which constitute a large percentage of the remaining habitat of a particular kind. The environmental assessment shall not merely cite "minor alteration" but shall document the basis for the assumption of no significant impact and shall also document any mitigation measures. 4 If the proposal would involve the removal of a sizeable amount of habitat, of habitat which supports rare species, or of a small, sensitive tract but the accompanying loss of plant communities and displacement of wildlife do not result in a significant long term loss to the area, it may be assumed that there would be no significant impact on biotic communities. In this case consider that, although displaced wildlife may move to adjacent land areas, a long term loss will accrue by virtue of reduction of the wildlife carrying capacity of the overall area. When wildlife habitat is removed, the possibility that the remaining habitat is insufficient in size and quality to continue to support all resident species must be considered. The input from the A-95 coordination and other informal coordination as necessary is to be used to determine the significance of the impacts. The environmental assess- ment shall document the impacts and mitigation measures and shall include supporting letters. Mitigation measures may include: a Design adjustments to minimize impact on sensitive areas or species. b Purchase of contiguous habitat as a preserve for dislocated wildlife or as a buffer zone. (e) If the evaluation, using the thresholds in subparagraph (d), does not lead to the assumption that there would be no significant impact on biotic communities, the proposal is considered to be one with potential significant impacts. Further evaluation shall be performed under FAA direc- tion as described in paragraph 851. (10) Endangered and Threatened Species of Flora and Fauna. (a) Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1978 requires each Federal agency to insure that "any action authorized, funded, or Chap 5 Par 47 Page 43