WTC site damage assessment map, Sept 21, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

that have persisted in contact with the dense human environment would temporarily avoid the area of proposed construction.

Terrestrial wildlife species in lower Manhattan are limited mainly to squirrels, domestic and feral mammals, and many residential, transient and migratory bird species. Domestic species include dogs, cats and other pets such as occasional parrots, parakeets, and ferrets. Vermin that are targets for pest control include the house mouse, Norway rat and black rat. The Hudson River supports many fish species, including over-wintering striped bass, and micro- and macro invertebrates. With improvements in water quality, several marine borers have become pest species including crustaceans (e.gl,imnoria tripunctata) and mullusks (e.g. shipworm Teredo navalis). These species consume unprotected timber pilings in New York Harbor.

P.esidential and migratory bird species were regularly observed in and around the World Trade Center site including Battery Park and Governors Island. Aerial and ground surveys of the Lower Reach of the Hudson River have included observations of wintering waterfowl including Canvasback ducks (Aythya americana), Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinus), Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator), Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus), Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and Canada Geese (Brantus canadensis) (Governors Island FEIS). Brant were observed foraging on the lawns northwest of die World Trade Center complex last spring with Gadwalls (Anas strepera) and Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) seen offshore in the Hudson River (R. Creshkoff, personal communication).

Manhattan is located along the Atlantic flyway and migratory birds arrive every spring and fall to rest or feed as they make their way to northern breeding groimds or to southern over wintering grounds. Bird species of the Atlantic flyway, including various types of wrens, warblers, thrushes and vireos, come through New York City d’uing the spring and fall migratory seasons. Almost 100 bird species have been sited in parks near the WTC site. When flying at night, the lighted and reflective skyscrapers of Manhattan can disorient migrating birds. Since 1997 New York City Audubon Society volunteers have been monitoring the number of migratory birds that strike windows of downtown skyscrapers. Approximately 85 species are known to have collided with the buildings of the World Trade Center complex. To alleviate the situation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey had netting placed over several windows at the World Trade Center. Success in reducing collisions led to increased netting coverage starting in May 2001. Managers of the World Financial Center reduced morning lighting in key locations, as well.

The Lower Hudson Reach of vne Hudson River provides habitat for a diverse community of regionally significant fish populations and benthic invertebrates. The World Trade Center site is near the mouth of the Hudson River where anadromous fish species transition fi’om saline to brackish waters as they migrate from the sea to fresh water for spawning. The entire lower portion of the Hudson River estuary forms important habitat during parts of the life cycle of striped bass providing a sheltered environment with abundant food sources. Large numbers of young-of-year, yearling, and older striped bass

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