Bat may hamper school district’s project

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

New Castle school officials unearthed an endangered species while mapping plans for a $19 million renovation project.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed a temporary “Do Not Disturb” sign on 20 acres the district is obtaining through eminent domain.

The Harry W. Lockley Early Learning Center is located within the 10-mile hibernation and nesting area of the Indiana bat. In a letter dated Friday, the agency advised of the bat’s designation, which has been listed as endangered since 1967.

David Esposito of Eckles Architecture & Engineering discussed the development during the school board’s work session Tuesday. He said the bat’s presence may slow the project.

“It’s the tiniest of little things,” Esposito said.

On its website, the agency said the bat weighs no more than three pennies but has a wingspan between 9 to 11 inches. Found in the eastern part of the country, its population numbers approximately 387,000 as of 2009. During the summer, the bats live underneath the bark of dying or dead trees.

Between April 1 and Nov. 15, the district isn’t permitted to remove trees wider than 5 inches in diameter.

“I’ve never gone this far (in a project) where there’s been a (federal) prohibition,” Esposito said. “The site in Grove City had rattlesnakes, and I had some kind of frog in Venango County that triggered a hit. But it turned out it wasn’t there.”

Of the 20 acres, the district’s concern centers on one acre. Esposito said the district will contact the Fish and Wildlife Service to receive its permission to clear that section.

The agency said the project “will not have a significant adverse affect on the overall habitat quality for the Indiana bat.”

During last night’s regular session, the board voted 8-1 to obtain the land adjacent to the current Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center through eminent domain. Barbara Razzano, who voted against the project when it was first proposed, opposed the move.

New Castle offered Solid Rock Ministry $90,000, which was the higher of two appraisals the district obtained. The owner countered with an asking price of $125,000.

Charles Sapienza, the district’s solicitor, said the sides will continue to negotiate on a price. If an agreement can’t be reached, the dispute will be heard by a review board created by the Lawrence County common pleas court.

The district conducted a special meeting Tuesday for public comment about the land acquisition. No members of the public attended.