Allegheny woodrat and eastern small-footed bat Inventory at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park 2021 - Open Format Dataset (sensitive version)

Surveys were conducted for the presence of Allegheny woodrats, eastern small-footed bats, and their habitat within Sample Units surrounding potential climbing routes on the White Rocks cliff of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. White Rocks is a 200-300ft south facing cliff along the Virginia- Kentucky border that contains the typical habitat requirements of both species: rock ledges, outcrops, or a network of fissures and crevices surrounded by forested habitat. The eastern small-footed bat uses this type of habitat primarily during the summer months for roosting while the Allegheny woodrat is present year-round building nests within deep crevices. The eastern small-footed bat is listed as threatened in Kentucky and both are considered Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Virginia. The rock-climbing community has approached the National Park Service with interest in opening the cliff to recreational climbing. The results of this survey will be used to assess impacts to the species and aid in the studies required for the potential development of a formal climbing management plan. Surveys were conducted from August 24 to September 3, 2021, and included searches of the cliff face via rappelling, ground searches of suitable habitat surrounding the rim and base of the climbing routes, and noninvasive woodrat camera trap and bat acoustic surveys. Suitable eastern small-footed bat and Allegheny woodrat habitat was documented along all eleven potential climbing routes, and results of the acoustic and camera trap surveys confirmed the presence of both species. For more information see the report here: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2302513