NYSDOT Conducts Bat Survey Ahead of I-84 Freight Project

By Daily Monroe Staff

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) recently carried out a mist netting survey in Newburgh to determine whether protected bat species are present in the area of a planned freight parking facility along I-84. The survey is part of the state’s environmental review process, which ensures wildlife considerations are addressed before large-scale construction begins.

Mist nets, set up in high-probability bat flight corridors, allow specialists to gently capture the animals for identification. Licensed biologists then record key scientific data before safely releasing the bats back into the wild.

Officials said the work is essential to protecting endangered species and demonstrates NYSDOT’s ongoing commitment to balancing infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship. The findings will help guide any necessary adjustments to the project to safeguard sensitive habitats.