DAILY PRESS (Newport News, Virginia) 17 August 10 Big snakes may be near Fort Eustis Boulevard project (Austin Bogues)
Sometimes a hard-hat just isn't enough.
Workers at a Virginia Department of Transportation construction project on Ft. Eustis Boulevard have a unique hazard to watch out for: canebrake rattlesnakes, an endangered species known to inhabit the area. In fact, just to visit the site you have to sign a release — not that you understand the risks, but indicating that you won't harm a snake should you encounter one.
So far none have been spotted at the work site between Newport News and York County.
Nora Chivers, a VDOT spokeswoman, said the work isn't expected to disturb the reptiles and that workers receive special training in case they encounter a snake.
But some homeowners whose houses border the construction area are disturbed that they were not informed by VDOT that the venemous snakes were in the area.
"Any time you have construction you upset the habitat," said Brenda Counts, who lives off Aspen Boulevard near the work site. "And when you do that, the creatures go on the move."
Neighbors said they already see a fair number of snakes, but none reported seeing any of the rattlesnakes.
"My wife's going to put up a for-sale sign," joked Mike Garrelts,43, as his wife, Laurel, clutched him upon hearing the snakes could be in the area. Garrelts said he was concerned. "There's a lot of children around here," he said.
Alan Savitzky, a professor at Old Dominion University who has studied the canebrake rattlesnake since 1992, said the snakes should be left alone.
"They're extremely docile towards humans," Savitzky said. "They rely heavily upon their camouflage and generally assume you can't see them."
He said the snakes do not bite humans unprovoked. "Most of the time they won't even rattle," he said.
Savitzky said it's controversial in scientific corners whether or not ground vibrations caused by construction would cause snakes to move outside of their normal territory. "These snakes cover a great deal of territory in the course of the year," he said. "It's unlikely in my opinion."
Savitzky said a greater concern is loss of habitat, and if any of the reptiles have made their homes in areas being cleared by VDOT, they may be at risk.
Chivers said as far as she knew the Peninsula work site is the only VDOT project that may have a dangerous, endangered species on the premises.
Thomas Druhot, Peninsula area construction engineer for VDOT, said that if a snake is spotted by a worker the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries would be called to safely remove it.
The canebrake rattlesnake, which can grow to five feet, appears in several spots across the Peninsula including the Oyster Point area of Newport News and a section of woods near Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton.
Big snakes may be near Fort Eustis Boulevard project

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