Ecological Resources. The proposed transmission line from Habarana to Valachchenai is located in the central and eastern dry zone of the country. Agroecologically, the project area belongs to two zones, DL1 and DL2 dry lowlands, receives 1000-1500 and 1500-2000 mm annual rainfall, respectively, mainly during the inter monsoon and northeast monsoon seasons from October to February. The major soil types are Reddish Xxxxx Earth, Low Humic Gley soil, Non Calcic Xxxxx soil, Solodized Solonets and Regosols. Alluvial soils are found in the flood plains of Mahaweli River. The project area is found within the floristic region Dry and arid lowlands. The characteristic vegetation types are: tropical dry -mixed evergreen forests with Manilkara community, mixed community (Chloroxylon-Vitex-Berrya- Schleichera series), tropical thorn forests (Manilkara-Chloroxylon-Xxxxxxxxx-Xxxxxx series), Damana and Villu grasslands, flood-plain wetlands, riverine and gallery forests. The existing and proposed transmission line cuts across several major habitat types such as degraded dry- mixed evergreen forest (e.g. in Minneriya National Park), scrublands including abandoned Chena (shifting cultivation) in different stages of succession, riverine forest especially on the banks of Mahaweli river and other streams, small patches of grasslands, villus, xxxxx xxxxxx, home gardens, forest plantations, road-side vegetation and a few human settlements. Permanent houses account for over 60% of the houses in the district. Close to 65% of the permanent houses are built with brick walls, tiled roof, cemented floors and having water- sealed toilets. About 55% of the houses have access to drinking water from a protected well situated within the premises or in close proximity.
Ecological Resources. (a) Biological Assessment (BA)/Species Analysis Form (SAF) Tier I&II.
i. Technical memoranda for Biological Studies, Water Resources, and a Geologic Assessment were produced previously by Xxxxx and Xxxx. Many of these reports were not finalized and some data is no longer valid due to agency limitations on the length between studies and construction. Since then, TxDOT has advised that projects with significant excavation (greater than two feet) in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Karst Zones 1, 2, and 3 should undergo a formal consultation and new species information is available.
ii. Following receipt of the updated reports and Environmental Schematic, the Engineer will conduct any needed additional field work to prepare the Tier I and II BEF and BA with updated Texas Natural Diversity Database (NDD) and Element of Occurrence (EOR) data. Where Right of Entry is not available, properties will be reviewed as possible from public Right of Way (ROW). The direct, indirect, and cumulative effects analysis and conservation and recovery measures will also be revisited using literature- based approach.
iii. Following receipt of comments on the internal draft BEF and BA from CTRMA and TxDOT, the Engineer will participate in a coordination meeting and plan how best to support discussions with USFWS. Following resolution of CTRMA and TxDOT ENV comments, the Engineer will prepare an external draft and support a coordination meeting with CTRMA, TxDOT ENV, USFWS and other stakeholders. Following receipt of external comments, the Engineer will revise the draft BA and produce a final BA. A coordination meeting may be required to resolve external agency comments.
Ecological Resources a. The Engineer shall conduct surveys, site visit, research, necessary to complete the Biological Evaluation Form (BEF) and submit the completed form with attachments to the State for review and approval. The Engineer shall conduct a site visit, obtain Natural Diversity Database (NDD) information from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and use the Ecological Mapping Systems of Texas (EMST) for analysis of impacts to biological resources.
b. The Engineer shall prepare a draft and final Biological Resources Technical Report.
