CPS ENERGY HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 949 N Loop 1604 W Building 2, Suite 235 San Antonio, Texas 78249 Edited by U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78757 January 2021 (Cost to produce this EA: $61,000) CPS Energy Systemwide HCP EA CONTENTS Chapter 1. Purpose and Need .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Federal Action ........................................................................... 4 1.3 Decision to Be Made ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Public Involvement ............................................................................................................................. 4 1.5 National Historic Preservation Act and Tribal Consultation .............................................................. 4 Chapter 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives .......................................................................................... 6 2.1 Alternative A – Issuance of section 10(A)(1)(B) Permit (Proposed Federal Action) ......................... 6 2.1.1 CPS Energy Activities ................................................................................................................. 6 2.1.1.1 New Construction ................................................................................................................. 6 2.1.1.2 Significant Upgrades ............................................................................................................. 6 2.1.1.3 Operations and Maintenance ................................................................................................. 6 2.1.1.4 Emergency Responses........................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1.5 Geographic Extent of CPS Energy Activities ....................................................................... 7 2.1.2 Covered Activities ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.3 Plan Area ...................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.4 Incidental Take ............................................................................................................................ 8 2.1.5 Conservation Program ................................................................................................................. 8 2.1.5.1 Minimization Measures ........................................................................................................ 8 2.1.5.2 Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................................. 9 2.1.6 Monitoring, Reporting, and Adaptive Management .................................................................. 10 2.1.7 Funding ...................................................................................................................................... 10 2.1.8 Changed Circumstances ............................................................................................................. 10 2.2 Alternative B – No Action Alternative ............................................................................................. 10 2.3 Alternatives Eliminated from Further Analysis ................................................................................ 11 Chapter 3. Affected Environment ........................................................................................................... 12 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.1 Resources Analyzed in this Environmental Assessment ........................................................... 12 3.1.2 Resources Not Considered for Detailed Analysis ...................................................................... 12 3.2 Aesthetic Resources .......................................................................................................................... 12 3.3 Covered Species ................................................................................................................................ 14 3.4 Federally Listed Plant Species .......................................................................................................... 15 3.5 Other Wildlife Species ...................................................................................................................... 15 3.5.1 General Wildlife ........................................................................................................................ 15 3.5.2 Migratory Birds .......................................................................................................................... 16 3.5.3 State-Listed Species ................................................................................................................... 16 3.6 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice ..................................................................................... 17 3.7 Vegetation ......................................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 4. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................... 19 4.1 Definitions ......................................................................................................................................... 19 4.2 Impact Estimation Approach............................................................................................................. 19 ii CPS Energy Systemwide HCP EA 4.3 Significance ....................................................................................................................................... 19 4.4 Other Reasonably Foreseeable Projects ............................................................................................ 20 4.5 Aesthetic Resources .......................................................................................................................... 20 4.5.1 Alternative A – Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 20 4.5.2 Alternative B – No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 21 4.5.3 Cumulative Impacts ................................................................................................................... 21 4.6 Covered Species ................................................................................................................................ 22 4.6.1 Golden-cheeked Warbler ........................................................................................................... 22 4.6.1.1 Alternative A – Proposed Action ........................................................................................ 22 4.6.1.2 Alternative B – No Action Alternative ............................................................................... 24 4.6.1.3 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................................ 24 4.6.2 Karst Invertebrates ..................................................................................................................... 24 4.6.2.1 Alternative A – Proposed Action ........................................................................................ 24 4.6.2.2 Alternative B – No Action Alternative ............................................................................... 26 4.6.2.3 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................................ 27 4.7 Federally Listed Plant Species .......................................................................................................... 27 4.7.1 Alternative A – Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 27 4.7.2 Alternative B – No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 28 4.7.3 Cumulative Impacts ................................................................................................................... 28 4.8 Non-Federally Listed Species ........................................................................................................... 29 4.8.1 Alternative A – Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 29 4.8.1.1 General Wildlife .................................................................................................................. 29 4.8.1.2 Migratory Birds ................................................................................................................... 30 4.8.1.3 State-listed Species ............................................................................................................. 30 4.8.2 Alternative B – No Action Alternative