FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AUTHORIZATION OF INCIDENTAL TAKE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LCRA TRANSMISSION SERVICES CORPORATION HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78757 July 2019 Estimated Lead Agency Total Costs Associated with Developing and Producing this EIS $289,722 LCRA TSC HCP fEIS CONTENTS Chapter 1. Purpose and Need .................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Federal Action ........................................................................... 9 1.2 Decision to Be Made ........................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 Public Involvement and Tribal Outreach .......................................................................................... 10 1.3.1 Scoping ...................................................................................................................................... 10 1.3.2 Draft EIS Comment Period ........................................................................................................ 10 1.3.3 National Historic Preservation Act and Tribal Consultation ..................................................... 10 Chapter 2. Proposed Federal Action and Alternatives .......................................................................... 13 2.1 ALTERNATIVE A – Issuance of Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit (Proposed Federal Action) .............. 13 2.1.1 New Construction ...................................................................................................................... 13 2.1.2 Upgrading and Decommissioning .............................................................................................. 13 2.1.3 Operations and Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 14 2.1.4 Emergency Responses ............................................................................................................... 14 2.1.5 Covered Activities ..................................................................................................................... 14 2.1.6 Geographic Extent and Distribution of Covered Activities ....................................................... 14 2.1.7 Plan Area .................................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.8 Conservation Program ............................................................................................................... 15 2.1.8.1 Minimization Measures ...................................................................................................... 16 2.1.8.2 Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................................... 17 2.1.9 Plan Administration ................................................................................................................... 19 2.1.10 Funding .................................................................................................................................... 19 2.1.11 Changed Circumstances ........................................................................................................... 20 2.2 ALTERNATIVE B – Reduced Permit Duration .............................................................................. 20 2.3 ALTERNATIVE C – No Action Alternative .................................................................................... 21 2.4 Alternatives Eliminated from Further Analysis ................................................................................ 21 2.4.1 Reduced Plan Area ..................................................................................................................... 21 2.4.2 Fewer Covered Activities .......................................................................................................... 22 2.4.3 Additional Covered Species ....................................................................................................... 22 2.4.4 Reduced Incidental Take Alternative ......................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3. Affected Environment ........................................................................................................... 24 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 24 3.1.1 Regional Environmental Setting ................................................................................................ 24 3.1.2 Resources Analyzed ................................................................................................................... 24 3.1.3 Resources Not Considered for Detailed Analysis ...................................................................... 24 3.2 Aesthetics .......................................................................................................................................... 29 3.3 Aquatic Resources ............................................................................................................................. 30 3.4 Covered Species ................................................................................................................................ 31 3.5 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................................ 31 3.5.1 Cultural Resources Setting ......................................................................................................... 32 3.5.1.1 National Register of Historic Places ................................................................................... 33 3.5.1.2 National Historic Landmarks and Trails ............................................................................. 33 3.5.1.3 Archaeological sites ............................................................................................................ 34 3.6 Federally Listed Plant Species .......................................................................................................... 34 3.7 Other Non-Federally Listed Wildlife Species ................................................................................... 36 3.7.1 General Wildlife ........................................................................................................................ 36 3.7.2 Migratory Birds .......................................................................................................................... 37 3.7.3 Bald and Golden Eagles ............................................................................................................. 38 3.7.4 State-Listed Species ................................................................................................................... 39 3.8 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice ..................................................................................... 41 3.9 Vegetation ......................................................................................................................................... 41 i LCRA TSC HCP fEIS Chapter 4. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................... 45 4.1 Definitions ......................................................................................................................................... 45 4.2 Impact Estimation Approach ............................................................................................................ 45 4.2.1 Quantification of Impacts .......................................................................................................... 45 4.2.2 Impact Framework ..................................................................................................................... 45 4.3 Reasonably Foreseeable Projects ...................................................................................................... 46 4.4 Effects Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 47 4.4.1 Aesthetics ................................................................................................................................... 48 4.4.1.1 Alternative A – Issuance of Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit ..................................................... 48 4.4.1.2 Alternative B – Reduced Permit Duration .......................................................................... 49 4.4.1.3 Alternative C – No Action .................................................................................................. 49 4.4.1.4 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................................ 49 4.4.2 Aquatic Resources ..................................................................................................................... 50 4.4.2.1 Alternative A – Issuance of Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit ..................................................... 50 4.4.2.2 Alternative B – reduced permit duration ............................................................................. 51 4.4.2.3 Alternative C – No Action .................................................................................................