ENVIRONMENT

Lower Colorado River Authority looks to conserve 22 endangered species with new plan

Samuel Sutton
San Angelo
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the southwestern willow flycatcher as endangered in 1995. The songbird can be found in Arizona. There are an estimated 600-800 breeding pairs throughout the West.

The Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation is trying to minimize construction impacts on endangered species with a proposed Habitat Conservation Plan, according to a news release.

The purpose of this plan is to lower impacts of power transmission line construction and maintenance across 241 counties in Texas, the release states. They are looking to protect 22 species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Types of species include birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, a mammal, and one non-listed lizard species.

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Along with the plan, the LCRA TSC has developed several tools to help businesses, landowners and state and local governments continue working while also protecting these species.

The LCRA TSC submitted the plan and applied for a 30-year Incidental Take Permit under the ESA. According to the release, the proposed plan describes what they would do to minimize and mitigate the impacts electric transmission facility work has on endangered species.

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This plan also includes ways to preserve land, train staff, conserve river banks, improve habitat and help with land re-vegetation and restoration.

The LCRA TSC plans to release a statement analyzing the effects of issuing the permit based on the plan, according to the company.

The LCRA TSC is asking people to provide public comment on the proposed plan before June 13, 2019. Comments can be submitted.

  • Submit them online through the eRulemarketing Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow instructions on 

    Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2019–0016.

  •  Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R2-ES-2019-0016; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters; MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

To find out how to review a copy of the plan, or how to provide comments, see the Federal Register notice at https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/.

Samuel Sutton is a multimedia journalist for West Texas. Send him a news tip at Samuel.Sutton@gosanangelo.com or call 325-812-7179.