T-160 (Marshall Ford to McNeil) Transmission Line Upgrade

through the Balcones Canyonlands Preserves

Jennifer LeeperLCRA Senior Environmental Coordinator

Oct. 8, 2015

Project• LCRA Transmission

Services Corporation

• Upgraded existing 14.5-mile T-160 (Marshall Ford to McNeil) transmission line

• From 69-kV (kilovolt) to 138-kV

• Serving significant growth in Austin and northwest of Austin

Project Location and Balcones Canyonlands Preserves (BCPs)

Crosses multiple preserves

Endangered Species

Golden-cheeked Warbler (GCWA) Black-capped Vireo (BCVI)Photo by John Ingram

Endangered Species

Karst invertebrates Jollyville Plateau Salamander(JPS)

Project Phases to Reduce ImpactsStarted early discussions – worked directly with BCP biologist, City of Austin hydrogeologist and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Phase I – Clearing/trimming and soil borings

Phase II – Construction

BCCP MitigationMitigation through the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) Infrastructure Application process to offset impacts to habitat

Why mitigate?

Photo by Ron Smith Photo by Jennifer Leeper

FWS Guidance Met with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for guidance concerning project activities and JPS habitat

Outside Services for JPS and KarstHired Zara Environmental, LLC (Zara) to assist with karst investigations and best management practices to avoid impacts to the JPS

Photos by Zara Environmental, LLC

Work by Zara to Reduce Impacts• Down-hole video analysis of soil borings• Subsurface drainage basin mapping of

protected caves (BCCP requirement) • Void mitigation plan

Photo by ZaraEnvironmental, LLC

Photo by Ron Smith

Best Management Practices to Protect Endangered Species

Galvanized versus Weathering Steel

Untreated Versus Treated Water

Breeding season for GCWA and BCVI is March 1-Sept. 1

Golden-cheeked WarblerBlack-capped Vireo

Preventing the Introduction of Exotic Species

Tawny Crazy Ants

Red Imported Fire Ants

Stormwater Controls and Jute Matting

Jute Matting

Preventing the Spread of Oak Wilt

Protection and Containment of Spills

Preventing Wildfires

Key IngredientsCommunication PlanningCreativity FlexibilityTeamworkRespectTraining and awarenessBalance

BCVI Habitat in the TL ROW

Photo by William Reiner

Transmission Line Corridor on the City of AustinKent Butler Ecological Reserve

Habitat Improvement in 2009…

2009 Nest

Habitat improvement areas

… Led to BCVI Nest Success in 2013, 2014 and 2015!

2013 Nest

2014 Nest2015 Nests

BCVI on Nest

Photo by William Reiner

Success at Kent Butler

Three BCVI fledged the nest by May 22, 2015, offspring of the banded male that had returned from the previous year

Photo by William Reiner

BCVI Nesting on Ribelin Preserve

Nest not successful, but ROW vegetation attracted BCVI

Photo by Erik Huebner

Questions?