Linear Infrastructure. Linear infrastructure constructed throughout DSL Habitat may also adversely affect DSL Habitat. Linear infrastructure is required to avoid areas of High and Intermediate Suitability DSL Habitat subject to limited exceptions. The most significant threat to the DSL is the construction process. Pipeline rights-of-way are typically 50 feet wide, while rights-of-way for electrical transmission and distribution facilities vary in width depending upon the size of the facility. Construction of pipelines necessitates: (1) the staging and storage of equipment, materials, and vehicles; (2) clearing of rights-of-way; (3) trenching for the pipeline; and
Linear Infrastructure. Linear infrastructure constructed throughout DSL Habitat may also adversely affect DSL Habitat. Linear infrastructure is required to avoid areas of High and Intermediate Suitability DSL Habitat subject to limited exceptions. The most significant threat to the DSL is the construction process. Such activities will remove vegetation and may destabilize the overall dunes structure (Xxx Xxxx et al., 2013). Heavy equipment used to remove shinnery oak and bury the lines in the sand may cause direct mortality. The large open trenches can form linear pitfall traps from which the DSL is unable to escape (Xxxxxx et al., 2015). The threats posed by linear infrastructure are reduced by Conservation Measures for linear infrastructure activities that include requirements for: (1) reclamation of rights- of-way; (2) minimizing the footprint for development; (3) maximizing use of developed areas and rights-of-way; (4) minimizing road traffic; (5) use of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System) for pipelines; and (6) developing wildlife escape ramps; and (7) conducting open trench monitoring to remove any DSL, as necessary. Once linear infrastructure facilities are constructed and properly functioning, they are less of a threat to the DSL. Ongoing maintenance crews may travel by OHV, which may directly and indirectly cause intermittent disturbance to DSL Habitat. DSL mortality may occur due to vehicular strikes. Extensive OHV use may result in soil compaction, reduced plant cover, and tire ruts that exacerbate erosional processes in the dune complexes (Xxx Xxxx et al., 2013). Aboveground linear infrastructure facilities also require vegetation maintenance. Routine Operation and Maintenance would be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal requirements. Routine operation and maintenance may include, equipment replacement, component repair and replacement, debris removal, weed control, equipment testing and monitoring; and regulatory inspections. Remediation and reclamation activities include, but are not limited to, assessment, removal and reclamation of access roads, fences, structures and other facilities.
Linear Infrastructure. After six years of TCP implementation, surface disturbances due to Participant linear infrastructure construction activities have been limited to approximately 159 acres. Ninety-six of those acres occurred in High and Intermediate areas of DSL Habitat (16 acres per year) and 63 acres (approximately 10 acres per year) occurred in Low Suitability Habitat as defined by the Texas State University Map. Pipeline right of ways are typically 50 feet wide. Because of the existing demand for pipeline capacity in the Permian Basin, it is estimated that a three-fold increase will occur in linear infrastructure construction over the next five years and a 25 percent increase will occur over the remaining 18 years of the 2020 DSL CCAA.3 Thus, the total habitat disturbance from linear infrastructure construction and operation is anticipated to be 1,105 acres ((26 acres/year x 4 x 5 years)+(26 acres/year x 1.25 x 18 years)=1,105)). The estimated range-wide take allocation for this covered activity is presented based upon forecasted future covered activities under both the 2020 DSL CCAA and the TCP. It is also estimated that operations and maintenance activities associated with electric and other utilities would be approximately 250 acres per year. The Conservation Measures for linear infrastructure participants have been enhanced in the 2020 DSL CCAA to include: (1) reclamation of rights-of-way; (2) minimizing the 3 Recently, oil production has exceeded pipeline capacity in the Permian Basin (See, e.g., Shortage of pipeline capacity to take crude out of the Permian basin is expected to remain until at least 2023. Seeking Alpha, “Permian Basin, These Oil and Gas Pipeline Projects Will Narrow the Oil and Gas Discount in 2020. (July 11, 2018).”) footprint for development; (3) maximizing use of developed areas and rights-of-way; (4) minimizing road traffic; (5) use of SCADA to reduce traffic; and (6) developing wildlife escape ramps and open trench monitoring to remove any DSL, as necessary. Thus, the impacts may be temporary, avoided, or minimized.
