ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM GOALS • Accomplish TxDOT projects in ways that have the least impact on the resources of the state

• Promote cooperation with regulatory agencies

• Work cooperatively with our partners to identify methods that avoid and minimize impacts

• Communicate our commitments with our employees and partners

• Provide information about regulations that impact TxDOT projects

• Share successful ideas with our employees and partners

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

BEAUMONT DISTRICT Transportation Planning and Development

Environmental Section

8350 Eastex Freeway Beaumont, TX 77708 Phone: 409-898-5854

The Beaumont District Environmental Section wants to hear from you! If you have questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact us.

Thank you for your dedication to meeting our environmental goals, in addition to delivering a safe, reliable, and integrated transportation system that enables the movement of people and goods.

Please also check out the TxDOT website for information about our Beaumont District projects:

http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/beaumont.html

Or, you can scan with your phone or tablet to access directly:

BEAUMONT DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD GUIDE The purpose of this Field Guide is to provide a general overview of our goals, permit constraints, and the environmental laws and regulations that affect TxDOT projects. Attention must be given to each of these in order to maintain compliance with our regulatory agencies. Contractors and TxDOT employees should refer to this guide for all projects; from small maintenance activities to large construction projects.

Our environmental responsibility is to protect and preserve the diverse ecosystems unique to the Beaumont District.

Photo courtesy of Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens Suzanne Chapman, Botanical Collections Curator

PERMIT CONSIDERATIONSMany TxDOT projects require regulatory permits to conduct work. Violation of permit conditions is a violation of the law. All permits obtained for construction or maintenance activities must be carefully followed. For information about project permits:

• Consult the EPICs and EPIC Notes plan sheets; EPICs are the Environmental Permits, Issues and Commitments for the project

• Pay close attention to any constraints that are listed in the EPICs/EPIC Notes or associated with your permit, such as:

ú Amount of right of way (ROW) area we are allowed to disturb

ú Amount or type of vegetation you may remove

ú Seasonal constraints for specific activities

ú Survey activities required prior to vegetation removal or structure demolition

ú Wildlife disturbances

ú Prohibitions on accessing waters

Permits are often obtained from the Corp of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, or the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The District will provide copies of any permits that are associated with our project. If you need more information on permits, please contact the TxDOT Inspector or District Environmental staff.

All TxDOT projects are subject to multiple federal and state environmental laws and regulations. These laws apply regardless of whether a project-specific permit has been issued. Some of these may be the driving factor behind the constraints and prohibitions you will find on the EPIC and EPIC Notes plan sheets. Listed below are a few of the more common laws and regulations that may affect our projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Endangered Species Act • Protects species and habitat

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act • Protects water supply to downstream habitats

Clean Water Act • Protects water quality; includes regulations for runoff and discharge to streams, wetlands and rivers

Clean Air Act • Protects air quality; includes regulations for emissions, fumes and dust

Texas Parks and Wildlife Code • Protects resources of the state; includes regulations for all species of fish, wildlife and most plants

National Historic Preservation Act • Protects cultural and archaeological resources; includes regulations for excavation and work on historic structures

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) • Includes nearly all birds in Texas

• “Nesting season” varies depending upon the species of bird, generally March through September

• If nests are encountered on site, notify the TxDOT Inspector or DEQC immediately

• Removal of any nest during nesting season is prohibited

• A nest does not have to have eggs or young present to be considered active

• Bird exclusion devices are to be installed by the contractor by Feb. 15 on structures that are scheduled for demolition or repair between March 1 and Oct. 1 to prevent establishment of new nests

• The district can provide guidance for exclusion devices; exclusion devices must be inspected and approved by Feb. 15

• No spray repellent may be used without prior written authorization from District Environmental staff

*Longleaf Pine Savannah photo courtesy of The Gymnosperm Database

Cypress-tupelos swamp - Aquatic Resource of National Importance

Longleaf pine savanna - state protected habitat*

Louisiana pine snake - state protected; proposed for federal listing