Section 5: Vegetation Resources
Vegetation resources must be managed throughout the life of the project. Strategies such as phasing the clearing of vegetation need to be implemented to avoid erosion issues caused by too much bare soil, and to ensure compliance with regulations like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Chapter 64 of the Parks and Wildlife Code or ESA if habitat is protected. The CGP outlines TxDOT and the Contractor's requirements for managing temporary and permanent soil stabilization measures. TxDOT’s Standard Specifications Item 164: Seeding for Erosion Control outlines specific materials and installation requirements pertinent to the implementation of seeding as both a temporary and permanent erosion control. Where soil retention blankets or erosion control blankets will be utilized, efforts should be made to furnish only spray-on products or blankets that do not contain UV degradable, photodegradable, or polypropylene materials. Products should be comprised of natural, woven fibers. Products that have mesh with fixed corners should not be used when prohibited by EPICs and through the PS&E.
Vegetative buffers must be maintained adjacent to water bodies and other sensitive areas whenever possible. If it’s not possible to maintain vegetative buffers adjacent to surface waters of the State, a justification needs to be provided as part of the SWP3 Summary Sheet. The contractor should avoid clearing unnecessary vegetation in riparian areas. Additional best management practices may be appropriate depending on the site. Coordinate with TxDOT environmental staff to determine if any protected, imperiled, or sensitive plant or animal species or plant communities might be present. Refer to TPWD’s “Beneficial Management Practices: Avoiding, Minimizing, and Mitigating Impacts of Transportation Projects on State Natural Resources” available on TxDOT’s Natural Resources Toolkits for more information.