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of drinking water, but also as potential habitat for the Texas Blind Salamander which is found in caves downstream from the project area. The EA \\;11 address the requirements of preparing a WP AP under the Edwards Aquifer Rules; however, since detailed design is required to complete the WPAP, the WPAP will be prepared under a supplemental contract or a separate contract. Wetlands and Other Waters of the u.s. - Hicks & Company wetland scientists will perform wetlands evaluations in all areas potentially affected by the primary alternatives. This scope of services includes both a wetland determination and delineation to be conducted in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual for potential wetlands within the Preferred Alternative. This scope assumes that R&H will provide private property access. Any required wetland pennitting and/or mitigation planning that require coordination with the US Anny Corps of Engineers will be conducted under an additional scope and budget. Ecological Resources - Hicks & Company biologists will perform a characterization of project area ecological resources, including descriptions of vegetation and wildlife habitat resources. Ecologically sensitive resources, if any, will be identified and discussed in the EA. An assessment of the project area's potential to support federally threatened or endangered species will be conducted. This includes a data search of the Texas Biological Conservation Data System, an assessment of habitat in the project area for any listed species determined to be of potential occurrence, and preliminary coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). A list of all state and federally sensitive species of potential occurrence in the project area will be provided in the EA. Any required threatened or endangered species survey's as well as consultation with USFWS under the Endangered Species Act will be conducted under an additional scope and budget. Recreational Resources - The assessment will include a review of the applicability of Section 4(f) of the DOT Act. A 4(j) Evaluation, should one be required, will be conducted under a supplemental agreement. Cultural Resources - Hicks and Company's archeologist and architectural historian will conduct preliminary cultural resource investigations in support of an EA consisting of: 1) preliminary background research pertaining to the presence and/or potential for important cultural resources in the project area (Pre-field research); 2) formal TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division (TxDOT -ENV) and Texas Historical Commission (THC) Coordination; 3) on-site field visits to the project area (Field Labor); and 4) Draft Environmental Assessment report compilation. Pre-field research will consist of site and survey record searches at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL-state repository for all site records) and the Texas Historical Commission (prehistoric). In addition, archival examinations of maps and possibly aerial photographs for the presence of historic sites andlor standing historic-age structures (over 50 years old) will be conducted. This work includes reconnaissance, photographs and documentation of not more than 20 historic-age structures by our staff architectural historian. The results of this report will be assimilated into a special Appendix to be included in the EA. Formal TxOOT-ENV and THC coordination will consist of the submittal of this Appendix and the preparation of a letter to be submitted to TxDOT -ENV, which incorporates all preliminary findings, especially the results of site visits (a certain amount of informal coordination is also included). This letter will be used by TxDOT-ENV for formal coordination purposes \vith the Texas State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), in partial compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended). On-site visits will also include consultation with knowledgeable informants andlor organizations within the City of San Marcos related to the presence of important historic buildings within the project area, as well as photo and textual documentation of these resources. An)! pedestrian survey, additional investigations, documentation and/or testing for cultural resources required as 5 PAGE 5 OF 15 OF EXHIBIT 1