Environmental Statement volume 4 - Chiltern Evergreen3

F4-2 METHODSF4-2.1DESK STUDY AND CONSULTATIONA review of OS base maps was carried out to identify waterbodies within 500m of the development boundary. The Thames Valley Environmental RecordsCentre (TVERC) were consulted for records of great crested newt within 2 kmof the development boundary.The initial scope of the surveys was sent via a letter and discussed with aNatural England officer in March 2009 ( 1 ) . The scope and findings of thesurvey were presented and discussed with Natural England officers RebeccaTibbetts and Charlotte Frizzell during a progress meeting at ERM offices onthe 1 st July 2009 where Natural England verbally confirmed their generalagreement with the approach to the surveys ( 2 ) .F4-2.2WALKOVER SURVEYA walkover survey was carried out to check the presence of waterbodiesidentified from an OS base map. The survey included all waterbodies within500 m of the route. Where access had not yet been permitted, waterbodieswere checked from public footpaths.The location of the ponds visited together with the outcome of the walkover isshown on Figures 8.3A-Q. Figures 8.3A-Q include the following information:waterbodies identified during the walkover surveys as being not present(see below);waterbodies where access was not permitted for survey (see below); andwaterbodies not considered for the HSIA survey (see below).Identifying Waterbodies as Not PresentFollowing an initial walkover survey, nine of the waterbodies marked on theOS base were no longer present having been filled in or lost throughdevelopment. This included waterbodies 1, 3a, 3b, 19, 24, 30, 32, 36 and 40 asshown on Figures 8.3 A-Q.Waterbodies where Access was Not PermittedWhere access was not permitted or was permitted too late into the season.(1) ERM letter to the Natural England Oxfordshire Team, Long Hanborough, dated 20th March 2009 and subsequenttelephone conversations with the Reading office.(2) Whilst the general methods, approach to the surveys and survey findings were discussed Natural England could notcomment until receipt of the final Environmental Statement.ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENTF4-2CHILTERN RAILWAYS