Environmental Statement volume 4 - Chiltern Evergreen3

crested newts (see Table 3.1). This is taken from Great Crested Newt HabitatSuitability Index Guidelines (produced by the Amphibian and Reptile GroupUK) ( 1 ) .Table 2.1HSI Scores and Pond Suitability RatingHSI ScoreRating0.8 ExcellentThe location of the ponds included in the HSIA surveys is shown on Figures8.3A-Q. The figures also give an indication of the findings of the HSIA asfollows:waterbodies assessed as having suitable habitat for great crested newt (seealso Section F4-2.5.1); andwaterbodies assessed as having unsuitable habitat for great crested newt(see also Section F4-2.5.1).F4-2.4F4-2.4.1GREAT CRESTED NEWT PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEYIntroductionPresence/Absence surveys were carried out for 36 individual waterbodies.Findings are shown on Figures 8.3 A-Q. This included the majority ofwaterbodies where the HSIA had concluded the waterbody provides suitablehabitat for great crested newt. Three of the waterbodies were not surveyed, asexplained below:Waterbody 4e – Despite scoring a ‘good’ rating, this waterbody had andWaterbody 27 - Great crested newts had already been recorded inwaterbody 28 and there is potential for this population to move betweenthese waterbodies. Great crested newt are therefore assumed to be presentand mitigation measures proposed at this stage will extend to include thiswaterbody and they will be included in further surveys to inform a licenceapplication.Waterbody 46 - Great crested newt records exist for this site and to thesouth of the existing railway within Gavray Drive Meadows. Greatcrested newt are therefore assumed to be present and mitigation measuresproposed at this stage will extend to include this waterbody and they willbe included in further surveys to inform a licence application.(1) Amphibian and Reptile Group UK (Regional advice), 2008.ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENTF4-4CHILTERN RAILWAYS