The combined construction and operation of three liquefied natural gas export facilities on the Texas coast could have a lasting effect on protected wildlife in the region, US regulators warned in a recent environmental report, writes Caroline Evans.

According to a final environmental impact statement on the Texas LNG facility prepared by staff from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc), impacts to the environment from the small-scale Texas LNG facility alone could be mitigated and reduced to "less than significant" levels.

However, cumulative impacts from Texas LNG along with the larger Annova LNG and Rio Grande LNG facilities would have a "permanent and significant" effect on the ocelot and jaguarundi habitat. Ocelots are listed as endangered by the federal Fish & Wildlife Service.

"The proposed project, Rio Grande LNG and Annova LNG projects, as well as the pipeline projects proposed in the area, are anticipated to have the greatest cumulative impacts on ocelot habitat through removal and conversion to industrial uses and fragmentation, respectively," according to the environmental impact statement.

The projects could also have significant impacts on nesting and foraging habitats for the federally-protected aplomado falcon.

Texas LNG chief executive Vivek Chandra said the company was "very pleased" with the environmental impact statement and expects final approval in the next few months.

"We see no change in the outlook for the project," Chandra said.

According to the environmental impact statement, consultations with federal wildlife agencies were ongoing and recommended Texas LNG not begin any project construction until the talks were finished.

Meanwhile, Ferc said the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department was "particularly concerned" about Texas tortoises and has recommended that Texas LNG develop a plan for the capture and relocation of tortoises before construction starts.

"We recommend that Texas LNG prepare this plan in co-ordination with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prior to construction," said the environmental impact statement.

"Through the implementation of measures committed to by Texas LNG, as well as our recommendation, we conclude impacts on state-listed species would not be significant."

The Texas LNG facility would produce up to 4 million tonnes per annum, with construction in two separate phases.

The company hopes to reach a final investment decision by the end of 2019. First production is anticipated in 2023 with the first phase of 2 million pta.

The final environmental reports for Rio Grande LNG and Annova LNG are expected in the coming weeks.

A spokeswoman for NextDecade, which is developing the Rio Grande LNG facility, said it was against company policy to comment on other projects.

Regarding Rio Grande LNG, she said: "We are working through our own process and mitigation plans in collaboration with Ferc and other agencies, and working diligently to provide information and answer questions they may have about the Rio Grande LNG project."

A spokeswoman for Annova LNG, which is being developed by utility Exelon, said: "In their draft environmental impact statement for Annova, Ferc acknowledged our proactive approach towards minimising and offsetting our project’s environmental impacts."

However, the facilities face opposition from green and tribal groups who fear the projects would harm the environment and disturb cultural sites.

"(Texas LNG) would result in the destruction of this sacred place and the cultural heritage of the indigenous Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe people," Juan Mancias, chairman of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, said. "The Tribe is opposed to Texas LNG and the fracked gas industry."

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Texas LNG gets final environmental report