HS2 chiefs are to blow £10million on growing grass beside the line.
Rail chiefs started seeking a seed supplier on October 13 days after the northern link was axed.
Bosses are considering pitches for the contract which will start in January and last until 2029.
Most seed will be planted on lineside embankments.
Penny Gaines, of pressure group Stop HS2, said: “The size of this contract for seeds shows the sheer scale of environmental damage HS2 is causing.
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“Phase One goes through numerous sites of special scientific interest, ancient woodlands and other sensitive wildlife sites.
“The sad thing is you can’t replace these sites quickly with new seeds, as they’ve taken decades or centuries to grow.”
The public contact is being handled by private firm Balfour Beatty and Ms Gaines said: “HS2 has always been a gravy train for construction firms.
“Contractors are responsible for giving out contracts, knowing that if it goes wrong they won’t have to pay, it will come out of ordinary peoples’ taxes.”
PM Rishi Sunak ditched the HS2 extension beyond Birmingham amid fears costs could spiral to £150billion.
The original budget in 2009 was £37.5billion.