Regarding preconstruction planning, the project sponsor shall do the following before construction:

• b) This option states the project sponsor "must ensure" surveys are conducted, which indicates a mandatory requirement.
• c) This option states project sponsors "are encouraged to consider," which indicates a recommendation, not a mandatory requirement.
• d) This option states the project sponsor "Plan construction sequencing... to prevent excessive erosion," which describes a mandatory planning action.

Since option (c) is not a mandatory step, option (a) "All of those steps listed below" is incorrect because it includes a non-mandatory action.

Both options (b) and (d) describe mandatory actions. However, the question is under the heading "FERC Upland Erosion Control, III-A". Option (d) directly addresses "Plan construction sequencing to limit the amount and duration of open trench sections, as necessary, to prevent excessive erosion or sediment flow into sensitive environmental resource areas," which is a specific action for upland erosion control. While option (b) describes essential preconstruction planning and surveys that inform erosion control, option (d) is a more direct and specific action related to the topic of erosion control itself.

The final answer is $\boxed{\text{d}}$