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William A. Conrad Secretary BCCP Coordinating Committee

The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) aims to conserve endangered species habitat in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) system, covering 30,428 acres in western Travis County to protect species like Golden-cheeked warbler and Barton Creek salamander. Landowners and developers need to comply with the ESA, benefitting from the streamlined approach provided by the BCCP permit. BCP not only safeguards wildlife but also supports economic growth. Infrastructure planning within the BCP is essential to minimize habitat loss. Contact the BCCP Coordinating Committee for assistance and follow the guidelines for construction and maintenance within the BCP to ensure habitat protection.

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William A. Conrad Secretary BCCP Coordinating Committee

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  1. TheBalcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan,Balcones Canyonlands Preserve,&Public Service Infrastructure William A. Conrad Secretary BCCP Coordinating Committee

  2. In 1996, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued a federal permit jointly to City and County authorizing the habitat conservation plan—the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP)—and creating the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) system. The goal is to conserve 30,428 acres of endangered species habitat in the BCP among all partners. Located in western Travis County where species habitat is found. Preserve lands owned by public entities are public lands held in trust for a specific purpose – habitat for endangered species protection. Overview of the BCCP and BCP

  3. Who must comply with the ESA? Any landowner or individual engaging in activities that result in “take”. Private Landowners Commercial Developers Agricultural Users Governmental Agencies Infrastructure Providers

  4. Endangered Species inTravis County • Golden-cheeked warbler • Black-capped vireo • Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion • Tooth Cave spider • Tooth Cave ground beetle • Bee Creek harvestman • Bone Cave harvestman • Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle • Barton Creek salamander

  5. The Bad Old Days… • Before the BCP, all economic growth and development in our community was essentially left in the hands of the federal government and the USFWS. • The late 1980’s in Austin saw: • development moratoriums • slowing pace of growth • a long line of landowners and developers waiting for the USFWS to review and approve their projects

  6. Endangered Species, Growth, & Development • A 1982 amendment to the ESA provided that “take” may occur incidental to otherwise legal activities, as long as mitigating conservation measures to protect rare species are in place. • “Habitat Conservation Plans” were created as a new tool in 1982 to allow landowners to develop their land in compliance with the law.

  7. USFWS Regional 10(a) Permit issued in 1996 Established the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Permit Holders: City of Austin and Travis County Balcones CanyonlandsConservation Plan

  8. BCCP Partners Travis County City of Austin Private Landowners The Lower Colorado River Authority Travis Audubon Society The Nature Conservancy of Texas The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

  9. The Permit covers more than 561,000 acres in western Travis County. The Permit area is illustrated in green. The Preserve is shown inyellow.

  10. The BCP City of Austin LCRA Potential Future Preserve Private Land Management The Nature Conservancy Travis Audubon Society Travis County Unavailable

  11. BCCP Permit Commitments Provide landowners with a streamlined approach to comply with the Endangered Species Act Acquire and manage 30,428 acres of habitat for two endangered songbirds Protect 62 karst features Protect populations of rare plants wherever they occur on the Preserve

  12. The Role of the BCP The BCP isn’t just “for the birds”. The BCP protects all of our native wildlife. The BCP demonstrates that economic growth/ development and habitat protection can coexist. Without the BCP, economic growth and development would be at a standstill.

  13. Infrastructure 101 Infrastructure planning is critical to minimizing habitat loss and fragmentation within the BCP. Includes roads and electric, gas, telephone, cable, water, and wastewater lines. Contact BCCP Coordinating Committee Secretary if you have questions.

  14. Appendix B Infrastructure management plan Defines infrastructure corridors in preserves or expected preserves Only areas in preserves where “take” is authorized Also describes how “take” outside preserves may be mitigated through BCP

  15. Resources to Assist with Infrastructure Planning Infrastructure workshop booklet City of Austin BCP website Appendix B of the BCCP Flow Chart Maps: BCCP Permit Area, existing and planned corridors Forms (including Habitat Assessment Application) Mitigation fee zone maps (http://www.co.travis.us/maps) BCCP Coordinating Committee Secretary (& staff)

  16. Infrastructure Guidelines forBCCP Permit Area and BCP Inside BCP Outside Permit Area Inside Permit Area/Outside BCP

  17. Within the BCP: Guidelines for New Construction Must be in existing or planned corridor Minor construction < 3,000 square feet Submit plan or sketch (application preferred) Requires BCCP approval (Secretary) Major Construction > 3,000 square feet Submit plans to BCCP and Austin Area Utility Coordinating Committee Requires BCCP approval (Secretary) Guidelines on City of Austin BCP website

  18. Within the BCP: Guidelines for Pre-Approved Maintenance For existing corridors, facilities, and access Routine maintenance Agreed to by BCCP and landowner Forms on City of Austin BCP website Follow guidelines for scheduled maintenance

  19. Within the BCP: Guidelines for Emergency Maintenance Threats to public health and safety Act immediately to address needs Act to minimize effects to species Notify BCCP Secretary within 5 days afterwards

  20. Within the BCP: Guidelines for Scheduled Maintenance Specific guidelines for access routes Specific guidelines for vegetation management Written plans to BCCP and preserve owner (application preferred) Approval from preserve owner and BCCP Secretary for each maintenance event

  21. Within the Permit Area,Outside the BCP: Any new construction or maintenance Complete and submit a BCCP Infrastructure Project - Habitat Assessment Application to BCCP Secretary BCCP Secretary makes habitat determination Guidelines from Appendix B recommended

  22. Inside the Permit Area,Outside the BCP: To participate in BCCP mitigation: BCP signatories mitigate through BCCP credits (mitigation bank) Non-BCCP participants can purchase participation certificates Non-BCCP participants can also work directly with USFWS

  23. Infrastructure Process (Found in Workshop Booklet)

  24. Questions? Come and Talk to Us! BCP office – Wildland Conservation Division – (512) 972-1662 Division website - www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wildlands.htm Willy Conrad BCCP Secretary (512) 972-1661 Dolph Scott Environmental Program Coordinator (512) 972-1686 Scott Rowin BCP Program Manager (512) 972-1664

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