AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation regarding the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Incidental Take Permit renewal process, and provide direction to staff.
Body
Meeting date: May 5, 2026
Department: Engineering/ Capital Improvements
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: N/A
Account or Project Number (C = CIP funds): N/A
Funds Available: N/A
Account Name: N/A
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: N/A
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Environmental Protection
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Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
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☐ Core Services
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Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Habitat Conservation Master Plan
Background Information:
The existing Incidental Take Permit (ITP) issued to the City and co-permittees in 2013 by US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act is a 15-year permit that expires in March 2028. The City is currently working with the co-permittees to redraft the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) that will be used as the basis of a permit application to USFWS for a renewed ITP. The co-permittees include City of San Marcos, City of New Braunfels, Texas State University, San Antonio Water System and Edwards Aquifer Authority.
The intent to the ITP is to allow the permittees to carry out activities such as aquifer pumping and facilitation of river recreation that may negatively impact endangered species that exist within the Comal and San Marcos River systems fed by the Edwards Aquifer. The EAHCP defines Covered Activities and describes Biological Goals and Conservation Measures that make up the core of a conservation strategy needed to ensure the persistence of several federally-protected endangered aquatic species. The EAHCP includes habitat protection measures (i.e. river restoration & ecosystem management activities), springflow protection measures (i.e. management of Edwards Aquifer withdrawals), biological monitoring, and a refugia program and defines how the permittees will protect endangered species that rely on springflow from the Edwards Aquifer and the Comal & San Marcos River systems.
Ultimately, the City Council will need to consider approval of a final draft EAHCP. This presentation is intended to educate the City Council on the draft EAHCP and ITP renewal process that is underway and to solicit feedback from City Council that will be considered in the final draft EAHCP.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
N/A
Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
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