The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan,

Balcones Canyonlands Preserve,&

Public Service Infrastructure

William A. ConradSecretaryBCCP Coordinating Committee

• 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

Who must comply with the ESA?Any landowner or individual engaging in activities that result in “take”.

Private LandownersCommercial Developers

Agricultural UsersGovernmental AgenciesInfrastructure Providers

Endangered Species inTravis County

Golden-cheeked warblerBlack-capped vireo

Tooth Cave pseudoscorpionTooth Cave spider

Tooth Cave ground beetleBee Creek harvestmanBone Cave harvestman

Kretschmarr Cave mold beetleBarton Creek salamander

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

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.

• USFWS Regional 10(a) Permit

issued in 1996

• Established the Balcones

Canyonlands Preserve

• Permit Holders: City of Austin

and Travis County

Balcones CanyonlandsConservation Plan

BCCP PartnersTravis 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

The Permit covers

more than 561,000

acres in western

Travis County.

The Permit area is

illustrated in green.

The Preserve is

shown in yellow.

The BCP

City of Austin

LCRA

Potential Future Preserve

Private Land Management

Travis County

Unavailable

Travis Audubon Society

The Nature Conservancy

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

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.

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.

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

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)

Infrastructure Guidelines forBCCP Permit Area and BCP

Outside Permit AreaInside BCP

Inside Permit Area/Outside BCP

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infrastructure Process (Found in Workshop Booklet)

BCP office – Wildland Conservation Division – (512) 972-1662

Division website - www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/wildlands.htm

Willy ConradBCCP Secretary(512) 972-1661

Dolph ScottEnvironmental Program Coordinator(512) 972-1686

Scott RowinBCP Program Manager(512) 972-1664

Questions? Come and Talk to Us!