PRESENTER: Presenter
Amy Niles, River and Watershed Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation on Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Incidental Take Permit Renewal
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) is a program that defines how the Edwards Aquifer Authority protects federally listed endangered species that live in the Edwards Aquifer and the Comal and San Marcos springs. An Incidental Take Permit (ITP) is a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). To protect the species identified by the ESA, the ITP requires a habitat conservation plan. The ITP defines the activities that will likely cause ‘take*’ to the endangered species and acknowledges the permittee’s ability to perform those covered activities without legal retribution as long as specific guidelines are met. The habitat conservation plan defines those guidelines and are designed to help mitigate potential damages, or take, to the endangered species and their habitat caused by the permitted activities. The program’s ITP was granted to the Edwards Aquifer Authority, City of San Marcos, City of New Braunfels, Texas State University, and the City of San Antonio acting by and through the San Antonio Water to protect federally listed species from specific activities, like groundwater pumping and aquatic recreation.
*Take - to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.
ISSUE:
The permittees listed above are currently engaged in an ITP renewal process that will describe the ITP terms and the EAHCP guidelines for a new ITP permit with the USFWS. This informative presentation is to serve as an educational base for future EAHCP-related presentations to City Council. Ultimately, the City’s continued participation in the EAHCP will require City Council approval and these presentations aim to assist Councilmember’s in making an informed decision in this matter.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A