Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 (Agenda)
Item 4
4.
consider and take appropriate action on a request to approve a balcones canyonlands conservation plan 15th anniversary proclamation Commissioner Huber.
>> I will read the proclamation first and let rose fill in details, whereas from 1988-1996, collaboration of concerned citizens, business leaders, landowners, developers and environmental groups, scientists and the u.s.
fish and wildlife service work together to create habitat conservation plan for the Austin area.
whereas a 30 year regional 10a1b permit for the balcones canyonlands preserve plan was issued to city of Austin and Travis County on may 2nd, 1996.
whereas the permit allowed for a balance of the economic development of western Travis County along with the protection of endangered species habitat.
whereas the permit provided a streamline alternative to the normal u.s.
fish and wildlife service consultation and determination process by creating a streamlined way for them to mitigate for habitat loss.
using the balcones canyonlands preserve plan permit process, with relief for developers and landowners to deal with their endangered species issued for 8 endangered species and 27 species of concern.
whereas in return, the city of Austin and Travis County agreed to create the balcones canyonlands preserve, a series of individual preserved tracks in western Travis County to serve as the mitigation for the loss of developed habitat, by protecting minimum of 30,428-acres of endangered song bird habitat, plus 62 caves for these endangered and rare species.
whereas the permit was issued to the city of Austin and Travis County but its success is a multi-agency effort with balcones canyonlands preserve acreage managed by the city of Austin, Travis County, lower colorado river authority, travis auto bonn society, saint e edwards university, concordia university, Texas cave association and numerous private landowners, where the balcones canyonlands preserve not only provides habitat and protection for the endangered species but provides important air quality, water quality and open space benefits to the communities in central Texas.
whereas April 2011, the city of Austin and Travis County have acquired 29,160-acres of the minimum 30,428-acres, approximately 95.8% required for the benefit -- required for the benefit of golden cheek warbler and black capped vario and 45 of 62 features issued in the bcp have some follow of protection, whereas balcones canyonlands preserve balance of economic as well as habitat benefits has continued to garner the support of landowners, developers, environmental groups, scientists and local business community, as well as local state and federal agencies, and whereas may 2011 marks the 15th anniversary of the balcones canyonlands preserve plan.
now, therefore be it resolved that we, the Travis County Commissioner's court do here by support this celebration scheduled for may 13th, 2011 to honor 15-year anniversary of the bccp and to thank all of those who helped make the bccp a success.
I move approval.
>> second.
okay.
>> I would like to say just as Commissioner for the greater part of this is located, it is, in my opinion, I -- not so humble opinion, a huge asset to our community, not only for endangered species but as the proclamation says, for the community, real estate community, landowners, the benefits have been, I believe far in excess of what they were initially anticipated to be.
rose, do you want to tell them about the celebration on Friday and anything else you would like to add, rose, who has been one of the key people on staff that has made this happen.
>> rose farmer, I am the program manager for natural resources for Travis County.
I wanted to start off by saying thank you to this Commissioners court, so judge Biscoe.
you have been here the longest and part of approvals for land acquisition and this all along the way and the other Commissioners.
>> I do have seniority.
I also cast the deciding vote, publically to vote and I was real young back then.
>> [laughter]
>> pardon the interruption.
>> I just recognize that individually, you, Commissioners, you judge, have had a part in this and many other county staff all up and down have had a part in this success, so you're a part of this and I wanted to thank you all very much.
we are 15 years in.
it has been a long time and we really have made tremendous progress in making this permit work for our community, making it work for the development community, making it work for the private landowners and making it work to protect the species.
it truly is a balancing effort and it is a national model.
we get phone calls all of the time from -- from folks in wanting to know how this worked to replicate the community success we have had.
we have a celebration at the walker ranch which is one of the preserve tracks and where the permit was originally signed 15 years ago and the Commissioners and judge, you are welcome and the community is welcome to come for this celebration.
there will be some talking.
there will be some booths available for people to see, the before and after map to see where we were and where we are now.
there will be hiking to see the habitat, et cetera, so just wanted to welcome folks to come out this celebration event.
it will be this Friday, 2:00 o'clock at ryker ranch and it is on the city of Austin's website.
there is more information.
>> I assume there would be signs along 620 of where to turn into that?
it's a bit challenging to find unless you know the right driveway, so you can check for the map, but also look for signs?
>> yes, on the city's website, there is a map of location, how to get there.
I can give you directions but I would have to name some companies that, my indications of where to turn.
>> we will be presiding over the community action network at that time.
it wasn't scheduled at 2:00 o'clock to keep her from attending, was it?
I will be to her left at the same meeting.
>> I apologize for the scheduling of this event.
it was, I think, an effort between city and county staff to fry to find a date that Commissioners Huber and mayor leffingwell were both available and that is not always an easy thing to find a date.
>> I would also like to add that we have recently inked the court report for the ranch and approved the court of that last bcp acquisition in honor of Sam hamilton in part of recognition of the huge leadership role he played with fish and wildlife to get this whole program be launched and be successful.
>> any more discussion?
all those in favor?
passes by unanimous vote.
thank you very much.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
