Edwards Aquifer and the Habitat Conservation Plan. Presented to New Braunfels City Council November 25, 2013

Transcription

1 Edwards Aquifer and the Habitat Conservation Plan Presented to New Braunfels City Council November 25,

2 Comal Spring Run 2

3 Edwards Aquifer 3

4 Endangered Species The overall goal of the EAHCP is to contribute to the recovery of the listed Endangered Species: Fountain Darter Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle Peck s Cave Amphipod Comal Springs Riffle Beetle 4

5 Demands on Edwards Aquifer Municipal Water Agriculture Use Industrial Use Recreational Biological Spring Flow 5

6 Limitations 1956 Comal Springs ceased to flow for 6 months Increased demand San Antonio: population of 2 million Surrounding communities Increased Development / Reduced Recharge Drought magnifies all 6

7 Concerns & Conflicting Uses Municipal, Industrial, Agriculture Large portion of supply is unused (Aquifer water available even when springs go dry) Uncertainty of supply due to potential federal intervention To keep springs flowing in Drought of Record: 85% reduction of current pumping permits Recreation, Springflow, Baseflow Must ensure springflow to comply with Endangered Species Act and protect environment Concerned recreation industry could be affected Comal springs provides baseflow to Guadalupe River during drought Uncertainty of supply due to potential federal intervention 7

8 Sierra Club v USFWS 1991 Legal Challenges Sierra Club alleged that unrestricted withdrawals from the aquifer would cause take of Endangered Species. Courts agreed and established take and jeopardy flow rates; water supply restrictions Senate Bill Established EAA and set withdrawal limits Attempted HCP Additional Challenges 2006 A select group of Stakeholders began to meet USWFS suggests utilizing a Recovery Implementation process Realization by the region that pumping cuts would be fiscally unfeasible as a single solution to guarantee minimum springflows 8

9 Creation of the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP) In 2007, the Texas State Legislature passed Senate Bill 3 and changed the pumping cap and critical period management for the Edwards Aquifer, in an effort to prevent a catastrophic event at Comal and San Marcos Springs. Senate Bill 3 created the EARIP as a collaborative stakeholder process to balance the water needs of the Edwards Aquifer (Endangered Species and Human). 9

10 Representation Utilities Environmental Groups Citizens State Agencies Federal Agencies Municipalities River Authorities Universities Aquifer Authority Agriculture Industry Springs Communities Process operated by consensus Adaptive Management Process best available science USFWS Involvement 10

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13 Ultimate Benefit to the Region Municipal, Industrial, Agriculture A secure and sustainable water supply No additional extreme pumping cuts Prevention of Federal Intervention Recreation, Springflow, Baseflow Guaranteed minimum springflow During drought of record (1950 s) Resulting baseflows Prevention of Federal Intervention 13

14 Additional information Springs modeled to not go lower that 30cfs (1950 s drought of record), DIRECTLY DUE to existence of endangered species and EA HCP, thus saving the springs from going dry due to over pumping the aquifer in the region. 15 year plan for habitat restoration, being funded by the EAA Past and continued research on Comal and San Marcos Springs associated with the endangered species springs recently mapped 14

15 Incidental Take Permit from USFWS Incidental Take Permit Implementing Agreement Habitat Conservation Plan Funding and Mgmt Agreement Certificate of Inclusion EAA Interlocal Agreement Work Plans, Contracts, Bidding, etc 15

16 South Central Texas Planning Region (Region L) Water Planning Group 16

17 HCP Work Plan Projects Old Channel Restoration Optimize Habitat/Sediment Island Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Gill Parasite Control Non-Native Animal Control Decaying Vegetation Removal and Dissolved Oxygen management Riparian Improvement - Riffle Beetle Habitat Low Impact Development Plan Old Channel Restoration - Bank Stabilization Flow Split Management 17

18 HCP Work Plan Projects Internal Household Hazardous Waste Program Litter Control and Floating Vegetation Prohibition of Hazardous Material Routes Management of Public Recreation Use Certificate of Inclusion Golf Course Management Plan EAHCP Education (Community Outreach) 18

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20 Old Channel Restoration Sediment Island - BEFORE 20

21 Old Channel Restoration Sediment Island - AFTER 21

22 Old Channel Restoration 2013 work plan activities Work area from around golf course bridge to Elizabeth Full assessment of aquatic vegetation. Improved habitat by removing non-native aquatic vegetation. Grow and plant new (native) vegetation 2014 work plan Work area extended downstream of Elizabeth approximately 2,400 ft. Continue to assess remaining non native vegetation areas Remove non-native and plant native vegetation Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget BIOWEST $349,300 $175,000 22

23 Aquatic Vegetation Restoration 23

24 Aquatic Vegetation Restoration and Maintenance 2013 work plan activities Full assessment of aquatic vegetation in Landa Lake. Established an aquatic plant nursery in Landa Lake. Replaced non-native aquatic vegetation with native work plan Native vegetation restoration in areas of Landa Lake New work area includes approximately 1,000 sq meters Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget BIOWEST $130,772 $220,000 24

25 Gill Parasite (host) Snail Sampling 25

26 2013 GILL PARASITE snail survey 26

27 Monitoring and Reduction of Gill Parasites 2013 work plan activities System wide snail distribution survey. Identified high density snail areas Tested infection level and shedding rates of snails Collected water column samples to document concentrations work plan Implement long-term monitoring program. Continue research on most effective control methods Establish a response program should conditions warrant Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget BIOWEST $174,931 $175,000 27

28 Non native species removal 28

29 Non-Native Animal Species Control 2013 work plan current activities Established control methods Removal of non-native species (tilapia, suckermouth catfish, ramshorn snail and nutria) Evaluate removal techniques based on experience 2014 work plan Continue non-native animal species control Continue to evaluate the efficacy of removal techniques Focus on tilapia, suckermouth catfish,, ramshorn snail & nutria Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget SWCA $90,173 $135,000 29

30 Decaying Vegetation Removal & Dissolved Oxygen Management 30

31 Decaying Vegetation Removal & Dissolved Oxygen Management 2013 work plan activities Identified areas of decaying vegetation Remove decaying vegetation in Lake Evaluate decaying vegetation removal techniques Installed two aerators 2014 work plan Continue decaying vegetation removal Continue to evaluate the efficacy of removal techniques Maintain existing aerators Continue DO monitoring Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget SWCA $190,400 $15,000 31

32 Riparian Improvements Riffle Beetle Habitat 32

33 Riparian Improvements -Riffle Beetle Habitat 2013 work plan activities Work concentrated along waters edge in Spring Run 3 Increased the amount of usable habitat and food source Removed of non-native vegetation and fine sediments Work Plan Work area extended into Landa Lake along waters edge Continue removal of non-native vegetation and fine sediments Continue establishment of beneficial native riparian species Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget RPS Espey $123,050 $75,000 33

34 Low Impact Development (LID) 34

35 Low Impact Development (LID) / Water Quality 2013 work plan activities Area includes watersheds that drains to Landa Lake and Comal River Develop draft program and implementation strategy Provided stakeholder meetings and public outreach Formulate incentive program 2014 Work Plan Continue providing meetings for stakeholder input, conceptual designs and maps Establish BMP s and incentives Work above and beyond MS4 requirements Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget Design Workshop $169,392 $100,000 35

36 Old Channel Restoration Bank Stabilization - Existing 36

37 Old Channel Restoration Bank Stabilization - Proposed 37

38 Old Channel Restoration (Bank Stabilization) 2013 work plan activities Design by Freese and Nichols Removal of Sediment Island Design for bank stabilization completed 2014 Work Plan Complete construction of bank stabilization Complete additional riparian restoration Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget TBD $491,124 $430,000 38

39 Flow Split Management 39

40 Flow Split Management (Gates/Valves and Culvert Maintenance) 2013 work plan activities Design by HDR Completed assessment for culverts and gate system Completed design for culvert and gate maintenance Bid construction project in Work Plan Complete construction of culverts and gate system Provide routine maintenance for cleaning screens and exercising gate system Contractor: 2013 budget 2014 budget TBD $372,188 $181,250 40

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