Edwards Aquifer Administrative Check-In Cover Sheet. Date Administratively Complete: Received From: Correct Number of Copies: Y N

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Madlyn Sanders
5 years ago
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1 Environmental Impact Assessment Overview The 3-acre site will be located over the Edwards Aquifer. In order to ensure the protection of this vital natural resource and its inhabitants, PAGGES Engineering will be reviewing and assessing several factors. This will include TCEQ Edwards Aquifer rules and regulations, 100 year floodplain, TCEQ Storm Water Program, Endangered Species Act, City of San Antonio Tree Preservation Ordinance, Clean Water Act, and the Antiquities Code of Texas. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Edwards Aquifer The counties of Williamson, Travis, Hays, Comal, Bexar, Medina, Uvalde, and Kinney are regulated by TCEQ for land lying within the Edwards Aquifer. TCEQ has set forth rules to guarantee that polluted runoff does not negatively impact the quality of water in the Edwards Aquifer. The three primary zones in the Aquifer are the contributing zone, recharge zone, and the transition/artesian zone (as shown in the Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zones map). According to TCEQ, the recharge zone is defined as the region where geologic layers of the aquifer are exposed at the surface and water infiltrates into the aquifer through cracks, fissures, caves, and other openings throughout these layers. Generally, any contaminants present in the groundwater in this zone can easily get into aquifer, so a Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP) is required. The contributing zone (Texas Hill Country) consists of watersheds that drain water from rainfall into rivers and streams that flow or infiltrates into the water table aquifer. Additionally, the transition zone is a narrow strip of land whose geologic features (faults, fractures, caves, and sinkholes) make it possible for contaminants in the surface water to flow into the aquifer. This proposed project will be situated in the contributing zone within the transition zone that is one of several small regions south and southeast of the recharge zone where water flows to streams that cover the recharge zone (shown in Edwards Aquifer Zone Map. ). Furthermore, the proposed site location does not lie within the 100-year floodplain, so Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations will not come into effect. As a result, a Floodplain Development Permit will not be necessary before construction begins. However, the TCEQ Storm Water Program does stipulate a Construction General Permit when more than 1-acre of land is disturbed in the construction phase. This permit will require PAGGES Engineering to submit Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans that specify how erosion control measures will be implemented to avoid sediment transport during construction stages. The following documents are listed by TCEQ for the purpose of environmental permitting and they will be reviewed by PAGGES Engineering to determine their applicability to this project: o TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Administrative Review Process and Checklists o TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program Application Fee Form o Contributing Zone Plan Application o TPDES General Permit TXR (overseen by TCEQ) o TCEQ Core Data Form-1040

4 Regulated Entity Name: Date Received: Edwards Aquifer Administrative Check-In Cover Sheet Date Administratively Complete: Received From: Correct Number of Copies: Y N Received By: EAPP File Number: Customer Number: Review Time Spent: County: Regulated Entity Number: Project Type Plan Type Land Use PERMANENT BMP Correct Fee Form New WPAP Residential Type (write in): # Check Amount: Modification CZP Commercial Acreage: Exception SCS SCS LF: Extension of Time AST # Tanks: Technical Clarification UST Opt. Enhanced Cave Measures Signatures of the applicant or authorized agent on all forms (NOI may be unsigned) Agent Authorization Form Fee Form Legal Name of the Customer Signed by customer or additional authorization by land owner Delinquent Fees No delinquent fees for customer Core Data Form all fields complete Federal Tax ID No. Customer verified by SOS database (may accept article of incorporation from another State) Notes: Check Payable to the TCEQ Check must be signed Check less than 90 days old Optional Enhanced Measures Optional Enhanced Measures Report

5 Application Distribution: Number of Copies Needed Instructions: Use the table below to determine the number of applications needed for plan review. One original and one copy of the application, plus additional copies (as needed) for each affected incorporated city, groundwater conservation district and county are required. Linear projects or large projects, which cross into multiple jurisdictions, can require additional copies. Refer to the Groundwater Conservation Districts within the EAPP Boundaries Map found on the TCEQ website at: Austin Region Hays Travis Williamson Original (1 Req.) Region (1 Req.) County (1 Req.) EAA GCD (1 or more req.) Barton Springs/ Aquifer Hays Trinity Edwards Barton Springs/ Edwards Aquifer NA City Jurisdiction (1 req.) Plum Creek Austin Buda Dripping Springs Kyle Mountain City San Marcos Wimberley Woodcreek Austin Bee Cave Rollingwood Round Rock Sunset Valley West Lake Hills Austin Cedar Park Florence Georgetown Jerrell Leander Liberty hill Pflugerville Round Rock San Antonio Region Bexar Comal Kinney Medina Uvalde Original (1 Req.) Region (1 Req.) County (1 Req.) GCD (1 or more req.) City Jurisdiction (1 req.) EAA Trinity- Glen Rose Castle Hills Fair Oaks Ranch Helotes Hill Country Village Hollywood Park San Antonio (SAWS) Shavano Park EAA Bulverde Fair Oaks Ranch Garden Ridge New Braunfels Schertz Kinney NA EAA Medina San Antonio ETJ (SAWS) EAA Uvalde NA

27 Endangered Species Act The Edwards Aquifer contains over 40 different species. The existence of these species is often negatively affected by increasing urban development as it tends to decrease water quality as well as natural habitat and increases water pumping. Currently, the Edwards Aquifer System lists 7 inhabitants as endangered species of the aquifer and one as threatened. The endangered species include: Fountain Darter (Etheostoma fonticola), Texas Blind Salamander (Typhlomolge rathbuni), San Marcos Gambusia (Gambusia georgei), Texas Wild Rice (Zizania texana), Comal Springs Riffle Beetle (Heterelmis comalensis), Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle (Stygoparnus comalensis), and Peck s Cave Amphipod (Stygobromus pecki). The one threatened species is San Marcos Salamander (Eurycea nana). Additionally, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has designated nine Karst-dwelling species as endangered and they are as follows: Rhadine exilis, Rhadine infernalis, Helotes mold beetle (Batrisodes venyivi), Cokendolpher cave harvestman (Texella cokendolpheri), Robber Baron Cave spider (Cicurina baronia), Braken Bat Cave meshweaver (Cicurina venii), Madla Cave meshweaver (Cicurina madla), Government Canyon Bat Cave meshweaver (Cicurina vespera), and Government Canyon Bat Cave spider (neoleptoneta microps). An endangered species study has been done for the University of Texas at San Antonio Main Campus due to the recent as well as future expansion of the campus. The boundaries of the study incorporated the proposed location of the San Antonio Children s Art Museum. It was determined from the results that are shown in the subsequent map that the 3-acre lot is in a low-sensitivity/non-sensitivity area that will not disturb the Karst endangered species sites. Tree Preservation Ordinance The City of San Antonio mandates that a Tree Affidavit/Permit application be submitted for all platting, site work, and building permits with an accompanying Tree Inventory (this document will be completed with the assistance of a tree arborists). This regulation is meant to preserve the existing tree species and promote the planting of additional trees within the city limits. PAGGES Engineering will also be submitting details for tree protection during construction along with the permit. If there is a necessity of tree removal for this proposed construction project the proper documentation will be submitted to the City and the form has been attached with the following sheets. The next tables supply information from the City of San Antonio regarding what trees are protected and what the minimum tree preservation requirements are.

28 Clean Water Act There are no U.S. waters within the proposed project limits, so no action is required. The Antiquities Code of Texas The site will need to be inspected by historians and archaeologists from the Texas Historical Commission to determine if the land is an archaeological site.