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Edwards Aquifer Habitat
Conservation PlanNathan Pence
Executive Director – Endangered Species Programs
Edwards Aquifer Authority
Edwards Aquifer
Covered Species
Fountain Darter Comal Springs Riffle Beetle San Marcos Gambusia*
Comal Springs Dryopid
BeetlePeck’s Cave
AmphipodTexas Wild-rice*
All photos except Gambusia and Wild-rice credit of Abbott Nature Photography.
Covered Species
Texas Blind Salamander
San Marcos Salamander Edwards Aquifer Diving Beetle
Comal Springs
Salamander
TX Troglobitic Water Slater
All photos except Gambusia and Wild-rice credit of Abbott Nature Photography.
Limitations of the Edwards Aquifer
1956 Drought of Record– Comal
Springs ceased flow for 6 mos.
Endangered Species Act of 1973
Increased demand:
San Antonio: population of 2 million
Surrounding communities
Industry/Agriculture
Increased Development/Reduced
Recharge
Drought magnifies all
Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP)
Senate Bill 3 created the EARIP as a collaborative stakeholder process to
balance the water needs of the Edwards Aquifer (Endangered Species and
Human).
Process operated by consensus
Adaptive Management Process
USFWS participation
Incidental Take Permit
ITP issued in March of 2013 and will span until March 2028 (15 years).
5 Permitees and 1 non-voting member*:
Edwards Aquifer Authority
San Antonio Water System
City of San Marcos
City of New Braunfels
Texas State University
Guadalupe Blanco River Authority*
Conservation Measures
Habitat Restoration and Springflow
Protection
Biological Objectives
Flow Rates, Habitat Condition, & Water
Quality
Biological Goals
Available Habitat & Species Population
San Marcos Springs
• Texas Wild-rice Enhancement
• Non-Native Species Control
• State Scientific Area
Comal Springs
• Flow Split Management
• Old Channel Restoration
• Riparian Restoration
Habitat Restoration
Springflow Protection
Programs
Stage V
Regional Water
Conservation Program
VISPO
Aquifer Storage and
Recovery
Springflow Biological Goals
Comal Springs Flow Objectives
225 cfs Long-term Average (50 year)
45 cfs Monthly Average
30 cfs Daily Average - not to exceed 6 months
San Marcos Springs Flow Objectives
140 cfs Long-term average (50 years)
50 cfs Monthly average
45 cfs Daily Average (6 months)
Conservation Measure Achieved Work
Remaining
San Marcos & Comal Habitat Restoration ✔ ✔
Critical Period Management Reductions ✔
Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) ✔
Regional Water Conservation Program (RWCP) ✔
Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option
(VISPO)
✔
Biological and Water Quality Monitoring Programs ✔
Hydrologic and Ecologic Modeling ✔
Refugia ✔
2014 Partners in Conservation Award
Department of the Interior
City of San Marcos and
Texas State University
Habitat Restoration
San Marcos and TXSTATE
Habitat Restoration
o Texas Wild Rice Enhancement*
o Sediment Removal
o Control of Non-Native Plant Species
o Native Riparian Habitat Restoration
o Mgt. of Floating Vegetative Mats and Litter
o Non-Native Species Control*
o Management of Recreation in Key Areas
o State Scientific Area*
o Impervious Cover/Water Quality Protection
o Management of Household Hazardous Waste
o Sessom Creek Sand Bar Removal
San Marcos RiverSpring Lake
Sewell Park
Lions Tube Rental
Meadows Center
Boat Tour
TX Wild-rice
Riparian Restoration
River Access
Aquatic Vegetation Restoration
Texas wild-rice
BeforeAfter
Riparian Improvements
BeforeBefore
After
Recreational Access Points
Before After
Improved Erosion Control
Before After
2016
Civic/Community
Award
Landa Lake, 1956 Landa Lake, 2014
Questions?
1. Aquatic Vegetation Restoration (30 minutes),
2. Riparian Restoration and River Access (30 minutes).
Next Up….
Field Demonstrations and Tour
Texas State University Use of the Quadcopter
• Images using the quadcopter
have assisted in documenting
work efforts in aquatic
vegetation through time.
• Texas State found the
quadcopter useful in tracking
changes in aquatic vegetation after flood events.
• The quadcopter is an effective
tool for completing rapid
assessments.
Texas State University Use of the Quadcopter
Images captured by Texas State
University quadcopter of an area prior to non-native aquatic
vegetation removal
AfterAfter
Before
Then…
3. Glass-bottom boat tour (30 minutes)
4. Discovery Hall & Lunch – Fajitas!!