applying for a bccp infrastructure permit

BCCP Infrastructure Permit Processes and Procedures

BCCP Infrastructure Mitigation Program

Infrastructure planning is critical to minimizing habitat loss and fragmentation within the BCP

The City of Austin manages the infrastructure mitigation program on behalf of the BCCP Coordinating Committee. This process allows for construction of public schools, roadways, utilities, and other capital improvement projects throughout the permit area.

BCCP Infrastructure Mitigation Program

Project is eligible to participate in the regional Balcones Canyonland’s Section 10(a) permit if it lies outside of the preserve acquisition boundary or within an approved corridor inside of the preserve acquisition boundary

Participation will cover incidental take of endangered species habitat, particularly golden-cheeked warbler habitat that the project might impact

Resources to Assist with

Infrastructure Planning

Infrastructure workshop booklet

City of Austin BCP website www.baloncanyonlands.org

◦ Appendix B of the BCCP

◦ Flow Chart

◦ Maps: BCCP Permit Area, existing and planned corridors,

ArcGIS Online

◦ Forms (including Habitat Assessment Application)

Mitigation fee zone maps www.co.travis.us/maps

BCCP Coordinating Committee Secretary (& staff)

Infrastructure Guidelines for

Permit Area and BCP

Outside Permit Area Inside BCP

Inside Permit Area/Outside BCP

Appendix B – Infrastructure Management Plan

Defines infrastructure corridors in

preserves or expected preserves

Defines where each use can be applied to a

corridor

Also describes how “take” outside

preserves may be mitigated through BCCP

Inside the Permit Area,

Outside of the BCP

Any new construction or maintenance

◦ Complete and submit a BCCP Infrastructure

Project - Habitat Assessment Application to BCCP

Secretary

◦ BCCP Secretary makes habitat determination

◦ Guidelines from Appendix B recommended

Inside the Permit Area,

Outside of the BCP

To participate in BCCP mitigation:

◦ BCP signatories mitigate through BCCP credits (mitigation bank)

◦ Non-BCCP participants can purchase participation certificates

Non-BCCP participants can also work directly with USFWS

What You Need to Know

BCCP Infrastructure Project - Habitat

Assessment Application

Vegetation Maintenance Plans

Emergency Maintenance

Vegetation Clearing Dates

Oak Wilt Prevention Plans

Wildfire Prevention Plan

Habitat Assessment Application (pages 32 & 33 in the workbook)

BCCP Habitat Assessment Application

1. Applicant Information

2. Landowner

3. Project Name

4. Brief Project Description

5. Description of Vegetation Disturbance

6. Dimensions of Disturbed Area

7. Total Acreage of Disturbed Area

8. Attachments Spatial Data

9. USFWS Participation?

BCCP Habitat Assessment Application

Applicant

◦ Submit Habitat Assessment Application

◦ GIS / CAD Data appreciated

City of Austin Staff

◦ GIS Spatial Overlay Analysis

Map the Project Limits and Overlay it onto the

Habitat Zones

Calculate Area of Disturbance in Each Zone

◦ Issue Mitigation Determination Letter

BCCP Habitat Mitigation

Mitigation Deducted from Agency

Mitigation Bank

Purchase Mitigation Participation

Certificates

◦ GCWA Mitigation Zone 1 = $5,500 / ac

◦ GCWA Mitigation Zone 2 = $2,750 / ac

◦ BCVI Mitigation Zone = $5,500 / ac

◦ Karst Mitigation Zone 1 & 2 = $1,000 / ac

BCCP Mitigation Zones - GCWA

Zone 1

Zone 2

BCCP Mitigation Zone - BCVI

BCCP Mitigation Zone - Karst

Zone 1

Zone 2

Within the BCP: Guidelines for

Scheduled Maintenance

Specific guidelines for access routes

Specific guidelines for vegetation management

Written plans to BCCP and preserve owner (application preferred)

Approval from preserve owner and BCCP Secretary for each maintenance event

Vegetation Maintenance Plans

Coordinating Committee Secretary

should be notified of any planned

maintenance within preserves

The notification should contain:

◦ Description of planned work

◦ Dates the work will be performed

Opportunity to design and secure pre-

approval

Segment*

Danger

Zone**

Maximum

Vegetation

Height**

Maintenance

Frequency

(years)

Date Last

Maintained Trees to Remove*** Describe maintenance methodology****

*Expand the table on this form as needed to include all segments. Segments will be defined between each tower or valve.

** Height above ground surface ***List by species and number

****Manual or mechanical (if mechanical give detailed description of equipment and methodology.

Infrastructure Corridor:

Landowner/managing entity:

Infrastructure Owner:

Infrastructure Description

Type (electric, water, wastewater, other):

Length: Width:

Description (Voltage, pipe size, other):

Required Information (page 38 in the workbook)

Within the BCP: Guidelines for

Emergency Maintenance

Threats to public health and safety

Act immediately to address needs

Act to minimize effects to species

Notify BCCP Secretary within 5 days

afterwards

Site Clearing Requirements

Clearing allowed September through

February.

After March 1st work must cease unless

◦ Bird-monitoring survey conducted using

USFWS protocols

◦ No nesting birds within 300 feet

◦ Natural vegetation already removed

Oak Wilt Prevention Policies

City of Austin

◦ http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Planning/City_Arborist/Oak_Wilt_Policy.pdf

Travis County

◦ http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/bccp/pdfs/draft_plan/tier_ii_management_handbook/tier_iia-3_oak_wilt_management.pdf

LCRA

◦ http://www.lcra.org/portal/page/portal/library/media/public/docs/rfps/helpful/oak_wilt.pdf

Wildfire Prevention Plan

A pre-action plan used to help prevent

accidental wildfire ignitions on wildlands

and to provide initial response when

ignitions are encountered.

A Wildfire Prevention Plan Is

To reduce the risk to employees, the public,

emergency responders, and resources.

90% of unwanted fires in Texas are estimated

to be caused by human activities.

It is always fire season in Central Texas.

Move the City of Austin toward the goal of

being a Fire Adapted Community.

Why Do We Require It

Wildfire Prevention Plan Requirements

A written plan prepared by the entity

receiving access is required for all

activities conducted by contractors,

consultants, infrastructure owners,

researchers and formal visitors on City of

Austin owned BCP.

Major plan elements to meet these goals.

◦ Accurate description of the area and duration of

the work.

◦ Identification of the nearest entry point for

emergency responders.

◦ Expectations for personnel and equipment to

prevent, spot, and extinguish ignitions.

◦ Contact information for partner field staff and

BCP/WCD staff.

Elements of the Wildfire Prevention Plan (pages 36 & 37 in the workbook)

Expectations

• Take every reasonable precaution to prevent

unwanted ignitions on BCP property.

• Closely monitor operations with the potential to

cause an ignition.

• Contact emergency responders with accurate

information for location and access to an ignition.

• Take reasonable actions to extinguish an ignition

without endangering personnel or the public.

• Evacuate field personnel and contact WCD staff

in the event of an ignition.

Wildfire Prevention Plan

For additional information, contact

Lucien (Luke) Ball

(512) 972- 1683 desk

(512) 940- 3452 cell

lucien.ball@austintexas.gov

Where to Find Forms

City of Austin’s Wildland Conservation

Division’s BCP Webpage ◦ www.baloncanyonlands.org

Questions?

Kimberlee Harvey Environmental Program Coordinator (GIS)

City of Austin

Austin Water Utility

Wildland Conservation Division

(512)972-1686

Kimberlee.Harvey@austintexas.gov