williamson county regional habitat conservation plan the williamson county conservation foundation...

Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan

The Williamson County Conservation Foundation (WCCF) was established as a pro-active measure to further the conservation of endangered species in Williamson County while helping to further responsible development.

Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan

The US Fish and Wildlife Service issued Williamson County’s 10 (a) Permit on October 21, 2008.

The Most Ecologically Diverse State in the Nation

The #1 threat to wildlife The #1 threat to wildlife today...today...

Texas now loses more than 1 acre of habitat Texas now loses more than 1 acre of habitat every 7 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearevery 7 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Purpose and Need

Need for the Action• Population expected to more than

triple over the next 30 years.• Development activities could result in

the take of listed species

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE RHCP?

Governmental entities:Cities and townsSchool districtsPolitical subdivisions (MUDs, PIDs)State

Developers LandownersCitizens

The Williamson County RHCP

• RHCP to cover take of warbler, vireo, and two listed karst species

• 30 year term• Completely voluntary participation• Over the next 30 years, Mitigation efforts would include:

– Estimated 700+ acres of karst preserves– Approximately 6,000 acres of mitigation on Golden Cheeked

Warbler– Restoration and/or enhancement of Black-capped vireo habitat on

a rolling basis – 5-year study for the Georgetown salamander– Public outreach and endowment fund

How does the Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation PlanBenefit the Stakeholders of the County?

By:

Significantly reducing participant’s time and expense for ESA compliance compared to individual permits

Coordinating and accelerating endangered species conservation efforts in the County

Precluding future listing of additional species

Providing for and preserving some of the natural character of Williamson County

Providing additional recreational and natural assets to be enjoyed

PERMIT AREA

All of Williamson County

Primary focus is the Karst Zone, which provides habitat for the karst invertebrates included in the RHCP

Most habitat for the karst invertebrates and endangered birds is west of I-35

Coffin Cave mold beetlePhoto by Kemble White

Bone Cave harvestman Photo by William R. Elliott

Twin Springs Preserve

Wilco and Millenium Preserve at Southwest Regional Park

Chaos Cave Preserve (SH 45)

Cobb Cavern Preserve

Beck Preserve

Pricilla’s Well Preserve

Only one bird breeds only inthe Lone Star State…

The Golden-cheeked Warbler The Golden-cheeked Warbler ((Dendroica crysopariaDendroica crysoparia))

Total Total breeding breeding

range of the range of the Golden-Golden-cheeked cheeked WarblerWarbler

Golden-cheeked Warbler

• Mitigation through purchase of credits from existing conservation bank and establishing preserves within the County

• Participants pay a per-acre fee to be authorized for take

Photo by Steve Maslowski

BLACK-CAPPED VIREO

Photo by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

• Mitigation to be determined annually and may include habitat creation, restoration, enhancement, or habitat acquisition

• Participants pay per-acre fee to be authorized for take

The Black-capped The Black-capped VireoVireoHistorical records show Historical records show

that this bird once that this bird once nested throughout nested throughout Central Texas and as Central Texas and as far as Oklahoma and far as Oklahoma and central Kansas. central Kansas.

Today, central Texas Today, central Texas provides habitat for provides habitat for remaining populations remaining populations of this species. of this species.

Habitat loss, cowbird Habitat loss, cowbird parasitism, and parasitism, and predation are the predation are the primary threats to this primary threats to this native songbird.native songbird.

Breeding Breeding range of range of

black-capped black-capped vireovireo

GEORGETOWN SALAMANDER

Objective: Preclude need to list

No take under the RHCP

Commit funding for a five year study to gather additional information on the species.

At the end of year 2 begin preparation of appropriate conservation strategy.

Photo by Justyn Miller

Examples of projects that could have benefited from the RHCP include:

• Ronald Reagan Boulevard and State Highway 195• Lake Georgetown• O'Connor Road• Silver Oak Property• Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District• Parmer Lane Extension• Shadow Canyon• Lakeline Mall• Buttercup Creek• U.S. 183-A, State Highway 45• Leander Independent School District• Russell Park Estates• Sultan and Kahn• Sun City Georgetown

WCCF Management Obligations

• Protect and Enhance populations of

listed species

• Research and Monitoring

• Habitat Management

• Law Enforcement

• Education and Outreach

Non-Native and NuisanceWildlife Management

• Brown-headed

Cowbirds

• Red Imported Fire Ants

• Feral Hogs

• White-tailed Deer

Williamson County’s Twin Springs Preserve

The Williamson County Conservation Foundation is a Leave No Trace Partner.

Why a LNT Program for Twin Springs?

• Twin Springs is a key part of Williamson County’s Regional Habitat Conservation Plan.•Under an agreement on an educational and permitting program with the US Fish & Wildlife Service Williamson County is able to offer public access to its preserve areas.

Twin Springs and the Goodwater Trail

The Seven LNT Principles for Twin Springs (review)

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

2. Travel onTrails

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

4. Leave What You Find

5. NO Campfires (No fires. Period.)

6. Respect Wildlife - No Pets(except for service animals).

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Williamson County Conservation Foundation512.260.4226wccf@wilco.orgwww.wilcogov.org/wccf