Details on how to comply and apply for a Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan permit within the City of Austin.

1. BCCP Infrastructure
Permit Processes and Procedures

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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)

5. Infrastructure Guidelines for Permit Area and BCP
Outside Permit Area
Inside BCP
Inside Permit Area/Outside BCP

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 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

14. BCCP Mitigation Zones - GCWA
Zone 1
Zone 2

15. BCCP Mitigation Zone - BCVI

16. BCCP Mitigation Zone - Karst
Zone 1
Zone 2

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Wildfire Prevention Plan

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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.

27. 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)

28. 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.

29. Wildfire Prevention Plan
For additional information, contact
Lucien (Luke) Ball
(512) 972- 1683 desk
(512) 940- 3452 cell
lucien.ball@austintexas.gov

30. Where to Find Forms
City of Austin’s Wildland Conservation Division’s BCP Webpage
◦www.baloncanyonlands.org

31. Questions?
Kimberlee Harvey
Environmental Program Coordinator (GIS)
City of Austin
Austin Water Utility
Wildland Conservation Division
(512)972-1686
Kimberlee.Harvey@austintexas.gov