Barton Creek Habitat Preserve conservation to continue ‘in perpetuity’ following Austin acquisition
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The Barton Creek Habitat Preserve covers more than 4,000 acres in western Austin. (Courtesy Pierce Ingram for The Nature Conservancy)
A 10-0 vote from the Austin City Council on June 3rd ensured the permanent conservation of nearly 4,100 acres of land that is home to one of the region’s unique wildlife habitats and major sources of drinking water.
The council approved the purchase of a maintenance easement in the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve near the highway on June 3. 71 southeast of Bee Cave, by longtime owners and administrators The Nature Conservancy for up to $ 2.8 million. Barton Creek Conservation Area now represents one of the largest portions of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, a series of protected areas that span all of western Travis County, and the public-private conservation plan for these lands.
The Nature Conservancy has managed the reserve for decades since it first implemented an Endangered Species Act 10 (a) permit with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and a local developer there in the mid-1990s to prevent the construction of thousands of new homes.
City and conservancy officials said the purchase of an easement this spring will further the goals of efforts to protect the Austin urban watershed and the continued protection of plants and animals on the reservation in the face of expanding development. While The Nature Conservancy’s existing endangered species permit will not expire until 2024, the new conservation easement was pursued this year to preventively ensure continuity of conservation efforts into the future.
“The cost of managing the 4,000-acre Barton Creek Habitat Preserve only increases over time. As a result of this transaction, the reserve will have permanent funding for ongoing operations and maintenance costs, “said Suzanne Scott, state director of the Texas Chapter, in a May pre-purchase email from the city. “The upcoming sale of the maintenance easement to the city of Austin offers [The Nature Conservancy] the ability to manage this land for the benefit of our people – both humans and the wild – for generations to come. “
Stephanie Lott, a spokeswoman for the Austin Watershed Protection Department, said Austin’s interest is also linked to the water quality protection program, as the reserve provides clean water to the Edwards Aquifer, Barton Creek and the city.
“Conservation of natural areas such as the reserve provides and maintains a safe water supply for Austin. Natural or undeveloped areas produce optimal levels of clean, high quality water for replenishment of the Edwards Aquifer and for groundwater runoff in area creeks.” She said.
Austin’s acquisition includes a $ 2.5 million purchase and up to $ 300,000 in closing costs to be financed through 2018 open space city bond funds, of which $ 40.8 million now remains, Lott said.
Scott also noted that the reservation is home to the critically endangered golden-cheeked singer; the Guadalupe bass from central Texas; several rare plants; and a variety of more common animals such as deer, lizards, and porcupines. Given the ongoing environmental concerns, including the conservation of these species, Lott and Scott said the management of the local reserve is not expected to change after the purchase of Austin’s easement. Lott said the deal will also tighten the reserve’s impenetrable cover line while protecting its wildlife habitat and water quality “forever”.
“Through this action, the City of Austin reaffirms the value of protecting and maintaining this critical habitat for the benefit of our community – all while facing unprecedented growth and development,” said Scott.
The reserve is usually closed to visitors, a practice that continues after the easement is purchased. However, Scott said the reserve will continue to host scheduled meetings with community groups, students, naturalists and researchers, and new events may also be scheduled for the public in the future.
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