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Southern Edwards Plateau committee approves two MOUs to buy golden-cheeked warbler mitigation credits
Summary
The Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee approved two one-year memoranda of understanding to buy and transfer golden-cheeked warbler conservation credits at a minimum price of $7,500 per credit, with an annual $500 increase; the committee also approved meeting minutes and noted a typographic correction.
The Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee on Thursday voted unanimously to approve two memoranda of understanding that set terms for purchasing and transferring golden‑cheeked warbler (GCW) conservation credits.
The committee approved an MOU with EBX GCW LLC and a separate MOU with Bandera Conservation Corridor LLC. Both agreements establish that GCW credits will be sold for not less than $7,500 per credit, with an automatic annual increase of $500. Each MOU covers a one‑year term and may automatically renew for up to two additional one‑year terms. A staff member said the credits would be used to satisfy applicants’ mitigation requirements under the plan and that purchased credits can be transferred to the plan’s mitigation ledger after purchase by an applicant.
Why it matters: conservation credits are a primary tool the plan uses to offset impacts to golden‑cheeked warbler habitat. By setting a floor price and an annual increase, the MOUs establish a predictable pricing path for applicants seeking to meet mitigation requirements through third‑party conservation banks.
During discussion, Commissioner Brock asked whether the committee had already raised the price to $7,500. “The current fee has been increased to $7,500 per credit as of earlier this year,” a staff member responded. The staff member added that the previous fee had been $4,000 per joint GCW credit.
The committee voted on each MOU by roll call. Commissioners and the chair recorded votes of yes; the chair announced motion passage after each roll call. The committee also approved the meeting minutes by voice vote; a member asked that a typographic error in the minutes — a misspelling of the presenter "Lauren" on the first page — be corrected before finalization.
There was no public comment during the meeting. The chair closed the session at 3:36 p.m.
Votes at a glance • Approve MOU with EBX GCW LLC to purchase and transfer golden‑cheeked warbler conservation credits (minimum $7,500 per credit; $500 annual increase; one‑year term, auto‑renew up to two additional one‑year terms) — Motion passed (roll call: Brock: yes; Jordan: yes; Garcia: yes; Chair Sparrow: yes).
• Approve MOU with Bandera Conservation Corridor LLC to purchase and transfer golden‑cheeked warbler conservation credits (same minimum price and renewal terms) — Motion passed (roll call: Brock: yes; Jordan: yes; Garcia: yes; Chair Sparrow: yes).
• Approve meeting minutes (voice vote) — Motion passed.
