Austin Water briefs commissioners on wildland conservation, endangered-species permit renewal

Austin Water staff presented the utility’s wildland conservation programs to the Water and Wastewater Commission on June 18, briefing commissioners on land holdings, species protections and upcoming permit renewal work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"I'm Sherry Cool, I'm the environmental resource officer for Austin Water," said Sherry Cool, who delivered the presentation. Kevin Crittendon, assistant director for environmental planning and development services, framed the work as a unique utility function that helps protect source-water quality for Austin’s drinking supply.

Staff described two programs managed within Austin Water’s Environmental Resource Office: the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP), a countywide habitat-conservation-plan permit held by the city and Travis County, and the Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) program, established to protect Barton Springs and recharge areas. Presenters said the city holds and manages about 49,000 acres of land across the two programs; the BCP preserves roughly 33,000 acres (the preserve’s required minimum for permit compliance) and the WQPL has protected about 34,000 acres in total, including roughly 12,000 acres in fee-simple purchases and about 22,000 acres protected by conservation easements.

Staff reviewed program activities: boundary patrols, fencing, invasive-species control, native-plant nurseries, prescribed burns (in partnership with Austin Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service and county partners), volunteer-led restoration and guided hikes. They noted the programs rely on roughly 30 staff and many volunteers.

On species and permitting, staff said the BCP permit is a 30-year authorization that expires in May 2026; Austin Water is preparing a renewal package with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since the original permit, several species have been listed or raised as candidate species that may affect the permit, including the Jollyville Plateau salamander (listed in 2013), the monarch butterfly (subject of listing discussion), tricolored bat (construction guidance proposed), and the Texas fat mucket (a freshwater mussel found in Onion Creek and other basins). Staff said Barton Springs and Austin Blind salamanders are covered under a city permit specific to Barton Springs.

Commissioners asked about wildfire risk, cave protection, public access and opportunities for acquisitions. Staff said they are updating fuel-risk modeling with the U.S. Forest Service following earlier work with Dr. Joseph White (Baylor University). They noted the permit requires protection of 62 named caves; the city has protected 52 to date and uses a cave-substitution policy for caves whose owners decline sale. Staff emphasized acquisitions are by willing sellers only.

Staff also discussed funding and acquisition challenges: Austin has invested more than $250 million—largely through voters-approved general obligation bonds—over roughly three decades to buy land for these programs, but available parcels are smaller and pricier now. The Balcones permit includes a development participation fee that generates roughly $200,000–$300,000 annually for acquisitions (split with Travis County), an amount staff said is limited for land purchases. Staff said Travis County has additional acquisition funding through a tax increment financing mechanism that has grown over time.

On public engagement, staff described volunteer programs and Hornsby Bend’s research and birding activities. They said volunteer sign-ups and activity calendars are posted on Austin Water’s website and that staff can provide ready links or QR codes for public outreach.

Staff asked commissioners to note upcoming permit renewal work: modernization of administrative processes (moving to online permitting), assessment of newly listed species and climate-change considerations for the renewal application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The presentation closed with commissioners thanking staff and no formal action taken on the briefing.