San Antonio council receives update on Edwards Aquifer protection program

San Antonio city officials and conservation partners delivered an update to the City Council on Jan. 15 on the Edwards Aquifer protection program, describing how the program identifies and protects sensitive recharge and contribution areas, how properties are acquired or protected through restrictions on future development, and how the effort is funded.

The Edwards Aquifer supplies roughly half of the city's drinking water, officials said, making protection of the recharge zone a priority. City staff described a multi-step, science-driven process for identifying properties, negotiating with landowners and monitoring conservation agreements once they are in place.

Grant Tausand, identified in the presentation as the city's parks and recreation manager, told councilmembers the program uses a GIS-based scientific evaluation to rank properties by hydrologic sensitivity, ecological value and size. Tausand said the program either acquires properties outright or purchases or secures development rights so landowners retain use of the land but limit future development.

Tausand said municipal funding has been used…