San Marcos staff outline plan to renew Edwards Aquifer habitat permit, warn of sizable costs

Summary

City staff told the San Marcos City Council the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan renewal seeks a new incidental‑take permit before the current permit expires in March 2028, would preserve spring flows and endangered species habitat, and could cost tens of millions annually with significant EAA fee impacts for permittees.

City staff on Tuesday laid out the scope, schedule and costs of renewing the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and the associated U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service incidental‑take permit that provides legal coverage for otherwise lawful activities that may harm listed species in the San Marcos and Comal river systems. The presentation, led by Mark Enders, the city’s habitat conservation plan manager, emphasized the regional nature of the work and the need to meet Endangered Species Act permitting requirements.

The presentation explained that the city’s existing incidental‑take permit, issued with the 2013 HCP, expires in March 2028 and that partners — including the Edwards Aquifer Authority, San Antonio Water System, Texas State University, the cities of San Marcos and New Braunfels, and permittee staff — are preparing a renewed plan and a draft permit application. Enders said the HCP’s purpose is to minimize and mitigate unintentional impacts from activities such as aquifer pumping, river recreation and infrastructure maintenance while providing a path for continued lawful operations under an ITP.

Enders described…

San Marcos staff outline plan to renew Edwards Aquifer habitat permit, warn of sizable costs

Summary

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