bccp mitigation program
TRANSCRIPT
BCCP Mitigation Program
Processes and Procedures for
Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure planning is critical to minimizing habitat loss and fragmentation within the BCP
The City of Austin manages the infrastructure mitigation program
Participation in the program will cover incidental take of endangered species habitat, providing a streamlined approach to comply with the Endangered Species Act.
BCCP Infrastructure Mitigation Program
BCCP Infrastructure Mitigation Program Participation
Eligible if within BCCP
participation area and
outside BCP
within infrastructure corridor within BCP
Overview
Project Within BCCP
Participation Area?
Project Within BCP?
Project Able to Participate in
BCCP Mitigation Program?
Project Need Construction
Approval?
Project Mitigation
Ratio
Yes No Yes No 1:1
Yes Yes Yes Yes 5:1
**Non-BCCP participants can also work directly with USFWS
BCCP Infrastructure Mitigation Program Participation
Infrastructure Mitigation Process
Vegetation Clearing Dates
Vegetation Maintenance Plans
Emergency Maintenance
Oak Wilt Prevention Policy
Wildfire Prevention Plan
Scheduling BCP Access
Participating in the BCCP Infrastructure Mitigation Program
Need to Know
Project Pre-Planning
Submit Habitat Assessment Application
Receive Mitigation Determination Letter and Construction Approval Letter (if required)
Satisfy Project Mitigation Requirement
BCP signatories mitigate through BCCP mitigation credits (mitigation bank)
Non-BCCP participants purchase participation certificates through Travis County BCCP Staff
Mitigation Process
Steps
Project Pre-Planning
Resources
BCCP Infrastructure Workshop and Booklet
City of Austin BCP Website www.balconescanyonlands.org
Downloadable Documents
Habitat Assessment Application
Appendix B – Infrastructure Management Plan
Wildfire Prevention Plan Template
Preapproved Vegetation Maintenance Plan Template
Mobile map application
Interactive Map
Search for project address to find BCCP information pertinent to your project
If the project is within the BCCP Mitigation
Program Participation Area
If the project is within the Balcones
Canyonlands Preserve Acquisition Boundary
If the project is within a Karst BCCP Mitigation
Zone
If the project is within the Black-capped Vireo
BCCP Mitigation Zone
If the project is within a Golden-cheeked
Warbler Mitigation Zone
If a project inside of the BCP is in an already
established infrastructure corridor
Who manages the BCP property of the project
Contact information for the preserve manager
to schedule preserve access
Find out…
BCCP Interactive Map
https://austintexas.gov/department/wildland-maps
Habitat Assessment Application
1. Applicant Information 2. Landowner 3. Project Name 4. Brief Project Description 5. Description of Vegetation Disturbance 6. Dimensions of Disturbed Area 7. Total Acreage of Disturbed Area 8. Attachments
1. Maps & Spatial Data
9. USFWS Participation?
BCCP Habitat Assessment Application Questions
Required Information
Review application
Map the project impact area
Overlay impact area onto BCP boundaries and Habitat Mitigation Zones to calculate project mitigation requirement
Compose and distribute mitigation determination and construction approval letter
Mitigation Analysis Process
Steps
Songbird Mitigation Zones
CWA Mitigation Zone 1 = $5,500 / ac GCWA Mitigation Zone 2 = $2,750 / ac BCVI Mitigation Zone = $5,500 / ac
Mitigation Fees
Karst Mitigation Zones
Karst Mitigation Zone 1 & 2 = $1,000 / ac
Mitigation Fees
USFWS Salamander Critical Habitat
Additional USFWS
Consultation if
project is within USFWS Salamander Critical Habitat zone
Clearing allowed September through February.
After March 1st work must cease unless Bird-monitoring survey
conducted using USFWS protocols
No nesting birds within 300 feet
Natural vegetation already removed
Vegetation Clearing Dates
Photo by Amanda Aurora
Vegetation Maintenance Activity Submit vegetation maintenance plan to BCCP Secretary
and Land Manager for review and approval
Preapproved Maintenance Plans When vegetation maintenance work is repetitive
Proposed vegetation maintenance plan and schedule submitted to BCCP Secretary and Land Manager for review and approval
Work shall proceed under negotiated terms Submit notification when ready to proceed with maintenance
Vegetation Maintenance Plans
Vegetation Maintenance Plans
Segment*
Danger Zone**
Maximum Vegetation Height**
Maintenance Frequency (years)
Date Last Maintained Trees to Remove*** Describe maintenance methodology****
*Expand the table on this form as needed to include all segments. Segments will be defined between each tower or valve.
** Height above ground surface ***List by species and number
****Manual or mechanical (if mechanical give detailed description of equipment and methodology.
Infrastructure Corridor:
Landowner/managing entity:
Infrastructure Owner:
Infrastructure Description
Type (electric, water, wastewater, other):
Length: Width:
Description (Voltage, pipe size, other):
Required Information
**BCP Staff can meet onsite for guidance on best practices
Closed canopy minimizes fragmentation
Leaving native shrubs & grasses
Minimal & strategic pruning
Removal of non-native trees
Special techniques for oak wilt
Measures to control sedimentation
Revegetation with appropriate natives
Avoid critical nesting season (March 1-Sept 1)
Best Practices for Vegetation Maintenance in the BCP
Closed canopy minimizes fragmentation
Leaving native shrubs & grasses
Minimal & strategic pruning
Removal of non-native trees
Special techniques for oak wilt
Measures to control sedimentation
Revegetation with appropriate natives
Avoid critical nesting season (March 1-Sept 1)
Best Practices for Vegetation Maintenance in the BCP
Closed canopy minimizes fragmentation
Leaving native shrubs & grasses
Minimal & strategic pruning
Removal of non-native trees
Special techniques for oak wilt
Measures to control sedimentation
Revegetation with appropriate natives
Avoid critical nesting season (March 1-Sept 1)
Best Practices for Vegetation Maintenance in the BCP
Closed canopy minimizes fragmentation
Leaving native shrubs & grasses
Minimal & strategic pruning
Removal of non-native trees
Special techniques for oak wilt
Measures to control sedimentation
Revegetation with appropriate natives
Avoid critical nesting season (March 1-Sept 1)
Best Practices for Vegetation Maintenance in the BCP
Best Practices for Vegetation Maintenance in the BCP
Closed canopy minimizes fragmentation
Leaving native shrubs & grasses
Minimal & strategic pruning
Removal of non-native trees
Special techniques for oak wilt
Measures to control sedimentation
Revegetation with appropriate natives
Avoid critical nesting season (March 1-Sept 1)
Best Practices for Vegetation Maintenance in the BCP
Closed canopy minimizes fragmentation
Leaving native shrubs & grasses
Minimal & strategic pruning
Removal of non-native trees
Special techniques for oak wilt
Measures to control sedimentation
Revegetation with appropriate natives
Avoid critical nesting season (March 1-Sept 1)
Closed canopy minimizes fragmentation
Leaving native shrubs & grasses
Minimal & strategic pruning
Removal of non-native trees
Special techniques for oak wilt
Measures to control sedimentation
Revegetation with appropriate natives
Avoid critical nesting season (March 1-Sept 1)
Best Practices for Vegetation Maintenance in the BCP
Closed canopy minimizes fragmentation
Leaving native shrubs & grasses
Minimal & strategic pruning
Removal of non-native trees
Special techniques for oak wilt
Measures to control sedimentation
Revegetation with appropriate natives
Avoid critical nesting season (March 1-Sept 1)
Best Practices for Vegetation Maintenance in the BCP
When there is an existing condition of, or imminent threat to public health
safety
property damage
loss of service
Emergency Maintenance
When does it apply?
Eliminate emergency condition
Work still be performed in such manner to minimize habitat destruction
Contact Coordinating Committee Secretary for advice/guidance
Submit final incident report to Coordinating Committee Secretary within 5 days, describing emergency maintenance work completed
Emergency Maintenance
Expectations
Oak Wilt Prevention Policy
Avoid wounds
Paint wounds
Sanitize tools
Destroy diseased red oaks
Main Components
Necessary to strictly adhere to the City of Austin, Travis County, and LCRA Oak Wilt Prevention Policies.
A preaction plan used to help prevent accidental wildfire ignitions on wildlands and to provide initial response when ignitions are encountered
Wildfire Prevention Plan
What is it?
Required for all activities conducted by contractors, consultants, and infrastructure providers on City of Austin BCP
To reduce the risk to employees, the public, emergency responders, and resources
Support City of Austin, Fire Adapted Community goals
Wildfire Prevention Plan
Why do it?
Accurate description of the area and duration of the work.
Identification of the nearest entry point for emergency responders.
Expectations for personnel and equipment to prevent, spot, and extinguish ignitions.
Contact information for partner field staff and BCP/WCD staff.
Wildfire Prevention Plan
Elements
Accurate description of the area and duration of the work.
Identification of the nearest entry point for emergency responders.
Expectations for personnel and equipment to prevent, spot, and extinguish ignitions.
Contact information for partner field staff and BCP/WCD staff.
Wildfire Prevention Plan
Expectations
Lucien (Luke) Ball [email protected]
(512) 972-1683 desk
(512) 940-3452 cell
Wildfire Prevention Plan
Additional Information
Call or email BCCP Infrastructure Coordinator
Provide BCP location information
Provide reason for requested access
BCP staff may need to accompany work crew
Provide preferred access date and time
BCP staff can generally accommodate access requests within 3 business days
Scheduling BCP Access
Do…
Show up unexpectedly at BCP gate and expect to call and get gate codes and immediate access We will only accommodate same day
emergency maintenance access
Jump fences to gain access to BCP Safety issue – animal management practices
in BCP Trespassers will be prosecuted
Waste time and money by not scheduling access in advance Infrastructure Providers – supply preserve
access information to your contractors Contractors – request preserve access
information from infrastructure providers
Scheduling BCP Access
Don’t…
Thank You for Participating
The BCCP Mitigation Program demonstrates
that economic growth and development,
and habitat protection
can coexist.
Questions?
Kimberlee Harvey BCCP Infrastructure Coordinator
City of Austin
Austin Water Utility
Wildland Conservation Division
(512)972-1686