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Managing Compliance of an Incidental Take Permit using ArcGIS Online Kimberlee Harvey City of Austin Wildland Conservation Division

The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve

Conserving Endangered Species in the Shadow of Urban Growth

Presentation Outline

• Introduction to the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) and the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP)

• Tour of the BCP Flora and Fauna • ArcGIS Online Applications Used for Three Conditions of

the Incidental Take Permit - Habitat Mitigation - Monitoring - Education and Outreach

The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) • A System of Preserves

The BCP

City of Austin (COA)

LCRA

Potential Future Preserve

Private Land Management

Travis County (TC)

Unavailable

Travis Audubon Society

The Nature Conservancy

Endangered Species Act

• In 1973, the U.S. Congress passed the Endangered Species Act making it illegal to “take” a listed species.

• “Take” includes harm (habitat modification or degradation) and harassment (disrupting normal behavioral patterns)

• In 1982, an amendment to the ESA required a 10(a) permit and a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to “take” a listed species

• On May 2, 1996 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued a regional permit referred to as the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan to the City of Austin and Travis County.

• The 30-year permit covers approximately 561,000 acres of western Travis County for incidental take of 8 endangered species and 27 species of concern.

• The plan also mitigates the Co-Permit Holders for capital improvement and infrastructure development needs and provides landowners and agencies a streamlined alternative process to address issues related to Endangered Species Act compliance.

The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP)

The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP)

• First multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) in the nation, under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act

• USFWS issued the 30-year permit on May 2, 1996

• The BCCP Permit allows “take” of habitat and requires replacement acres protected within the BCP

Permit and Preserve Area

• The Permit covers more than 651,000 acres in western Travis County

- The BCCP Permit area is illustrated in GREEN

- The BCP Preserve area is shown in YELLOW

BCCP Plan Administration

• The BCCP provides a voluntary, alternative process to USFWS consultation and determination, and provides mitigation options for landowners with endangered species issues.

• The City and the County administer the BCCP mitigation process that links habitat protection with development.

• The City of Austin manages the BCCP capital improvement and infrastructure development process and maintains a mitigation credit accounting system for participating agencies.

• Travis County administers the Public Participation Process that issues Participation Certificates to cooperating landowners.

Incidental Take Permit

• Under the terms of the permit, the City of Austin and Travis County (“permit holders”) established the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve to set aside and manage 30,428 acres of habitat for two endangered bird species (the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo).

• The permit Holders also agreed to manage populations of two rare plants (Texabama croton and canyon mock-orange) and protect a total of 62 karst features known to contain populations of unique invertebrates.

Research and Habitat Management

• Research concerning species covered by the BCCP as well as threat assessments to guide adaptive management practices on the Preserve continues.

• Ongoing studies include population trend monitoring of golden-cheeked warblers on a series of 100-acre study plots; distribution and abundance of the black-capped vireo; faunal surveys of protected karst features; and research into habitat effects and management of native and non-native plant and wildlife populations.

• Habitat management on the Preserve includes boundary delineation and fence construction, patrols by staff, habitat restoration and monitoring, and control of non-native and invasive plant and animal species.

Education and Outreach

• The BCP provides education and service opportunities for school children, civic groups, youth-at-risk programs, retirement associations, university and agency researchers, Girl and Boy Scout troops and service organizations.

• Public uses such as hiking and bird watching have continued on selected tracts within the Preserve.

• Other Preserve tracts are available to the public through guided educational tours presented by the permit holders and co-operating entities.

The Bad Old Days…

• Before the BCP, all economic growth and development in our community was essentially left in the hands of the federal government and the USFWS

• The late 1980’s in Austin Texas saw - Development moratoriums - Slowing pace of growth - A long line of landowners and developers waiting for the

USFWS to review and approve their projects

BCCP Permit Commitments

• Provide landowners with a streamlined approach to comply with the Endangered Species Act

• Acquire and manage at least 30,428 acres of habitat for two endangered songbirds

• Protect 62 karst features • Protect populations of rare plants wherever they occur on

the Preserve

The Role of the BCP

• The BCP isn’t just “for the birds” • The BCP protects all of our native wildlife • The BCP demonstrates that economic growth /

development and habitat protection can coexist • Without the BCP, economic growth and development

would be at a standstill

Our Charges

• Endangered Species - Golden-cheeked warbler - Black-capped Vireo - Six karst (cave) invertebrates

• Species of Concern - 25 karst species - 2 plant species

Golden-cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) (GCWA)

Emergency listed as endangered on May 4, 1990 Permanently listed December 27, 1990

Photo by John Ingram

Winters in pine-oak woodlands in the highlands of southern Mexico and central America Migrates along the Sierra Madre Oriental in coniferous forest Breeds only in mature juniper-oak woodlands in central Texas (all native Texans!)


Distribution


• Breeds Exclusively in Mature Ashe juniper – Oak Woodlands from March - July


• Requires Ashe junipers for Nesting and Food

GCWA nests in Ashe juniper or hardwood trees in a fork, usually near the trunk. Height varies, but is usually placed in the upper two-thirds of the tree. The nest is a small cup made mostly of long strips of mature Ashe juniper bark.

Photo by Amanda Aurora

Photo by Jenny Blair

• GCWA Nests

GCWA habitat: tall trees, with high percent canopy cover.

GCWA habitat: dense cedar (can be hard to walk through).

GCWA habitat: dissected by creeks and streams. Photo by John Ingram

The GCWA is basically a forest-interior species.

Photo by Kelly Nesvacil

Major Threats: Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

Why GCWA Population Viability and Habitat Suitability within the BCP is Critical

• Travis County supports some of the best GCWA habitat within the birds’ very limited breeding range along the edge of the Edwards Plateau

• The BCCP allows for loss of over 70% of the GCWAs habitat in Travis County

• To mitigate for this habitat loss, the BCCP requires protection and management of the remaining 25-30% to promote habitat sustainability, regeneration, and restoration to support a viable breeding population of GCWAs

Black-capped Vireo

(Vireo atricapillus) (BCVI)

• Listed as endangered in 1987 • Endangered due to habitat loss

and nest parasitism

• The birds mate, nest, and raise young in Oklahoma, Texas, and Coahuila

• Like warblers, they migrate south to find food when cold weather reduces the number of insects

• Spend winters on the Pacific coast of Mexico

• First birds return to Texas in mid-March, and by April are nesting

Distribution

BCVI Habitat

• Very different from GCWA Habitat • Transitional between grassland and mature woodland • Vireos need a mix of open areas (grassy or rocky) with broad-leaved

shrubs of varying heights

BCVI Nests

• Usually build in a broad-leaved shrub • 1.5 to 6 feet above the ground • Hangs from a terminal or sub-terminal branch fork, screened by low

foliage

Photo by Jean Krejca

Karst Invertebrates Karst Invertebrates

Tooth Cave ground beetle Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion Tooth Cave spider Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle Bone Cave harvestman Bee Creek Cave harvestman

• All are troglobites

• Species evolved through isolation

• Physical adaptations •Eyeless or with vestigial eyes •Often lack pigmentation •More elongated bodies •Longer appendages •Live longer than surface-dwelling relatives

• Depend upon food sources brought or washed into caves

Six Karst Invertebrates

Species of Concern

Philadelphus ernestii Canyon Mock-Orange

• These are species that, if listed as endangered after the permit issuance date, are afforded protection under the BCCP

• Habitat Mitigation - BCP Property Access Information - BCCP Project Manager Map Group - BCCP Managing Partners Map Group

- Mitigation - Endangered Species Surveys (Future Use)

• Monitoring - BCP Property Boundary Patrol - Invasive Species - Asset Management (Animal Control & Game Cameras)

• Education and Outreach - Guided Hikes - Self-Guided Hikes - Trail Sign Survey

ArcGIS Online Applications for the BCP / BCCP

Collector for ArcGIS Online App

• Uses ArcGIS Online Account

• Access to Private Map Groups and Maps

• Targets Field Data Collection

• Collects and Edits Point, Line, and Polygon Data

• Navigation Feature

• The Ability to Cache Maps = No Cellular Coverage Needed

Collector Training and Implementation

• Purchased 15 iPad Minis

• 5 Dedicated to Staff

• 10 Checkout Units

• Designed and Implemented Training Curriculum

• Staff Training

• Volunteer Training

ArcGIS Online for Habitat Mitigation

BCP Contractor Property Access Information

• Public AGOL Map Imbedded in the City of Austin’s BCP Website

- Gate Address



- Gate Address - Property

Information



- Gate Address - Property

Information - Infrastructure

Corridors

BCCP Project Manager Map Group

• Private AGOL Map – View Only Access

- Oak Wilt - Infrastructure

Corridors - Habitat Zones - Karst Zones



- Oak Wilt - Infrastructure

Corridors - Habitat Zones - Karst Zones - BCP Properties - BCCP

Participation Area



- Ability to see personal location relative to mapped features

- Turn on and off layers



- Pop-ups for additional information

• Private AGOL Map Group – Shared Editing Space

- Mitigated Areas

BCCP Managing Partners Map Group

• Private AGOL Map Group – Shared Editing Space

- Mitigated Areas

• Future Use –

Endangered Species Surveys

BCCP Managing Partners Map Group

ArcGIS Online for Monitoring

BCP Property Boundary Patrol

• Private AGOL Map

- Boundary Issue - Critical? - On-the-Spot

Repair? - Monitor Name - Photo

Invasive Species


- Collect - Species - Size - Abundance - Removed? - Need

retreatment? - Photo

Asset Management


- Collect - Asset - Asset type

Asset Management


- Collect - Asset - Asset type

- Update

ArcGIS Online for Education and Outreach

Guided Hikes


- Provide - Trail

Information - Access

Information - Educational

Information Talking Points

- Monitor personal location on the trail

Self-Guided Hikes


- Trail Information

- Access Information

- Permissible Uses

- Trailhead Locations

Trail Sign Survey


- Provide Trail Information

Trail Sign Survey


- Provide Trail Information

- Collect - Sign Id - Kiosk Type - Sign

Condition - Sign Accuracy - Photo

Acknowledgements

• William Conrad - BCCP Secretary & COA Environmental Policy Program Manager

• Sherri Kuhl - COA BCP Environmental Conservation Program Manager

• Amanda Ross - COA Environmental Program Coordinator for Outreach and Education

• Bill Reiner - COA BCP Biologist • David Gimnich - COA GIS Analyst

Thank you!

Kimberlee Harvey Environmental Program Coordinator (GIS)

City of Austin – Austin Water Utility

Wildland Conservation Division

http://www.balconescanyonlands.org

http://www.balconescanyonlands.org/

Golden-cheeked warbler fledglings taking a bath Photo by: John Ingram

Any Questions?

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