bccp mitigation program

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

http://www.balconescanyonlands.org/

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



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

When there is an existing condition of, or imminent threat to public health

safety

property damage

loss of service


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


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


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


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.


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.


Expectations

Lucien (Luke) Ball [email protected]

(512) 972-1683 desk

(512) 940-3452 cell


Additional Information

mailto:[email protected]

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


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


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

[email protected]

bccp mitigation program

Environment