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7M- Final Report March 1997 located in an interesting natural area, at the headwaters of the San Marcos River, reportedly at the longest continuously inhabited area of North America. We also lie on the Balcones Fault which separates the hill country from the Eastern Prairie. As yet, we have not used our natural uniqueness to our full advantage. Our natural gifts are still a well kept secret. San Marcos is located where migratory birds stop to feed and rest near the San Marcos River. Many species live here during the winter. Also, San Marcos is on the dividing line for Eastern and Western birds, providing diverse habitats for different bird species year round. Birders are, in general, older, up-scale visitors with higher incomes, the type of visitor we are trying to attract. A sizable number of tourists are already using our bird line with (regular updates), our bird guide, and our birding website. We should explore areas of town which are underdeveloped to see if birding and nature trails could be.developed and to study if public-private partnerships could be worked out to acquire land suitable for this type of activity. One possibility might be areas which regularly flood and in which local government prohibits development such as Purgatory Creek. Phoenix, Arizona has developed parks in its floodways which are useable the vast portion of the calendar year and yet still serve the purpose of dealing with heavy run-off when needed. An expanded nature trail system enhances our whole park system. Separate from the Aquarena Wetlands Project, SWT is developing an Endangered Species Exhibit and a River Fisheries Education Center. These would fit in well with on- going ecotourism efforts. A similar center in East Texas attracted 500,000 visitors last year. Hollvwood. Texas San Marcos, SWT and the surrounding countryside have been featured prominently in motion pictures, television programs and mini-series. Other communities, which have also been the location for such productions, have used such sites to attract visitors to their communities. The list of motion pictures and television productions here is impressive and surprising: The Getaway (1972); The Great Waldo Pepper (1973); Attack on Terror (1974); Leadbelly (1974); Race with the Devil (1975); A Small Town in Texas (1976); Piranah (1977); D.O.A. (1989); A Perfect World (1993); The War at Home (1995); Texas Justice (1996); and two motion pictures currently in production. The development of signage to identify these sites and adding these sites to already existing tours could enhance our attractions. Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Tourism Development Page 16