Res 2013-096/Approving an Agreement of Sale with the Trust for Public Land for the city to purchase 93 acres of land for the expansion of Purgatory Creek

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Need Hays County lies in the heart of the Balcones Canyonlands eco-region along the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau, where limestone hills support open savannas and dense woodlands of plateau live oak, Spanish oak, Ashe juniper, and honey mesquite, home to the federally endangered Golden - cheeped Warbler (GCW. Dendi-oica chrvsol)aria) and Black-capped Vireo (BCV, 117reo atricaj)illa), in addition to many other rare and endemic terrestrial species. Spring fed waterways dissect the hills and abundant karst features provide recharge to the Edwards Aquifer, which supports seven other federally listed species: J'exas wild-rice (Zizania lexana'), Conial Springs dryopid beetle (Stjg'()I)aI-nus comalensis), Coma] Springs riffle beetle (Ileterehnis comalensis), San Marcos gambusia (Gambusia -, i), fountain darter ,( ge (Etheostoin(7.fbIItiCOh_7), San Marcos salamander (Ew-Y'cea nana), and the Texas blind salamander (Eut:vcea rathbuni). Located in the Austin-San Antonio growth corridor, Hays County's population is expected to increase 150% to 300% by 1-040, making it one of the fastest growing counties in Texas. Rapid conversion for residential and other development is threatening important habitat areas throughout Hays County, where projected development and infrastructure projects could result in the loss of approximately 22,000 acres of potential habitat for the -federally endangered GCW over the next three decades. This threat is particularly intense near the City of San Marcos, where rapid growth and development have stressed the terrestrial and aquatic species that inhabit the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Land conservation in this area is critical to protect water quality and to ensure aquatic and terrestrial habitats are managed to encourage endangered species recovery and sustainability. Among the parcels most urgently in need of conservation today is that which is known as the Barker tract, located within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of the City of San Marcos. The Trust for Public Land (TPL), the City of San Marcos, Hays County and other interested parties are working together to acquire the entire 289.53-acre Barker tract for the conservation of endangered t__ C, songbirds and the protection of the Edwards Aquifer ecosystem. I'lie Barker tract sits adjacent to the existing 463-acre Purgatory Creek Natural Area (PCNA), which was purchased in 2001 by the City of San Marcos in partnership with the Edwards Aquifer Authority. A GCW survey completed in 2004 by the City identified GCWs on the PC_N A property and in adjacent areas of the Barker tract. The acquisition in phases and ultimate addition of the entire 289.53-acre Barker tract to this network is essential to the long- term survival and recovery of GCWs, BCVs and seven other federally listed species, and will help to close the habitat gap between the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve/NWR and the Southern Edwards Plateau region. "I Together with the PCNA the acquisition of the Barker tract will create a habitat network of 752 acres, requiring little to no maintenance, that offers over 600 acres of GCW habitat and the potential for BCV habitat management, as well as protection for seven other federally listed Edwards Aquifer ecosystem species. Conservation of this parcel will also help sensitive species adapt to climate change. For terrestrial L species, the large block of forest will offer connected and resilient habitats that are better positioned to withstand climate-driven stressors. Aquatic species `vill benefit from the protection of the tract's watershed and riparian forests, which will help maintain water flows and temperatures Linder the hotter and drier climate projected for this region. T'he ongoing I-lays County Regional 1--tabitat Conservation Plan (X�,'�k,'sV.1laVSCOLIJ-)tVlicl).coryi) and Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (xv\N,,\N,,.earip.org) processes will also provide enhanced protection for listed species and demonstrate a strong regional commitment to habitat conservation.