Hays County RHCP Is Approved!
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced approval of the Hays County RHCP on May 13, 2011. The associated incidental take permit is expected to be issued to Hays County in June 2011. Click here for a copy of the Service's Press Release announcing the availability of final documents and the Service's draft Record of Decision regarding permit issuance.
Hays County will be creating a process for enrolling new particpants in the RHCP. Participating in the RHCP will allow people to use the County's permit to obtain compliance with the Endangered Species Act for impacts to the Golden-cheeked warbler and Black-capped vireo. Check here for more information on the participation process as it becomes available.
Final Documents
The Final Hays County RHCP and Environmental Impact Statement are posted on the DOCUMENTS page.
Background
Located in the heart of central Texas and the Balcones Canyonlands region of the Edwards Plateau, Hays County is home to a diverse native wildlife and plant community. Dense woodlands and open savannas of live oak, Ashe juniper, and honey mesquite in the limestone hills and valleys of the area provide habitat for federally endangered golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroica chrysoparia) and black-capped vireos (Vireo atricapilla). Spring-fed waterways dissect the hills helping recharge the Edwards Aquifer. A wide variety of aquatic species depend on the water quality and quantity these drainages collect.
Midway between the City of Austin and the City of San Antonio, Hays County has experienced rapid population growth overflowing from these two major metropolitan areas during the past decade. Land development has and will continue to accompany population growth. The rural character of the county is already competing with new subdivisions, commercial property, and other types of urban development. Residential subdivision construction is quickly fragmenting the large and contiguous patches of juniper-oak woodland habitat that is valuable habitat for endangered wildlife.
Hays County has created a Regional Habitat Conservation Plan to help balance the needs of its growing constituency with responsible economic development and good public infrastructure, while also creating open space recreational opportunities. Implementation of this RHCP will conserve habitat for endangered species and provide an streamlined process for individuals to comply with the federal Endangered Species Act.
The Hays County RHCP was prepared with the assistance of a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hays County also sought the input of advisory committees and environmental, economic, and legal consultants to help prepare the HCP and other documents needed to obtain an Endangered Species Act incidental take permit.