Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan
Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan
In December, 2002, Williamson County established the Williamson County Conservation Foundation with the mission of furthering conservation of endangered species in Williamson County while facilitating responsible development.
The Foundation’s primary focus is the development of the Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan. Regional habitat conservation plans are designed to help developers, landowners, cities, and school districts navigate the compliance requirements of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The ESA prohibits any individual or other entity from undertaking an activity that is likely to result in a “take” of an endangered species, unless that person or entity has obtained a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). “Take” is defined broadly in the USFWS regulations to include harm to a species caused by degradation or destruction of its habitat. To obtain a permit, the applicant must prepare a habitat conservation plan that shows how the potential harm to the species will be minimized and mitigated to the maximum extent practicable.
A regional habitat conservation plan is designed to cover a large geographic area, numerous landowners, multiple species, and a variety of activities. Regional habitat conservation plans can streamline compliance with ESA by establishing an umbrella authorization for a number of activities that would otherwise require an individual permit from USFWS. These plans also establish a uniform set of mitigation options for all planned public and private development activities planned that are likely to cause "take" of a covered species.
The Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan is being prepared by technical and legal consultants at the request of the Williamson County Conservation Foundation and the Williamson County Commissioner’s Court.
The Foundation’s Board Members are:
Precinct 1 Williamson County Commissioner Lisa Birkman, President
Precinct 3 Williamson County Commissioner Valerie Covey, Vice President
Georgetown City Council Member Patty Eason
Larry Quick, Don Quick & Associates, Round Rock, TX
Tony Dale, Ferrell Gas, Cedar Park TX
David Hays, Georgetown Title, Georgetown, TX
Chuck Walker, Walker Texas Surveyors, Inc., Cedar Park, TX
Species to be Covered by the Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan
The plan will cover two listed karst invertebrates, the Bone Cave harvestman and Coffin Cave mold beetle, as well as two birds, the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo. It will also provide ongoing research regarding the Georgetown salamander, an official candidate for listing, as well as a number of unlisted, but likely rare, karst invertebrates. All of these species occur west of I-35.
Participating in the Plan
Participating in the plan will be entirely voluntary. Any individual or entity planning an activity that may result in a take of an endangered species may choose to participate in the RHCP or go to the USFWS for their own individual permit. To participate in the plan, individuals or entities will agree to contribute to a fund set up to acquire and maintain habitat preserves within the county or, in some cases, in neighboring counties. The participation process will be streamlined, requiring a tiny fraction of the time necessary to obtain individual permitting from USFWS.
November 2008 Update
The Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement was posted for public comment and a public meeting in Georgetown was held on June 16, 2008 for final approval of the plan.
On October 29, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services granted a 10 (a) permit for the Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan. Applications are available online. For more information contact, Gary Boyd, Environmental Program Coordinator for Williamson County.
