Environmental Protection

Outcome statement: Set the standard by demonstrating responsible stewardship of the environment, including our rivers, aquifers, and other sensitive features.

I. Incorporate green stormwater and water/energy conservation infrastructure.

• Staff meet last month with Halff and Associates to scope out the Stormwater Master Plan.  Part of their scope includes addressing green stormwater in CIP projects.  

II. Ensure that applicable City staff are equipped and trained to readily identify and respond to releases (i.e. sewer discharges, chemical spills, etc.) that may cause negative impacts to rivers and aquifers. 

• Work began in April and continues with our consultant, Jacobs Engineering, to get the TCEQ permit renewal. Target end of 2023 for completion.
• The Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) has been updated and will be in effect until September 2027.

III. Incorporate environmental stewardship into new and existing City facilities and master plans.

• Staff is exploring the idea of incorporating a One Water concept into our future facilities.

IV. ­­­­Develop and promote programs that protect and promote environmental stewardship.

• The City Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) Conservation Crew continues to be funded through the EAHCP program. The Conservation Crew continues to help educate river users on endangered species protection and stewardship practices, collects litter, manages litter boat and helps to report violations of Park Rules. The Crew also continues to maintain and install EAHCP educational signage along the river.

Outcome Statement: Promote environmental protections and sustainable building practices through codes and processes.

I. Implement the Preferred Scenario Map

• The comprehensive plan adoption was postponed by the Planning and Zoning Commission – on its current schedule City Council we will see the plan in September with final adoption in November.

II. Incorporate concepts from the current Comprehensive Master Plan into the Stormwater Technical Manual and the Land Development Code.

• Work began in April and continues with our consultant, Jacobs Engineering, to get the TCEQ permit renewal. Target end of 2023 for completion.
• The Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) has been updated and will be in effect until September 2027.

III. Update and amend water conservation and drought ordinance and plan.

• Advancements will follow the Comprehensive Plan approval.

Outcome statement: Incorporate resiliency into existing and future City infrastructure planning, construction, operations, and maintenance. 

I. Incorporate and anticipate future needs of the City into CIP projects to mitigate future risks.

• Emergency Management is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan. Once the plan is complete, Engineering will review to see if we need to incorporate any new CIP projects.

II. Continue to develop and maintain Emergency Operations and Emergency Preparedness Plans.

• Emergency Management is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan.

III. Reinvest in City facilities to improve facility security and resiliency. 

• IT has upgraded our cybersecurity process to include multi-factor authentication.
• Utilities is advancing long range wastewater treatment options.

Outcome statement: Promote innovative programs and educate residents about environmental resiliency. 

I. Continue participation and implementation of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan.

• City contractors have continued to protect Texas wild-rice (TWR) and aquatic vegetation in the San Marcos River by managing non-native aquatic vegetation adjacent to TWR stands. The City EAHCP Conservation Crew continues to maintain TWR protection enclosure booms to help minimize damage to TWR stands in the river. The Conservation Crew also educates river users about TWR and endangered species in the river.
•  The City continues to work with a contractor on the removal of non-native fish (I.e. Plecostamus and tilapia) from the San Marcos River. Atlas also hosted a Non-Native Fish Polespear Tournament in Feb 2023 (https://www.atlasenvironmentaltx.com/tournaments). The tournament is supported and funded by the City and the EAHCP program. A total of 1,038 plecostamus and 163 tilapia have been removed in 2023. 
   

II. Seek out opportunities to secure grant funding and build partnerships to develop environmental education programs and implement environmental improvement projects.

• Completed Phase I of the Sessom Creek Stream Restoration project in May 2023. Funding for the project was leveraged through the EAHCP program. Design for Phase II of the project is near completion as of Aug 2023. Staff is working to obtain funding and plan for construction of Phase II which is expected to occur in Spring/ Summer 2024.  
• Prepared and submitted two grant applications under the TCEQs CWA 319 Non-Point Source Pollution Grant program to help fund the Sessom Creek Phase II project and green alley stormwater infrastructure as part of the Downtown Alley Reconstruction project.  
• The Conservation Crew continues to help educate river users on endangered species protection and stewardship practices, collects litter, manages litter boat and helps to report violations of Park Rules. The Crew also continues to maintain and install EAHCP educational signage along the river.