Environmental Site Inventory of Freeman Ranch Emily Rutledge

Environmental Site Inventory of Freeman Ranch

Emily Rutledge, Keagan McNew

03/25/2016

Table of Contents

Description of Site 3 - 6 Verbal Description and Relative Location Absolute Location Size of Site Legal Status of Site Maps Aerial Photograph

Natural Environment 7 - 15 Elevation Hydrology Geology and Landforms Climate Soils Ecosystems

Land Use Inventory 15 - 18 Present Land Use Future Land Use Climatic Inventory (CERCLIS) LUSTLPST Water Inventory Biological Inventory Cultural-Social Inventory

Other Significant Aspects 18

References 18 – 21

Appendix

Environmental Site Inventory

I. Description of site:

A. Verbal Description and relative location, including street address: Site location is a 100 hectare plot found in Freeman Ranch. The location of the site is found west from Interstate 35, five miles on Ranch Road 12 to Fulton Ranch Road and finally Freeman Ranch Road after another two miles. The complete address is 2100 Freeman Ranch Road, San Marcos, Texas 78666.

B. Absolute Location:

Geographic Grid: Latitude: 29°55’ N

Longitude: 98°0’ W

UTM: 596,000 East 3,312,000 North

UTM Zone: 14

SPCS: 2,285,247 ft. East 13,887,054 ft. North

SPCS Zone: 4204 Texas South Central

C. Size of the site: 246 Acres or 100 Hectares

D. Legal Status of site:

Country: United States

State/Province: Texas

County: Hays

City: San Marcos

Is the site within the city limits? No

Zoning status: N/A

ETJ: Yes

MSA/CMSA etc.name: Austin-Round Rock, TX Metro Area

Other status affecting site: Edwards Aquifer Compliance Rules 3

E. Maps:

Figure 1; Aerial image and extent of site location.

Figure 2; Site loction relative to county, city, and state locations

II. Natural Environment 6

A. Elevation: High: 870 ft. 265 m.

Low: 760 ft. 232 m.

Relief: 110 ft. 33 m.

B. Hydrology (TWDB 2014)

1. Surface water on/adjacent to site: No surface water

2. Closest named stream that drains the site: Sink Creek Downstream Course and Ultimate destination:

Sink Creek – San Marcos River – Guadalupe River - Gulf Mexico

Direct distance to coast in miles and km: 144.44 mi. 232.45 km.

3. Major river basin (TXWDB basin): Guadalupe River Basin

4. River Authority: Guadalupe - Blanco River Authority

5. SB 1 TXWDB Regional Planning Group: South Central Texas (L)

6. TCEQ Stream Segment at site: 1814 (Upper San Marcos River)

7. Major Water Quality Problems: Total dissolved solids

8. Groundwater Aquifers beneath site:

Major Aquifer: Edwards Aquifer

Minor Aquifer: Trinity

9. Underground Water District: Edwards Aquifer Authority

10. Groundwater Management Area: 10

11. Source of water for site: Edwards – Well water

12. Waste-water disposal method: Septic

13. Destination of disposed waste-water: Septic Tank

14. FEMA-FIRM Floodplain Status: Regulatory Floodway, 1% annual chance flood hazard, 0.2% annual chance flood hazard

FEMA FIRM Map Number: 48209C0370F and 48209C0360F

Figure 3; FEMA map displaying flooding information

C. Geology and Landforms (The Geological Society of America, 2012):

1. Geology:

Mapping Code: Ked

Name of Mapped Unit: Edwards Limestone (Formations) Type of Rock: Limestone

Age: Chronostratigraphic Term:

Eon: Phanerozoic Era: Mesozoic Period: Cretaceous Epoch: Comanchean (early cretaceous) Years BP range: 145-100 Ma

2. Landform Regions: 8

Province: Great Plains Section: Edwards Plateau District: Texas Hill Country

3. Geologic Hazards:

Flooding; Earthquakes: Mudslides

4. Nearby mining activities/resources: Sand and Gravel Quarry

5. Closest major landform feature: Balcones Escarpment

6. Surface configuration: Massive Limestone; building stone, thin soil; flat with Locally deep dissection; karst topography

Figure 4: Map displaying the geological codes for the site.

D. Climate (NOAA 2004)

1. Mean Annual 1971-2014 Temperature and Precipitation

Month Temperature (F) Temperature (C) Precipitation (in) Precipitation (mm) January 49.9 9.9 2.1 53.3 February 53.9 12.1 2.2 55.9 March 61.6 16.4 2.1 53.3 April 68.2 20.1 2.9 73.7 May 75.6 24.2 5.3 134.6 June 81.5 27.5 4.8 121.9 July 84.4 29.1 2.1 53.3 August 84.4 29.1 2.7 68.6 September 79.7 26.5 3.5 88.9 October 70.5 21.4 4 101.6 November 59.9 15.5 3.2 81.3 December 52.1 11.2 2.41 61.0 Annual 68.5 20.3 37.2 947.4

Name of nearest weather station with long term record: San Marcos, TX US COOP: 417983

Years of record for climate records: 1971 - 2000

Record Highest Temp: 111 ⁰F 43.9 ⁰C 09/05/2000

Record Coldest Temp: 4 ⁰F -15.6 ⁰C 12/23/1989

Wettest Year: 58.5 in 1485.9 mm 1998

Driest Year: 19.38 in 492.252 mm 1999

2. Average Potential Evapotranspiration:

Thornthwaite Method:

Month Precip. (mm.) Monthly Temp PET (mm.) (C) Jan 53.3 9.9 12.7 Feb 55.9 12.1 20.32 Mar 53.3 16.4 45.72 Apr 73.7 20.1 76.2 May 134.6 24.2 124.46 Jun 121.9 27.5 172.72 Jul 53.3 29.1 193.04 Aug 68.6 29.1 185.42 Sep 88.9 26.5 139.7 Oct 101.6 21.4 78.74 Nov 81.3 15.5 35.56 Dec 61.0 11.2 15.24 Year Sum 947.4 N/A 1099.8 Apr-Oct Sum 642.6 N/A 970.28

3. 100 year, 24 hour storm in inches and mm: 10 in. 254 mm.

4. Average length of frost-free period: 262 Days

Average date of last frost in spring: March 5th

Average date of first frost in fall: November 22nd

Average length of growing season 262 Days

5. Climate type.

Köppen code: Cfa

Climate name: Humid Subtropical

Description of climate: Humid summers with precipitation during all seasons. Warmest month is average is above 22 ⁰C, with four months averaging above 10 ⁰C.

6. Major climate hazards: Droughts, Wildfires, Floods, Thunderstorms/Lightning, Hail, Tornadoes, Winter Storms

E. Soils. (USDA 1984)

1. Name of Soil:

Comfort – Rock outcrop complex (CrD) Rumple – Comfort outcrop complex (RUD) 11

Tarpley Clay (TaB)

2. Description of soil

Comfort – Rock outcrop complex (CrD): Comfort consists of soils that are shallow to indurated limestone bedrock. They are well drained soils that form into a clayey residuum derived from dolomitic limestone of the Lower Cretaceous period. Slopes range from 0 to 8 percent.

A:0 to 13 cm (zero to five in); dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) very stony clay, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; moderate medium angular blocky structure parting to moderate fine subangular blocky; very hard, very firm; many fine roots; few very fine tubular pores; 15 percent, 2 to 75 mm, limestone gravel, non-flat, angular, 40 percent, 76 to 600 mm, limestone, non-flat, partially on the surface and in the soil; slightly alkaline; clear wavy boundary

Bt: 13 to 43 cm (5 to 17 in); dark reddish gray (5YR 4/2) very stony clay, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2) moist; moderate medium subangular and angular blocky structure parting to moderate fine angular blocky; very hard, very firm; few fine and medium roots; patchy clay films; 40 percent, 76 to 600 mm, limestone, non-flat, angular, many roots matted at soil rock interfaces; slightly alkaline; abrupt wavy boundary. R: 43 to 69 cm (17 to 27 in); indurated crystalline dolomitic limestone bedrock with irregular seams filled with soil Rumple – Comfort outcrop complex (RUD): Consists of moderately deep, well drained, slowly permeable soils formed in residuum and colluvium over indurated limestone. Slopes range from 1 to 8 percent. A: 0 to 5 inches; dark reddish brown (5YR 3/3) gravelly clay loam, reddish brown (5YR 2/3) moist; moderate fine subangular blocky and granular structure; very hard, firm; many roots; 15 percent angular chert fragments mostly 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter; neutral; clear smooth boundary. (3 to 9 inches thick) Bt1: 5 to 10 inches; dark reddish brown (5YR 3/3) gravelly clay loam, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/3) moist; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; very hard, firm; many roots; few patchy clay films; 25 percent angular chert fragments less than 2 inches in diameter; few chert cobbles; slightly acid; clear wavy boundary. (4 to 7 inches thick) Bt2: 10 to 26 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) extremely gravelly clay, dark red (2.5YR 3/6) moist; moderate fine angular blocky structure; very hard, firm; common roots; 65 percent chert fragments less than 2 12

inches in diameter; few chert and limestone cobbles; common thin clay films on peds; slightly acid; abrupt wavy boundary. (10 to 24 inches thick) R: 26 to 46 inches; white and gray indurated limestone, coarsely fractured; red clay in crevices. Tarpley Clay (TaB): Shallow, well drained, permeable soils formed in calcareous clayey residuum over limestone bedrock. Slope ranges from 0 to eight percent. A: 0 to 7 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) clay loam, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) moist; moderate medium and fine subangular blocky structure; very hard, firm; common very fine and fine roots; few very fine pores; 15 percent limestone fragments from 1/8 inch to 15 inches in diameter on the surface; few chert fragments 5 inches to 15 inches in diameter on the surface; vertical cracks 1/2 to 1 inch wide extend through the horizon; neutral; clear smooth boundary. (3 to 8 inches thick)

Bt: 7 to 18 inches; reddish brown (5YR 4/4) clay, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/4) moist; strong, medium subangular blocky and angular blocky structure; extremely hard, very firm; common very fine and fine roots; few very fine pores; thin continuous clay films on surfaces of peds; few fragments of chert mostly less than 1/4 inch; vertical cracks 1/2 inch to 1 inch wide extend to the bedrock; neutral; abrupt smooth boundary. (10 to 15 inches thick)

R: 18 to 22 inches; pale yellow, coarsely fractured, indurated limestone bedrock.

3. Soil suitability and limitations/problems

Comfort - Rock outcrop complex (CrD): Typically used as rangeland and habitat for wildlife. Range forage production is low due to low rooting depth and low water capacity. Soils are not suited for the cultivation of crops or pasture. Severely limited by cobbles/stones on surface, limited rooting depth, and low water capacity.

Rumple – Comfort outcrop complex (RUD): Used for rangeland and habitat for wildlife. Not suitable for cultivating crops or pasture. Limitations of the soil includes a surface comprised of cobbles/stones, limited rooting zones, and low water capacity. Range forage yields are medium but limited to the restricted root depth and low water capacity.

Tarpley Clay (TaB): Mainly used as rangeland, however a few areas can be used as pastureland and for the cultivation of crops. Moderately 13

well suited for cropland and pastureland. The soil can produce high yields of forage on rangeland. Limitations include shallow rooting zones, and low water capacity.

4. Soil taxonomic classification:

Comfort – Rock outcrop complex (CrD)

Order: Mollisols Suborder: Ustolls Great Group: Argiustolls Sub-Group: Lithic Argiustolls Family: Clayey – Skeletal, Mixed, superactive, themic Series: Comfort Variant: 1 to 8 Percent

Rumple – Comfort outcrop complex (RUD)

Order: Mollisols Suborder: Ustolls Great Group: Argiustolls Sub-Group: Typic Argiustolls Family: Clayey – Skeletal, Mixed, active, themic Series: Rumple Variant: 1 to 8 Percent

Tarpley Clay (TaB)

Order: Mollisols Suborder: Ustolls Great Group: Argiustolls Sub-Group: Lithic Argiustolls Family: Clayey, semectitic, themic Series: Tarpley Clay Variant: 1 to 3 Percent

F. Ecosystems (TCEQ 2007)

1. Ecoregion: Edwards Plateau Level III Ecoregion

2. Description of ecosystem: Largely a dissected limestone plateau that contains a sparse network of perennial streams. Karst topography results in undergrown drainage with clear, cool streams in the surrounding areas. Soils are mostly Mollisols that range from shallow to moderately deep on plateaus and hills, with the deeper soils on the plains and valley floors. Vegetation includes juniper-oak 14

savanna and mesquite-oak savanna.

3. Other terrestrial ecosystems: Texas Blackland Prairies

4. Aquatic ecosystems: N/A

III. Landuse Inventory:

A. Present Day Landuse:

Forest (LULC Code: 411000), Agricultural Business (LULC Code: 225000), Natural Herbaceous (LULC Code: 421000), Shrubland (LULC Code: 412000)

B. Future Landuse Values in Demand:

1. Residential: High demand in real estate property due to a growing population. 2. Commercial: N/A (No commercial land use is allowed. Land must benefit Texas State Students) 3. Agriculture: Educational, Cattle Grazing 4. Industry: N/A 5. Transportation: N/A 6. Recreation: Hunting, Hiking, Biking 7. Other: Education

C. Climatic Inventory (TCEQ, 2008):

1. Current air quality

Problems: Ozone

Causes: causes lung irritation (wheezing, coughing, and pain), permanent lung damage, and aggravated asthma. Interferes with the ability for plants to make and store food, damages leaves, and reduces crop yields.

2. Air quality values in demand: Reduction in Ozone

D. CERCLIS Listed Superfund Sites

1. Active Sites

a. Name: State Highway 123 PCE Plume, San Marcos, Hays County

b. Pollutant: N/A

c. Status: Currently in the operation and maintenance phase 15

E. LUST/PST sites within 0.5 mile radius: N/A

1. Description and status: N/A

F. Water Inventory:

1. Water quality and quantity problems.

Surface Water Quality/Quantity: N/A Ground Water Quality/Quantity: Good/Good

2. Current water use gal/day: 2387

3. Water demand—anticipated beyond present use: Building more building, raising more cattle, accommodating for more students.

Future gal/day: 2700

4. Threats to water quality and quantity: drought, septic tanks, contamination of Edwards aquifer, dissolved solids

F. Biological Inventory (TCEQ 2016):

1. Threatened/Endangered Species (plant and animal):

Animal/Plant State Status Federal Status San Marcos salamander Threaten Threaten Barton Springs salamander Endangered Endangered Texas blind salamander Endangered Endangered Blanco blind salamander Threaten N/A Bald Eagle Threaten N/A Zone-tailed Hawk Threaten N/A Peregrine Falcon Threaten N/A American Peregrine Falcon Threaten N/A Whooping Crane Endangered Endangered Sprague’s Pipit N/A Candidate Black-capped Vireo Endangered Endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler Endangered Endangered San Marcos gambusia Endangered Endangered Fountain darter Endangered Endangered Red wolf Endangered Endangered Cagle's map turtle Threaten N/A Texas horned lizard Threatened N/A 16

Comal Springs riffle beetle Endangered Endangered Comal Springs dryopid beetle Endangered Endangered Texas fatmucket Threaten Candidate Golden orb Threaten Candidate Texas pimpleback Threaten Candidate False spike mussel Threaten N/A Bracted Twist Flower N/A Candidate Texas wild-rice Endangered Endangered

3. Other significant biota at site: N/A

4. Current threats to biota: Urban development, human activities, water contamination, pollution,

5. Future threats to biota: Urban development, pollution, climate change, extreme weather events.

G. Cultural-Social Inventory (Texas Historical Commission 2010)

1. Registered historical/archeological sites:

State list (Hays County): Alexander Gates & Lillian Johnson Thomas House, Augusta Hofheinz House, Basil Dailey House, Beverly Hutchison House, Burleson Home, Burleson Homestead, Caldwell-Kone-Hyatt House, Cementerio Del Rio, Cemetery Chapel, Charles Cock Home, Cock House, Crayton Cemetery, Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Fort Street Presbyterian Church), Dietert Family Cemetery, Eli T. Merriman Home, Farmers Union Gin Company, First United Methodist Church, Fisher Hall, George Henry Talmadge Home, George Thomas McGehee House, Goforth-Harris House, Hays County Courthouse, Heard- Baker House, Hector Family Cemetery, Ike, Wood House, J. H. Barbee House, James Lafayette and Eliza Pitts Malone House, John F. McGehee Home, John Matthew Cape House, Joseph W. Earnest Home, Kone-Cliett House, Kone-Yarbrough House, Lloyd Gideon Johnson House, O. T. Brown Home, Old Fish Hatchery Office Building, Old, Hays County Jail, Old Main, Old Storey Home, Ragsdale-Jackman-Yarbrough House, Robert Early McKie House, Robert Hixon Belvin Home, Rylander-Kyle House, San Pedro Cemetery, Sanders-Grosgebauer House, Southside School, Southwest Texas University, Old Main, The Calaboose, Wimberley Mill Millrace

Federal list (Hays County): Barber House (1983), Belger-Cahill Lime Kiln (1983), Belvin Street Historic District (1983), Bunton Branch Bridge (2002), Burleson-Knispel House (1979), Caldwell House (1983), Camp Ben McCulloch (2004), Cape House (1983), Cemetery Chapel, San Marcos Cemetery (1983), Cen--Tex Wool Mill Historic District (2005), Cock House (1973), Dobie, John R., House (1992), Downtown Buda Historic District (2003), Episcopalian Rectory (1983), Farmers Union Gin Company (1983), Fire Station and City Hall (1983), First United Methodist Church (1974), Fisher Hall (1983), Fort Street Presbyterian Church (1984), Freeman, Harry, Site (1978), Goforth-Harris House (1983), Good, Isham Jones, Homestead (2004), Green and Faris Buildings (1983), Hardy-Williams Building (1983), Hays 17

County Courthouse (1980), Hays County Courthouse Historic District (1992), Hays County Jail (1983), Heard House (1983), Hofheinz, Augusta, House (1983), Hofheinz, Walter, House (1983), Hutchison House (1983), Johnson House (1983), Kone-Cliett House (1983), Kyle City Hall (2002), Kyle, Claiborne, Log House (1981), Main Building, Southwest Texas Normal School (1983), McKie-Bass Building (1983), Michaelis, M.G., Ranch (2003), Moore Grocery Company (1983), Negro School (1987), Norman, Ruskin C., Site (41 HY 86) (1978), Onion CreekPost Office and Stagecoach House (2002), Pettey House (2008) Porter, Katherine Anne, House (2004), Pound, Dr. Joseph M. and Sarah, Farmstead (1995), Ragsdale-Jackman- Yarbough House (1983), Rylander-Kyle House (1983), San Marcos Milling Company (1983), San Marcos Telephone Company (1983), Simon Building (1983), Smith House (1983), hompson--Cape Dam and Ditch Engineering Structure (41HY64) (1985), Williams- Tarbutton House (1983), Winters--Wimberley House (2002)

2. Cultural-historical-archeological resources: N/A

3. Cultural-social values in use: Hunting, recreational activities, educational activities

4. Cultural-social values in demand: Hunting, recreational activities, educational activities

IV. Other significant aspects of the site:

Present Day Operation: Centered in a region with one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. With a diverse ecology, rising resource demand, and large open space, the ranch is a natural laboratory that is used by students from Texas State University. Research and classes are conducted on the ranch, which allows students to participate in unique classes and gain hands on experience.

V. References

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4121002974_25_Soil_Report.pdf (Last accessed 24 March 2016).

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VI. Appendices.

HAYS COUNTY AMPHIBIANS Federal Status State Status Barton Springs Eurycea sosorum LE E salamander dependent upon water flow/quality from the Barton Springs pool of the Edwards Aquifer; known from the outlets of Barton Springs and subterranean water-filled caverns; found under rocks, in gravel, or among aquatic vascular plants and algae, as available; feeds primarily on amphipods Blanco blind salamander Eurycea robusta T troglobitic; water-filled subterranean caverns; may inhabit deep levels of the Balcones aquifer to the north and east of the Blanco River Blanco River springs Eurycea pterophila salamander subaquatic; springs and caves in the Blanco River drainage San Marcos salamander Eurycea nana LT T headwaters of the San Marcos River downstream to ca. ½ mile past IH-35; water over gravelly substrate characterized by dense mats of algae (Lyng bya) and aquatic moss (Leptodictym riparium), and water temperatures of 21-22 O C; diet includes amphipods, midge larve, and aquatic snails Texas blind salamander Eurycea rathbuni LE E troglobitic; water-filled subterranean caverns along a six mile stretch of the San Marcos Spring Fault, in the vicinity of San Marcos; eats small invertebrates, including snails, copepods, amphipods, and shrimp

ARACHNIDS Federal Status State Status Bandit Cave spider Cicurina bandida very small, subterrestrial, subterranean obligate

BIRDS Federal Status State Status American Peregrine Falco peregrinus anatum DL T Falcon year-round resident and local breeder in west Texas, nests in tall cliff eyries; also, migrant across state from more northern breeding areas in US and Canada, winters along coast and farther south; occupies wide range of habitats during migration, including urban, concentrations along coast and barrier islands; low-altitude migrant, stopovers at leading landscape edges such as lake shores, coastlines, and barrier islands. Arctic Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus tundrius DL migrant throughout state from subspecies’ far northern breeding range, winters along coast and farther south; occupies wide range of habitats during migration, including urban, concentrations along coast and barrier islands; low-altitude migrant, stopovers at leading landscape edges such 22 as lake shores, coastlines, and barrier islands. Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus DL T found primarily near rivers and large lakes; nests in tall trees or on cliffs near water; communally roosts, especially in winter; hunts live prey, scavenges, and pirates food from other birds Black-capped Vireo Vireo atricapilla LE E oak-juniper woodlands with distinctive patchy, two-layered aspect; shrub and tree layer with open, grassy spaces; requires foliage reaching to ground level for nesting cover; return to same territory, or one nearby, year after year; deciduous and broad-leaved shrubs and trees provide insects for feeding; species composition less important than presence of adequate broad-leaved shrubs, foliage to ground level, and required structure; nesting season March-late summer Golden-cheeked Warbler Setophaga chrysoparia LE E juniper-oak woodlands; dependent on Ashe juniper (also known as cedar) for long fine bark strips, only available from mature trees, used in nest construction; nests are placed in various trees other than Ashe juniper; only a few mature junipers or nearby cedar brakes can provide the necessary nest material; forage for insects in broad-leaved trees and shrubs; nesting late March- early summer Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus breeding: nests on high plains or shortgrass prairie, on ground in shallow depression; nonbreeding: shortgrass plains and bare, dirt (plowed) fields; primarily insectivorous Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus DL T both subspecies migrate across the state from more northern breeding areas in US and Canada to winter along coast and farther south; subspecies (F. p. anatum) is also a resident breeder in west Texas; the two subspecies’ listing statuses differ, F.p. tundrius is no longer listed in Texas; but because the subspecies are not easily distinguishable at a distance, reference is generally made only to the species level; see subspecies for habitat. Sprague's Pipit Anthus spragueii C only in Texas during migration and winter, mid September to early April; short to medium distance, diurnal migrant; strongly tied to native upland prairie, can be locally common in coastal grasslands, uncommon to rare further west; sensitive to patch size and avoids edges. Western Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia hypugaea open grasslands, especially prairie, plains, and savanna, sometimes in open areas such as vacant lots near human habitation or airports; nests and roosts in abandoned burrows Whooping Crane Grus americana LE E potential migrant via plains throughout most of state to coast; winters in coastal marshes of Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio counties Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus T arid open country, including open deciduous or pine-oak woodland, mesa or mountain county, often near watercourses, and wooded canyons and tree-lined rivers along middle-slopes of desert mountains; nests in various habitats and sites, ranging from small trees in lower desert, giant cottonwoods in riparian areas, to mature conifers in high mountain regions 23

CRUSTACEANS Federal Status State Status A cave obligate crustaean Monodella texana subaquatic, subterranean obligate; underground freshwater aquifers Balcones Cave amphipod Stygobromus balconis subaquatic, subterranean obligate amphipod Ezell's cave amphipod Stygobromus flagellatus known only from artesian wells Texas cave shrimp Palaemonetes antrorum subterranean sluggish streams and pools Texas troglobitic water Lirceolus smithii slater subaquatic, subterranean obligate, aquifer

FISHES Federal Status State Status Fountain darter Etheostoma fonticola LE E known only from the San Marcos and Comal rivers; springs and spring-fed streams in dense beds of aquatic plants growing close to bottom, which is normally mucky; feeding mostly diurnal; spawns year-round with August and late winter to early spring peaks Guadalupe bass Micropterus treculii endemic to perennial streams of the Edward's Plateau region; introduced in Nueces River system Ironcolor shiner Notropis chalybaeus Big Cypress Bayou and Sabine River basins; spawns April-September, eggs sink to bottom of pool; pools and slow runs of low gradient small acidic streams with sandy substrate and clear well vegetated water; feeds mainly on small insects, ingested plant material not digested San Marcos gambusia Gambusia georgei LE E extinct; endemic; formerly known from upper San Marcos River; restricted to shallow, quiet, mud-bottomed shoreline areas without dense vegetation in thermally constant main channel

INSECTS Federal Status State Status Comal Springs dryopid Stygoparnus comalensis LE E beetle dryopids usually cling to objects in a stream; dryopids are sometimes found crawling on stream bottoms or along shores; adults may leave the stream and fly about, especially at night; most dryopid larvae are vermiform and live in soil or decaying wood Comal Springs riffle beetle Heterelmis comalensis LE E Comal and San Marcos Springs 24

Edwards Aquifer diving Haideoporus texanus beetle habitat poorly known; known from an artesian well in Hays County Flint's net-spinning Cheumatopsyche flinti caddisfly very poorly known species with habitat description limited to 'a spring' San Marcos saddle-case Protoptila arca caddisfly known from an artesian well in Hays County; locally very abundant; swift, well-oxygenated warm water about 1-2 m deep; larvae and pupal cases abundant on rocks Texas austrotinodes Austrotinodes texensis caddisfly appears endemic to the karst springs and spring runs of the Edwards Plateau region; flow in type locality swift but may drop significantly during periods of little drought; substrate coarse and ranges from cobble and gravel to limestone bedrock; many limestone outcroppings also found along the streams

MAMMALS Federal Status State Status Cave myotis bat Myotis velifer colonial and cave-dwelling; also roosts in rock crevices, old buildings, carports, under bridges, and even in abandoned Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota) nests; roosts in clusters of up to thousands of individuals; hibernates in limestone caves of Edwards Plateau and gypsum cave of Panhandle during winter; opportunistic insectivore Plains spotted skunk Spilogale putorius interrupta catholic; open fields, prairies, croplands, fence rows, farmyards, forest edges, and woodlands; prefers wooded, brushy areas and tallgrass prairie Red wolf Canis rufus LE E extirpated; formerly known throughout eastern half of Texas in brushy and forested areas, as well as coastal prairies

MOLLUSKS Federal Status State Status False spike mussel Quadrula mitchelli T possibly extirpated in Texas; probably medium to large rivers; substrates varying from mud through mixtures of sand, gravel and cobble; one study indicated water lilies were present at the site; Rio Grande, Brazos, Colorado, and Guadalupe (historic) river basins Golden orb Quadrula aurea C T sand and gravel in some locations and mud at others; found in lentic and lotic; Guadalupe, San Antonio, Lower San Marcos, and Nueces River basins Texas fatmucket Lampsilis bracteata C T

streams and rivers on sand, mud, and gravel substrates; intolerant of impoundment; broken bedrock and course gravel or sand in moderately flowing water; Colorado and Guadalupe River basins Texas pimpleback Quadrula petrina C T mud, gravel and sand substrates, generally in areas with slow flow rates; Colorado and Guadalupe river basins

REPTILES Federal Status State Status Cagle's map turtle Graptemys caglei T endemic; Guadalupe River System; shallow water with swift to moderate flow and gravel or cobble bottom, connected by deeper pools with a slower flow rate and a silt or mud bottom; gravel bar riffles and transition areas between riffles and pools especially important in providing insect prey items; nests on gently sloping sand banks within ca. 30 feet of water's edge Spot-tailed earless lizard Holbrookia lacerata central and southern Texas and adjacent Mexico; moderately open prairie-brushland; fairly flat areas free of vegetation or other obstructions, including disturbed areas; eats small invertebrates; eggs laid underground Texas garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis annectens wet or moist microhabitats are conducive to the species occurrence, but is not necessarily restricted to them; hibernates underground or in or under surface cover; breeds March-August Texas horned lizard Phrynosoma cornutum T open, arid and semi-arid regions with sparse vegetation, including grass, cactus, scattered brush or scrubby trees; soil may vary in texture from sandy to rocky; burrows into soil, enters rodent burrows, or hides under rock when inactive; breeds March-September

Federal Status State Status PLANTS Bracted twistflower Streptanthus bracteatus C Texas endemic; shallow, well-drained gravelly clays and clay loams over limestone in oak juniper woodlands and associated openings, on steep to moderate slopes and in canyon bottoms; several known soils include Tarrant, Brackett, or Speck over Edwards, Glen Rose, and Walnut geologic formations; populations fluctuate widely from year to year, depending on winter rainfall; flowering mid April-late May, fruit matures and foliage withers by early summer Buckley tridens Tridens buckleyanus GLOBAL RANK: G3 ; Occurs in juniper-oak woodlands on rocky limestone slopes; Perennial; Flowering/Fruiting April-Nov Glass Mountains coral- Hexalectris nitida root GLOBAL RANK: G3; Apparently rare in mixed woodlands in canyons in the mountains of the Brewster County, but encountered with regularity, albeit in small numbers, under Juniperus ashei 26 in woodlands over limestone on the Edwards Plateau, Callahan Divide and Lampasas Cutplain; Perennial; Flowering June-Sept; Fruiting July-Sept Gravelbar brickellbush Brickellia dentata GLOBAL RANK: G3; Essentially restricted to frequently-scoured gravelly alluvial beds in creek and river bottoms; Perennial; Flowering June-Nov; Fruiting June-Oct Hall's prairie clover Dalea hallii GLOBAL RANK: G3; In grasslands on eroded limestone or chalk and in oak scrub on rocky hillsides; Perennial; Flowering May-Sept; Fruiting June-Sept Heller's marbleseed Onosmodium helleri GLOBAL RANK: G3; Occurs in loamy calcareous soils in oak-juniper woodlands on rocky limestone slopes, often in more mesic portions of canyons; Perennial; Flowering March-May Hill Country wild-mercury Argythamnia aphoroides Texas endemic; mostly in bluestem-grama grasslands associated with plateau live oak woodlands on shallow to moderately deep clays and clay loams over limestone on rolling uplands, also in partial shade of oak-juniper woodlands in gravelly soils on rocky limestone slopes; Perennial; Flowering April-May with fruit persisting until midsummer Narrowleaf brickellbush Brickellia eupatorioides var. gracillima GLOBAL RANK: G5T3; Moist to dry gravelly alluvial soils along riverbanks but also on limestone slopes; Perennial; Flowering/Fruiting April-Nov Net-leaf bundleflower Desmanthus reticulatus GLOBAL RANK: G3; Mostly on clay prairies of the coastal plain of central and south Texas; Perennial; Flowering April-July; Fruiting April-Oct Osage Plains false foxglove Agalinis densiflora GLOBAL RANK: G3; Most records are from grasslands on shallow, gravelly, well drained, calcareous soils; Prairies, dry limestone soils; Annual; Flowering Aug-Oct Plateau loosestrife Lythrum ovalifolium GLOBAL RANK: G4; Banks and gravelly beds of perennial (or strong intermittent) streams on the Edwards Plateau, Llano Uplift and Lampasas Cutplain; Perennial; Flowering/Fruiting April- Nov Plateau milkvine Matelea edwardsensis GLOBAL RANK: G3 ; Occurs in various types of juniper-oak and oak-juniper woodlands; Perennial; Flowering March-Oct; Fruiting May-June Scarlet leather-flower Clematis texensis GLOBAL RANK: G3; Usually in oak-juniper woodlands in mesic rocky limestone canyons or along perennial streams; Perennial; Flowering March-July; Fruiting May-July Sycamore-leaf snowbell Styrax platanifolius ssp. platanifolius GLOBAL RANK: G3T3; Rare throughout range, usually in oak-juniper woodlands on steep rocky banks and ledges along intermittent or perennial streams, rarely far from some reliable 27 source of moisture; Perennial; Flowering April-May; Fruiting May-Aug Texas amorpha Amorpha roemeriana GLOBAL RANK: G3; Juniper-oak woodlands or shrublands on rocky limestone slopes, sometimes on dry shelves above creeks; Perennial; Flowering May-June; Fruiting June-Oct Texas barberry Berberis swaseyi GLOBAL RANK: G3; Shallow calcareous stony clay of upland grasslands/shrublands over limestone as well as in loamier soils in openly wooded canyons and on creek terraces; Perennial; Flowering/Fruiting March-June Texas fescue Festuca versuta GLOBAL RANK: G3; Occurs in mesic woodlands on limestone-derived soils on stream terraces and canyon slopes; Perennial; Flowering/Fruiting April-June Texas seymeria Seymeria texana GLOBAL RANK: G3; Found primarily in grassy openings in juniper-oak woodlands on dry rocky slopes but sometimes on rock outcrops in shaded canyons; Annual; Flowering May-Nov; Fruiting July-Nov Texas wild-rice Zizania texana LE E Texas endemic; spring-fed river, in clear, cool, swift water mostly less than 1 m deep, with coarse sandy soils rather than finer clays; flowering year-round, peaking March-June Tree dodder Cuscuta exaltata GLOBAL RANK: G3; Parasitic on various Quercus, Juglans, Rhus, Vitis, Ulmus, and Diospyros species as well as Acacia berlandieri and other woody plants; Annual; Flowering May-Oct; Fruiting July-Oct Warnock's coral-root Hexalectris warnockii in leaf litter and humus in oak-juniper woodlands on shaded slopes and intermittent, rocky creekbeds in canyons; in the Trans Pecos in oak-pinyon-juniper woodlands in higher mesic canyons (to 2000 m [6550 ft]), primarily on igneous substrates; in Terrell County under Quercus fusiformis mottes on terrraces of spring-fed perennial streams, draining an otherwise rather xeric limestone landscape; on the Callahan Divide (Taylor County), the White Rock Escarpment (Dallas County), and the Edwards Plateau in oak-juniper woodlands on limestone slopes; in Gillespie County on igneous substrates of the Llano Uplift; flowering June-September; individual plants do not usually bloom in successive years

Figure 5: Land use/class map of the site area

Figure 6: Ecosystem map of the site area

Figure 7: 100 year, 24 Hour rainfall