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Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan Environmental FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE SOUTHERN EDWARDS PLATEAU HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN EDITED BY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Austin Ecological Services Field Office 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78758‐4460 PREPARED BY: IN COLLABORATION WITH: Bowman Consulting, Inc. Zara Environmental, LLC Ximenes & Associates Wendall Davis & Associates Jackson Walker, LLP NOVEMBER 2015 This page left intentionally blank. FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE SOUTHERN EDWARDS PLATEAU HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN Type of Action: Environmental Impact Statement Lead Agency: U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Responsible Official: Adam Zerrenner Field Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78758 For Information: Christina Williams Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78758 This Final Environmental Impact Statement evaluates the proposed issuance by the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service of a requested permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The applicants are jointly the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, Texas. The applicants are seeking an incidental take permit to cover take of nine threatened or endangered species and to implement a conservation plan to protect and preserve these species and the habitats on which they depend. This page left intentionally blank. SEP-HCP Final Environmental Impact Statement November 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................................1 Purpose and Need ...................................................................................................................................................1 Scoping and Public Participation ...........................................................................................................................2 Alternatives Considered .........................................................................................................................................3 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................................................................5 Action Alternatives .............................................................................................................................................5 Affected Environment and Consequences ...............................................................................................................7 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................................................7 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................................7 Controversy ........................................................................................................................................................8 Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................................................... 1‐1 Introduction, Purpose and Need ......................................................................................................................... 1‐1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1‐1 1.1.1 SEP-HCP Plan Area and Enrollment Area ............................................................................................ 1‐1 1.1.2 Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan (SEP-HCP) ...................................................... 1‐3 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action ........................................................................................................................ 1‐5 1.2.1 Protect and Manage Habitat of Threatened and Endangered Species at a Regional Scale ................... 1‐5 1.2.2 Expedite the Incidental Take Permitting Process .................................................................................. 1‐7 1.2.3 Increase Compliance with ESA ............................................................................................................. 1‐7 1.2.4 Address Compatibility Issues between the Mission of Camp Bullis and the Needs of Endangered Species ............................................................................................................................................................ 1‐8 1.2.5 Support Economic Growth .................................................................................................................... 1‐8 1.2.6 Involve a Diversity of Stakeholders and Seek Partnerships .................................................................. 1‐8 1.2.7 Implement a Locally-appropriate and Cost-effective Habitat Conservation Plan ................................. 1‐8 1.2.8 Leverage Existing Conservation Resources .......................................................................................... 1‐9 1.3 Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................................................. 1‐9 1.3.1 Endangered Species Act ........................................................................................................................ 1‐9 1.3.2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ........................................................................................ 1‐9 1.3.3 Texas State Law Relevant to Regional Habitat Conservation Plans ................................................... 1‐10 1.4 Decision Needed ......................................................................................................................................... 1‐11 Chapter 2 ............................................................................................................................................................. 2‐12 Scoping and Public Participation ...................................................................................................................... 2‐12 2.1 Scoping ....................................................................................................................................................... 2‐12 2.1.1 Notice of Intent .................................................................................................................................... 2‐12 2.1.2 Public Scoping Meetings ..................................................................................................................... 2‐12 2.1.3 Outreach .............................................................................................................................................. 2‐12 2.1.4 Attendance ........................................................................................................................................... 2‐13 SEP-HCP Final Environmental Impact Statement November 2015 2.1.5 Agency Scoping Process ..................................................................................................................... 2‐13 2.1.6 Scoping Comments .............................................................................................................................. 2‐14 2.2 Draft EIS Public Meetings .......................................................................................................................... 2‐14 2.2.1 Notice of Availability .......................................................................................................................... 2‐14 2.2.2 Public Meetings ................................................................................................................................... 2‐16 2.2.3 Public Meeting Comments .................................................................................................................. 2‐17 2.3 SEP-HCP Website ...................................................................................................................................... 2‐17 2.4 Tribal Consultation..................................................................................................................................... 2‐17 2.5 SEP-HCP Permit Application .................................................................................................................... 2‐17 Chapter 3 ............................................................................................................................................................... 3‐1 Alternatives ........................................................................................................................................................... 3‐1 3.1 Alternatives Development Process ............................................................................................................... 3‐1 3.1.1 Regulatory Programs ............................................................................................................................. 3‐2 3.1.2 Pre-determined Preserves ...................................................................................................................... 3‐2 3.1.3 The Action Alternatives .......................................................................................................................
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