ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR A MAJOR RENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF THE BARTON SPRINGS SALAMANDER SECTION 10(A)(1)(B) PERMIT Prepared for U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78758 Prepared by WESTON SOLUTIONS, INC. 2705 Bee Cave Road, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78746 512-651-7100 Fax 512-651-7101 September 2013 W.O. No. 06141.043.002 Weston Solutions, Inc. – EA for the Barton Springs Salamander Permit, City of Austin TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page 1. INTRODUCTION AND NEED FOR ACTION .............................................................. 1-1 1.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 PROJECT STUDY AREA AND LOCATION ......................................................... 1-2 1.3 PROJECT STUDY AREA HISTORY ...................................................................... 1-3 1.4 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE ACTION ........................................................... 1-4 2. ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS ......................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 ALTERNATIVE 1: NO ACTION, NO NEW PERMIT .......................................... 2-1 2.2 ALTERNATIVE 2: PREFERRED, PERMIT FOR INCIDENTAL TAKE OF BARTON SPRINGS AND AUSTIN BLIND SALAMANDERS ............................ 2-1 2.3 ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERED, BUT ELIMINATED .......................................... 2-2 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 WATER RESOURCES AND QUALITY ................................................................. 3-1 3.2 SURFACE WATERS INCLUDING WETLANDS .................................................. 3-3 3.3 SOILS / GEOLOGY .................................................................................................. 3-5 3.3.1 Hydrogeologic Setting ................................................................................... 3-5 3.3.2 Regional Geologic History ............................................................................ 3-6 3.3.3 Edwards Aquifer Structure ............................................................................ 3-7 3.3.4 Recharge and Groundwater Movement ......................................................... 3-7 3.3.5 Hydrogeology of the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer ....... 3-8 3.3.6 Karst Features in Project Study Area ............................................................. 3-9 3.3.7 Barton Springs Structures .............................................................................. 3-9 3.4 AIR QUALITY .......................................................................................................... 3-9 3.4.1 Air Quality Standards and Regulations.......................................................... 3-9 3.4.2 Greenhouse Gases ........................................................................................ 3-12 3.5 NOISE ...................................................................................................................... 3-14 3.6 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ................................................................................. 3-15 3.7 LAND USE .............................................................................................................. 3-16 3.8 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES ........................................................................... 3-19 3.9 WILDLIFE ............................................................................................................... 3-21 3.9.1 Fish ............................................................................................................... 3-22 3.9.2 Invertebrates ................................................................................................. 3-23 3.9.3 Reptiles and Amphibians ............................................................................. 3-23 3.9.4 Birds ............................................................................................................. 3-24 3.9.5 Mammals...................................................................................................... 3-25 3.10 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES AND SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN .............................................................................. 3-26 3.10.1 Texas Garter Snake ...................................................................................... 3-30 ii Weston Solutions, Inc. – EA for the Barton Springs Salamander Permit, City of Austin 3.10.2 Aquatic Salamander Species ........................................................................ 3-30 3.10.2.1 Barton Springs Salamander ....................................................................... 3-31 3.10.2.2 Austin Blind Salamander .......................................................................... 3-32 3.11 SOCIOECONOMIC ................................................................................................ 3-34 3.11.1 Demographics .............................................................................................. 3-34 3.11.2 Local Economy ............................................................................................ 3-35 3.12 CULTURAL RESOURCES .................................................................................... 3-37 3.12.1 Historical Overview ..................................................................................... 3-38 3.12.2 Archeological Sites ...................................................................................... 3-39 3.12.3 Historic Districts .......................................................................................... 3-41 3.12.3.1 Parthenia Spring and Barton Springs Pool ................................................ 3-41 3.12.3.2 Eliza Spring ............................................................................................... 3-42 3.12.3.3 Old Mill Spring ......................................................................................... 3-42 3.12.3.4 Upper Barton Spring ................................................................................. 3-43 3.13 CLIMATE ................................................................................................................ 3-43 4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES........................................................................ 4-1 4.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 WATER RESOURCES AND QUALITY ................................................................. 4-2 4.2.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................................... 4-2 4.2.2 Preferred Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-2 4.3 SURFACE WATERS INCLUDING WETLANDS .................................................. 4-3 4.3.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................................... 4-4 4.3.2 Preferred Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-4 4.4 SOILS / GEOLOGY .................................................................................................. 4-5 4.4.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................................... 4-5 4.4.2 Preferred Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-7 4.4.2.1 Soils ............................................................................................................. 4-7 4.4.2.2 Geology ....................................................................................................... 4-7 4.5 AIR QUALITY ........................................................................................................ 4-11 4.5.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................................. 4-11 4.5.2 Preferred Alternative .................................................................................... 4-12 4.5.2.1 Greenhouse Gases ..................................................................................... 4-14 4.6 NOISE ...................................................................................................................... 4-14 4.6.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................................. 4-15 4.6.2 Preferred Alternative .................................................................................... 4-15 4.7 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ................................................................................. 4-16 4.7.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................................. 4-16 4.7.2 Preferred Alternative .................................................................................... 4-16 4.8 LAND USE .............................................................................................................. 4-18 4.8.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................................. 4-18 4.8.2 Preferred Alternative .................................................................................... 4-18 4.9 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES ........................................................................... 4-19 iii Weston Solutions, Inc. – EA for the Barton Springs Salamander Permit, City of Austin 4.9.1