u.s. FISH & Wll.DLIFE SERVICE United States Department ofthe Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ~~0~,.,... 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78758-4460 512 490-0057 FAX 490-0974 AUG 0 5 2013 Mr. Michael J. Grizer 802 CES/CL 1555 Gott St. JBSA Lackland, Texas 78236-5645 Consultation No. 02ETAU00-2013-F-0060 Dear Mr. Grizer: Enclosed is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) final biological and conference opinions for the effects of ongoing Edwards Aquifer well withdrawals by Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) on listed threatened and endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. JBSA continues to provide leadership on conservation of endangered species and water from the Edwards Aquifer upon which they depend. Water conservation and efficiency efforts at JBSA installations provide an exemplary way of protecting the Edwards Aquifer dependent ecosystems. If JBSA is amenable, we are available to meet and discuss opportunities for meeting ongoing conservation needs. In future communications on JBSA's use of the Edwards Aquifer, please refer to consultation number 02ETAU00-2013-F-0060. If we may be of any assistance, please contact Tanya Sommer at (512) 490 0057 extension 222. ly, cc: Wing Commander, JBSA Matthew Cooksey, JBSA Table of Contents 1. Consultation history .............................................................................................................................................. 1 2. Description of the action .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Action Area .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Edwards and Trinity Aquifers and Selected Springs ............................................................................ 4 Comal Springs ...................................................................................................................... 5 Hueco Springs ...................................................................................................................... 6 San Marcos Springs .............................................................................................................. 6 Fern Bank Springs ................................................................................................................ 7 Proposed Conservation Measures ........................................................................................................................ 8 3. Status of the species and environmental baseline ........................................................................................................... 9 a. Texas wild-rice .......................................................................................................... .................................... 9 Species Description and Life History ................................................................................................... 9 Historic and Current Distribution ......................................................................................................... 10 Reasons for Decline and Threats to Survival ....................................................................................... 11 Survival Needs and Recovery Criteria ................................................................................................. 13 Factors affecting the species within the Action Area ........................................................................... 13 Critical Habitat ..................................................................................................................................... 14 b. Peck’s cave amphipod ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Species Description and Life History ................................................................................................... 15 Historic and Current Distribution ......................................................................................................... 16 Reasons for Decline and Threats to Survival ....................................................................................... 17 Survival Needs and Recovery Criteria ................................................................................................. 18 Factors affecting the species within the Action Area ........................................................................... 18 Critical Habitat ..................................................................................................................................... 18 c. Comal Springs dryopid beetle .......................................................................................................................... 20 Species Description and Life History ................................................................................................... 20 Historic and Current Distribution ......................................................................................................... 21 Reasons for Decline and Threats to Survival ....................................................................................... 21 Survival Needs and Recovery Criteria ................................................................................................. 22 Factors affecting the species within the Action Area ........................................................................... 23 Critical Habitat ..................................................................................................................................... 23 d. Comal Springs riffle beetle .............................................................................................................................. 25 Species Description and Life History ................................................................................................... 25 Historic and Current Distribution ......................................................................................................... 26 Reasons for Decline and Threats to Survival ....................................................................................... 26 Survival Needs and Recovery Criteria ................................................................................................. 27 Factors affecting the species within the Action Area ........................................................................... 27 Critical Habitat ..................................................................................................................................... 28 e. San Marcos gambusia ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Species Description and Life History ................................................................................................... 29 Historic and Current Distribution ......................................................................................................... 30 Reasons for Decline and Threats to Survival ....................................................................................... 31 Survival Needs and Recovery Criteria ................................................................................................. 32 Factors affecting the species within the Action Area ........................................................................... 32 Critical Habitat ..................................................................................................................................... 33 f. fountain darter .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Species Description and Life History ................................................................................................... 34 Historic and Current Distribution ......................................................................................................... 34 Reasons for Decline and Threats to Survival ....................................................................................... 36 Survival Needs and Recovery Criteria ................................................................................................. 37 Factors affecting the species within the Action Area ........................................................................... 37 Critical Habitat ..................................................................................................................................... 39 g. San Marcos salamander ................................................................................................................................... 40 Species Description and Life History ................................................................................................... 40 Historic and Current Distribution ......................................................................................................... 41 Reasons for Decline and Threats to Survival ....................................................................................... 41 Survival Needs and Recovery Criteria ................................................................................................. 42 Factors affecting the species within the Action Area ..........................................................................