DEPARTMENT: Office of EastPoint and Real Estate
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Etienne
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Edwards Aquifer Protection Program - Conservation Easement Acquisition
SUMMARY:
Consideration of the following ordinance associated with a conservation easement totaling 3,141 acres over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. An ordinance authorizing payment in the amount of $2,651,921.50 to Texas Heritage Title Company, as escrow agent for title on a conservation easement, for land, due diligence and closing costs on a 3,141-acre tract of land known as the W.O. Rothe Ranch located in Medina County, Texas.
This ordinance, necessary under the Proposition One Edwards Aquifer Protection Venue Project, authorizes the execution of documents to accomplish said acquisition.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In May of 2000, voters approved the first program, a 1/8-cent sales tax venue up to $45 million, for the acquisition of lands over the Edwards Aquifer for parks and watershed protection. That program, referred to as "Proposition Three," ran from 2000 through 2005, was limited to Bexar County and acquired more than 6,500 acres as Natural Areas for the City of San Antonio.
The current program is an extension of that initial endeavor, although the scope was narrowed to watershed protection and due to a change in the legislation, funds could be expended outside of Bexar County. The purpose of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program is to obtain property rights by fee-simple purchase, conservation easements, or donations of land over the sensitive zones of the Edwards Aquifer. This Program, referred to as "Proposition One," also is funded with the 1/8-cent sales tax up to the amount of $90 million.
The purchase of a conservation easement on the W.O. Rothe Ranch is presented for consideration to the City Council under the Proposition One Edwards Aquifer Protection Venue Project, which was approved by the voters in Novemb...
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