DEPARTMENT: Office of EastPoint & Real Estate
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Etienne
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Edwards Aquifer Protection Program - Conservation Easement Acquisition and Property Substitution Agreement
SUMMARY:
Consideration of the following ordinances associated with a conservation easement totaling 720 acres over the Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone.
A) An ordinance authorizing payment for real property interests, due diligence and closing costs on a 720-acre tract of land known as the Barkley Ranch located in Uvalde County, Texas, in the amount of $2,312,160.66, to Independence Title Company, as escrow agent for title on a conservation easement.
B) An ordinance authorizing the execution of a Property Substitution Agreement with the San Antonio Water System.
The first 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.
A) The purchase of a conservation easement on the Ba...
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