City of San Antonio - File #: 18-1476

• File #: 18-1476
• Type: Real Property Acquisition
• In control: City Council A Session
• On agenda: 2/8/2018
• Posting Language: Ordinance authorizing the acquisition of a conservation easement over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone on a 1,891.71 acre tract of the Dripstone Ranch located in Uvalde County from Deep Spring Ranch, Ltd., at a cost of $7,961,503.10. [María Villagómez, Assistant City Manager; Xavier D. Urrutia, Director, Parks and Recreation]

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
2/8/2018	1	City Council A Session	adopted	Pass

DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation


DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia


COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide


SUBJECT:

Edwards Aquifer Protection Program - Conservation Easement Acquisition for Dripstone Ranch


SUMMARY:

Consideration of an ordinance authorizing payment in the amount of $7,961,503.10 to Alamo Title Company as escrow agent for title on a conservation easement, due diligence and closing costs on the Dripstone Ranch, a 1,891.71 acre tract of land located over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone in Uvalde County.

This action also authorizes the execution of necessary documents to accomplish said acquisition.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The purpose of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program is to obtain property rights by fee simple purchase or conservation easements over the sensitive zones of the Edwards Aquifer. This program was initiated in May 2000 when voters approved Proposition 3, 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. Proposition 3 ran from 2000 through 2005 and was limited to Bexar County. The 2005 Proposition 1 program was an extension of the initial voter-approved Edwards Aquifer protection endeavor and was extended by voters in 2010 and renewed again in 2015. Changes in state legislation allowed watershed protection activities to expand outside of Bexar County.

The proposed purchase of a conservation easement on the Dripstone Ranch tract is located over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone in Uvalde County. The property was initially identified through use of the Scientific Evaluation Team's GIS Spatial Model and subsequent site visits identified favorable recharge features on the properties which are located within prioritized watersheds. The Dripstone Ranch is located within the Frio River drainage basin which, combined with numerous caves, faults, and fractures, contribute to significant recharge of the Edwards Aquifer. The Edwards Aq...