DEPARTMENT: Development Services
SUBJECT: SEP-HCP Permit USFWS Annual Reports
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The SEP-HCP Permit requires the submission of “An annual report will describe the previous calendar year's activities in compliance with this permit and Section 12 of the SEP-HCP. Annual reports will be submitted each year for the duration of this permit area.” SEP-HCP Section 12.1 requires the submission of an annual report “to document progress towards achieving the goals and objectives of the SEP-HCP and demonstrate compliance with the terms and conditions of the Permit.”
SEP-HCP 12.1 ANNUAL REPORTS AND ROUTINE COORDINATION
The Permittees will submit an annual report to the local field office of the Service by March 1 of each year to document progress towards achieving the goals and objectives of the SEP-HCP and demonstrate compliance with the terms and conditions of the Permit.
Annual reports will cover the period of October 1 through September 31, to coincide with the Bexar County and City of San Antonio fiscal years.
Specifically, annual reports shall include:
1. A summary of participation in the SEP-HCP, including a list of Participants and Enrolled Properties and the corresponding acreages covered for incidental take for each of the Covered Species;
2. A summary of the lands and habitats included in the SEP-HCP preserve system, including the total preserve acres and the acres of suitable habitat for each of the Covered Species;
3. A copy of the conservation ledger documenting Preservation Credits generated and deducted for the GCW and BCV;
4. A summary of the financial status of the SEP-HCP, including the balance and performance of the non-wasting management endowment;
5. A summary of management activities conducted on SEP-HCP preserve lands and a copy of Preserve Management Plan updates for the previous year;
6. The results of biological monitoring activities conducted on SEP-HCP preserve lands, including all reports documenting surveys of the Covered Species and their habitats;
7. A summary of the status of community education and outreach programs and other conservation measures for the Covered Species, including the results of any research conducted with the support of the SEP-HCP;
8. Recommended modifications to Preserve Management Plans or the SEP-HCPs conservation programs that may be warranted via the adaptive management process or changed circumstances;
9. A summary of any compliance-related issues or actions involving Participants, Enrolled Properties, or preserves (including conservation easements); and
10. Other pertinent information or recommendations, as appropriate.
The Annual Reports for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 Fiscal Years as required by Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit TE-48571B-0 for the Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan (SEP-HCP) were submitted on September 4, 2018 to the USFWS and are attached hereto for reference.
The USFWS issued the Permit to the Permittees on February 5, 2016. No permitted activities were conducted during the 2015 - 2016 Fiscal Year (October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016) for the SEP-HCP.
In accordance with SEP-HCP Section 12.1, activities for the 2016 - 2017 Fiscal Year (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017) were included in the Annual Report and any required supporting information was included as attachments.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.