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Transportation and Natural Resources
Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Program

Development Guidance concerning Endangered Species*

Video: Rare Plants & Animals
(Requires RealOne Player Version 6.0 or later.)

The Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo,
and Karst Invertebrates

This information is provided to help Travis County landowners determine if these species may exist on their property and to provide guidance for landowners with additional questions.

black-capped verioTravis County is home to a number of endangered species. The golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo are songbirds that nest in central Texas and over-winter in Central America. Travis County's other endangered species are found in the limestone caves, sinkholes, and underground features of the Texas Hill Country.

The habitats for these species are west of Interstate 35. Activities east of IH-35 will not impact these species.

small caveFor land west of IH-35, landowners may review the detailed mitigation fee zone maps online or in hard copy format at Travis County's Development Permit office. These maps illustrate mitigation fee zones in the western half of the County and are provided to help landowners determine if endangered species may be present on their property.

The Development Permit office is located on the 8th floor of the Executive Office Building at 411 West 13th Street and is available 8:30 4:00, M-F. Landowners may also make an appointment with Travis County's BCCP Staff for additional information by calling (512) 854-9437.

By federal law, it is a landowner’s responsibility to comply with the Endangered Species Act. Landowners with habitat on their property may address their endangered species issues in one of two ways:

golden-cheeked warbler
  1. Landowners may consult directly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). USFWS may require that the landowner create a Habitat Conservation Plan and secure a federal Incidental Take Permit (also known as a 10a Permit) before beginning any clearing or construction. The USFWS Ecological Services office in Austin may be contacted at: 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512) 490-0057.
  2. Travis County administers an alternative Public Participation process referred to as the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (or BCCP). Under the terms of the BCCP, Travis County Natural Resources accepts and process applications from landowners, and generates mitigation fee zone maps of individual properties. Landowners are then advised about mitigation options that may best suit their intended uses.

Mitigation fee zone determinations applications are processed free of charge and do not obligate landowners to participate in the plan. Most determinations are completed within 2-3 weeks of receipt of a completed application. Information packets with more about the BCCP and the Public Participation Process are available at the Travis County Development Permit office or from the County's Natural Resources Program.

Questions may be directed to:
Travis County Natural Resources Program Environmental Specialist and BCCP Coordinator, P.O. Box 1748, 1010 Lavaca, #320, Austin, Texas 78746 (512) 854-9437.

* The Barton Springs Salamander may be impacted by activities within the Barton Creek watershed. Landowners with properties west of Lamar Boulevard or Manchaca Road and south of Barton Springs Road should contact the City of Austins Watershed Protection and Development Review Department at 974-1862 or the USFWS at 490-0057 to review potential impacts to this species. The Barton Springs Salamander is not covered under the BCCP Public Participation Process.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:11 AM

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