Published: April 12, 2008 03:31 pm      

Habitat

City Council set to OK money to protect endangered warbler

San Marcos — Everyone agrees that the stretch of land across which the Wonder World Drive Extension will be built crosses some spectacular property.

Even the little birdies know it, including the endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler.

According to a survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the roadway construction area contains approximately 24 acres of potential habitat for the warbler.

And the City Council of course has taken notice. On Tuesday, council members will consider adopting a resolution to approve $149,969.31 to go to the Nature Conservancy “for mitigation of harm to Golden Cheeked Warbler habitat related to the Wonder World Drive Extension Project” and declaring an effective date.

City spokeswoman Melissa Millecam said the money will allow the Nature Conservancy to purchase a “conservation easement” of 24 acres of suitable habitat somewhere in Hays County, though “it wouldn’t necessarily be near” the actual route of the roadway.

She said the money is part of a fund the city has set aside for conservation easements related to the project.

“It’s just one of the elements we’re having to pay in order to move forward with the project,” she said.

The long-planned project will connect Wonder World Drive with Ranch Road 12, taking some of the heavy traffic out of downtown and residential San Marcos.