The San Marcos City Council voted to postpone approval of an interlocal agreement between the city and Texas State University relating to the implementation of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP).
Council received a presentation from Habitat Conservation Plan Manager Melani Howard regarding the history, purpose and San Marcos measures for the EAHCP during their work session on Tuesday.
Howard spoke about the establishment of the EAHCP, legal challenges along with the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program, and the building blocks of the EAHCP.
“The building blocks of the EAHCP are the habitat and the flow conservation measures that each signatory is obligated to implement,” Howard said. “These measures ensure the flow levels, habitat health and water quality needed to conserve our river’s endangered species.”
As a signatory, the City of San Marcos has its own conservation measures funded by the HCP through the aquifer pumping feeds.
After Howard’s presentation, an open discussion was held among council and staff. Concerns from councilmember Shane Scott arose regarding the fencing and growth around the river and its appearance.
“I think that is a big issue in the community that keeps coming up and are we at the point that we’re going to be able to start doing that?” Scott said.
According to Howard, a riparian buffer was created in the fenced area. By cleaning it up, the benefits that come with the buffer would be lost such as conserving the vegetation within the river.
“That’s the vibe of this community, is that river, when you basically put fences up and don’t allow you know, access because you feel like it’s created a sacred area, they don’t take it that way and I don’t take it that way, I take it that basically, you’re keeping everybody out and that’s exactly what has happened when we didn’t have to begin with,” Scott said
Discussion continued as Scott suggested that San Marcos no longer go with the HCP plan in regards to the river.
“I really want to find a way that maybe you [Howard] could lead a different direction, separate from any other entity that we can take control of our parks and our river for our community,” Scott said.
Scott further explained that he wanted to keep bank stabilization and keep the work that has already been done with the river while still giving the community the opportunity to enjoy the river and maintain its beautification and appearance without the fence and growth around it.
Councilmember Alyssa Garza also expressed concern related to the education programs for the public and how residents would perceive the fences.
“I think it’s really important to note just in case your outreach and education activities hasn’t captured this but there is still a perceived ... I feel like there’s still like generational trauma that influences our community’s perception regarding projects like this so it is not breaking news to me that the community continues to perceive some kind of entity,” Garza said. “Some sort of entity is not welcoming to certain groups or populations so I just want to urge you to consider that in your outreach activities.”
Scott went on to make a motion to postpone the item during the regular meeting with the intention of receiving further research on the project such as necessary fences and what can be changed.
“What I’m wanting is basically to see what fences are coming down okay and basically what fences have to stay up and basically if they’re really going to do it instead of just talk about it,” Scott said.
Ultimately, council voted 5-1 for the postponement of the item for the first city council meeting in Feb. 2022. For the complete meeting and agenda, click here.
