IN THIS SECTION:
Main
"33 Mandates"
Aquifer Protection Ordinance No. 81491
Outline
Aquifer Protection Plan
Category Determination (PDF)
Sensitive Land Acquisition Program
Underground Storage Tank Program
Bexar County Recharge Zone Maps
|
|
Sensitive Land Acquisition Program
In fall 1997, San Antonio Water System initiated
a sensitive Land Acquisition Program (LAP) to protect and preserve the quality and quantity
of water entering into the EARZ. The LAP is a
unique and innovative program established to protect
lands that are predisposed to geologic sensitivity
and possible contamination. The main objectives
of the LAP is to protect water quality through
the preservation and protection of point recharge
features, such as caves, solution cavities and
sink holes in the Edwards region.
Other methods
of protecting San Antonio's water include the establishment of conservation
easements and "fee simple" acquisition of sensitive
lands. This achieves the goal of reducing the
detrimental impact of certain land use practices
on the recharge zone.
This program is tied to the Aquifer
Protection Ordinance and the Water Resource Plan
and is referred to in the "33 Mandates" as follows:
-
Aquifer Protection Ordinance No. 81491 appendix
II, "Recharge Zone Protection
- establish a program for permanent protection
of Recharge Zone in undeveloped state, through
purchase, donation, or conservation easement."
-
Water
Resource Plan, Section 5.2.2, Recharge Zone
Property Acquisition: "This program
is to identify, acquire and protect those
areas on the recharge zone that are the most
sensitive in relation to available recharge.
It provides funds to acquire land in order
to protect recharge water quality. The main
objectives of the program are to protect water
quality and to reduce detrimental impact of
certain land uses by achieving a balance between
economic growth and environmental protection.
SAWS anticipates multi-agency cooperation
and encourages funding contributions from
other entities."
- Government Canyon
State Natural Area: 4,714 acres initially
preserved. Total acquisition cost of $2 million
SAWS contribution: $500,000 or $106/acre.
- Davis Ranch:
804.618 acres preserved and conveyed in March
1999 to the Government Canyon State Natural
Area. Total acquisition cost of $1.6 million., SAWS
contribution: $750,000 or $932/acre.
- Chris Hill Property:
394.39 acres preserved and conveyed in June 2000 to the Government Canyon State Natural area.
Total cost of acquisition $1.5 million. SAWS contribution
$250,000 or $634/acre.
- Stone Oak Park:
Cooperative effort between SAWS and the City of
San Antonio to preserve 169.507 acres, preserved
February 2000 for open space, including
two major recharge features. Total acquisition
cost $400,000. SAWS contribution: $250,000 or $1,475/acre.
Additional 74 acres donated by Rick Shelton for
preservation.
- Annandale Ranch:
3,057 acres preserved under a conservation
easement in cooperation with SAWS and the Edwards
Aquifer Authority. Total cost $120,000. SAWS contribution:
$50,000 or $16.35/acre
Acres of
Recharge Lands Preserved to Date: 9,140 Ac.
Total Funds Expended: Approximately 1.8 million
Partnerships
in Acquisitions:
Trust for Public Land (TLP)
The Nature Conservancy of Texas (TNC)
The Bexar Land Trust (BLT)
Texas Cave Management (TCMA)
Criteria for
Acquisitions:
The criteria used to
determine which properties should be acquired
was developed by the Aquifer Protection and Evaluation
Division. Each parcel that is submitted to Aquifer
Protection and Evaluation for consideration is
evaluated on the following criteria:
Once staff has reviewed the proposals
based on the above mentioned criteria, the selections
are presented to the Board for approval.
Budget :
Funding for the Sensitive Land Acquisition
Program is allocated through a portion of the Water
Supply Fee.
|
