Review of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Report 3 (2018) / Chapter Skim
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5 Overarching Issues
5 Overarching Issues
Pages 157-170
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From page 157... ...
As the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) plans for implementation of Phase 2 of the HCP and ultimately a renewal of the incidental take permit, it should begin to consider several overarching issues and concerns that may ultimately suggest improvements to the biological goals and objectives to better protect the listed species.
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From page 158... ...
Much has been learned about fountain darters through the Applied Research Program, continued monitoring, and responses to extreme events and restoration, and much of the needed information is now available as part of the development of the existing fountain darter ecological model. Whether the information is sufficient to develop the relationships is worth exploring.
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From page 159... ...
The Committee suggests a relaxation of the targets for species-specific areal SAV coverages and a stronger attempt to identify which factors control SAV success. Both of these suggestions might lead to lower overall effort without sacrificing the ultimate goal for fountain darters.
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From page 160... ...
SOURCE: Committee manipulation of Edwards Aquifer Authority data. SAV subject to active management (Figure 5-1)
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From page 161... ...
Given the fairly small differences in fountain darter abundance across the vegetation types under active management, some shifting in SAV species coverage due to competition for light seems unlikely to greatly harm the fountain darter population. Flow velocity is another factor often implicated in SAV species habitat selection.
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From page 162... ...
Finally, standard ecological community analyses for macroinvertebrates could ultimately serve as a useful surrogate metric for evaluating the overall HCP, and specifically, the efficacy of the M&M measures related to protecting all troglobitic invertebrates in the Edwards Aquifer. While the macroinvertebrate monitoring program is a positive development, there remain limitations to the current program and analyses.
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From page 163... ...
The HCP articulates a broad array of detailed measures to protect covered species (e.g., adequate spring flows and water quality, native vegetation restoration, recreation management) , largely by maintaining this stability.
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From page 164... ...
, a nonnative snail that is the first intermediate host of Centrocestus formosanus, the gill parasite that infects fountain darters. There are, however, instances where management of existing, established invasive species may have shortterm negative or inconclusive effects on attainment of goals.
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From page 165... ...
Though it has not yet been detected in the United States, it would pose a severe threat to San Marcos salamanders and Texas blind salamanders if it were to reach the Edwards Aquifer system. Other environmental stressors (e.g., low flows and declines in water quality)
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From page 166... ...
These efforts include distribution of educational materials on social media websites and via fliers posted in Texas State University dormitories and local pet stores (though not all are willing to participate) , outreach at public events, signage at river access points, presentations to school groups and local organizations, and establishment of a pet fish drop-off location in San Marcos to deter aquarium dumps into the river system (Figure 5-2)
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From page 167... ...
would likely reduce the impacts of smaller storms but would be completely overwhelmed by an event such as Hurricane Harvey. Although the volume of water available to fall as rain would likely be reduced because of the area's inland location, such an event could completely destroy much of the restored SAV in the Comal and San Marcos rivers, directly affecting Texas wild rice and fountain darter habitat.
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From page 168... ...
The MODFLOW model could inform adaptive management specifically by evaluating how the four flow protection measures operate in extreme scenarios such as these. Other modeling tools would be needed to evaluate other processes, for example, the effect of extreme events on overland flow, surface water hydrology, sediment transport, and habitat loss.
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From page 169... ...
2017. Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan: Report 2 Implementation Plan.
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From page 170... ...
2016. Evaluation of the Predictive Ecological Model for the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan: An Interim Report as Part of Phase 2.
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