NewsDrop-February-2024

INCIDENTAL TAKE PERMIT RENEWAL RECAP 2024: A PIVOTAL YEAR FOR THE EAHCP FEDERAL PERMIT RENEWAL PROCESS

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE EAA REGION

JUMPSTARTING THE YEAR WITH AGRICULTURE JUNIOR LIVESTOCK AND YOUTH SHOWS

By: Olivia Ybarra EAA Habitat Conservation Program Coordinator II By: John Boggess EAHCP Steward Newsletter or EAHCP Staff

By: Isabel Martinez EAA Senior Permit & Conservation Coordinator

Photo credit: sullivansupply.com

Two years ago, Scott Storment did an inter view about the kickoff of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan’s (EAHCP) Inciden tal Take Permit (ITP) renewal process. With the actual deadline six years away from 2022, Stor ment presciently forecasted that time would pass quickly and there was a full schedule of work to accomplish before the EAHCP submitted a permit renewal application. Despite the relatively long lead time, there seemed to be a feeling of having an impending deadline to meet. The headline of the 2022 article read, “Time Flies.” It has and as usual, it will continue to do so. And that feeling of a tight project timeframe persists as well. “The current ITP was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 15 years and that permit expires in 2028,” Storment, the EAHCP’s pro gram manager said. “Due to our success so far in meeting all aspects of the current permit, we are expecting to apply for a 30-year permit for the

upcoming renewal. Because of that, we wanted to do a thorough public involvement program, take a deep dive into existing science and data, coor dinate proposed changes to existing programs with our stakeholder and leadership committees, and then take a look at new science such as how our naturally changing climate might impact our programs over a three-decade horizon. So, while six-year planning period seemed a bit lengthy to some, there were others who felt we were cutting it a bit close.” The EAHCP federal permit is an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser vice (USFWS) which authorizes the “take” of a threatened or endangered species from lawful activities. The EAHCP describes how program per mittees of the ITP will manage and mitigate the protection of listed species and associated habi tats found in the Edwards Aquifer system, primar ily in the Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs.

Storment said the team, which includes nation ally-recognized consultant ICF, is on track with the four-phase timeline being used to develop the 2028 permit renewal application: • Listen and Learn Phase - a stakeholder involvement process that ran throughout 2022. • Analyze Phase - a means to identify need for more data gathering through studies. • Sign Off Phase - a period of time for EAHCP partners to review and ultimately approve the components of the comprehensive permit renewal document. • Document Phase - a comprehensive document will be written and submitted to the USFWS. ICF project leader Lucas Bare noted at the end of 2022 he was very pleased to see that people attending the Listen and Learn sessions under stood the inherent importance of protecting the overall Edwards Aquifer ecosystem. He said that their experience shows that long-term success

The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) region has a strong history in agriculture and ranching. A little over 50% of Edwards Aquifer permits are for agriculture irrigation and support the grow ing of cash crops and the raising of livestock in the region. Communities in the western part of the EAA’s jurisdiction are thriving agricultural industries with some originating as far back as the 1800’s, when the area was first settled. The Union Stockyards near downtown San Antonio served as a successful market where breeding and market livestock were showcased and sold. The success of production agriculture instilled a sense of tradition in South Central Texas and this is evi dent in the popularity of the junior-level livestock shows within the region. Livestock shows were originally created by rail road conglomerates in the early 1900’s to mar ket livestock from various parts of the country.

The shows featured various livestock breeds for sale and helped build the reputation of livestock breeders. Cattle, pigs, goats and sheep were fea tured at the shows and were marketed as food or for breeding purposes. Over time, Livestock shows transitioned into events which featured livestock that were bred, raised, and trained by upper ele mentary, middle school, and high school students, thus becoming Junior Livestock Shows. The EAA proudly supports youth and junior livestock shows to bring awareness of the role water plays in agriculture and the importance of conserving the Edwards Aquifer for the future of production agriculture. A popular junior level livestock shows in our region is the San Anto nio Stock Show & Rodeo. This event was created in 1950 to support youth agriculture and live stock. The success of the San Antonio Show led to the creation of various Junior Livestock Shows within the region. These organizations include

the Bexar County Junior Livestock Show; Comal County Junior Livestock Show; Guadalupe County Youth Livestock & Homemaker Show; the Medina County Junior Livestock Show, and the Uvalde County Junior Livestock Show. Students who par ticipate in these shows are members of their local 4-H club or a Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. FFA and 4-H members who enter a live stock project for their respective Junior Livestock Show develop skills they carry into their profes sions, earn scholarship monies, and become the new face of agriculture.

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