Canyon Spring
- Canyon Spring (identified on the US Geological Survey) is located on the land parcel.
- This Spring is in an Edwards Aquifer and Barton Creek Watershed Contributing Zone.
- In addition to numerous Karst formations, a known sink hole is on this land.
Construction activity cannot occur without contacting the US Fish & Wildlife Ecological Services to investigate.
Heritage trees
The project will require cutting old growth forest. Given the density of the project:
- A significant number of heritage trees will be removed.
- The requirement to protect the Critical Root Zones of remaining trees (at least 50% of the Critical Root Zone is preserved at natural grade with natural ground cover) is in jeopardy. This will result in additional foliage loss.
The project should meet the city guidelines for heritage and protected trees.
Wildlife
A lot of wildlife is observed around the proposed construction site.
Golden cheeked-warbler
- The immediate area is a known habitat for the Golden-Cheeked Warbler with resident sighting
- Golden-Cheeked Warbler is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).
- The EPS prohibits the removal of their habitat, making such removal illegal without the proper permits regardless of the time of year
- A permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (ESA) needs to be obtained
- Basis the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) this land parcel is designated a “Golden-Cheeked Warbler Zone 2”.
Mitigation prior to development is required
Ocelot
(left photo: Justin Jensen, right photo: LagunaAtascosaNWR)
- Animal leaving Sunset Ridge site
- Ocelot at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Ocelots are endangered because their habitat has been cleared for develoment
Other animals
(photos credit: Justin Jensen)