CITY OF SAN MARCOS/TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY 2015 WORK PLAN BUDGETED CONSERVATION MEASURES

1. CITY OF SAN MARCOS/TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY2015 WORK PLANBUDGETED CONSERVATION MEASURES

2. 5.3.1/5.4.1 Texas Wild-Rice Enhancement and Restoration • Long-term Objective (Phase I): to establish 8000 m2 of additional TWR (in addition to baseline of 4000 m2) • Target goal of 1100m2 achieved for 2013 • On track for 2014 • Goal continued into 2015 • Monitoring: • 95% success rate in 2013 • After USFWS survey, 2014 expansion can be determined

3. TWR Enhancement Budget • Labor: $155,151 • Travel (in-state): $1,000 • Operations & Materials: $9,290 • Equipment: $9,000 • Total: $174,441 • Table 7.1 allocation for 2015: $175,000 • Two percent increase: $3,500 • Proposed Budget: $178,500

4. 5.3.6/5.4.4 Sediment Removal • Long-term Objective (Phase I): Initial removal of targeted fine sediments from Spring Lake to IH-35 and then maintenance removal of sediment accumulations • 2013 - Dropped bed elevation about two feet over an 86m2 area at the two permitted locations • 2014 – enlarging sites within the two permitted areas – expect to top out at 1000 m2 (3000 m2 was target) • 2015 – will expand downstream with new permits to gain an additional 1000 m2

5. Sediment Removal Budget • Labor: $185,151 • Travel (in-state): $1,500 • Operations & Materials: $14,000 • Equipment: $20,000 • Total: $220,651 • Table 7.1 allocation for 2015: $ 25,000 • Remainder of initial funding: $500,000 (initial) - $151,800 (2013) & $150,000 (2014) = $198,200 remaining • Proposed Budget: $223,200

6. 5.3.8/5.4.3/5.4.12 Control of Non-Native Plant Species • Long-term Objective (Phase I): Reduce density of invasive non-native aquatic & littoral plants • Littoral: First sweep of elephant ears complete (2013 & 2014); maintenance and native plantings (2015) • Aquatic: 1513 m2 (2013); pulled back sediment removal efforts to meet 2014 goal of removal & planting (Sewell, City and Bicentennial parks) • 2015 – North Sewell and Rio Vista • 2013 - $375,000 • 2014 - $175,000 • 2015 - $125,000

7. Control of Non-native Plants Budget • Aquatic plant removal: $223,225.67 • Plant propagation: $65,477 • Littoral plant removal: $40,000 • Equipment: $5,700.00 • Expenses: $10,000.00 • Total: $344,402.67 • Table 7.1 allocation for 2014: $125,000 • Additional requested: $219,402.67 • Proposed Budget: $344,402.67

8. 5.7.1 Native Riparian Habitat Restoration • Long-term Objective: Establish a robust native riparian community that benefits Covered Species and the habitat quality adjacent to and within the San Marcos River down to IH-35 as well as prevents public access in undesirable locations which will decrease bank erosion. • Two-thirds of the designated area has been planted with two sites remaining – Rio Vista (4050 sf) & Ramon Lucio (16,400 sf) • Rio Vista - $29,497.50 • Ramon Lucio - $190,554.00

9. Native Riparian Habitat Restoration Budget • Table 7.1 allocation : $20,000 • Amount required to complete both sites: $220,000 or $55,000 over 4 years • Budget Plan: Transfer funds from Litter Removal (Measure 5.3.3) and Non-native Species Control (Measure 5.3.5) = $35,742.70 • Proposed 2015 Budget: $55,000

10. 5.3.3/5.4.3 Management of Floating Vegetation Mats and Litter • Long-term Objective: Minimize impacts of floating vegetation and litter on TWR stands and overall aquatic community within the San Marcos River • Table 7.1 allocation for 2015: $80,000 • Contract Amount: $48,798.10 • Unused funds to be transferred to riparian effort: $28,701.90 • Public Outreach Funds: $2,500.00 • Proposed Budget: $80,000

11. 5.3.5/5.3.9/5.4.11/5.4.13 Non-Native Species Control • Long-term Objective: Reduction of non-native, invasive species in the San Marcos River to levels that minimize their direct and indirect impacts on Covered Species and the aquatic ecosystem. • Table 7.1 allocated funds: $35,000 • Contract Amount: $24,960.00 • Unused funds to be transferred to the riparian effort: $7,040.80 • Public Outreach & 2% increase: $2,500 & $499.20 • Proposed budget: $35,000

12. 5.3.2/5.4.2 Management of Recreation in Key Areas • Target 2015/Performance Measure: Educate the public engaged in water-based recreation on sustainable river use that protects listed species and their habitats. • Pick up litter in and along river • Remove vegetation mats • Monitor recreation behaviors and impacts on habitat • Construct and clean TWR enclosures • Monitor ongoing HCP projects • Empty trash boats • Survey TWR stands within enclosures • Place signs and repair fence • Educate river users • Allocated funds for 2015: $ 56,000 • Proposed Budget: $56,000

13. 5.7.6 Impervious Cover/Water Quality Protection • Long-term Objective: Implement a program that minimizes the impacts associated with urbanization and changes in land use/cover in the Upper San Marcos watershed; manage stormwater as close to its source as possible, treat stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product; emphasize conservation and the use of on-site features to protect water quality; and increase infiltration to groundwater and aquifer recharge for the protection of riverine integrity. • Table 7.1 allocation for 2015: $200,000 • Proposed Budget: $200,000

14. 5.7.5 Management of Household Hazardous Waste Long-term Objective: Continue to provide a place for citizens of San Marcos and Hays County to safely dispose of HHW. • Table 7.1 allocation for 2015: $30,000 • Proposed Budget: $30,000

15. Sessom Creek Sand Bar Removal Budget • Table 7.1 allocation for 2014: $ 75,000 • As recommended by Dr. Hardy and agreed to by the Science Committee, this measure will be undertaken in a systematic manner over time while monitoring downstream impacts on existing Texas Wild Rice stands in Sewell Park. There is the possibility that this measure may continue into the winter of 2015 before the targeted removal is completed.