ABSTRACT

The Austin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1979, balanced reasonable growth with environmental protection, including the preservation of critical habitat and watersheds. One year after the adoption of that plan, the city conducted a survey of important biological and geological sites in Travis County and found that many of these important environmental resources were at risk. The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) requires Austin, Travis County, and several other partners to complete the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve by 2016 by preserving at least 30,428 acres of land and 62 caves. In 2005, Austin and Travis County joined a coalition of six cities, three counties, three groundwater conservation districts, and a village in adopting the Regional Water Quality Protection Plan for the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer and its Contributing Zone. Austinites are justifiably concerned when the pool suffers from low flow, flooding, or water contamination.