2014 Drought Outreach Workgroup

Product of approval 1.Approve regional triggers- provide a comprehensive list of conditions, flow levels, and visual cues to be used for triggering outreach responses. 2.Assign key elements for press releases- compile a number of main points to correlate with each trigger mentioned inside the press packet. 3.Approve regional messaging- Set stage, purpose, and consistent theme in all messages 4.Assign spokespersons- designate a knowledgeable and credible representative for each press release.

Trigger SM/Comal J-17 Action 1120/200 cfsBio-Monitoring 2120/130 cfsProvision M of ITP 3120 SMState Scientific Area 4100 NBFlow-Split Management 5100 cfsOther Flows 650/60 cfsRefugia salvage stock 745/30 cfsMinimum Daily Average 8≤ 630 msl (within DOR)ASR 9< 635 msl on October 1 st VISPO 10Spring-runs go dryVisual decreases in flows in Comal 11N/AVisual decreases in flows in San Marcos 12N/APositive Messaging (Monthly, Conservation... Etc.)

Trigger SM/Comal J-17 ActionSpokesperson Sender of Message Technical Expert Prepared Response 1120/200 cfsBio-Monitoring 2120/130 cfsProvision M of ITP 3120 SMState Scientific Area 4100 NBFlow-Split Management 5100 cfsOther Flows 650/60 cfsRefugia salvage stock 745/30 cfsMinimum Daily Average 8 ≤ 630 msl (within DOR) ASR 9 < 635 msl on October 1 st VISPO 10Spring-runs go dryVisual decreases in flows in Comal 11N/AVisual decreases in flows in San Marcos 12N/A Positive Messaging (Monthly, Conservation... Etc.)

DateMeeting AgendaMeeting Deliverables April 9 th Introductory: Work Group Charge and Purpose List of Potential Triggers April 23 rd Discuss Triggers and Media TypesFinal Triggers and Media Types May 7 th Presentation on Key Elements - Bogges Brainstorming on Key Elements Who is the spokesperson/distributor Agreed to spokespersons and distributor of outreach message May 21 st Presentation of Final Key Elements Draft Media Packet Agreed to Key Elements Agreed to Spokespersons June 4 th Presentation of Final Media Packet and solicit any final edits Recommended media packet to Implementing Committee June 10 th (not meeting)Final changes to media packet made Distribution by John Bogges to Workgroup and HCP Staff June 19 th Presentation of media packet to the Implementing Committee Adoption of media packet by the Implementing Committee

Trigger SM/Comal J-17 ActionSpokespersonSender of Message 1 120/200 cfsBio-Monitoring Nathan PenceHCP PM 2 120/130 cfsProvision M of ITP Nathan PenceHCP PM SMState Scientific AreaMelanie HowardSan Marcos/Texas State NBFlow-Split ManagementSteve RamseyNew Braunfels cfsOther FlowsLaMorrial SmithGBRA 6 50/60 cfsRefugia salvage stock Nathan PenceHCP PM 7 45/30 cfsMinimum Daily Average Jan Klein Shane Townsend Steve Ramsey Nathan Pence Texas State San Marcos New Braunfels HCP PM 8 ≤ 630 msl (within DOR)ASR Steve Bereyso/Terri Herbold SAWS/EAA 9 < 635 msl on October 1 st VISPO Terri HerboldEAA 10 Spring-runs go dryVisual decreases in flows in ComalSteve Ramsey New Braunfels 11 N/AVisual decreases in flows in San Marcos Melanie HowardSan Marcos/ Texas State 12 N/APositive Messaging (Monthly, Conservation... Etc.) LaMorrial Smith N/A Terri Herbold Shane Townsend June-GBRA July-SAWS August- EAA September-Texas State

Trigger SM/Comal J-17 ActionKey Elements of Messaging 1120/200 cfsBio-Monitoring  Intended to monitor effects of HCP and drought  Designed to provide information to be used in managing future droughts  Will also monitor as flows increase and recover  Monitors species health/status  Also used to verify model results as you compare previous modeling to actual observed results 2120/130 cfsProvision M of ITP  Designed to prevent HCP restoration from causing further damage to habitat  Some activities will continue after USFWS approval, as they provide benefit at low flows and will actually be implemented smoother at low flows  Often protecting the marginal habitat you have is more beneficial to the species rather than planting optimal habitat that is subpar because it is new  Communicate USFWS approval of variance as positive messaging 3120 SMState Scientific Area  Specifically designed to protect species during low flows by reducing human impacts from recreation  Also designed to protect while allowing human use of the resource – still allows recreation to occur in a managed process  San Marcos for TWR and salamander primarily

Trigger SM/Comal J-17 ActionKey Elements of Messaging 4100 NBFlow-Split Management  Designed to protect the optimal habitat in the Old Channel of the Comal River during low flows  By managing the flow in the old and new channel and focusing on protecting old channel  Should include the flow split table in Chapter 5 of HCP  Infrastructure was updated for this purpose  Old Channel of Comal is very important habitat during drought  Actively managed as flows change – include HCP time step 5100 cfsOther Flows  Acknowledge things are bad but would be worse without HCP – provide visual or estimate of benefit  HCP is intended to manage drought not prevent drought  Show delta of HCP benefit 650/60 cfsRefugia salvage stock  We have tried everything else, last ditch effort to keep species alive in captivity for reintroduction purposes  Not preferred action; but is insurance policy if all else fails  Cannot wait until systems fall below flow targets, or it is too late to collect.

Trigger SM/Comal J-17 ActionKey Elements of Messaging 745/30 cfsMinimum Daily Average  Despite all our efforts, flows continue to fall due to lack of rainfall  If not for HCP we would have reached this point well before now  Refugia is in place as solution  Status of system 8 ≤ 630 msl (within DOR) ASR  When it triggered and the criteria used  What is ASR  What is the benefit of ASR  Possible graphic of ASR  Anticipated volumes  Although it is SAWS and SA based, provides benefit to all: springflow and future supply 9 < 635 msl on October 1 st VISPO  When it triggered and the criteria used  What is VISPO  What is the benefit of VISPO  Anticipated volumes  Although it is Ag and western county based, provides benefit to all: springflow and future supply

Trigger SM/Comal J-17 ActionKey Elements of Messaging 10Spring-runs go dry Visual decreases in flows in Comal  HCP is doing … to help…  HCP slowed/prevented this from occurring sooner by…  Spring Run 1 is not “ideal” habitat; rather Landa Lake is, and it still represents habitat in good condition.  Spring Run 1 is the first major spring to go dry in the Comal system and this was planned for and is part of the HCP  Definition of terms-Not dry but stops flowing 11N/A Visual decreases in flows in San Marcos 12N/A Positive Messaging (Monthly, Conservation... Etc.)  Some of all  Benefit provided by HCP in visual or quantitative layout  Call to action  HCP is a regional plan