2005 RWQPP Initiative Related Travis County Implementation

Travis County Regulatory History  2005 – Adopted Travis County Code, relating to Storm Water Quality, Riparian Corridors, & Environment (applicable outside all ETJs)  2006 – Conservation Development Standards (cluster subdivision alternatives)  2009 – TX Legislature, Chapter 573, Local Government Code  2012 – Adopted Water Availability Rule  2012 – Adopted Water Quality Protection Rule (Chapter 82, Subchapters H – L), includes ETJs

Critical Environmental Features  150 Ft Setback from a cave, sinkhole, spring, wetland, point source recharge feature  50 Ft Setback from a bluff (40 ft tall adjacent to a waterway) or from a canyon rimrock (at least 50 ft horizontal)  Adopted in 2005; amendments in 2012

Waterways in Western Watersheds  Applies Outside of COA ETJ, including all other ETJs, measured from creek centerline OPTION 1  5 to 40 Acres Drainage = 25 Ft Setback  40 to 128 Acres Drainage = 75 Ft Setback  128 to 320 Acres Drainage = 100 Ft Setback  320 to 640 Acres Drainage = 200 Ft Setback  > 640 Acres Drainage = 300 Ft Setback

Waterways in Western Watersheds (cont.) OPTION 2  For creeks draining <40 Sq Mi, the setback is the 100 Yr floodplain boundary + 25 Ft  For creeks draining >40 Mi, the setback is the 100 Yr floodplain boundary  FEMA Floodplain based on fully developed conditions

Waterways In Austin ETJ  Measured from creek centerline  Minor Waterways 64 to 320 Ac = 100 Ft  Intermediate Waterways 320 to 640 Ac = 200 Ft  Major Waterways >640 Ac = 300 Ft

Storm Water Management from Construction Activities  Robust standards adopted in 2012 to update the 2005 requirements  Basic Development Permits reviewed for all development proposals (disturbance >1 AC or Lots in CPOD)  Substantive inspection program  Inter Local Agreements with COA and LCRA

Permanent Water Quality Control For Areas Outside or inside of all ETJs  Water Quality Volume from LCRA HLWO Technical Manual or Austin ECM  Applicable whenever Impervious Cover > 10,000 Sq Ft  Maintenance Permit Required  Travis County Inspection of Permanent WQ Controls

Groundwater Management  Authority from TX Water Code, Chapter 35 & TX Local Government Code, Chapter 232  Travis Co added water availability standards applicable to new subdivisions  Requires demonstration of available groundwater  Lot size limitations corresponding to source of water

Barriers Encountered  Counties have limited control over land use  Groundwater management authority is limited to subdivision proposals  Enforcement remedies lack administrative efficiency  Grandfathering of requirements restrict ability to require permanent WQ controls; application of the latest standards

Additional Information & Resources  Data collection relating to stream water quality (baseline and trends)  More comprehensive data on Trinity Aquifer withdrawals, water level trends (relative to seasons, rainfall, etc)

Water Quality Problems in Travis Co  Control of runoff from construction activities  The impact of pre-existing development built in past  Maintenance of permanent water quality controls (HOAs as owners of infrastructure)  Maintaining sustainable withdrawal of groundwater (Hill Country PGMA)  Nonpoint source pollution from residential, commercial areas

Thank you for your attention Thomas Weber Environmental Quality Program Manager Transportation & Natural Resources Dept. (512)