Habitat Conservation Plan

What’s New?

The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan has many projects in and along the San Marcos River that work together to protect and enhance the river’s water quality and habitat. Projects such as removing invasive, non-native plants like hydrilla in the river or ligustrum and elephant ears along its banks, and planting a diversity of historically native plants, create a healthier ecosystem that protects not only the endangered species, but all of the river’s creatures. During this stressful time of the CoVid19 pandemic, the contractors that implement these EAHCP measures in both the Comal and San Marcos Rivers are continuing to work to ensure that the five years of work already accomplished, is not impacted. So if you see individuals wearing safety vests in the river, know that they are working to keep the river beautiful.

The City of San Marcos is participating in the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), the culmination of a decades-long conversation on how to best protect the endangered species of the San Marcos and Comal rivers and springs. The City embarked on the Habitat Conservation Plan in coordination with the Edwards Aquifer Authority, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Plan Approval

The Fish and Wildlife Service approved the plan, along with the incidental take permit and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in February 2013 and published notice in the Federal Register.

State Scientific Area

In December 2012, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission designated the upper San Marcos River as a "State Scientific Area" to protect endangered Texas Wild Rice, which grows only in the San Marcos River.