Environmental Protection

Outcome statement: Set the standard by demonstrating responsible stewardship of the environment, including our rivers, aquifers, and other sensitive features.

I. Incorporate green stormwater and water/energy conservation infrastructure.

• Staff, in collaboration with consultants, have established the scope of the Stormwater Master Plan.  Part of their scope includes addressing green stormwater in CIP projects and will be taken to council at a future date.      

II. Ensure that applicable City staff are equipped and trained to readily identify and respond to releases (i.e. sewer discharges, chemical spills, etc.) that may cause negative impacts to rivers and aquifers. 

• The Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) has been updated and will be in effect until September 2027.
• Code Compliance and Environmental Health attended the Texas Regional Stormwater Conference in September 2023.
• Attended conference on Household Hazardous Waste and Disaster debris training in September.
• The City's Office of Emergency Management hosted stormwater training through the Texas Department of Emergency Management for Neighborhood Enhancement and Public Works staff in September. 

III. Incorporate environmental stewardship into new and existing City facilities and master plans.

• Staff is exploring the idea of incorporating a One Water concept into our future facilities.
• Implemented City Organization Waste Management Plan to increase diversion via compost and recycling.
• Installed new waste containers inside and outside of city facilities.
• Continued promotion of Adopt-A-Spot program and operation of the Reuse Warehouse for residents, every Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

IV. ­­­­Develop and promote programs that protect and promote environmental stewardship.

• The City Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) Conservation Crew continues to be funded through the EAHCP program. The Conservation Crew continues to help educate river users on endangered species protection and stewardship practices, collects litter, manages litter boat and helps to report violations of Park Rules. The Crew also continues to maintain and install EAHCP educational signage along the river.
• Collaborated with Texas State University Engineering Department to develop mobile model to show residents how rainwater infiltrates native plants and permeable surfaces and the Chemistry Department to develop a Fats, Oils and Grease program (FOG)  .
• Created activity guide to promote environmental stewardship that takes families along the San Marcos River. 
• Resource Recovery partnering with TDS to go into SMCISD schools to teach the waste system process with eco stations.
• Continued development of Certified Habitat Stewardship Program encouraging residents and businesses to remove turf and plant native grasses and plants for biodiversity and stormwater management 

Outcome Statement: Promote environmental protections and sustainable building practices through codes and processes.

I. Implement the Preferred Scenario Map

• The Comprehensive Plan adoption was postponed by City Council to January 16, 2024.

II. Incorporate concepts from the current Comprehensive Master Plan into the Stormwater Technical Manual and the Land Development Code.

• The Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) has been updated and will be in effect until September 2027.

III. Update and amend water conservation and drought ordinance and plan.

• Amendments will follow the Comprehensive Plan approval.

Outcome statement: Incorporate resiliency into existing and future City infrastructure planning, construction, operations, and maintenance. 

I. Incorporate and anticipate future needs of the City into CIP projects to mitigate future risks.

• Emergency Management is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan. Once the plan is complete, Engineering will review to see if we need to incorporate any new CIP projects.
• Installing 10 rain and stream gauges along major streams in San Marcos beginning fall 2023. 

II. Continue to develop and maintain Emergency Operations and Emergency Preparedness Plans.

• Emergency Management is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan.

III. Reinvest in City facilities to improve facility security and resiliency. 

• IT has upgraded our cybersecurity process to include multi-factor authentication.
• Utilities is advancing long range wastewater treatment options.
• Work began in April and continues with our consultant, Jacobs Engineering, to get the TCEQ permit renewal. Target end of 2023 for completion. 

Outcome statement: Promote innovative programs and educate residents about environmental resiliency. 

I. Continue participation and implementation of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan.

• City contractors have continued to protect Texas wild-rice (TWR) and aquatic vegetation in the San Marcos River by managing non-native aquatic vegetation adjacent to TWR stands. The City EAHCP Conservation Crew continues to maintain TWR protection enclosure booms to help minimize damage to TWR stands in the river. The Conservation Crew also educates river users about TWR and endangered species in the river.
•  The City continues to work with a contractor on the removal of non-native fish (I.e. Plecostamus and tilapia) from the San Marcos River. Atlas also hosted a Non-Native Fish Polespear Tournament in Feb 2023 (https://www.atlasenvironmentaltx.com/tournaments). The tournament is supported and funded by the City and the EAHCP program. A total of 1,265 plecostamus and 163 tilapia have been removed to date in 2023.  
• Continuing to work with a contractor to manage underwater litter accumulations in the San Marcos River from the headwaters to Stokes Park. To date in 2023 through this contract, over 400 cubic feet of litter has been removed directly from the river. 
• Continuing to work with a contractor to remove non-native, invasive vegetation from along the banks of the San Marcos River. 
• Provided an EAHCP overview presentation to the Lions Club at their August meeting. 
• Continued to work with Edwards Aquifer Authority, US Fish and Wildlife Service, EAHCP permittees/ stakeholders on the next iteration of the EAHCP which will likely extend from 2028-2058. 

II. Seek out opportunities to secure grant funding and build partnerships to develop environmental education programs and implement environmental improvement projects.

• Submitted two grant applications under the TCEQ Clean Water Act Section 319 Non-Point Source Pollution Grant program to help fund the Sessom Creek Phase II project and green alley stormwater infrastructure as part of the Downtown Alley Reconstruction project. Still awaiting a response from TCEQ regarding the grant award.   
• The Conservation Crew continued to help educate river users on endangered species protection and stewardship practices, collect litter, manage litter boat and help to report violations of Park Rules. The Crew also continues to maintain and install EAHCP educational signage along the river.
• Participated in a recently established San Marcos River Collaboration effort with TXST, San Marcos River Foundation, Eyes of the San Marcos, Mermaid Society and Lions Club to develop strategies for stewardship of the San Marcos River. 
• Continued partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers on the San Marcos Ecosystem Restoration project. Recent project work includes rehabilitation of two stormwater outfalls adjacent to the San Marcos River, removal of non-native riparian vegetation and planting of native plants.