2005 RWQPP InitiativeRelated Travis County Implementation

Travis County Regulatory History 2005 – Adopted Travis County Code, 82.209

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 centerlineOPTION 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 ControlFor 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 attentionThomas WeberEnvironmental Quality Program ManagerTransportation & Natural Resources Dept.(512) 854-4629thomas.weber@co.travis.tx.us