20240918-003: Great Springs Project Presentation — original pdf

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GUIDING LOCAL // REGIONAL PLANS GREAT SPRINGS PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION // 9.18.24 PREMISE // RAPID GROWTH • WE LIVE IN ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING REGIONS IN THE US • (AND THAT GROWTH DOESN’T ALWAYS HAPPEN EFFICIENTLY OR STRATEGICALLY) • LAND USE PATTERNS CREATE CHALLENGES FOR BUILT INFRASTRUCTURE • DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS CHALLENGE THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF GROUNDWATER IN THE REGION Map 1. The Built Environment Blazing a Trail in a Fast-Growing Region T C E J O R P S G N I A key challenge for this project is how to create a contiguous network of trails and open space as Central Texas transforms into a mega-region. Between now and 2036, the population of Texas will grow at three times the rate of the rest of the US; the four-county region is expected to grow nearly four times as fast.1, 2 This growth presents many challenges for Central Texas: • • • Strain on natural resources, such as water supply Strain on built infrastructure, such as transportation and utilities Loss of open spaces for wildlife, aquifer recharge, flood protection, and recreation Projected Population Growth Rates 2019–2036 SOURCES: - Population density based on 2010 geography using a 2020 population estimate (https://www.arcgis.com/home/item. html?id=db3f9c8728dd44e4ad455e0c27a85eea) - Developed land (Developed, Open Space; Developed, Low Intensity; Developed, Medium Intensity; Developed, High Intensity). National Land Cover Database (https://apd.maps.arcgis.com/home/item. html?id=3ccf118ed80748909eb85c6d262b426f) ______ 1 U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division; https://www.census. gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/intercensal-2000- 2010-counties.html 2 Texas Demographic Center https://demographics.texas.gov/ data/tpepp/projections/ 18 THE CH ALLENGE R P S T A E R G E G N E L L A H C E H T This plan will help local communities and regional organizations face these challenges by identifying a recommended network of connected trails and protected lands as the region grows. Opportunity in Growth The key conservation and trail-building opportunity that comes along with a growing population is the greater potential for the large- scale funding that will be needed to protect land for parks, trails, and open space. Recent examples include the Hays County 2020 Parks and Open Spaces Bond, the City of Austin’s 2020 Active Transportation and Safety Bond, and the Travis County 2023 Parks Bond. Similarly, increased coordination with development projects could yield substantial results for trails and open spaces, such as the following: 🟊🟊 Parkland and trail dedication with new residential and commercial development 🟊🟊 Coordination of trail development with TxDOT and other transportation partners 🟊🟊 Incentivizing conservation subdivision development, where developers preserve open space within their development plans THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT MAP The map on the next page illustrates population density and developed areas throughout the region. Growth and development north of San Antonio and south of Austin can be seen in transparent orange, over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. 19 PREMISE // CLIMATE CHANGE • LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT-DRIVEN ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OCCUR IN THE CONTEXT OF A CHANGING CLIMATE • EXTREME HEAT, DROUGHT, AND SEVERE RAIN EVENTS ARE PART OF WHERE WE LIVE • THE INTERFACE BETWEEN LAND USE AND ECOLOGY CREATES CHALLENGES FOR THE LANDSCAPE, AND FOR COMMUNITIES • (THOSE IMPACTS AREN’T EVENLY DISTRIBUTED) HALLOWEEN FLOOD JACOB’S WELL PREMISE // ACCESS AND ACTIVITY • ACCESS TO OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS IS A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF LIVING IN CENTRAL TEXAS • TRAILS ARE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS IN THIS GROWING REGION • OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT TO THE LANDSCAPE ARE CRITICAL TO BUILDING A LAND ETHIC AND SENSE OF STEWARDSHIP • ALL OF THESE OUTCOMES HAVE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION BENEFITS PREMISE // DISPARITY • ACCESS TO OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING RECREATIONAL AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION USES, ARE NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED // • WEALTHIER, WHITER COMMUNITIES HAVE BETTER ACCESS, AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS, INCLUDING TRAILS • EXPOSURE TO THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ARE NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED// • WEALTHIER, WHITER COMMUNITIES HAVE MORE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO AVOID OR MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE Map 4. Access to the Outdoors T C E J O R P S G N I R P S T A E R G E G N E L L A H C E H T 25 SOURCES: - Water Access: Public Boat Ramps - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Geographic Information System (GIS) - Existing Trails: Data compiled from multiple regional sources - Open Access Lands: USA Protected Areas - Public Access (Open, Restricted [permit, seasonal]) https://www.arcgis.com/ home/item.html?id=80b683b0c70a4bf8ba9e916b8786dd0a WHAT WE DO 50,000 ACRES OF CONSERVATION 100+ MILES OF TRAIL + WHERE WE WORK HOW WE DO IT // SUPPORT RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION • HELP PARTNERS ACQUIRE LAND AND RIGHT OF WAY TO ACHIEVE PRIORITY CONSERVATION AND TRAIL PROJECTS • CONNECT COMMUNITIES TO CONSERVATION BUYERS, PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE ACTIVITIES, OCCASIONALLY WILL HOLD LAND UNTIL THE COMMUNITY IS ABLE TO ACQUIRE IT • DEVELOP AND ADVOCATE FOR BOND FUNDING // GRANTS FROM AGENCIES LIKE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE HOW WE DO IT // SUPPORT TRAIL DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION • HELP PARTNERS EXECUTE TRAIL PROJECTS THAT ALIGN WITH CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESS PRIORITIES • PLANNING, DESIGN, EVEN TRAIL BUILDING • DEVELOP AND ADVOCATE FOR BOND FUNDING // GRANTS FROM A RANGE OF STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES HOW WE DO IT // SUPPORT TRAIL DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION • TEXT RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION AND TEMPORARY OWNERSHIP FUNDING FOR SITE PREPARATION AND TRAIL BUILDING COORDINATION OF TRAIL BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE 1 2 3 HOW WE DO IT // AMPLIFY COMMUNITY • PARTNER WITH RANGE OF ENTITIES TO IMPLEMENT, PROGRAM, AND ACTIVATE TRAILS • TRAIL RACES, TRAIL BUILDING, CREEK CLEAN UP AND RESTORATION • COLLABORATE WITH FOR-PROFIT AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS // STRENGTH IN NUMBERS HOW WE DO IT // AMPLIFY COMMUNITY NOTE: THIS BLOCK GROUP IS AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT NOTE: THIS BLOCK GROUP IS A DISADVANTAGED UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY, AS DESCRIBED IN 1.1. 21433 24483 24303 24301 3 1 1 2 4 6 24422 3 5 24511 1 5 3 1 1 1 3 24391 2 3 1 4 1 5 2 24302 24321 9800 2 5 4 1 3 4 5 4 1 2 24521 6 1 5 1 5 4 2 24522 24533 4 2 1 24491 6 24490 CLIMATE ADAPTATION + POLLUTION REDUCTION STRATEGIES CLIMATE ADAPTATION + POLLUTION REDUCTION STRATEGIES CA1: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS PEREZ ELEMENTARY GSI DOVE SPRINGS FLOOD ART PALM ELEMENTARY GSI 4 5 6 MCKINNEY FALLS GSI BARKLEY MEADOWS REFORESTATION TBD GSI + NBS INSTALLATION* CA2: TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND NON-CONSTRUCTION MCKINNEY FALLS COMMUNITY BENEFITS STUDY + CONNECTION MOYA TO BARKLEY MEADOWS SE METRO TO CONFLUENCE OC STORYTELLING + PLACEMAKING GUIDED GROUP RIDE PROGRAMS 5 4 CA8: GREEN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GREENWORKFORCE COHORT WORK SITE PR2: OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY AIR QUALITY MONITORING “SHAPE OF AIR” PERFORMANCES 3 CYCLING ADVOCACY PROGRAMS 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 1 2 N 0 MI. 1 2 AREA TRAIL NOTES PROJECT AREA DISADVANTAGED BLOCK GROUP NON-DISADVANGATED BLOCK GROUP BLOCK GROUP NUMBER LOCCRI PROPOSED TRAIL EXISTING TRAIL 2023 BOND FUNDED TRAIL * ADDITIONAL GSI + NBS INSTALLATION SITES WILL BE DETERMINED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LOWER ONION CREEK ADVOCACY LEAGUE (LOCAL), AS DESCRIBED IN ATTACHMENT E: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE PLAN SouthBoggyCreekGreenbeltOnionCreekMetroParkSweetbriarWestCongressFranklinParkParkerLaneWestgateGarrisonParkSt.EdwardsSouthRiverCityZilkerBartonHillsAustinHighway45CreedmoorColoradoRiverEOltorfStPearceLnFM969ElroyRdSFM973Highway71EStateHighway130RoyKizerGolfCourseMontopolisSoutheastMcKinneyJohnstonTerraceRiversideEastCesarChavezDunlapPilotKnobDelValleSFM973FM812StateHighway130USHighway183SElroyStateHighway71WGarfieldWebbervilleHobbsCreekWyldwoodCedarCreekLOCCRI Project Map (Basic)Austin Community College, Baylor University, City of Austin, Texas Parks &Wildlife, CONANP, Esri, TomTom, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc,EPA IRA Disadvantaged CommunitiesYesNo5/24/20240241mi03.571.75km1:144,448WHAT WE’RE ASKING FOR • RECOMMENDATION TO ENABLE GSP TO DO WHAT WE DO, IN AUSTIN • SUPPORT FOR STAFF (AND FOR CITY COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE STAFF) TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXECUTE THESE KINDS OF PROJECTS IN AUSTIN • NOT AN OBLIGATION OR A REQUIREMENT! ITS JUST AUTHORIZATION BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Environmental Commission Recommendation Number 2024XXX-XXX: Great Springs Project Partnership WHEREAS, the purpose of the Environmental Commission (EC) “the Environmental Commission (EC) to act in an advisory commission to the city council, the city manager, and the department in their efforts to oversee the protection and integrity of the natural environment, protect and preserve public and private trees, promote growth management and land use planning, minimize degradation of water resources, protect downstream areas, and promote recreation opportunities and environmental awareness and advise and recommend on any issue which the commission determines necessary or advisable for the enhancement and stewardship of the urban forest both public and private;” and WHEREAS, among the EC’s responsibilities are water quality, including improvement and protection of the Colorado River and the Edwards Aquifer, beautification, recreation resources, and public education on environmental matters ; and WHEREAS, Great Springs Project (GSP) is an Austin-based non-profit organization with a demonstrated capacity to support local governments and other partners in the region with implementing priority trail and conservation projects; and WHEREAS, Trails and Transportation Planner for Great Springs Project Mikey Goralnik has engaged with EC members to introduce the Great Springs Project, its history, resources, and plans for supporting local efforts to implement priority trail projects in the City of Austin, and WHEREAS, GSP has diverse expertise in a range of topics that align with the EC’s mandate to support the City’s environmental conservation, restoration, enhancement, and resiliency objectives, including supporting a mode shift to clean transportation options, acquisition and protection of strategic landscapes, and programming recreational areas to promote environmental education and stewardship; and WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan identifies the Urban Trails System, highlighted by the Tier I and Tier II Urban Trails, as “an integral part of the transportation network” to “connect the street grid [and] provide additional pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and shorten walking and bicycling distances…[that] increase connectivity between lifestyles and outdoor neighborhoods, facilitate active trips, promote healthy experiences, and strengthen our community’s connection to nature and our ecosystem; WHAT WE’RE ASKING FOR ColoradoRiverBartonCreekOnion Creek3535183183290290457171RM-2244RM-1826FM - 812FM - 973FM - 1625FM-2304FM-1626EWilliamCannonDrWalshTarltonEscarpmentBlvdThaxtonRdWestbankDrELiveOakStHollySlaughterLnScenicBrookMckinneyFallsPkwyOldBeeCavesBeckettRdGroveBlvdBluffSpringsDrWestgateBlvdJainLnLedesmaW 12Th StElmontDrDeerLnSuburbanRiddleRdPoncianaDrTodd LnSilvermineJones RdColorado StComalStBartonSkwyBerkettDrBluebonnetW St Elmo RdBanisterLnEberhartLnBurtonDrSLakeshoreFitzhughRdOakSpringsDrWest StMatthews LnPalacePkwyBlueMeadowMccartyLnThraxtonRdWichershamLnFrate BarkerWMaryStBurleson RdShady LnManchacaKinneyAveWebbervilleRdColtonBluffSpringsRdBartonHillsReddStLattaCooperLnTrinity StWoodlandAveE 6Th StNuckles XingVargasRdRosewoodRedRiverStTeriRdBrodieLnBartonCreekBlvdEmeraldForestDrE St Elmo RdRepublicOfTexasBlvdTravisCountyCirAbilene/WagonTrainTillery StWWilliamCannonDrNuttyBrownLostOasisHolwS 5Th StParkerLnChiconWoodwardStDavisLnS1StStW Dittmar RdDeeGabrielCollinsSpringdale RdEOltorfStSouthwestPkwyCesar ChavezSPleasantValleyRdLostCreekBlvdWStassneyLnMontopolisE 12Th StConvictHillRdEStassneyLnCircleDrSwParkwayHAYSBEAR CREEKSAN LEANNAROLLINGWOODSUNSET VALLEYWESTLAKE HILLSHays CountyTravis CountySanAntonioNewBraunfelsSanMarcosAustinTRAIL STATUSExisting TrailsTrails In-Development*Potential Future GSP Trail AlignmentTRAIL TYPEShared Use TrailOn-Road (bike lanes, sidewalks, and/orneighborhood routes)Hiking TrailGSP Trail CorridorDESTINATIONSThe Great SpringsPublic Water AccessCommercial HubCommunity LandmarkParkTexas State CapitolEl Camino Real de Los Tejas NationalHistoric TrailBASE FEATURESExisting TrailsI-35RailroadMajor RiversRivers/StreamsOpen/Restricted Access Public LandsWaterbodiesEdwards Aquifer Recharge Zone1% Annual Chance Flood HazardCounties012MILESUpdates in the 2024 GSP Trails Plan for Travis County include the following:• The alternate on-street alignment has been removed from the map• A connection to the Capitol has been added along Shoal Creek Trail, 3rd Street, and Congress Avenue• A new segment has been added along Onion Creek from the Hays/Travis County Line to the confluence of the Colorado River - new segment map created (see Area G)BARTON SPRINGS45 S Sidepath45 S Sidepath Violet Crown Trail Violet Crown Trail Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail Barton Creek Greenbelt TrailLady Bird Johnson Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterWildflower CenterSendera Mesa Sendera Mesa Neighborhood ParkNeighborhood ParkSunset Sunset ValleyValleyTexas Texas State State CapitolCapitolTom Lasseter Tom Lasseter South Lamar South Lamar Neighborhood ParkNeighborhood ParkDick Dick Nichols Nichols District District ParkParkZilker ParkZilker ParkTo Buda and KyleTo Buda and KyleTo Blanco RiverTo Blanco RiverMcKinney Falls McKinney Falls State ParkState ParkTo the Colorado RiverTo the Colorado RiverTo Buda and KyleTo Buda and KyleOnion Creek Onion Creek Metropolitan ParkMetropolitan ParkTHE PLAN GREAT SPRINGS PROJECT57Map 10. Area F Alignment RecommendationsAUSTINAUSTINGUIDING LOCAL // REGIONAL PLANSTHANKS! QUESTIONS?