20250205-004: Taylor Slough Dredge Maintenance Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250205-004 Date: February 5, 2025 Subject: Taylor Slough Dredge Maintenance, SP-2024-0019D Location: 3704 1⁄2 Meadowbank Dr, Austin, TX, 78703 Motion by: Jennifer Bristol Seconded by: Melinda Schiera WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting to vary from Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261(C)(9)(a) to allow more than 25 cubic yards of dredging in Lake Austin; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in Lake Austin Watershed Water Supply Rural Classification, Desired Development Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends the variance with the following conditions: 1. Provide required wetland mitigation plantings (1,236 plantings comprised of 9 different species of FAC, FACW, and OBL species) along the shoreline. 2. Provide bulkhead mitigation plantings (29 plantings comprised of 3 different species of FACW and OBL species) along the shoreline. 3. Restore all areas disturbed in the Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) per Standard Specification 4. Limit dredging outside of the 50% Critical Root Zones (CRZ) of trees along the shoreline and 609S. install tree boards fencing. 5. Provide measures to minimize/avoid sediment discharge including: 1) stabilized construction entrance and access road from the Meadowbank Drive entrance to the barge access location and, 2) mulch sock around the entire limits of construction (LOC) of the staging, storage and dewatering areas, and 3) two rock berms downstream of the staging, storage, and dewatering areas, and 4) stabilized dewatering area for dredge bags, and 5) floating turbidity curtain downstream of the dewatering operation, and 6) floating turbidity curtain surrounding active dredge area. 6. Conduct dredging via hydraulic methods including bagging of material. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the variance request with the following conditions: 1. Supply information about best practices in maintaining the plants and avoiding using chemicals that cause algae blooms. Each of the property owners will receive a packet that includes the Go Green manual. 2. Recommend finding a way to reuse the sediment after it is dried and evaluated for toxins. VOTE 7-0 1  For: Perry Bedford, Jennifer Bristol, Justin Fleury, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera, David Sullivan Against: None Recuse: None Abstain: Richard Brimer Absent: Hanna Cofer, Colin Nickells Approved By: Perry Bedford, Environmental Commission Chair 2