Balcones Canyonlands Preserve

BCCP Permit Renewal 

The BCCP has reached the end of its 30-year permit term and Travis County and the City of Austin are updating the BCCP and have applied to renew the federal incidental take permit (“ITP” or “permit”) that authorizes its implementation. The renewal provides an opportunity to reflect current regulatory requirements, conservation needs, best available science, and implementation practices.   Throughout the renewal process, the existing BCCP will remain operational, and the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (“BCP” or “Preserve”) continues to be conserved and managed in perpetuity.

Travis County and the City of Austin have retained habitat conservation planning consultant, ICF International, Inc., to support and facilitate the renewal process, which is expected to take approximately 4 years. The goal is to develop an updated Plan that addresses current and future conservation and regulatory needs, establishes effective conservation measures for federally listed and at-risk species (species that may be listed during the new permit term), and continues to provide a predictable and cost-effective process for long-term compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act (“ESA”).

When the BCCP was established in 1996, its conservation program primarily focused in western Travis County because the species covered by the original Plan were largely associated with that area. As part of the renewal, the planning process will take a broader look at species, habitats, and conservation needs throughout Travis County.

Key components of the BCCP renewal include:

• Engaging the public and stakeholders throughout the renewal process to inform development of the updated Plan. The expected renewal outcome will be an updated BCCP designed to support long-term species and habitat conservation while providing a clear, predictable framework for ESA compliance for future covered activities in Travis County.
• Assessing future ESA permit coverage needs associated with development, infrastructure, public projects, and other covered activities.
• Updating biological analyses to reflect current information about covered species, habitats, and environmental conditions.
• Evaluating species for potential coverage, including species federally listed since 1996, species proposed for listing under the ESA, and other at-risk species in Travis County that may warrant consideration.
• Evaluating future conservation needs, including whether additional conservation lands, conservation strategies, or long-term management commitments may be appropriate.
• Aligning the updated Plan with current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service habitat conservation planning regulations, policies, and guidance.

Permit Renewal Schedule

The following represents the current 4-year schedule to complete all phases of the BCCP renewal process including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. The schedule is subject to change and therefore schedule updates may be posted on this webpage as appropriate.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Throughout the permit renewal process there will be regular opportunities for the public and other interested parties to obtain information on the Plan update and engage in the process. Below are some of the opportunities to be aware of. 

• BCCP Coordinating Committee Meetings
  
  The BCCP Coordinating Committee (“Committee”) oversees the administration and implementation of the BCCP. One elected official from each Travis County Commissioners Court and the City of Austin’s Council preside on the Committee which is administered by the BCCP Officer. Publicly available meetings are held at least twice each year although more frequent meetings are expected during the BCCP renewal process. Up-to-date meeting information and materials may be found at the City of Austin’s BCCP Coordinating Committee webpage.

• Participation in the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)
  
  Apply by January 8, 2027, 11:59pm (CST) to be considered for CAC membership.
  
  A CAC will be established for the BCCP renewal process in accordance with Texas Parks & Wildlife Code §83.016 to Travis County and the City of Austin’s preparation of the renewed BCCP and associated permit application. The CAC will serve to represent the interests of local communities and landowners by providing input to help inform land use strategies and conservation efforts. Members will review relevant materials, participate in discussions, and offer input on the Plan’s structure and public-facing components.

  The CAC will be made up of private citizens within Travis County, with at least four members or 33% of the CAC, whichever is greater, owning undeveloped or agricultural land within the planning area (Travis County). Landowning members may not be employees or elected officials of Travis County or City of Austin or other government entity. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will also appoint one voting representative to the CAC.

  Travis County residents are encouraged to apply for CAC member consideration (see link above). CAC members will be formally appointed by the BCCP Coordinating Committee.

• Participation in the Biological Advisory Team (BAT)
  
  Apply by January 8, 2027, 11:59pm (CST) to be considered for BAT membership.

  A BAT will be established in accordance with Texas Parks & Wildlife Code §83.015 to provide biological guidance during development of the renewed BCCP. Specifically, the BAT will assist with quantifying impacts to endangered species and the sizing and configuration of habitat preserves.

  The BAT will consist of three or more professional biologists, with one member appointed by the landowning members of the CAC and one member appointed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, who will serve as the BAT’s presiding officer. The BCCP Coordinating Committee will appoint additional BAT members based on the recommendations of the BCCP administration team (Travis County and City of Austin BCCP administration and implementation leads). Professional biologists interested in serving on the BAT are encouraged to apply for member consideration (see link above). While applicants are not required to reside in Travis County, BAT members will be required (on occasion) to attend meetings in Travis County.

• Public Comment Opportunities
  
  Multiple opportunities will be available throughout the BCCP renewal process for the public to provide input, including in-person and virtual meetings, online surveys, and formal public comment periods. When these comment periods are open, the public are encouraged to share input on topics such as species protection, development and infrastructure needs, best management practices, wildfire risk, public access and recreation, and other public interest matters related to the future of the BCCP. Noticing of formal public review for the updated BCCP will occur through a Notice of Availability (“NOA”) in the Federal Register. Additionally, this webpage will be updated as needed with information about opportunities for the public to provide written or verbal input on the BCCP renewal.
• Email List Serve
  
  Periodic updates on the renewal process, including notifications of publicly accessible meetings, engagement events, and Plan related comment periods, will be provided via email to those included on the BCCP List Serve. Sign up to receive updates and information regarding the BCCP renewal.

BCCP Partner Participation

The BCP is an assemblage of protected habitat – owned and managed by various public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private landowners (“BCCP Partners”).  BCCP Partners will serve an important role during the BCCP renewal process by providing their on-the-ground experience and insights to guide updates to the Plan. Over the coming months, the BCCP Officer will contact BCCP Partners to share additional information, offer opportunities to participate, and gather relevant input about preserve management and long-term conservation goals.

Regulatory Governance

The BCCP renewal is being conducted pursuant to Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act and Chapter 83 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. Chapter 83 establishes requirements for regional habitat conservation plans (“plans”) developed by local government entities and provides for participation by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department through the CAC and BAT.

The renewed BCCP will be developed in coordination with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The renewed plan and associated permit application will proceed through applicable local approvals, including the BCCP Coordinating Committee, Austin City Council, and Travis County Commissioners Court, followed by federal review and permit issuance by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The renewal process will also be conducted in accordance with applicable state transparency requirements. Public BCCP renewal meetings, including CAC and BAT meetings, are subject to applicable requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act, and records associated with development of the renewed BCCP are subject to the Texas Public Information Act, as applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is incidental take?

Under the Federal Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), "take" is broadly defined to include actions such as harassing, harming, pursuing, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting protected species. An incidental take is when these effects occur to a federally listed species but are not the purpose of the activity. 

How does the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s change to the definition of “harm” under the ESA impact the BCCP renewal?

On September 14, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), adopting an interpretation of “take” consistent with Justice Scalia’s dissenting opinion (minority) in Babbitt v. Sweet Home Chapter of Communities for a Great Oregon. The original USFWS definition of “harm,” established in 1975 and revised in 1981, defined the term as “an act which actually kills or injures wildlife. Such an act may include significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding or sheltering.” According to a USFWS memo dated September 14, 2026, regarding the rule change, the revised interpretation focuses on impacts directly and intentionally inflicted on a listed species.

The new interpretation is a dramatic and substantial narrowing of the scope of ESA, contradicting over 50 years of ESA implementation and extensive case law. Several environmental groups, tribes, and state attorney generals have already filed suit to challenge the new interpretation of “harm.”

This change has created uncertainty regarding regulatory compliance with the ESA. As Travis County and the City of Austin, in consultation with ICF, navigate the BCCP renewal process, the goal is to develop a robust plan that establishes a predictable, cost-effective framework for long-term ESA compliance – facilitating development while also ensuring effective conservation of covered species.

What is the BCCP?

The BCCP is a regional habitat conservation plan that provides a framework for the City of Austin and Travis County to conserve federally listed species while providing ESA incidental take authorization for eligible development, infrastructure, and other covered activities. Since 1996, the BCCP has provided a predictable regional process for ESA compliance while supporting coordinated conservation through the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, which includes regional attractions such as Hamilton Pool Preserve, Barton Creek Greenbelt, and Mount Bonnell. More than 1,500 landowners and developers and over 400 infrastructure projects have received expedited ESA authorization through the BCCP, facilitating more than 12,000 acres of development. The BCCP has also supported permanent conservation and management of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and reduced the need for eligible projects to pursue individual federal ITPs, a process that is more time-intensive, less predictable, and more expensive. 

Who manages the BCCP?

The City of Austin and Travis County are the joint permit holders (referred to as permittees) for the BCCP. Management of the Balcones Preserve System (“BCP”) also involves multiple public and private partners, including public agencies, conservation organizations, and private preserve managers.

Since the Preserve has met the minimum acreage requirement under its USFWS incidental take permit, is mitigation for the BCP “complete”?

No. Under the 1996 USFWS incidental take permit and associated BCCP, mitigation requirements for the Preserve included minimum acreage thresholds, configuration standards and habitat connectivity, individual macrosite acreage targets, and protections for designated karst features. Although the minimum total acreage requirement for the Preserve has been met, efforts to fulfill the remaining mitigation requirements are ongoing.

Why does the BCCP need to be renewed?

The BCCP’s original permit was issued by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1996 for a 30-year term. That term ended in May 2026, and Travis County and the City of Austin are now seeking renewal of the federal permit and updating the BCCP to reflect current regulatory requirements, conservation needs, best available science, and implementation practices. The existing BCCP and permit will remain in effect throughout the renewal process.

Why does BCCP renewal matter to me?

The BCCP renewal will help shape how Travis County protects wildlife and natural resources while accommodating continued growth and development. The process provides an opportunity to consider the needs of communities, landowners, businesses, developers, and plant and wildlife species and to establish a long-term framework for conservation and development. The renewed BCCP will provide a regional pathway for ESA compliance for covered activities and help guide future conservation priorities in Travis County.

Will development and infrastructure still be permitted under the BCCP while it’s being renewed?

Yes, the BCCP remains in full effect as it undergoes the renewal process. Permitting through the BCCP ensures regulatory compliance with the Endangered Species Act for covered species.

Will the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (“BCP” or “Preserve”) still be protected?

Yes, the Preserve will continue to be conserved and managed in perpetuity. The BCP was established as mitigation for impacts (i.e., development) authorized under the original BCCP, and renewal does not change these conservation commitments. 

Why should I care about endangered or at-risk species?

Species protections are about more than conserving individual plants and animals—they help protect the natural areas and ecosystems, landscapes, and quality of life that make Travis County unique. This includes protecting our drinking water and mitigating the devastating effects of extreme climate events, like flooding and drought!

Protecting habitat not only supports listed and at-risk species but also conserves the larger ecosystems that support a wide variety of plants and animals. Healthy natural systems help protect water quality and water availability, improve air quality, store carbon, provide shade, reduce the urban heat island effect, and contribute to the scenic character of Travis County. Natural environments also provide important benefits that enhance the health, well-being, and overall quality of life of our communities.

The goal of species protection is to find practical ways to accommodate community needs while conserving the natural resources that make Travis County a special place to live, work, and visit. The BCCP is one mechanism for balancing these goals—protecting important habitat while providing a framework that can facilitate responsible development.

What species will be covered by the renewed BCCP?

The species to be covered by the renewed BCCP have not yet been determined. During the renewal process, Travis County and City of Austin will evaluate existing covered species and other federally listed, proposed, or at-risk species in Travis County. The evaluation will be informed by biological analyses, input from the BAT and CAC, and coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Will climate change and extreme weather be considered during the renewal process?

Yes, analysis for the BCCP renewal will include a climate change analysis and development of an adaptation strategy. The results will help inform the effects analysis, biological goals and objectives, and changed circumstances for the renewed BCCP. 

What happens if the BCCP is not renewed?

If the BCCP is not renewed, the existing BCP areas will remain protected and managed in perpetuity. However, without a renewed permit, future projects that require incidental take authorization under the ESA would need to pursue authorization through another applicable federal permitting process (under Section 7 or 10 of the ESA). Individual incidental take permitting would lack coordinated conservation efforts and may be less effective for overall species protection than having a county-wide habitat conservation plan. 

Renewal of the BCCP is intended to maintain a coordinated, streamlined, and cost-effective regional approach to ESA compliance and species conservation in support of continued growth and development within Travis County.

Endangered Species Act Compliance and Permitting

The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) provides a fast-track solution to habitat mitigation for Endangered Species Act compliance. It is the Habitat Conservation Plan that established the BCP system and governs how it is funded and organized. The BCCP serves as the basis for our federal permit.

• BCCP Infrastructure Compliance Toolkit and Interactive Map
• BCCP Infrastructure Habitat Assessment Application (PDF)

For more information, email BCCPinfrastructure@austintexas.gov or visit Travis County's BCP page.

Get Involved

The BCP offers trails, guided hikes and volunteer opportunities on the preserve. Getting out there is one of the best ways to connect with these remarkable lands — and to help take care of them.

• Sign up for guided hikes and volunteer events at austintexas.gov/wildlandevents.
• Find trails on the Wildlands at austintexas.gov/wildlandtrails.
• Learn more about the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve at austintexas.gov/BCPstory and the Travis County BCP page.