The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently published the first report in a three-part series on the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP). The EAHCP Implementing Committee* engaged NAS to act as its science review panel to provide advice on various scientific aspects of the EAHCP as the region works to understand the river-aquifer system and its relationship to endangered species.

As part of this science review, the EAHCP Implementing Committee asked its Stakeholder Committee and Science Committee to conduct a public workshop to obtain input from scientists, stakeholders and the public on the NAS report.

Nathan Pence, HCP Program Manager commented, “We were very happy with the attendance at the daylong workshop, and especially the insightful feedback we received that day.”

The session was facilitated by Suzanne Schwartz from the University of Texas Law School’s Center for Public Policy and Dispute Resolution. She and her team conducted a free-flowing program that provided background information on the NAS topics, small group discussions and public and written comment opportunities.

“We heard a variety of opinions on the four main NAS topics of hydrologic modeling, ecological modeling, monitoring and applied research,” noted Schwartz in a briefing to the Implementing Committee. “There was general agreement on many discussion points and so we grouped those ideas in our report to help guide the HCP staff and Implementing Committee.”

“Overall, the meeting participants were appreciative of the opportunity to provide input, plus they said they enjoyed the interaction with various stakeholders,” Pence commented. “Given the success we saw with this meeting, we will probably conduct a similar public meeting when the second NAS report is delivered.”

You can listen to an interview with EAHCP Stakeholder Committee Chair Steve Raabe at this website link.

EAHCP Steward is published by the Habitat Conservation Plan Implementing Committee

The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan e-newsletter, “Steward,” is published to highlight the efforts underway to protect theComal and San Marcos Springs and ensure a healthy habitat for the threatened and endangered species.

Stakeholders, Public Weigh in on NAS Report

*The EACHP is governed, and receives input by, four committees; the Implementing Committee, Stakeholder Committee, Science Committee and the Science Review Panel.