The 2023 “State of Our Environment” report from the Austin Watershed Protection Department presents a mix of positive and negative findings, but optimistically underscores the city’s proactive efforts in addressing the impacts of urban development and climate change.
As in previous years, the annual report tracks Austin’s air, land, water and tree canopy to gauge how the local environment changes over time. This reporting requirement dates to the mid-1990s, when City Council created the position of an environmental officer charged with, among other responsibilities, producing an annual report.
In her introduction to this year’s report, Acting Environmental Officer Liz Johnston emphasizes new challenges ahead in light of the state Legislature’s actions last year limiting Austin’s authority in administering parkland dedication fees and in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) – which is a designated buffer area located just outside of the city limits.
Indeed, with the passage of Senate Bill 2038, certain landholders or residents within a municipality’s ETJ can now petition for release from that jurisdiction. “Due to this bill, we can expect that many of the undeveloped areas in Austin’s ETJ will soon be able to develop with fewer environmental protections than in previous decades,” the report states.
Another key disadvantage going forward is the city’s reduced authority in administering parkland dedication and fees-in-lieu from new development. Fortunately, the city added nearly 130 acres of additional parkland last year. “These metrics show that, despite the challenges that we face, we can continue to foster a sustainable, thriving environment for all residents,” the report states.
According to the findings, the additional parkland was a result of parkland dedication and funding from the 2018 parkland acquisition bond. The Parks and Recreation Department appropriated $17.4 million in parkland dedication fees in Fiscal Year 2023. Of that amount, the department spent $2.7 million to buy land for five new parks or to expand existing parks. With the new limitations in place, it’s unclear how the city will be able close the gap in park-deficient areas of the city.
Other highlights of the report include:
Urban forest – Neighborhoods east of Interstate 35 continue to be the most deficient in tree canopy, compared to residential areas west of the interstate. Overall, the city’s tree canopy coverage is at 41 percent, inching Austin closer to its 50 percent goal by 2050, as laid out in the Climate Equity Plan. With an estimated 143,000 acres of additional “plantable” space available, the city would be able to achieve its 50 percent goal if trees were to occupy this space while existing canopy was maintained.
Greenhouse gas emissions – With buildings becoming more energy efficient, transportation emissions have emerged as the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in Austin. As the report notes, the Central Texas region typically sees between five and 10 days per year that are “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Last year, however, the number of unhealthy days jumped to 20.
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extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ): The unincorporated land within the five miles of the city limits that is not within the city limits or ETJ of another city. Austin is the only municipality authorized to annex land within its ETJ.
Watershed Protection Department: The city’s Watershed Protection Department works to reduce the impact of floods, erosion and water pollution in the city. The department is mostly funded by the city’s drainage fee.
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