Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on participation by Williamson County Road Bond Program under the County's habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the improvements on County Road 245, Williamson County, Texas.

County Road 245 will be improved from approximately Ronald W. Reagan Boulevard south to Ranch Road 2338 in northwestern Williamson County, Texas (project). The project would be performed in an area that is approximately 1.8 miles long with an approximately 135-foot-wide right-of-way (ROW), covering approximately 17.1 acres.

The southern half of the project area, approximately 9.4 acres lies within Karst Zone 1 (area known to contain endangered cave species) while the northern half of the project area lies within Karst Zones 3 and 4 (areas that probably do not contain endangered cave fauna & areas which do not contain endangered cave fauna). Within Karst Zone 1, there is potential to encounter currently unknown voids or karst features during earth-moving associated with construction activities. As such, participation in the HCP provides incidental take coverage for the project. 

Staff recommends the following action: Authorize County Judge (or designee) to acknowledge/sign the Determination Letter to enroll the project under the Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan, and to execute, when presented, the Participation Agreement for this project, WCCF File #20221027 and to sign any related documents as may be required.