Environmental Analysis
League City, along with LJA Consulting, conducted a preliminary environmental study for this Master Plan initiative that consisted of several “desktop-level” studies analyzing local and federal records to help identify threatened and endangered species, wetlands, cultural resources, and environmental concerns.
Field verification assessments will be needed for all studies as development proceeds.
The completed preliminary Threatened and Endangered Species Assessment found no harm to protected species, such as the Tricolored bat, Bald eagle, and Monarch butterfly, as long as Best Management Practices are followed, with no designated Critical Habitats in the project area.
- The Desktop Wetland Assessment identified a minor potential wetland area on the southeast boundary, but no major concerns elsewhere.
- A Limited Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Review indicated that the property, consisting mainly of vacant land and agricultural fields, may require further investigation due to past oil/gas activities.
- The Cultural Resources Desktop Archival Review found a potential cemetery on-site and segments of the American-Holland Rice Canal, which may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
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🌳Conservation
Conservation and Preservation
Conservation and preservation are crucial for maintaining the balance and health of our local ecosystems. By protecting natural resources and habitats, we ensure the survival of diverse species, support ecosystem services that benefit human societies and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Conservation efforts help sustain biodiversity, which are essential for resilient ecosystems, while preservation efforts focus on safeguarding areas from degradetion, thus maintaining their ecological integrity. Together, these practices are vital for the well-being of both our environment and future generations.
🎴Ecoregions
League City is situated where freshwater and saltwater aquatic systems converge at the mouth of Clear Lake. This transitional zone between different habitats or ecological communities—is highly biodiverse, supporting a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species.
Additionally, League City lies along the Central Migration Route, where thousands of bird species, along with bats and insects crucial to the local ecosystem, pass through the Houston-Galveston area each season.
Learn more here about bird migration in League City
🏅Awards & Certifications
Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to making Texas the best place to live, work, and play by deploying resources for community improvement projects, clean-ups, and youth engagement efforts across the state.
The Tree City USA program provides communities with a four-step framework to maintain and grow their tree cover. It also gives them an avenue to celebrate their work, showing residents, visitors, and the entire country that they're committed to the mission of environmental change.
- Environmental benefits: Trees can improve air quality, reduce energy costs, and provide shade.
- Social benefits: Trees can create a sense of place for residents and diversify wildlife habitat.
- Economic benefits: Trees can increase property values.
- Community connection: The program connects communities to a network of other communities that care about trees.
The Scenic Texas Certification Program recognizes Texas cities that have high-quality standards for public spaces and roadways. The program's purpose is to support cities with a long-term vision and to encourage other cities to follow their lead.
The program uses a points-based review to evaluate a city's infrastructure ordinances. The review includes: Existing ordinance and code language, Landscaping and tree planting programs, On-premise sign regulations, and Prohibition of new billboards.
The certification process can help cities create a roadmap for future development and growth. Scenic Texas also provides a resource guide with best practices for cities that want to improve their visual environment.
The purpose of Bee City USA certification is to unite communities to protect pollinators by:
- Creating habitats: Providing nest sites and increasing the number of native plants
- Reducing pesticides: Using integrated pest management (IPM) to minimize risks to the environment and people
- Educating and inspiring others: Hosting events and encouraging others to take action
- Building community: Connecting with others who are working to protect pollinators
- Supporting local businesses: Supporting native plant nurseries and pollinator-friendly landscaping
- Raising awareness: Increasing awareness of the local environment's diversity of plant and pollinator species
League City's Benoit Prairie
🌄Wetlands
Wetlands:
Wetlands are vital ecosystems characterized by their water-saturated soils and diverse plant and animal life. They include marshes, swamps, bogs, and floodplains, and play crucial roles in environmental health by acting as natural water filters, absorbing pollutants, and controlling floodwaters by storing excess rain and runoff. Wetlands provide critical habitats for a wide array of wildlife, including birds, amphibians, and fish, and support unique plant species adapted to these conditions. They also offer recreational and educational opportunities, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to climate regulation by sequestering carbon.
