A Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) was finalized on the 541-acre Lower Colorado River Authority/Lost Pines Scout Reservation (LPSR).  This property is privately owned by the Boy Scouts of America/Capital Area Council (BSA) in Bastrop County, Texas.  The Service has worked with the BSA, their legal representatives, and Environmental Defense to develop the Agreement.  Habitat restoration activities that are outlined in the Agreement are expected to result in a net conservation benefit to the federally-endangered Houston toad.

These habitat improvements are expected to benefit the Houston toad by (1) reducing fragmentation of forested habitat; (2) providing buffer areas for existing habitat adjacent or nearby the LPSR; (3) aiding in Houston toad dispersal among various areas of protected Houston toad habitat; (4) providing a measure of insurance against losses due to demographic or genetic factors, as well as catastrophic events; (5) providing an opportunity to refine land management guidance relevant to conservation through practical experience; and (6) demonstrating these practices to others