Hicks & Company is currently leading a nation-wide team of consultants in developing separate Habitat Conservation Plans and companion Environmental Impact Statements for the Edwards Aquifer Authority and the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. These agencies are responsible for regulating the pumping of groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer to protect the sole source of water for about 2 million people in central Texas while also protecting habitat for unique flora and fauna endemic to the aquifer and its discharging springs, including nine species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) established minimum flow limits at Comal Springs and San Marcos Springs and is encouraging minimum flows at Barton Springs. Approved HCPs and subsequent issuance of respective incidental take permits would assure compliance with the Endangered Species Act. However, approval of the HCPs and issuance of permits by the USFWS constitutes major federal actions with the potential to significantly affect the human environment, thus requiring preparation of respective EISs under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).