The Latest News

Do more soon to preserve our waters
It's official. According to the National Climatic Data Center, the year 2011 was the driest on record. The average total rainfall across the state was 14.88 inches, beating the previous record low of 14.99 inches established in 1917. Now, more than ever, is the time for each of us to take an active role in water conservation in order to extend our existing water supplies. Without waiting for plans and finances or rains to catch up, there are ways to increase your water supply today. Read full Statesman.com commentary by HCA's Milan Michalec.

Wildlife Photography Workshop at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center; April, May and September
Join outdoor photographers and authors Brian and Shirley Loflin at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center for an exciting and educational wildife photography workshop. Details

First ever study of the US Rainwater Harvesting market has been released
The study took over a year to complete and is a survey of vendors in the rainwater harvesting market. Learn More from HarvestH20.com.

Killing Cane, Learning from Large-Scale Conservation on the Nueces River
HCA President, Sky Lewey is featured in this great article published by the Environmental Law Institute. “The Nueces River Authority has engaged over 200 landowners in removing an invasive species from some 60 miles of the Nueces River”. For more than 30 years, the National Wetlands Newsletter has been the definitive source for accurate, in-depth coverage of wetland law, policy, science, and management. To learn more about the Newsletter or to subscribe, please visit http://www.wetlandsnewsletter.org

Spring Star Party at Fort McKavett, March 17
On the evening of March 17, 2012, the Texas Historical Commission and Fort McKavett State Historic Site will host its Star Party. The star party begins at dusk and the fort’s gates will remain open until 10:30 p.m. We invite everyone to come out early and stay late to enjoy an entertaining day and evening at Fort McKavett. Learn More

Hill Country Landowner’s Guide, an essential resource
HCA has been hosting county focus groups and workshops, and regularly meeting with landowners all over the Hill Country. The most frequent comment we hear is the importance of educating landowners about good land stewardship. Help us spread the word in your community with these fantastic resources: Landowner Assistance from TPWD and a must read for every Hill Country landowner: Hill Country Landowner’s Guide, by Jim Stanley.

Protecting water in Texas: a promise kept or broken?
Fifty years ago, Texas experienced the drought of record — which simply means the worst drought we had ever seen. Following that drought, big thinkers made big decisions. They invested in infrastructure to expand existing surface water supplies, cultivate unexplored groundwater supplies, and store and conserve more water. The investments of the 1950s have gotten us this far, but won't carry us much further. Read more from Statesman.com.

Groups Tout Message Of Public Benefits From Private Lands
According to the most recent data gathered by the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, Texas A&M University, over a short period of 10 years, from 1997 through 2007, some 2.1 million acres of farms, ranches and forestlands were converted to other uses. A host of land conservation organizations are working to reverse or at least slow the land converting trend. “We’re going to get more people, and we have to figure out how not to lose 500 acres every time we get 1000 people...” Read full Livestock Weekly article.

LCRA was selling water from Burnet County well that's now dry
The Lower Colorado River Authority was selling water from the Spicewood Beach water system less than four weeks before the well serving the area ran dry, officials said Wednesday. Read full Statesman.com article.

Panel discussion with the Imagine Austin Citizens' Advisory Task Force, February 10
The University of Texas will host the next installment of its City Forum series, February 10, with a panel discussion on the City of Austin's long-awaited comprehensive plan, Imagine Austin. Learn More

TWDB to Decide “Desired” Future of Trinity Aquifer on March 1st
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) was scheduled to review two challenges and decide on the reasonableness of the Desired Future Conditions for the Trinity Aquifer in the Texas Hill Country at their February 1st board meeting. At the request of WVWA, the Board President granted a continuance yesterday and moved the agenda item to the March 1st scheduled board meeting. TWDB is expected to rule on a protest to the Desired Future Condition (DFC) goal adopted by GMA 9, a goal that some argue is not sustainable. The proposed DFC allows for an average of 30 feet of additional groundwater decline over the next 50 years (an average of 19 feet across Hays County). Read More

Travis County passed new rules to protect water resources
After months of vetting by a diverse volunteer stakeholder committee made up of scientists, developer interests, landowners, residents and groundwater planning professionals Travis County Commissioners unanimously passed recommended new subdivision rules dealing with water use. “Already built or planned subdivisions and those with five or fewer lots that use surface water or have a rainwater collection system to back up groundwater would be exempt from the rules.” Read a brief from the Austin American Statesman that includes a link to the feature article from earlier this week here. Read Travis County staff summary to the Court here.

Spicewood Beach and neighbors getting water trucked in
A Central Texas community has run out of water amid a statewide drought, prompting the Lower Colorado River Authority to start trucking in water. Read more from Statesman.com.

Rethinking water: Growing population, limited supply mean costs destined to rise, experts say
Is water too cheap? Perhaps the most obvious indication that it is, said Michael Webber, a University of Texas professor who heads a research group focused on water and energy, is how freely we use it. A growing population requires more water, which the state says can't come from one source. Addressing the state's water needs requires a range of solutions, most of which are expensive. Read more from Statesman.com.

New Study shows billboards hurt nearby property values
A new study shows that billboards negatively affect the values of neighboring properties. It also found that cities with strict billboard controls are experiencing greater economic prosperity than those with controls that are less strict. Read full article in Scenic America's newsletter, Scenic Overlook.

Couple's fight with pipeline company pits Texans' love of oil vs. love of land
The Gipses are one of hundreds in the Crossroads with pipelines crisscrossing their property. For the Gipses and others, their worries aren't about fracking or possible pollutants. For them, the problems start with two legal words: eminent domain. Read full VictoriaAdvocate.com article.

Night Skies showing Venus and the Moon
The HCA photo contest opens on March 1st which is just one month away. Right now the night sky is displaying a wonderful show of the Moon and Venus. Check out these beautiful, inspirational photos. Many local efforts are underway to retrofit outdated lighting in order to protect the night skies. Keep up with this issue and talk with your neighbors about protecting starry skies in the Hill Country.

Lawyer was the bridge over troubled waters
Robert Gulley returned to San Antonio after 44 years to accept a job with the expectation he would fail. His task was to get a 26-member committee representing industry, environmental groups, farmers and cities to agree on how to share the Edwards Aquifer. Read more from SA Express-News.

Burnet/Llano County Water Issues Meeting, January 26
The Central Texas Water Coalition (CTWC), together with Burnet County, will hold an informational session on the region’s most pressing water issues. Area residents and business owners will be able to engage in a Q&A session with a panel of representatives from LCRA, TCEQ, TWDB, Corp of Engineers, and CTWC. Details

LCRA water plan revisions are ready for public comment
“Releasing a new proposed model for managing its water, the Lower Colorado River Authority published its draft water plan Tuesday, detailing stricter guidelines for releasing water to rice farmers and nearly doubling water reserves for cities and power plants.” The plan is posted at LCRA.org. Comments are due February 9th and can be submitted electronically. The LCRA Board will consider the plan at its February 22 meeting. Read more from the Austin American Statesman.

Medina Lake withers on
Medina Lake not been this low in more than two decades, and the lake is expected to continue to lose a few inches every day as the 15-month drought continues. Every drop means less water available for farmers and the city of San Antonio. Read full Houston Chronicle article.

LCRA: Spicewood Beach wells have two to three weeks of water remaining
The well supplying water for about 1,100 residents near Spicewood Beach in Burnet County is at risk of running dry in two to three weeks because of prolonged drought conditions…"We are hopeful that conservation efforts will extend the life of the well, but even so, it is likely the well will become unusable in the next few weeks." Learn More

Drought Emergency Planning Workshops
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will be hosting drought emergency planning workshops throughout the state in January and February 2012. The workshops will provide local government officials, board members, and their water system operators information and tools to prevent and mitigate water outages. Learn More

Wildfire Preparedness Seminar, January 30 in Kerrville
The Upper Guadalupe River Authority has partnered with Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Kerr County, and Headwaters GCD to bring a wildfire preparedness seminar to our area. Topics will include the current status of the drought, wildfire prevention and preparedness, local burning regulations, and a legislative forecast. Details

Wind Turbines + Transmission: A Performance Art Show
Andy Wilkinson designed the project to capture the changing landscape of wind industry through the voices of those involved and impacted by areas of development. He has interviewed farmers, landowners, wind developers, municipal leaders, and environmentalists. The event takes place at TTU in Junction, Thursday evening 1/26. Learn More

Texas' Water Rights System Gets Tested in Drought
Earlier this month, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a notice to a handful of East Texas groups in the Sabine River Basin: Their rights to river water will be suspended because a hunting and fishing club needs more water. The club's right to water predates the others' rights — literally. Read full Texas Tribune article.

Texas Fracking Disclosures to Include Water Totals
Starting Feb. 1, drilling operators in Texas will have to report many of the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing. Environmentalists and landowners are looking forward to learning what acids, hydroxides and other materials have gone into a given well. But a less-publicized part of the regulation is what some water experts are most interested in: the mandatory disclosure of the amount of water needed to “frack” each well. Experts call this an invaluable tool as they evaluate how fracking affects water supplies in the drought-prone state. Read more from Texas Tribune.

Let’s teach our kids about Major Rivers, Watersheds and Aquifers
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has a great program to educate 4th and 5th graders about water resources. Talk this up with your local Hill Country elementary school teachers, let them know that now is the time to order materials. Let’s work together to help the next generation understand watershed systems, the relationship between groundwater and surface water and the importance of conservation. Learn more, register for webinar and place an order here.

Develop water strategy to slake Texans' thirst
The state's population is expected to nearly double by 2060, from 25.4 million people to 46.3 million, according to the state water plan. New management strategies and supply projects are needed to meet the state's residential, business and agricultural water needs. Failure to act could result in devastating business losses, lost jobs and reduced incomes, the state plan says; public health and economic development will suffer. More from Statesman.com.

1,800-home development in western Travis County to go forward
Home construction at the stalled, 1,400-acre Sweetwater development in western Travis County is likely to start by March. On Tuesday, Travis County commissioners unanimously approved aspects of the project that allow Sweetwater's developer to sell lots and continue building roads for the new residential community at Texas 71 near Bee Creek Road. Read full Statesman.com article.

Could water, power woes threaten state's economy?
Dwindling supplies of water and electricity are imperiling the state's economic future, a Texas Senate committee was told Tuesday. Read more from Statesman.com.

Water rate hike provokes county officials
Kerr County commissioners and the county judge had harsh words for the proposed Aqua Texas water rate increase but have basically no way to fend off the new charges. According to the TCEQ, customers have a 150-day comment or protest period after they receive notice of the proposed rate increase. Read full Kerrville Daily Times article.

KLRN Broadcast: Eagle Ford: Opportunity and Challenge
“Predictions on the billions of dollars in oil and natural gas that will come out of the Eagle Ford shale project are mind boggling... The environmental impact of fracking hasn't been effectively measured yet, and many claim the process pollutes well water, or even might cause earthquakes. Read about the program hosted by Robert Rivard. Tune in to KLRN San Antonio, Thursday, January 12th from 8 – 9 pm.

The Future of Texas Drought, January 12
The Central Texas Water Coalition's January 12 meeting will feature, "The Future of Texas Drought," a presentation by Texas State Climatologist, John Nielson-Gammon. Travis County Commissioner Karen Huber will be on hand to talk about her recently released Lake Travis Economic Impact Study, and Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger will discuss the proposal for the studies of Burnet and Llano Counties. Learn More

After exceptionally hot and dry 2011, more drought forecast for new year
After enduring the record-setting heat and dry conditions of 2011, drought-weary Texans are being greeted with forecasts of more of the same for the new year. Read more from TexasClimateNews.org.

The 2012 State Water Plan was sent to the Governor on January 5, 2012
“The primary message of the 2012 State Water Plan is a simple one: In serious drought conditions, Texas does not and will not have enough water to meet the needs of its people, its businesses, and its agricultural enterprises.” Learn more from TWDB. Read what Tom Mason, former LCRA General Manager has to say about the plan here.

Keeping rural roots alive without leaving the city
A great story featuring thoughts of Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson, two sustainable agriculture pioneers… “We came here as poor people on rich land, but now we are rich people on poor land," Jackson said. "As we made 'progress,' we didn't realize what we were undoing in the process. Our society is built upon the withdrawal on the "capital stock of the earth." Read story from Statesman.com.

Private Lands, Public Benefits: Innovations to Sustain the Private Lands that Provide Food, Fiber and Water Policy
In early December, the Texas Agricultural Land Trust and Texas Department of Agriculture hosted Private Lands, Public Benefits in Austin, Texas. The full day conference showcased examples of unique, market based approaches to land and natural resource conservation. Topics included; land fragmentation and loss of rural lands, purchase of development rights or “PDR” programs, the value of natural ecosystems and conservation easements. Learn more about the conference and access speaker presentations. Learn more about Land Conservation and Conservation Easements.

Environmental impact of CREZ
December 23rd was the final day to submit public comments for the LCRA draft Environmental Assessment (dEA), draft Habitat Conservation Plan (dHCP) and related Incidental Take Permit (ITP). The Study Area includes six counties (Tom Green, Schleicher, Kimble, Kerr, Gillespie and Kendall) The impacts of these 18-story high lattice towers used to build 178 miles of industrial scale transmission lines (known as CREZ projects) will change the Hill Country region forever. Hearings will be set soon, you can find out more and review documents at USFW. Comments filed by SOSHE and CVA are posted on our CREZ Issue page.

The Texas Water Crisis
Texas water authorities at every level are on alert. Last summer’s extremely hot, dry weather was a wake-up call. Now more than a dozen Texas towns are in danger of running out of water. Texas is in a water crisis. To make it official, the Texas Water Development Board December report says the state reservoirs are extremely low even after some autumn rain. More from CleanHouston.org

Dangers of fracking still becoming clear
The word "fracking" may sound funny, but it describes a drilling practice that has created a serious boom in natural gas production in Texas and elsewhere, and with the boom has come serious worries about fracking's effects on the environment. More from Statesman.com.

Final piece of aquifer plan approved
In a brief, anticlimactic ending to a painstaking, four-year-long process, the Edwards Aquifer Authority board voted Wednesday to approve the funding for a habitat conservation plan that should keep the region's main aquifer under local control. The plan calls for habitat restoration at the springs, storing water in an underground reservoir built by SAWS, and for all municipal and industrial pumpers to pay farmers not to pump during droughts. Read more from SA Express-News.

Travis County park purchase to add access to Pedernales River
Earlier this month, Travis County commissioners closed on a 770-acre ranch owned by Eugene and Jean Reimers in southwestern Travis County near the Hays County line that will connect Milton Reimers Ranch Park and Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve. More from Statesman.com

EAA Board Approves Funding Agreement for Habitat Conservation Plan
The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) Board of Directors approved a funding and management agreement on Tuesday, December 28, that details how the EAA will pay for implementing a habitat conservation plan (HCP) aimed at protecting threatened and endangered species whose only known habitats are the aquifer-fed Comal and San Marcos springs. More from AACOG.com

Commissioners endorse preserving night skies, PEC offers support
Kimble County and the PEC agree to work together to protect nights skies. “As Judge Murr stated, the night sky is part of the region’s scenic beauty that brings significant economic and financial benefits to the community.” Read more from the Junction Eagle. More from HCA on Night Skies here.

Water planners urged to base needs on centuries, not decades, of drought data
Over the past 500 years, Central Texas has seen droughts far worse than the 1950s drought of record, according to a report commissioned by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority and published Wednesday in the December issue of the Texas Water Journal. Researchers warn that makers of water policy should broaden their planning to factor in the possibility of droughts far worse than the spell that set the bar more than a half-century ago. Read more from Statesman.com.

Texas Tree Ring Study Warns of Long Droughts
A new study of tree rings adds to evidence that Texas has experienced at least one 10-year drought every 100 years, as well as several "mega-droughts" lasting 15 to 30 years over the centuries. Read full Texas Tribune article.

Growth of large private water companies brings higher water rates, little recourse for consumers
Across the state, a growing number of suburban Texans are getting their water from large, private corporations owned by investors seeking to profit off the sale of an essential resource. State figures show private companies are seeking more price increases every year, and many are substantial. Read full Statesman.com article.

Water a hot topic in Hill Country despite recent rains
"Statistics provided by the Texas Water Development Board show that groundwater withdrawal from the Hill Country's Edwards and Trinity aquifers increased dramatically between 1975 and 2010. In 1975, less than 10,000 acre-feet were withdrawn annually; that shot up to 41,000 acre-feet in 2010. Mix in recent drought years, and a picture of a thirsty Hill Country natural world comes into sharper focus." Read more from SA Express-News.

Hays County Master Parks Plan Draft Available for Public Review
The draft of the new Hays County Parks, Open Space and Natural Areas Master Plan has been completed and is available for public review through 5 p.m. January 11, 2012. It has not yet been endorsed or adopted by the Hays County Commissioners Court. Read More

Rainwater harvesting system should make this year's wish list
Dear Santa, I've been reasonably good and would like pearl earrings, an electric lap blanket, a digital reading device and, oh yes, a rain water harvesting system. With water being a top concern, you may want to add this to your Christmas wish list. Capturing rain water is a great way to improve your water resources. Read more from MyWestTexas.com.

LCRA downsizes staff, reapproves selling water system for $140 million
The Lower Colorado River Authority has eliminated about 200 jobs in a cost-saving measure and reapproved selling off one of its largest water and wastewater systems for $140 million. Read more from Statesman.com.

New rules for fracking approved
The Texas Railroad Commission approved a rule Tuesday requiring oil and natural gas drillers to disclose most of the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing. Read full SA Express-News article.

Vote sinks aquifer funding
The Edwards Aquifer Authority board failed Tuesday to approve funding for a plan to assure continued pumping from the region's main aquifer and protect springflows in San Marcos and New Braunfels. The 8-7 vote against the funding agreement means it will be very difficult if not impossible to meet the deadline established by the state Legislature for a habitat conservation plan. Read full SA Express-News article.

Wildlife Tax Valuation Workshop
The Cibolo Nature Center and Texas Parks and Wildlife are presenting a three part Wildlife Tax Valuation Workshop in January. This indepth seminar is especially for owners with more than 20 acres and emphasizes wildlife management strategies that improve native habitat and increase species diversity. Details

Texas State Parks need $4.6 million to help keep parks open
Record drought and heat, devastating wildfires, and a drop in visitation have led to a critical situation for state parks. See how you can help.

Texas’ multibillion-dollar cost to build wind energy lines raises doubts
Texas electricity regulators proposed the $5 billion project a few years ago to bring West Texas wind power to North Texas and Houston. But the markets and the political mood have changed. Carbon dioxide is no longer the most popular foe. Now it’s electricity shortages and blackouts. Read full DallasNews.com article.

Hill Country Landowners take action to protect springs and property rights
So, what happens when local residents and landowners don’t agree with the groundwater management plan handed down by a regional governing body that affects the future of a precious, local groundwater resource? The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has a process for such situations, and it’s now playing out with precision in the Wimberley Valley of Hays County. Read More

A sustainable Hill Country eats locally
December 3rd – December 10th is the 5th Annual Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week! Hosted by Edible Austin, this is Austin’s premier local food event, celebrating local seasonal food and foodmakers in Central Texas and raising money for Urban Roots and Sustainable Food Center. Learn more about Hill Country sustainable agriculture here.

Regional Rail from San Antonio to Georgetown
Project Connect is a collaboration of transportation agencies exploring “high-capacity transit” for our region. Check out this news segment from KUT and KXAN. Open house public meetings will be held in the Austin area December 6, 8 and 9. Learn More

Submit Your Nominations for the Texas Rain Catcher Award
Time is running out to submit your entry for the 4th Annual Texas Rain Catcher Award. The Texas Water Development Board's (TWDB) Texas Rain Catcher Award is a "rainwater harvesting" competition and recognition program designed to promote rainwater technology, educate the public, and recognize excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 31. More information on eligibility, benefits, judging, entries and past winners is available on the TWDB's Innovative Water Technologies website.

Read more Hill Country newsEmphasized

Upcoming Events

February

February 7 in Austin - Texas Enterprise Speaker Series Presents: What's the Future of Energy? | Details

February 7 in Kerrville - Drought Emergency Planning Workshop - Details

February 9 in New Braunfels - Drought Emergency Planning Workshop - Details

February 10 in Austin - City Forum, Imagine Austin: Looking Back, Looking Forward - Details

February 15-17 in San Antonio - Texas Transportation Forum - Details

February 22-24 in Austin - Texas Land Trust Council's 2012 Statewide Land Conservation Council - Details

February 23-24 in San Antonio - 13th Annual Changing Face of Water Rights Course - Details

February 25-26 in Austin - Native Plant Spring Symposium 2012, H2O: More Than a Chemical Formula - Presented by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and NPSOT - Details

March

March 7-9 in Dallas - Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA) 2012 Annual Convention - Details

March 17 in Fort McKavett - Spring Star Party - Details

March 30-April 1 in San Marcos - Texas Rainwater Catchment Association's 2012 Conference - Details

April

April 25-28 - 13th Annual Nature Quest - Learn from Hill Country nature experts through field trips, workshops, nature by kayak and programs along the Clear Frio, Nueces & Sabinal Rivers - Details

April 27-29 in Fredericksburg - Wings Over the Hills Nature Festival - Details

May

May 5 in Bandera - 12th Annual Medina River Cleanup - Details

August

August 28-30 in Austin - Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts: Texas Groundwater Summit - Details

See more upcoming events