Mailing List:

Join HCA in protecting the precious natural resources and heritage of the Hill Country. With a vast library of resources, regular postings of news and events and a host of dedicated informed volunteers, we strive to be your information center.

The 2009 Texas Legislature

County Authority
The Hill Country County Coalition built a united legislative ask for expanded County Authority specifically for the Hill Country region. HB 3265 was voted favorably in the House County Affairs Committee but died in Calendars. Helpful one sheet here.
More about County Authority

LCRA
Representative Donna Howard�s HB 4756 would have taken important steps to bring local participation and oversight to the Lower Colorado River Authority. This initiative gave Counties in the LCRA basin a seat at the table. Legislation was referred to Natural Resources and died.

Scenic Beauty
Billboards continue to mulity in Texas. Most scenic Hill Country roadways are vulnerable to unregulated billboards. The following efforts to protect scenic highways in the Hill Country died in committee:
SB 1319 � Comal County local control, Wentworth
HB 2445 � FM 150 in Hays County, Rose
SB 1266 � Hwy 71, Watson
SB 1318 � Specific roads in Comal County, Wentworth
HB 1440 � Hwy 71, Bolton
HB 1521 � FM 967 in Hays County, Rose
HB 1588 � FM 1826 in Hays County, Rose
HB 1592 � FM 1826 and 967 in Hays County, Rose
HB 2948 � Comal County local control, Miller
HB 3642 � Specific roads in Comal County, Miller
HB 3616 � Travis County local control, Bolton
SB 1822 � FM 1431 in Burnet County, Fraser
HB 2501 � Creation of the Boerne Stage Road Driving Trail, Leibowitz
More on Scenic Issues.

Groundwater
HCA board member Milan Michalec recaps groundwater legislation. Read article here.

2009 Legislative Summary HCA followed numerous bills that impacted Hill Country issues such as farm and ranchland protection, groundwater supply, transportation, county development rules, billboards, river authorities, and more. Read our 2009 Legislative Summary here.

Recent News:

August 3, 2009

Environment Texas Releases 2009 Legislative Scorecard

Fifteen representatives and nineteen senators voted to protect the environment 100% of the time in the 81st Legislature, according to Environment Texas� biennial legislative scorecard. The scorecard tracks votes on a range of votes affecting the state�s air, water, natural areas, and quality of life. Read full media release here.

June 3, 2009

Some Bullis bills run into buzz saw

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff would tell you that protecting Camp Bullis and its mission of training combat medics for war should have been a slam-dunk, but it wasn't. Hence, local leaders are taking no chances over one bill that squeaked out of the 81st session. Wolff, Mayor Juli�n Castro, Sen. Jeff Wentworth and Fort Sam Houston's top commander will meet with the media today to show support for House Bill 2919 that would create a panel charged with making recommendations to area governments on development projects near Bullis. See full MySA.com article here.

June 2, 2009

Fossil-fueled Texas can't see solar light

Commentary by Jim Marston, Environmental Defense Fund:
What began as "the sunny" 81st legislative session ended overcast this week as political wrangling and well-funded special interests clouded opportunities to bring thousands of jobs to Texas and position us as a leader in the new energy economy. It appears that the adage "the more things change, the more they stay the same" rings true once again. While other states develop economically beneficial policies to bring jobs and cleaner energy, Texas is stuck trying to hold on to our fossil-fueled past. See full Statesman.com commentary here.

TURF, Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom, gives the play by play of transportation legislation maneuvering through the House and Senate and finally the death of HB 300

It was messy, and full of drama, but the grassroots, with the help of infighting among lawmakers over the "local option" gas tax hike, managed to slay a beast of a bill that would have unleashed horrific provisions upon Texans for GENERATIONS to come. Read full TURF article here.

Helpful Links:

Alliance for a Clean Texas - Dedicated to improving public health, quality of life and the environment in Texas by working for change at the regulatory and legislative levels.

Find your legislators

Texas Coalition for Conservation- Learn about the economic impact of parks, open space and natural resources in Texas and find information on other conservations issues for our state.

Texas League of Conservation Voters - Working to preserve and enhance the quality of life of Texans by making environmental conservation a top priority with Texas elected officials, political candidates and voters.

Texas Legislature Home page - Look up the full text and status of bills, find scheduled hearings and see how your legislators voted.

Helpful documents:

Meeting summary for Envision Central Texas' Legislative Forum
Briefing Memo on Water Quantity Issues in the 81st Texas Legislature - A recent history of water legislation and a memo on the water quantity issues to be discussed in this legislative session, written by Ken Kramer, Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Texas House of Representatives Interim Charges, 81st Legislature

Back to Issues

Upcoming Events

March

March 9 in Kerrville - �Hill Country Archeology: Why it is Important to You� - Hosted by Riverside Nature Center - Details

March 12-13 in Kerrville - Texas Rainwater Catchment Association 2010 State Conference - Details and Registration

March 12-14 in Junction - Riparian Essentials in Practice Workshop - Hosted by Texas Riparian Association - Details

March 25 - Water Issue Symposium �Kids, Water and Science: Perspectives from Our Future� - Details

March 25 in Boerne - Free Texas Watershed Steward Training Program - Details

March 27 - Lyndon B. Johnson Historical Park announces the 3rd annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour - Details

March 31 in Austin - 2010 Envision Central Texas Regional Forum Series - Bringing together regional leaders to examine the critical infrastructure needs and resource constraints facing Central Texas and how to translate these challenges into opportunities - Details

April

April 6 in Canyon Lake - Annual Research Update on Geology in the Canyon Lake Gorge, Presentation by Southwest Research Institute - Visit Website

April 13 in Kerrville - �The Geology of the Hill Country� - Hosted by Riverside Nature Center - Details

April 17 in Kerrville - Earth Day Celebration - Sponsored by Riverside Nature Center and the Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas - Details

April 24 in New Braunfels - 4th Annual New Braunfels Earth Day Celebration - Details

April 28-30 in Austin - 2010 Statewide Land Conservation Conference - Details and Registration

May

May 31 - Last day of 2010 Hill Country Alliance Photo Contest.

See more upcoming events

The Latest News

Ranchers team up with feds to clear cedar, boost water supply
As water supplies become more valuable, conservationists say proper range management is an important way to improve them in urban areas, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service has begun an effort it calls Rural Land-Urban Water to promote the connection to urban audiences. Read full Statesman.com article here.

Drop by Drop: Seven Ways Texas Cities Can Conserve Water
The National Wildlife Federation and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club released a joint report today recommending seven common-sense water conservation measures. The report reviews 19 cities around the state to see where these measures are in place and concludes that, with some exceptions, most of the cities surveyed are not doing enough to make the most efficient use of existing water supplies. Read more...

Watershed group meetings slated for spring in Seguin,
New Braunfels The Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed Partnership will conduct various workgroup meetings this spring in Seguin and New Braunfels. Data obtained from these group meetings will be used in watershed characterization and evaluation toward developing a Watershed Protection Plan. Read more

3rd Annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour Set for March
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park announces the 3rd annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour, �A Ride to Preserve History.� Details

Hill Country Deserves Protection of Environmental Impact Statement
Organizations across the Hill Country are asking state and federal agencies to ensure that protecting the Hill Country environment is a primary consideration as sites are selected for the high-voltage transmission lines soon to be built throughout the region. Read full media release here.

2010 Hill Country Alliance Photo Contest has begun
The Texas Hill Country is a photographer�s paradise. Creeks are once again flowing, and the forecast calls for a green spring with plenty of wildflowers. Now is the time to dust off your camera and head outside to capture the beauty and mystique of this special region. Read full media release here.

An Open letter to LCRA and PUC
The LCRA is finished with this last round of open houses but people in the Hill Country still have many concerns. It�s not too late to send in your comments. Read this open letter from one landowner and learn more. Read more...

Read more Hill Country news...