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Contact:
Christy Muse, Executive Director
Hill Country Alliance
Mailto:christy@hillcountryalliance.org
www.HillCountryAlliance.org
512.560.3135
Wind Turbines and Transmission Lines carry anxiety across the Hill Country
by Vicki Wolf
Once you’ve visited Enchanted Rock, you never forget the scenic beauty and power of this natural wonder. What would a farm of 400-foot-tall wind turbines do to the unique vista adorned by the dome profile of this pink granite marvel? Junction is known as the “Land of the Living Waters” and is named for the rivers coming together there: the North and South Llano Rivers. The Johnson Fork Creek, that feeds into the rivers, provides amazing canoeing and kayaking experiences. Young boys fishing the creek boast about catching 50 pound catfish. How will this wild, beautiful area, change if high voltage transmission lines cross the creek in four places?
Jan and Bill Neiman have worked for 36 years to build their Native American Seed Farm, environmental restoration and eco-tourism business. Their son and daughter work in the family business. How will their lives change if a 200 foot wide path is cut across their native seed farm to accommodate towers and transmissions lines?
These are questions being asked by Hill Country citizens as it becomes apparent that the scenic beauty, valuable tourism industry, and lives of farmers and ranchers could be forever changed by the growing need for more electric power and demand for clean, renewable energy.
Texas now leads the nation in the production of wind power. No one argues about the fact that Texas, with the highest energy consumption in the United States, needs to move away from dwindling, polluting fossil fuels toward the clean, renewable energy wind power offers.
But concern and anxiety are wafting across the Hill Country as a storm brews over the potential placement of massive wind turbines and tall towers carrying high voltage transmission lines. Landowners, farmers and ranchers want the value of beautiful vistas, recreation areas and their land to be considered as decisions are made about where to build wind farms and transmission lines.
“If you have a turbine going up near a cotton field, no problem: farmers will take money and be happy with it. But if you want to put up a turbine near Enchanted Rock, that is a different deal,” says David Langford, Former CEO of Texas Wildlife Association and owner of a six-generation ranch in the Hill Country.
“Is the potential benefit worth the probable negative impact on scenic views, tourism and land values?” asks Robert Weatherford. He and his wife, live 10 miles north of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County on Ranch Road 965 that goes to Enchanted Rock State Park. “I personally became concerned because I had seen wind farms developed in West Texas and felt it was not appropriate for this type of country,” Weatherford says. “In West Texas there’s lots of wind and different types of development. Here we have views and tourism, and potential impact on wildlife.”
Weatherford chairs Save Our Scenic Hill Country Environment, a group of landowners, business people and other citizens in Gillespie County concerned about the possibility of industrial wind turbine development in Gillespie and surrounding counties. The group formed in 2007 after they learned that some landowners in north-central Gillespie County had been contacted about the possibility of wind lease agreements.
Save Our Scenic Hill Country Environment members believe that wind farms may be appropriate in other parts of Texas, but they don’t make sense in Gillespie and surrounding counties due to: aesthetics and natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country; the economic value of tourism and smart growth; the sensitive environmental integrity of the area (including birds, bats and other wildlife); and the fact the Hill Country is a relatively low-wind area. The Public Utility Commission (PUC) ranks this area near the bottom for sustaining wind energy -- 20th out of 25 potential competitive renewable energy zones (CREZ).
The other factor that puts the Hill Country in the energy squeeze is that the top five potential CREZ areas are in the Panhandle and West Texas, while the most populated urban areas of the state are east of the Hill Country, along the I-35 Corridor.
The people in Junction, Texas know just about everything there is to know about the 18 story towers proposed to carry single-circuit and double-circuit 345 kilovolts of electricity from west Texas, across the Hill Country to the I-35 corridor. Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), one of the transmission providers selected by the PUC, shows one possible transmission route cutting diagonally across Kimble County and Junction.
Families who live here are losing sleep over eminent domain that may be used by LCRA to clear 200-foot right-of-way across their land, and disrupt the farms and ranches cared for over generations. They worry about what will happen to the river basin they have declared a “Priority Recreation Zone (PRZ)” if this route is chosen. Bill Neiman, owner of Native American Seed Farm in Junction, has taken a leading role in organizing Clear View Alliance, a group of more than 100 citizens in Kimble County and beyond who are working to get LCRA to take an alternate route for the transmission lines. He says, “Priority Recreation Zones are here for the common good, offering open space where Texans can come for refuge from the heavy drum of the cities.”
Neiman and most of Junction are residents learned about the proposed transmission line routes at an open house hosted by the LCRA. When they looked at the map showing three transmission line routes proposed by LCRA, they found Junction and Kimble County in dead center of one of the routes, from Mc Camey D Substation in Schleicher County -- one of the top five potential CREZ areas in West Texas -- to Kendall County, southeast of Kimble County.
As part of the wind energy boom in Texas, the wind energy production potential greatly exceeds the Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) transmission system’s capacity. To enhance the momentum of the wind industry, the State Legislature approved a plan in 2005 to build transmission lines that can handle 18,456 megawatts of electrical power by 2013. Because of this priority status, environmental assessments deadlines are six months instead of the year that is usually given to review proposals and ensure providers comply with state and federal environmental laws. The citizens of Junction believe more time should be given to study the impact on an area that has so much public benefit and value as a recreation area and wildlife habitat.
Neiman says they have been told that LCRA will choose the cheapest, fastest route without considering the harm that would be done to their beautiful place. “A poorly thought out process is being fast-tracked to place transmission lines thoughtlessly across the Hill Country,” he says. “My family is working day and night to understand the process, and find places we have rights and exercise them. We hope to bring new awareness to how this could be done in a much smarter way.”
Residents of Junction are hoping that LCRA will chose an alternate route that parallels an existing right of way to begin establishment of smart corridors. They want to prevent unsightly, high voltage transmission lines from being strung across lush river basins and the creeks and rivers in a part of the Hill Country where nature and land remain relatively unspoiled by development. They are asking that more thoughtful planning be given to a decision that could leave a big scar across some of the most beautiful land in the Hill Country. Buz and Kristi Hull have lived in their home in Junction for 29 years. Buz Hull is a builder whose business is already being impacted by proposals for transmission lines across the area. “If you take a transmission line across the front of a house I used to could get $1.5 million for, I would get $300 to $400 thousand for the same property,” Hull says. “I wouldn’t live here,” he says. “No one should have to live under these high voltage lines.”
“Why, out of all the routes they could pick, would they come across the main Llano River Basin and up Johnson Fork River Valley?” asks Kristi Hull. “The river is the heart of this county. We are the last of the Hill Country,” she adds. “West of here it’s desert, no water.”
Neiman explains that the LCRA could chose a route along existing right-of-way that already carries 138 kilovolt lines. “This line originates in the same location and terminates where they want to go,” Neiman says. “The PUC (Public Utility Commission) may want to redirect the LCRA to give a fair opening and expansion of the study area to look at these options that are much more economically and ecologically sound.”
Greer Kothman owns the real estate business started by his father in the 1940’s, and a 2,500 acre ranch near Junction. “I’ve ranched for 40 years and I love the land,” Greer says. “We are all stewards of the land. We don’t live long, and we want to leave it better than we found it.”
Clear View Alliance members are working against the clock to request an Environmental Impact Study, which follows Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards, rather than an Environmental Assessment, which does not follow these standards. They are compiling economic impact studies and increasing community awareness about the transmission lines and doing everything they can to protect their homes, land and rivers from the changes these transmission lines could bring. They want to avoid a regret that could linger for generations to come.
The Latest News
SOS Hill Country news updates regarding CREZ By Sept 23rd ERCOT is to file a summary of the re-evaluation of the need for the Gillespie to Newton line. Helpful dates, deadlines and timely information from SOSHCE can be viewed here.
Hill Country Water Celebration Sept. 26 for fun and water conservation
The Hill Country Water Celebration with award-winning singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson is September 26 at the Salt Lick Pavilion, Driftwood, Texas. Details
Sign Seminar, current issues in sign regulation
Although county authority in this area is limited, this seminar will include a session on bandit signs and control of off premise signs. Scenic beauty is an economic resource and quality of life issue for the Hill Country. Learn more
LCRA’s Tom Mason, “A conflict is brewing in the Texas Hill Country”
On its face, it pits transmission lines, which are needed to bring wind power from West Texas to the state's power grid, against communities of Central Texas. In reality, it's a conflict among several competing objectives, all of them important.” Read full opinion piece here.
Saving Family Lands Seminar – September 21 in San Antonio
To help farmers and ranchers keep their land intact and pass it on to the next generation, the Texas Agricultural Land Trust is hosting two “Saving Family Lands” Seminars. Read More.
Mythical Texas Vs. Modern Texas Land Management
Experts predict that if significant changes aren't made, the state will experience a profound shortage of water by 2060 -- or sooner. Read TWA President Tina Buford’s opinion piece on environmental challenges and land stewardship here.
TCEQ Sunset Town Hall Meeting Sept 23 in San Antonio
GEAA and several partners have organized a town hall style meeting to share suggestions about improving the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Key legislators will be present to listen to public input. Participate and Learn more here.
Texas Completes Key Groundwater Planning Step
An intensive process to plan out the maximum depletion of aquifers over the next half-century has been completed just ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline. Read full Texas Tribune article here.
Wind transmission lines across Hill Country face holdup at Public Utility Commission
By the time the first segment of the Hill Country line came before the commission in April, the commissioners told the LCRA to go back to the drawing board on proposed routes. And now, with commission Chairman Barry Smitherman signaling his unwillingness to go forward, the commissioners appear to be on the verge of scotching the line altogether. Read full Statesman.com article here.
Nominate an "Endangered Historic Place” in the Hill Country
Preservation Texas has called for nominations for its annual naming of “Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places”. Nominations are due October 15th. HCA has resources and people who will help. Think about a special place that deserves help with preservation and public attention and take it upon yourself to get the ball rolling. Learn more
Riparian Landowner’s Workshops scheduled for October
Riparian areas are important components of the landscape and water cycle. Please read Steve Nelle’s (NRCS) “Riparian Notes”, learn about taking care of your water resources. More information and details about upcoming workshops here.
TCEQ Considers lower water quality standards. SARA says “clean enough to swim in”
The board of the San Antonio River Authority has come out against the state lowering water quality standards for any of the creeks and rivers it oversees. Other Hill Country river basins are looking at this issue carefully. Sign a petition supporting high standards and learn more here.
Mainstreet Architect Introduces Design Guideline Process to Blanco
The first Design Guideline Public Meeting was held on Tuesday evening, July 27, 2010 at the Blanco Public library at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce to Blanco citizens and business owners the steps involved in developing design guidelines for the city. Read more from Blanco County News here.
Kerr Wildlife Management Area to be Dedicated Aug. 27th
New, $1.8 million conference center to be dedicated Aug. 27 at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area will provide Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with a quality venue for presenting habitat management and ecological programs to thousands of landowners, students and researchers.
More…
UGRA to host Watershed Stewards event this Thursday
August 26th from 8 am – 4pm in Kerrville. Free, one-day workshop designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their watershed, the Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake. Details
Water Matters: Highland Lakes Group
One thing that almost everyone involved with water supply from groundwater agrees with, including users, marketers and regulators alike, is that the volume of water pumped from an aquifer should not exceed the natural recharge of water into the aquifer” Read Water Matters.
Capitol Area transportation planning news
The Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's (CAMPO’s) August “CAMPO Connection” features information about the newly adopted 2035 Plan and ECT’s forum taking place on September 10th, “Innovate or Stagnate: Can New Approaches to Infrastructure Development Transform our Region?
Hill Country elected officials urging re-evaluation of transmission lines
Public officials participated in the August 19th PUC Open Meeting in Austin; “CREZ transmission line would have a significant negative impact on the Hill Country which is truly a unique area…” Read the summary from SOS Hill Country here. Senator Fraser continues to push for use of existing rights of way. Read Fraser’s letter to the PUC dated Aug 19th here.
Rainwater Revival announces speaker and live music line-up
The Rainwater Revival today announced the speaker and live music line-up for this outdoor festival created to celebrate the timeless conservation practice of rainwater collection. Read more here.
Senator Fraser Announces Gillespie-Newton Transmission Line Unnecessary
Senator Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay) announced on Tuesday that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has determined that the Gillespie to Newton transmission line is not necessary to solve congestion problems as part of the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone project. Read more here.
TWCA Fall Meeting Scheduled for October 13-15
State Representative Doug Miller and TWDB Board Member Thomas Weir Labatt III will headline the fall meeting of the Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA), scheduled for October 13-15, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio. The program will also include numerous presentations on surface and groundwater management. Registration information and a full agenda should be available on the TWCA website by mid-August.
Hill Country power line may not be needed, state grid operator says
A controversial power line proposed to cross the Hill Country to transmit wind power from West Texas may not have to get built after all, according to a letter Tuesday from the agency operating the state's electricity grid. Read full Statesman.com article here.
TCEQ recognizes need for Hays, Travis, Comal Groundwater District
The TCEQ issued a report that draws the conclusion that an order be issued to create a Groundwater Conservation District to include Western Travis, Hays and Comal Counties. The report was filed June 30th and is available online here. More information here. A hearing has been set for set for October 28, 2010 at the Hays County Courthouse at 10:00 a.m. Click here for details.
Hays County picks Nicholson Ranch for Conservation
Nicholson Ranch tract may contain some karst features, which allow substances to more easily enter aquifers. The property includes a small section of Glen Rose limestone, is at the headwaters of Onion Creek, includes several branches of the creek, and may possess springs. Read full San Marcos News article here.
SOS Hill Country requests re-evaluation of transmission line
SaveOur Scenic Hill Country Environment (SOSHCE)is an organization of more than 500 members in Gillespie, Llano, Mason, Kerr and Kimble counties. They are highly concerned about the negative impacts that the McCamey D – Kendall – Gillespie CREZ line will have on the future of the Hill Country and are asking for a re-evaluation of the need for these lines. Read their letter to PUC here.
Great Video About Bear Springs Blossom Preserve
Peter and Marianne Bonenberger were recently awarded a Lone Star Land Steward Award for their excellent work educating the public about land conservation and active restoration practices. Texas Parks & Wildlife put together a great video about the Bonenbergers that is now available. Take five minutes and see what these awesome folks have been doing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6m8pLdxxww
LCRA Newsletter announces procedural schedule for Hill Country CREZ
LCRA TSC mailed about 5,100 notice letters to landowners along each of the 75 alternative routes the same day it filed the application on July 28. Newspaper notices describing LCRA TSC's proposed routes began running in area newspapers the week of Aug.2” August 27th is the intervention deadline. Complete LCRA Newsletter can be viewed here.
American Planning Association/Texas Conference October 6-9 in San Antonio
Water, Wind and Solar Resources - will there be enough for our growing State? Other topics include; physical and social sustainability planning; planning services to assist in meeting specific community needs; tools for planner's to use in their professional development and Ethics and legislative and court decisions and their effect on community development. HCA friend Randall Arendt, the nation's premier "green" landscape planner, site designer, author and lecturer and an advocate of "conservation planning" will return to Texas as a featured speaker. Learn more here.
Tom Mason, GM at LCRA to speak to PLTA Sept 9th
The Protect Lake Travis Association annual general membership meeting will be combined with a special meeting of the newly formed Lake Travis Community Coalition. The meeting will be held at the Travis County West Service Center near Mansfield Dam at 7PM on Thursday, September 9th. Learn more here.
Transmission Line Seminars Offer Information and Options for Landowners
Five transmission line seminars are scheduled across the state featuring expert information on the electric transmission line process, CREZ, and options for private landowners who may be impacted by proposed transmission line routes. Read details from Texas Wildlife Association here.
Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan 2035
TxDot hosts an open-house style public meeting for the development of the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan addressing roads, transit, rail, and all transportation related planning - Wednesday, August 11th in San Antonio - Details
Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust Becomes Texas' First Accredited Land Trust
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, announced today that Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust has been awarded accredited status, making Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust the first accredited land trust in the state of Texas. Read more from Texas Land Trust Council here.
TCEQ Draws Flak for Studies That Might Result in Weaker Water Quality Standards The efforts of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to weaken water quality standards for numerous Texas streams through so-called “recreational use” studies were dealt a serious setback Thursday night in the small community of Kosciusko southeast of San Antonio when over 300 residents of Wilson, Karnes, and neighboring counties turned out to demand better water quality for their local stream, Lower Cibolo Creek. Read full story here.
Viewpoint: Comal County needs groundwater conservation district
In the state of Texas, the state owns surface water, including lakes and rivers. But groundwater is a private-property rights matter. In this regard, the state has declared that the preferred method of managing groundwater in Texas is by a groundwater conservation district. (Comal) county has no such groundwater conservation district atop the Trinity Aquifer, which spans about two-thirds of our county. Read full San Antonio Express community article here.
The Future of Water: GMA 9's 30-foot drawdown decision could crimp future growth
After nearly four years of hydrology modeling and politicking, representatives from groundwater districts in Kendall and eight other Hill Country counties decided Monday to limit the drawdown of aquifer levels to no more than 30 feet over the next 50 years. Read full Boerne Star article here.
Read more Hill Country news
Upcoming Events
September
September 9 in Austin - Combined Protect Lake Travis Association (PLTA) and Lake Travis Community Coalition (LTCC) meeting, open to the public - Details
September 10 in Austin - INNOVATE OR STAGNATE: Could New Approaches to Infrastructure Transform Our Region? - Envision Central Texas Regional Forum III - Details
September 11 - 21st Annual Frio River Trash Bash - Details
September 11 in Fredericksburg - Better Basics: Backyards, Birds and Butterflies - Presented by the Native Plant Society of Texas Fredericksburg Chapter - Details
September 17 in San Antonio - Texas Riparian Association 2010 Annual Meeting - Details
September 17 in San Antonio - Edwards Aquifer Authority workshop on Karst Aquifers - Details
September 17 in New Braunfels - Austin-San Antonio Growth Summit - Details
September 21 in San Antonio - Saving Family Lands Seminar - Land conservation, tax planning and financial strategies for landowners and their advisors - Registration deadline: September 13 - Details
September 23 in San Antonio - TCEQ Townhall Meeting - details
September 25 in Brenham - 2nd Annual South Central Texas Water Conservation Conference - Details
September 25 in Helotes - Riparian Zone Workshop: San Geronimo Creek - Details
September 26 in Helotes - Riparian Zone Workshop: Helotes Creek - Details
September 26 in Driftwood - Wimberley Valley Watershed Association annual Hill Country Water Celebration - Details
September 27 in San Antonio - Riparian Zone Workshop: San Antonio River - Details
September 30 in Austin - Third Annual Celebration of Children in Nature - Hosted by Westcave Preserve - Details
September 30 in Austin - Texas Water Symposium - Legislative Action Affecting Texas Water Resources - Details
October
October 4 in Lockhart - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 5 in Swinney Switch - - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 6 in Camp Wood - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 6-9 in San Antonio - 2010 American Planning Association Texas Conference - Details
October 7 in Tarpley - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 8 in Barksdale - Riparian Landowners' Workshop - Details
October 8 in Kerrville - Transmission Line Seminar Hosted by Texas Wildlife Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association - Details
October 9 in Dripping Springs - Hays County Rainwater Revival - All day event celebrating and learning about Rainwater Harvesting and Water Conservation - Details
October 11-12 in San Antonio - Texas Innovative Water 2010 - Details
October 13 in Cleburn - Transmission Line Seminar Hosted by Texas Wildlife Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association - Details
October 13-15 in San Antonio - Texas Water Conservation Association Fall Meeting - Registration information and a full agenda should be available on the http://www.twca.org/TWCA website by mid-August.
October 22 in Driftwood - Hill Country Conservancy's 4th Annual Hill Country Nights - Details
October 27 in Lubbock - Transmission Line Seminar Hosted by Texas Wildlife Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association - Details
October 27-30 in Austin - National Preservation Conference - Details
The Hill Country is an idea Texans share.
The Hill Country Alliance connects people and place as active stewards of a regional heritage worth sharing and sustaining for future generations.
"The Mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together an ever-expanding alliance of groups throughout a multi-county region of Central Texas with the long-term objective of preserving open spaces, water supply, water quality and the unigue character of the Texas Hill Country."
