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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.

Scenic Beauty: Billboards, Transmission Lines and Wind Farms

Scenic Beauty is one of the most valuable assets of our region. Yet new billboards are being erected at an increasing rate on our county roads and highways. Counties in Texas currently don�t have the authority to regulate billboards, dark skies, energy transmission lines, or cell towers, these issues are left to be dealt with every two years in the Texas Legislature.

Recent legislation calls for the Public Utility Commission to transport wind energy from central/west Texas through the Hill Country to the I-35 corridor. But at what cost? Entities such as the LCRA, who will be constructing these transmission lines (huge) will use eminent domain to secure easements. HCA promotes fair compensation, thoughtful, inclusive process for landowners, and careful planning. Below you'll find articles, links to citizen organizations and helpful documents. Scenic Texas says it well, "We believe that growth is inevitable but ugliness is not.�

Latest News

March 2, 2010

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.

March 2, 2010

SOS Hill Country Environment member updates as of March 2nd

The latest news on CREZ transmission lines. Click here

March 1, 2010

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...

February 26, 2010

Wind power that makes great sense

You might be wondering, however, what exactly a �small wind system� is and whether you should consider bolting one to your roof. Read all about it in Gazette.com's article here.

Read News on Scenic Beauty and Find Upcoming Events.

Helpful documents:

CWA's introduction to CREZ � Competitive Renewable Energy Zone

The Impact of Wind Turbines on Market Value of Rural Texas Land

Steel Monopoles vs Lattice Towers, from Bill Neiman

Texas Wildlife Association position paper on CREZ lines

Helpful links:

Clear View Alliance - Neighbors working for responsible transmission line planning.
Don't Mess With Texas - Working to keep Texas roads beautiful.
Industrial Wind Action Group - Industrial Wind Action stands ready to assist communities threatened with industrial wind energy projects by providing residents, as well as government officials, the information to make informed decisions.
LCRA and CREZ - LCRA website about the CREZ projects
Save Our Scenic Hill Country Environment - Save Our Scenic Hill Country was organized by a group of landowners, business people and other concerned citizens in Gillespie County who are committed to sensible development in our beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Scenic Texas - Dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our state's visual environment.
Texas Hill Country Heritage Association - THCHA's mission is to protect private property rights and the environment through research, education, publications and programs; to identify pertinent community issues; inform the public and motivate citizens to respond; and to encourage and enhance the role of local governments.

Scenic Beauty
Important Hill Country Scenic bills filed and failed in '09:

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

HB3483 by Rep. Garnet Coleman & HB2948 by Rep. Doug Miller would have granted counties the option to protect highways and roads that lie outside a city from new off-premise billboards without any additional cost or regulatory burden. HB3483 would also have ensured that any new non-urban billboard is designed to look more like it belongs in rural Texas--by limiting the size and restricting bright lighting.

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...