News
Severe Drought Has U.S. West Fearing Worst
Pay attention to what’s happening in California - "17 rural communities providing water to 40,000 people are in danger of running out within 60 to 120 days. 'I have experienced a really long career in this area, and my worry meter has never been this high,' said Tim...
Who Controls Texas’ 2 Billion Water Fund?
“The chairmanship is a posting that could easily tumble into cynicism, to the knowing feeling that despite legislative assurances that portions of the water money will be used for the sort of conservation project that Delia, the 9-year-old girl, favors, most of it...
Bandera County Water Awareness Event – March 21 – 22
BANDERA – The first in a series of water-related workshops will be held March 21-22 at Mansfield Park Recreational Hall, 2886 Highway 16 North in Bandera. The Bandera County Water Awareness Series event will be held from 6-9 p.m. on March 21 and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on...
House Approves Farm Bill
In a striking show of bi-partisanship, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to support the 2014 Farm Bill. The final vote was 251 - 166. The legislation will generate more than one billion dollars for saving endangered farm and ranch lands. The bill is...
2014 Groundwater News
January 29, 2014 Rio Grande Water Users Fear Groundwater Pumping Project A controversial groundwater pumping plan that opponents argue could threaten the lower Rio Grande's already depleted supply is highlighting a conundrum in Texas water law. Texas rivers and...
Farm Transfer Tools: Promoting Sustainable Practices
“Many landowners, whether retiring from a lifelong career of farming or inheriting land from parents who farmed, want to leave a legacy of conservation and sustainable agriculture. As a landowner, you may be looking for ways to pass on the farm to a farmer and/or new...
New Braunfels river rules deemed unenforceable
For six years, New Braunfels has tried to keep rowdy tubers from tossing trash into its rivers with a series of ordinances barring them from floating through town with coolers larger than 16 quarts or from carrying disposable bottles and cans. Now, a judge has sunk...
Dealing with Drought
In this exclusive premiere of the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) mini-documentary “Dealing with Drought,” diverse Edwards Aquifer permit holders share their stories of resilience and conservation practices. More from the Rivard Report.
Chemical Spill in West Virginia shows the vulnerability of our water supplies
January 21, 2014 American Rainwater Catchment Association Value of Rainwater Catchment Systems RAINWATER HARVESTING CAN CREATE SAFE, DECENTRALIZED WATER SUPPLIES The disastrous chemical spill that contaminated West Virginia's water supply reinforced the value of...
Texas Water Report: Going Deeper for the Solution
The State Comptroller’s Office released “Texas Water Report: Going Deeper for the Solution” earlier this month. The report demonstrates the value of conservation investments and innovation in water research and technology. A website was also launched to compliment the...
Water, Local Control Issues Paramount in HD-53 Race
The bulk of the western Texas Hill Country lies in House District 53, Representative Harvey Hilderbran’s seat since 1992. Three candidates are running in the Republican Primary. “Murr acknowledged the diversity of the region: “Different growing regions, different...
Energy demonstration project now underway at TTU-Junction
James Murr The Junction Eagle Last fall the Llano River Field Station (the Station) at the Texas Tech University (TTU) Center in Junction received a grant for $230,000 from the Office of the Texas Comptroller for an alternative energy demonstration project. The...
Zero Net Water
Imagine a water management strategy that would accommodate growth and development without unsustainably pumping down aquifers or incurring the huge expense and societal disruption to build reservoirs or transport water from remote supplies to developing areas. Welcome...
Groundwater Desalination: An Under-Projected Source of Supply?
The challenges and opportunities in brackish groundwater desalination as a source of future water supply in Texas have been receiving considerable attention lately. With a Joint Interim Committee on Desalination, Senate Natural Resources Committee interim charges that...
San Antonio named a “Promise Zone”
Five U.S. communities have been designated “Promise Zones” by HUD and USDA including San Antonio’s east side. These communities will benefit from a comprehensive approach to development that will enhance and connect local assets ranging from schools to housing to...
San Antonio Seeks Ownership of Its Wastewater
A bid by San Antonio's water utility to declare ownership of the sewage it treats and releases has sparked a regional tug-of-war — one that could become more common as Texas' thirsty water users struggle to protect their supplies. Read more from the Texas Tribune.
Hays County rainwater fund proposed
On January 21st the Hays County Commissioners Court discussed creation of a Hays County Rainwater Initiative Fund, the Hays “RAIN” Fund. After reviewing the proposal and hearing from speakers supporting the proposal, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to authorize...
The Edward Aquifer HCP is one of four conservation partnerships honored by the Interior Secretary
The Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP) is one of four organizations to receive the Department of Interior's Partner in Conservation Award. EARIP's Habitat Conservation Plan, approved in 2013, was created to ensure that the Comal and San Marcos...
The United (Watershed) States of America
A Hill Country governed by Watersheds? This interesting blog takes a look at John Wesley Powell’s 1879 proposal; What if western states were brought into the union they be formed around watersheds, rather than arbitrary political boundaries. This idea rested on the...
Cibolo Nature Center & Farm to offer five-part sustainable landscape program
Texas—Sustainable residential landscapes can have a positive impact on the environmental health and human well-being of an entire region, promoting clean air and water, fertile soils and other essential aspects of daily life. To help homeowners create and maintain...
Devils River faces threats from groundwater pumping and export
Many eyes are on SAWS in the weeks ahead as decisions are made about regional water supply, i.e. bringing in water from outside of Bexar County. One of the three proposals being considered is from a water marketer seeking to pump and pipe 150,000 acre-feet of water...
TWDB solicits public comments
Texas Water Development Board Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is hosting a discussion about the implementation of historic legislation creating the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), and we'd like your input. This discussion is the third of...
What’s your view of Hill Country Stewardship?
The 2014 Hill Country Photo Contest runs March 1st through May 31 The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) is seeking photographs that tell the story of our region’s stewardship ethic for publication in its 2015 calendar. The Texas Hill Country is a cherished place, yet it is...
The High Cost of San Antonio’s North-South Water Divide
The fact is the city’s sprawling suburbs, gated communities and ex-urban neighborhoods are addicted to lawn and landscape watering. SAWS officials say about one-third of all the water we use in the hot summer months is pumped to keep grass alive. Not humans, but...
2030 District Points San Antonio Towards Sustainability
It’s full steam ahead for San Antonio 2030 District organizers after January 10th's successful district launch party. Architecture 2030 is a nonprofit that challenges cities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from building operations via energy-saving design and...
Bennett endowment to provide ongoing AgriLife Extension land stewardship programming
A first-of-its-kind endowment made by Eskell and Ruth Bennett will make land stewardship in the Edwards Plateau a part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service programming for years to come. Natural resource stewardship and a love for the Texas Hill Country are...
Developer decides not to purchase land near Bracken Cave
All of the advocacy outreach opposing the Crescent Hills project adjacent to Bracken Bat Cave has paid off, Stratford Land officially declined to purchase the property. “Meanwhile, a coalition of conservation groups and local officials worried about the impact of...
Rainfall and recharge reality for the Laurels Ranch, Kendall County = Very very bleak
At The Laurels Ranch we received 29.62 inches of rain for the year 2013. We are very thankful for this close-to-average rainfall year, yet we are needing much more over the longer haul. If you do the math, it can ruin your day. Here's the hard reality for this area of...
Wimberley Citizens and HEB seek common ground
Important commitments for rainwater harvesting, night sky lighting, drainage and other considerations, make this new HEB in one of the Hill Country's most charming communities more tolerable. City Council meets Thursday, January 16th, learn more from Hays County's...
Rainwater harvesting ‘soaking in’ as way to conserve Texas’ water resources
After a long dry period, many parts of the state have finally received some badly needed rain, and those with rainwater harvesting systems have been reaping the rewards of this belated gift from Mother Nature, said Texas A&M AgriLife water resources experts. Read...