County still eyeing ways to gain development control
County officials said they actively are working with state legislators to enact changes that would return some control over development to the local level. Precinct 2 Commissioner Richard Elkins is working with Kendall County Development Engineer Mary Ellen Schulle to fine-tune the language they would like District 73 State Rep. Kyle Biedermann to take with him to the... Read more
Lawmaker hears from a concerned public
The town hall meeting concept took on a new form and focus on October 1st when Texas state Rep. Terry Wilson hosted a Zoom video conference to take public comment on Aggregate Production Operations (APOs). As Chair of the House Interim Committee on APOs, Wilson wanted to hear from the public on this final day of a three-day... Read more
Report: Central Texas wastewater plants exceeding state pollutant limits
Publicly owned sewage treatment plants in Central Texas are exceeding state pollution limits with “disturbing frequency,” according to a new report from the Save Barton Creek Association. The environmental organization examined pollutant monitoring data that was self-reported to state environmental regulators by 48 municipal sewage treatment plants in a 17-county region that includes the Hill Country and found... Read more
October proclaimed “Hill Country Night Sky Month”
Kerrville Mayor Bill Blackburn read a proclamation at the Oct. 13 city council meeting declaring October as Hill Country Night Sky Month in recognition of local efforts to “preserve the rich historic heritage and starry night skies of Kerrville” by “solving the problem of light pollution.” Joining Blackburn (far right in photo) for the proclamation were, from left:... Read more
Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation rejects wholesale water contract from Electro Purification, but invites revised version
The Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation (DSWSC) called a special meeting on October 12, 2020, to consider a wholesale water contract with Electro Purification, LLC (EP). Prior to taking up the agenda item, Hays County Commissioners Lon Shell and Walt Smith, past Hays County Commissioner Will Conley, and Adam Friedman, attorney for Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA),... Read more
Hill Country Living FESTIVAL + Rainwater Revival goes virtual!
The annual Hill Country Living FESTIVAL + Rainwater Revival goes spectacularly virtual on Saturday, October 24. While a live, in-person FESTIVAL event is not possible this year, the Hill Country Alliance, along with its dedicated sponsors and partners, offers the next-best-thing—an online experience that continues to celebrate the collection of rainwater, the conservation of natural resources, and a... Read more
Two groups encourage ‘lights out’ for human and bird benefits
Two organizations are encouraging Highland Lakes residents to go as dark as possible every night through October. The Texas Conservation Alliance is recognizing Lights Out, Texas! from Sept. 5 through Oct. 29, while the Hill Country Alliance designates October as Hill Country Night Sky Month. The main idea for both is to encourage residents and business owners to... Read more
Why water conservationists are worrying about Austin’s future
Four years ago, Central Texas’ worst drought in history finally came to an end, capping off a nearly 10-year run of blistering summers and lack- luster rainy seasons. Beyond offering little reprieve from the area’s punishing heat, the stretch left the lakes that supply Austin’s drinking water at record low levels, raising alarm bells for conservationists. And yet,... Read more
“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 unique character of the Texas Hill Country.” Learn More About HCA
First Annual Hill Country Night Sky Month Happening in October 2020
Hill Country Living FESTIVAL + Rainwater Revival – Happening VIRTUALLY on October 24
SAWS Vista Ridge Pipeline:
After the Storm:
Letting the River Heal
