December 18, 2013

The Examiner speaks of direct discharge as a Hill Country “Land Heist.”

“Terrell Graham and his wife’s family have owned their ranch in the Texas Hill Country for over 100 years. It’s remained a working farm and cattle ranch, and now Texas state government is stealing their land so private developers can discharge treated sewage from 1,500 new homes into the Lux family’s dry creek bed.” Link to this alarming article by Terry Hall here. Direct discharge permits are an issue of concern for water quality in the Hill Country. The Belterra permit in Hays County was legally challenged and ultimately revised for the better. Highland Lakes residents beat a discharge permit in 2009. And currently The City of Dripping Springs in Hays County is preparing to file for a direct discharge permit into Onion Creek. More on this issue on our Water Quality page.

May 6, 2013

People conform to political boundaries. Water does not.

Ten years ago, recognizing the rapidly growing threat to the water quality of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, 13 unconnected Texas Hill Country jurisdictions sat down together and talked. Acknowledging that water, especially groundwater, does not conform to human boundaries, they devised a bold plan to conform to water, by crossing those boundaries. With help from the HCA, 65 participants from those jurisdictions re-convened on April 26 in Buda for The Next Wave, a workshop to share how they are each implementing the plan now. Learn More

April 30, 2013

Fiesta on the San Antonio River’s ‘Garbage Reach’

“This year, sadly, the lasting image of Fiesta’s final day for me will be the storm-washed litter that destroyed any sense of civic pride that I or anyone else in this city should feel today for the reborn Mission Reach of the San Antonio River.” Bob Rivard’s story makes a compelling case for the Texas Bottle Bill. Read the Rivard Report here.

March 30, 2013

UGRA: River quality in better shape

Water quality in the local Guadalupe River watershed improved last year, according to a recent report by the Upper Guadalupe River Authority. Although 2012 was drier than ideal, a few rainfalls produced beneficial flooding, said Tara Bushnoe, UGRA natural resources coordinator. Read More