Texas Railroad Commission investigating Kinder Morgan for ‘multiple’ erosion complaints

May 28, 2020
Groundwater Resources

The railroad commission said the complaints are regarding erosion control, and spokesperson R.J. DeSilva says “our investigation of the complaints is to ensure Kinder Morgan is in compliance with those commission rules.” He said the complaints starting coming in May 13. Following severe weather on May 15 and 16, Myra Corbett, a landowner in Blanco County, said her land has been affected by runoff and erosion due to the pipeline. She said she and another Blanco County landowner filed complaints…

Conservation and reuse of reclaimed wastewater: A marriage of necessity

May 28, 2020
Economics of Sound Planning

As the population of Texas increases and requires a more abundant water supply, big decisions loom regarding new water sources, growing volumes of wastewater effluent, and the impacts on our land, environment, and other species in which we coexist. A new way of thinking is taking root since traditional approaches to water management are generally viewed as deficient in the face of current water-related challenges. It promises a more viable, alternative approach. One Water is not an entirely new concept,…

Hays County Parks & Open Space Advisory Commission call for projects

May 27, 2020
Conservation Easements

The Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission (POSAC) is now accepting project ideas for parks, open space and natural areas from cities, nonprofit organizations, homeowner associations, and other groups or individuals who see specific needs for their communities and for the county as a whole. In February 2020 the Hays County Commissioners Court recognized the need for additional public park lands and conservation spaces in Hays County and established the POSAC to provide a democratic, public process to…

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission awards $3.71 million in recreational trail grants to Texas communities

May 27, 2020
Habitat Conservation Plans

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved $3.71 million dollars in grants to fund 22 motorized and non-motorized recreational trail-related projects across the state. The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) funds recreational trail construction, renovation and acquisition. The grants are funded from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases for off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers. Thirty percent of the total NRTF grants must be earmarked for motorized recreational trails, while another 30 percent must be spent on…

SOS reaches agreement with Stratus Properties over new project, protecting land in the Barton Springs Zone

May 27, 2020
Conservation Easements

Stratus Properties (“Stratus”) owns some of the largest areas of land within the Barton Springs Zone. They own land all throughout Southwest Austin, including the site of the notorious 4,000-acre Barton Creek PUD, which was the catalyst of the SOS movement 30 years ago, when more than 800 Austin residents rallied to protect Barton Springs from overdevelopment. Oftentimes, the inherent conflict between developer profits and our mission to protect the water quality of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer puts…

April Sansom selected to lead Selah Bamberger Ranch

May 27, 2020
Land Conservation and Stewardship

Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve is pleased to announce the selection of a new executive director to lead the nonprofit into the future. Selah’s board of directors has unanimously selected April Sansom for the position. Sansom will assume her new duties on June 11. “My vision for Selah has always been that it will be around for generations to come, teaching the lesson that given the chance, nature can heal itself,” said Bamberger, who will turn 92 on June 11. “We’ve…

‘Meandering’ restores twists and turns on Lambert Creek in Ramsey County

May 21, 2020
Economics of Sound Planning

A portion of Lambert Creek prone to flooding in eastern Ramsey County is being reshaped into a meandering stream, the latest attempt to restore metro area rivers that have become polluted ditches… “Almost 50 percent of stream channels across the state have been altered — mostly by straightening,” said Jamison Wendel, stream habitat supervisor with the Fish and Wildlife Division of the state Department of Natural Resources. “There was a lot of ditching that occurred in the early 1900s. It…

Planning for our State’s water future in the midst of a pandemic – You have a unique opportunity for your voice to be heard!

May 19, 2020
Drought

Planning for the future is always a challenge – even more so in the midst of a pandemic. Texans currently are coping with the uncertainties of the Covid-19 crisis – financial hardships, continuing hospitalizations and deaths, the impacts of “reopening” the economy while the virus spreads – focused on the next several months, not looking 50 years ahead. However, the Covid-19 crisis may be a relatively short-term period in history, albeit one with profound impacts for years to come. On…

Congress could put Americans back to work through conservation

May 18, 2020
Coronavirus News and Resources

Why post-COVID economic recovery efforts should include investments in our public lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation infrastructure Across the federal government, there are a suite of habitat restoration programs designed to benefit fish and wildlife and enhance the resiliency of our natural systems, including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish Habitat Partnership, and the Forest Service Legacy Roads and Trails Program. These on-the-ground restoration programs infuse important resources into local communities, generate construction jobs,…

Flood Infrastructure Fund abridged application deadline reminder and new on-demand presentations

May 13, 2020
Groundwater Resources

Press Release: Texas Water Development Board – For Immediate Release: May 13, 2020 The Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) abridged application period will close at 5:00 p.m. on June 15. Please visit the FIF webpage to learn more and download the application. Abridged applications will be used to collect the information necessary to prioritize projects, determine the best source of funding, and rank projects according to the Flood Intended Use Plan. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will then invite entities…