December 30, 2009

TCEQ public hearing this Thursday, Jan 4th at 7pm – Wastewater discharge into Lake Travis

The Protect Lake Travis Association newsletter covers all the details. Concerned landowners, lake business owners and residents should attend and make comments. Read more here.

December 29, 2009

Native Plant Society – Kerrville Chapter

Check out the latest newsletter from the Kerrville Chapter of the Native Plant Society. “Dedicated to the understanding, preservation, and enjoyment of the native flora of the Texas Hill Country”

December 22, 2009

Groundwater consensus sought

Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R–San Antonio) and Rep. Patrick M. Rose (D–Dripping Springs) say Andrew Sansom, executive director of the River Systems Institute at Texas State University, will facilitate a process among stakeholders of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (District) to build consensus on how to support its mission. Read full San Marcos Record article here.

December 19, 2009

Growth vs future water supply

Months of behind-the-scenes work paid off Monday night with a quiet public hearing and unanimous approval of a revised management plan for the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District. The plan deals with numerous hot-button issues, including predictions of managed available groundwater, projected total water supply in Kendall County and groundwater management policies. Read full Boerne Star article here.

Travis County commissioners ponder quarry project

If recent history is a guide, the Travis County Commissioners will approve plans this week for a quarry just east of Austin that would pull gravel from the ground just a few hundred feet from homes. But as the Tuesday vote approaches, commissioners say the proposal — brought by Texas Industries Inc., known as TXI, the state’s largest cement producer — has raised new questions. And this time commissioners say they just might possess the legal authority to reject a major project. Read full Statesman.com article here.

December 16, 2009

Protecting Lake Travis

PLTA is an all volunteer, very effective organization working for a healthy Lake Travis. Read their latest newsletter which provides updates about the threats of discharge into the Highland Lakes. Join PLTA and have stronger voice with TCEQ, LCRA and the municipalities around the lake. Click here for the latest newsletter.

December 14, 2009

Cypress Flows

The latest issue of “Cypress Flows”, from the River Systems is available for upload here. This issue looks at the Hays Trinity GCD and Cypress Creek, New water quality monitoring systems, The impacts of impervious cover and “what you can do”, plus a whole lot more…

December 10, 2009

Burnet told to expect Austin opposition over wastewater facility and discharge plans

Burnet city council members were told Tuesday to be prepared for stiff opposition from the city of Austin in an attempt to stop Burnet’s attempt to win a permit to build a new wastewater treatment plant and sewage facility and the right to dramatically increase the amount of wastewater it can discharge into Hamilton Creek. read full Highlander article here.

December 2, 2009

Hill Country Photography Exhibit and Auction opens this weekend at Cibolo Nature Center

The holidays are the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy the splendor of the Hill Country region. Just northwest of San Antonio in Boerne, the Cibolo Nature Center is 100 acres of trails and wilderness waiting for you and your family to explore. This season as you visit the preserve you’ll be treated to something special. The Hill Country Alliance, a nonprofit organization in Central Texas, is placing winning photographs of its 2009 Hill Country Photography contest on display in the visitor’s center. See full media release here.

December 1, 2009

TCEQ Establishes Office of Water

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has announced formation of a new Office of Water, effective Dec. 1. The new office will encompass the three existing major water divisions in the agency: Water Planning, Water Supply, and Water Quality. “The new office is in recognition of the fact that the state’s population is expected to double in the next 30 years,” said Chairman Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D. “So the agency must put even more focus on water issues to ensure that there will be adequate water quality and quantity for future demand.” Read full media release here.