July 27, 2011
Understanding Your Remarkable Riparian Areas
Why would you want to know about this? Creeks, Rivers and Riparian areas are special and they are often misunderstood. Much damage is done by well meaning uninformed people acting on wholehearted belief in a few myths. A recording of Sky Lewey’s presentation on TWA’s popular webinar feature is available now to view online. Check it out and pass it on
July 22, 2011
Drought intensifies across lower Colorado River basin
A prolonged stretch of exceptionally dry weather is causing the drought across Texas and the lower Colorado River basin to intensify.”This has been the driest nine months in Texas history – the absolute driest,” LCRA General Manager Becky Motal said. “This is a serious situation, but it’s not dire. Water flowing into the Highland Lakes is down to a trickle in places. Rest assured LCRA is managing the region’s water supply to make it through this exceptional drought, and we are asking everyone to use water as efficiently as possible and reduce water use wherever they can.” Read full from Statesman.com article here.
Silt decreasing our water supplies
Did you know the 2007 Texas State Water Plan estimates an 18% decrease in existing water supplies by 2060? Silt build-up in reservoirs is one two reasons given for the decline. The other is depleted groundwater supplies. Look to Denver, Colorado to see what it can cost to remove sediment from a lake. Denver Water is dredging the Strontia Springs Reservoir to remove at least 625,000 cubic yards of sediment. The cost is just over $30 million. Watch video
July 21, 2011
Marble Falls leaders have ‘bright idea’
Pedernales Electric Cooperative workers could soon be busying themselves with swapping out the bulbs in 300 Marble Falls street lights. A recent audit revealed the city could reduce light pollution and save about $20,000 annually by switching from 250-watt to 100-watt street lights. This finding came after many residents complained about overly bright lights around the city, particularly on the Manzano mile, a street that runs on the city’s eastern border. Read full KXAN article here.
July 20, 2011
Sustainable Urban Development
On Friday, September 23, AIA San Antonio will host the 2011 Sustainable Urban Development by noted architect, author and founder of the Congress for New Urbanism, Peter Calthorpe. This important lunchtime event will bring together a cross section of architects, planners, developers, city leaders, and environmentalists for the purpose of enlightening our community about the virtues of dense urban growth and transit oriented development, while at the same time reminding them of the dangers of our current practice of seemingly endless sprawl. Details
July 19, 2011
Hill Country Alliance Review of the 2011 Legislative Session
While some well funded lobbyists claim victories, others breathe a sigh of relief knowing threats were thwarted. Still, others return home to ponder whether or not they have the energy to return in two years to try to make a difference and continue their good work. Read more
Conservation in San Antonio is Saving More than Water
Who would believe that a translucent sightless amphibian that dwells only in dark underground caves could force a big Texas city to not only slash its water use but make water waste illegal? But the rare, four-inch Texas blind salamander has done pretty much just that – and spawned an unusual water story in San Antonio, where impressive conservation efforts are now being tested by one of the worst droughts in memory. Read full National Geographic article here.
July 16, 2011
Drought: A Creeping Disaster
FLOODS, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and other extreme weather have left a trail of destruction during the first half of 2011. But this could be just the start to a remarkable year of bad weather. Next up: drought. Read full New York Times article here.
July 15, 2011
Raymond Slade: Make tough choices before drought takes over region
Many hydrologists, as well as other scientists, have understood that the region has been long overdue for another serious drought. And the current drought could become much worse — it began only about a year ago, and past droughts in the area have lasted up to nine years. The benefit of a drought might be that residents of the Hill Country resolve to create a long-term plan to prevent such situations in the future. It will take many people working together to achieve this. Read full Statesman.com article here.
2011 Farm & Range Forum Scheduled October 14-15 in Uvalde
On October 14 and 15, the 2011 Farm & Range Forum will be held in Uvalde, Texas. The focus of this year’s forum is “Conserving Our Rural Heritage.” Landowners, urban and rural conservationists, and everyone interested in the history and dynamics of the region, its economic and social challenges and looming water issues is encouraged to participate. Uvalde County is an ideal setting for this dialog. Read more
July 14, 2011
Lakes Travis and Buchanan Stakeholders Form Central Texas Water Coalition
In May of 2010, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) formed the Water Management Plan Stakeholders Advisory Committee to assist in updating the Water Management Plan. The committee consists of 16 individuals representing diverse interests: Rice Farmers, Environmentalists, Firm Customers, and the Lakes. After a year of meetings, and the realization that the Lakes are not viewed as the anchor for communities and businesses, but as buckets of water for LCRA customers, the Lakes Team decided to form the Central Texas Water Coalition (CTWC). Click here for the full article. Learn more about CTWC — CTWC Philosophy
July 11, 2011
Expect the Unexpected
Our vegetation growth is at a standstill and ponds and creeks are drying up, forcing our wildlife to travel further to find enough food and water to survive. These conditions impact all wildlife in the stricken areas, birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fish. Read more
Invasive Aquatic Species and their impact on Texas Water
One of the significant issues impacting the quality and quantity of Texas water is the deleterious effect of exotic and invasive plants and animals. Dr. Tom Arsuffi, of Texas Tech University in Junction, will speak at the at the July 25th meeting of the Hill Country Chapter of Master Naturalists. Dr. Arsuffi will discuss his ecosystem research and both immediate and future implications for Texas. Learn more
July 7, 2011
Uvalde pipeline is still a bad idea
The investors and promoters behind what is known as the “Uvalde Pipeline” have tried for two legislative sessions to change the law governing the Edwards Aquifer Authority that prohibits the transport of Edwards Aquifer water out of Uvalde and Medina counties. Read full SA Express article here.
No Watering in Fredericksburg Mon – Fri
Coming off its driest January-June period in 49 years — and with still no rain in sight — the City of Fredericksburg is this week implementing Stage 4 water rationing to limit outdoor watering to just one day a week. Read more from the Fredericksburg Standard here.
Guadalupe River Clean Up, July 23rd
The Upper Guadalupe River Authority has scheduled the 8th annual River Clean Up for Saturday, July 23rd. The Clean Up will be staged at one central location, Louise Hays Park in Kerrville. Details
July 6, 2011
Utility commission drops plan for renewable energy mandate
Taking a cue from the Legislature, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has dropped a proposal that would have mandated that electricity generators buy renewable energy other than wind. Read full Statesman.com article here.
Lengthy Drought Takes Toll on Texas Wildlife
Texas is now nine months into one of the worst droughts in recorded state history, and it shows no signs of abating. That’s bad news for city dwellers who must use ever less water for their lawns, but it’s worse for many wildlife and fish, which find their habitats drying up. Read full Texas Tribune article here.
July 5, 2011
Austin residents digging more wells
Read this alarming news report – Travis County is one of just a few areas recognized with critical groundwater issues and yet wells continue to be drilled without permitting or oversight. Read more about the lack of a groundwater conservation district in Western Travis County here. More on Hill Country Groundwater resources here.
Scaling Up Conservation for Large Landscapes
The central question facing land conservationists today is how to scale up efforts to protect entire landscapes and whole natural systems. The land trust movement has been built on the individual successes of conserved private properties, but increasingly both conservationists and landowners entering into conservation agreements want to know what is being done about their neighbor, their neighborhood, and most significantly their landscape. Read full Lincoln Institute article here.
Watershed planning short course Nov. 14–18 in Bandera
The Texas Water Resources Institute will be presenting a Texas Watershed Planning Short Course Nov. 14–18 in Bandera. “Well-considered holistic watershed protection plans involving as many stakeholders as possible in their development are becoming the widely accepted approach to protecting Texas surface waters,” said Kevin Wagner, an associate director at the institute and course leader. Read more here.
July 1, 2011
Scenic Hill Country Update, July 1, 2011
Kerrville’s challenge of the PUC route selection has been scheduled for 2pm, August 2nd in Austin. Potential Wind Farms causes concern in Mason County. Click here to read the latest from SOSHE.
Thirsting for water in Kendall County
When drought hits Kendall County, trucker Troy Immel stops hauling milk. “In the short term, water is more profitable,” he said from the cab of his Kenworth tractor that pulls a 6,000-gallon tank. Working 12 hours or more a day, including weekends and holidays, Immel struggles to meet the growing demand for water in the Hill Country caused by a drop in production from wells drilled in the Trinity Aquifer. Read full SA Express article and watch videohere.