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News
Texas Water Symposium to Feature Regional Water Experts, June 18 in Fredericksburg
Regional Growth and Our State Water Planning Process: How You Can Get Involved The 8th Annual Texas Water Symposium series continues this June in Fredericksburg with a personal conversation between Hill Country water experts about the State’s water planning process...
Six Schools Win Rainwater Revival Grants to Fund Conservation Projects
HCA was happily overwhelmed with 13 terrific Rainwater Revival grant applications from Hill Country schools this year. Though all projects had merit, the three judges made difficult choices and picked six deserving schools to receive $1,000 awards each. “Judging by...
Zoning Change for Water Bottling Plant Paused for a Second Look
Environmental groups called foul this week when the City of San Antonio Zoning Commissionapproved a plan to rezone a section of Brooks City Base to make way for a possible water bottling plant on Tuesday. The fast-tracked rezoning request was on the agenda for City...
Paradise Lost: What the Texas Floods Swept Away
The flash flood warnings kept coming in over television. That is, until the power went out. The entire valley, I could see from my home on the hill, was plunged into pitch-blackness made all the worse by the sheets of rain. After a sheriff’s deputy came to the house...
Letting the River Heal
The good news is, the best thing you can do for your trees and river banks is to leave them alone. Please watch this video from Blanco Valley River Restoration Project and read this helpful information from the Texas Forest Service, Hays County Master Naturalists and...
Sen. Fraser Decides Against Running for Re-election
State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, announced Tuesday that he is not running for re-election, ending a tenure at the Capitol that has spanned four decades. "There comes a time when leaders must take a look at the trail they have blazed and reflect on all they...
Texas legislators mostly kept hands off local control
A simmering feud between state lawmakers and municipal leaders over local control never quite reached full boil this year. Spooked by Gov. Greg Abbott’s push against “unchecked overregulation” and by tea party Republicans who filed bills to limit local government,...
After Error, Hays County Groundwater Bill is Revived
A bill designed to protect western Hays County residents' water wells in light of a massive groundwater pumping project is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk —following an emotional week of political drama over an issue once considered local and relatively...
Legislative victory for Texas’ working lands
Texas Agricultural Land Trust: HB1925, authored by Representative Charlie Geren, will move the Texas Farm & Ranch Lands Conservation Program to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD). TPWD is well-suited to ensure that the program meets its purpose,...
A Scientist who Modeled Texas’s Blanco River in 2007 Probes for Lessons After the Deadly Flash Flood
As news spread of the devastating and deadly flooding west of Austin, Tex., last weekend (followed by so much more), I started exploring what’s known about flood risks along the Blanco River and other waterways in Texas’s “Flash Flood Alley.” I came across a 2007...
Tussle in Legislature over Hueco Tanks, Hays County water
Residents of flood-ravaged Hays County were furious Tuesday that State Rep. Mary González used a legislative maneuver in an attempt to kill a local bill they say will protect their wells. In calls and emails, several asked why a lawmaker whose district is 500 miles...
Cibolo Nature Center & Farm awarded REI grant to expand access to natural places in Texas
The Cibolo Nature Center & Farm was awarded a $10,000 grant from specialty outdoor retailer REI for recreational trail improvements to increase public access to wild, open places in Texas, executive director Carolyn Chipman Evans said Thursday. “We are honored to...
Finding Nature Near You Just Got Easier
Nature Rocks Texas is making it easier for families to get outside and connect with nature. The Nature Rocks Texas website brings together parks, nature centers, zoos, natural areas and nature-based programs and events all in one place. Did you know that Texas has 15...
Before Central Texas Flooding, Officials Sounded Alarm
When some residents of Wimberley woke up early Sunday morning to flooding inside their homes, the fear and surprise were palpable: The Texas Hill Country had been going through a record, multiyear drought. But just three months earlier, local officials had voiced...
Contested Case Hearing legislation signed by the Governor
Senate Bill 709, which will become law Sept. 1, scales back contested-case hearings, a process that allows landowners and the public to challenge industrial TCEQ permits such as sand and gravel operations and wastewater discharges in and along Hill Country rivers....
Award for Llano River Field Station
James Murr, The Junction Eagle: Texas Tech University’s Llano River Field Station in Junction has been selected for the “Education and Public Service Award” given by the Universities Council on Water Resources. The award recognizes “contributions to increased public...
Tomorrow: Public Forum – San Antonio’s Water Future: Better Alternatives (to the Vista Ridge deal)
Public Forum: San Antonio's Water Future: Better Alternatives (to the Vista Ridge deal) and better ways of engaging the whole community in deciding and realizing that Water Future Tuesday, May 19 -- 6:30-8:30 pm. Location: at Trinity University, in Northrup Hall 040...
EAA recognizes TerraScena as “Aquifer Smart” community
TerraScena is a new 100% rainwater harvesting community in Dripping Springs. In addition to rainwater harvesting, the community focuses on green building materials and preserved natural green spaces. The Edwards Aquifer Authority has recently recognized TerraScena as...
How to save Texas’ crumbling parks
Andy Sansom: Having served as the executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in the 1990s, I’m acutely aware of the chronic funding shortfall for Texas’ magnificent state and local park system. One of the most important things I learned during those...
San Antonio Voters Approve Conservation Funding
San Antonio voters overwhelmingly approved two conservation propositions today. The Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, which uses a one-eighth cent sales tax to purchase conservation easements over the aquifer's recharge zone, was approved by 78 percent of voters....
‘Tiny House Compound’ in Texas Goes Viral as ‘Bestie Row’
Fred Zipp was an editor of the Austin-American Statesman for 32 years. So when it came time for him and some friends to build a series of vacation homes outside Austin, alongside the Llano River, he was well aware of the conservation and environmental issues facing...
Texas Senate Passes Legislation to Protect the San Marcos River
The Texas Senate yesterday (Monday) overwhelmingly approved legislation by Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, that would promote safety and enjoyment on the San Marcos River and protect landowners’ private property rights. Senate Bill (SB) 234 would authorize a local...
Get regularly updated water resource information on TWDB’s Water Data for Texas webpage
Texas Water Development Board has expanded their Water Data for Texas webpage to include reservoir and aquifer levels, and drought alerts throughout Texas. Information may be viewed statewide or from a variety of different regional or municipal aspects. Links are...
EVENT – July 8 in Austin:
LCRA and Region K RWPG will be holding a meeting and public hearing on the Initially Prepared Plan (IPP) - July 8 at 10:00AM. The meeting will be held at the LCRA Dalchau Service Center, 3505 Montopolis Drive in Austin. For more information about the meeting click...
Healthy rivers a priority for Texas
Texas Water Development Board: The health of our state's rivers affects the simple pleasures of many Texans. Fishing, tubing, and enjoying nature's beauty all rely on maintaining the complex ecosystems of our rivers. Not only do they harbor a variety of species and...
Electro Purification Challenged by Legislation and Law
Citizens Alliance for Responsible Development (CARD): So where are we now on EP? The battle to stop Electro Purification from taking our Trinity Aquifer water to sell for future developments elsewhere is going strong. If it seems the initial shouting has died down,...
Class Recruiting 2015 – Texas Master Naturalists
The Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists is now accepting applications for the Class of 2015. Residents of Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Mason, Menard, Real, and San Saba counties who want to learn more about the Hill Country...
HCA Pedernales Program Kicks off Monthly Newsletter
This month HCA sent out its first Pedernales Newsletter- a compilation of news, events and partner spotlights geared specifically to the residents and landowners of the Pedernales River Basin. Modeled after the weekly Watershed in Review newsletter produced by the...
Lone Star Land Steward Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
2015 Regional Winners To Be Honored for their Conservation Contributions AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) honors the conservation contributions of private landowners each year with its Lone Star Land Steward Award. This year, seven winners...
Legislative Solution to Hays County Water Dispute Takes Big Step Forward
Those of you who have been keeping up with efforts to put restrictions on Electro Purification’s pumping of water from an unregulated area of the Trinity Aquifer in Hays County will be pleased to know that a proposed legislative solution took an important step forward...