Saturday, June 28, 2014

Texas TMDL News: In the Know, With the Flow



In the Know, With the Flow

Working for a Trash-Free Guadalupe River
The Upper Guadalupe River Authority has scheduled its 11th annual River Clean Up for Saturday, July 26, 2014.  The Clean Up is part of the GBRA's "Trash Free" initiative, which has been getting people and communities involved
... More »

TSSWCB requests comments from the public
on the State Water Supply Enhancement Plan, formerly the Brush Control Plan ... More »


Water Resource Training Opportunities
Learn how to promote community involvement in watershed projects, how to use ArcGIS models, and ... More »
TCEQ's TMDL Program
Communities Working Together
to Keep our Rivers, Lakes, and Bays Clean

Posted by at 9:52 AM 0 comments

Lawmakers discuss groundwater options amid concerns about drought, local control | Dallas Morning News

mbarnett@dallasnews.com
Published: 25 June 2014 08:24 PM
Updated: 25 June 2014 10:28 PM








AUSTIN — Lawmakers are considering new options for conserving underground water, a divisive topic that includes concerns about property rights and local control even as the state’s drought crisis deepens.
Russell Johnson, a water attorney who represents landowners and “water marketers,” called on a House committee Wednesday to adopt a uniform standard for groundwater regulation, including the creation of a central state agency. As the state’s population continues to grow, he said, there needs to be easier and quicker access to water and permits.
Local groundwater conservation districts are “too cautious” about conservation because of political pressures, he said.
“If you’re a local elected official, you’re going to be very conservative in authorizing groundwater production because you don’t want to be accused of allowing that resource to be depleted,” he said in an interview.
Environmental groups and groundwater conservation districts have argued for a more conservative approach.
Greg Ellis, a water attorney and executive director of Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, said that the state’s network of nearly 100 groundwater conservation districts should maintain their regulatory power to limit pumping.
“Groundwater is not oil or gas,” he said. “The goal isn’t to pump it or sell it as fast as possible.”
Regulation should be aimed at finding sustainable levels of water to withdraw, he said.
But in Texas, any attempt to regulate groundwater is made murky by state law. Unlike lakes and rivers, groundwater is subject to the “rule of capture,” which gives landowners an unrestricted right to water beneath their property.
Water law experts contend that groundwater issues will ultimately be decided in court, not by the Legislature. Still, the drought has put the spotlight on groundwater regulation, and legislators are hearing testimony that could dictate the type of bills proposed in next year’s session.
Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, said that he suspected the policy solution would be found somewhere in the middle.
“We have to always be concerned about conservation and overdevelopment of our resources, but at the same time, water supply entities have an obligation to provide water for their people,” he said. “We have to find a balance.”
Posted by at 9:41 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Neighbor to Neighbor News June 23, 2014


Neighbor to Neighbor News Pass it on...                    
June 23, 2014



Hill Country News

The Ebb and Flow of a Sustainable Water Plan
As the drought in Texas has intensified over the last several years, the water plan has taken on new prominence. A new report from the Texas Center for Policy Studies examines whether the planning process is producing useful results, and, if not, how it can be improved. Read more from Mary Kelly.

TxDOT considers new heights for billboards – public hearing Tuesday
“There [are] two big areas that are going to be impacted, all areas that are outside of cities because counties don't have any regulatory authority over signage... and cities who have not adopted a height regulation,” Lloyd said. “There are many cities in Texas that have no height regulation on billboards because the state is the controlling entity.” Read more from Impact News. The public hearing will be held at 9am on Tuesday, June 24th at 125 E. 11th in Austin. Scenic Comal County, a group formed to advocate for local billboard control is urging Hill Country residents to speak up. Read more from the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. More links and references about Hill Country billboards can be found here.

Keeping Rivers Flowing, final webinar this Wednesday, June 25
“Innovative Strategies to Protect and Restore Rivers,” is a 3-part webinar series designed to inform people about strategies to ensure the future health of Texas’ rivers, bays and estuaries. If you missed session one and two, you can find them posted on the Texas Living Waters website. Mark your calendars and register now for the final session on Wednesday, June 25th. Great work by our friends at Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.

Texas Watershed Steward Workshop, July 17 in Dripping Springs
The AgriLife Extension will be hosting a free, one-day educational workshop designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by getting involved in local watershed protection and management activities. Learn more

First Home Powered by the Sun in Mason
Mason County Habitat for Humanity completed the first Solar PV (photovoltaic) system powered home in the city of Mason. The house was constructed to the latest green building standards and to the 2102 building code energy requirements. Read more from Mason County News.

Rainwater harvesting: simple idea, big benefits
Installing a rainwater collection system costs about the same or less than drilling a well but offers multiple advantages, making it the more economical and environmentally-friendly choice in the long run. Most importantly, rainwater collection systems do not deplete underlying aquifers the way wells do, making them much more reliable sources of water. Read more from the Hondo Anvil Herald.

Don't count your El Niño before it hatches
Much has been said in recent weeks and months about the development of an El Niño system this fall that could bring a "wetter than average" season to Texas and the Hill Country, possibly ending our region's recent drought. The latest satellite images have led some to urge caution in an overly optimistic El Niño forecast. Find more details in this AgriLife article.

Better Lights for Better Nights Conference
The City of Dripping Springs, in partnership with the International Dark Sky Association Texas (IDA Texas), will host the Better Lights for Better Nights Conference on Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park Events Center. Details
Outdoor lighting has carelessly, and often unintentionally, increased light pollution. The trend goes hand in hand with population growth and land fragmentation. The undesirable effects of light pollution make our region less attractive to visitors who play an important role in many local economies
Upcoming Events

June
June 23 in Kerrville - Hill Country Master Naturalist Meeting, Topic: Hill Country Native Plants We Need to Conserve, Speaker: Botanist Bill Carr - Free and open to the public - Details
June 25 - Keeping Rivers Flowing Webinar Series #3: The Historic Murray-Darling Basin - Details
June 28 - 10th Annual Great American Backyard Campout - Details
July

July 11 in Boerne - 2014 New Landowner Series: Back to Basics, Home Gardening, Chickens, Natural vs. Organic - Presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Details

July 17 in Dripping Springs - Texas Watershed Steward Workshop - Presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Details

July 19 in Kerrville - Water Conservation: Best Practices at the Riverside Nature Center - Details
July 23 in Spring Branch - Comal County Land & Water Expo - Hosted by the Central Texas Conservation Partnership - Details

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Posted by at 10:19 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

San Antonio River Authority Inaugural Environmental Film Fest


When: Thursday, June 19
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m
Where: Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro
4522 Fredericksburg Rd., San Antonio, TX 
FREE ADMISSION (due to theater capacity, seating is limited to the first 200 attendees).

  The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) is proud to announce the inaugural Environmental Film Fest in honor of National Rivers Month. SARA is partnering with the South Yuba River Citizens League Annual Wild & Scenic® Film Festival to feature national and international short films about topics such as nature, adventure, wildlife, environmental justice, and conservation.  

 In addition to the film screenings, the public will get a chance to visit informational tables during the festival to learn about SARA and the Wild & Scenic® Film Festival sponsors as well as other local environmental groups including Alamo Area Master Naturalists, Alamo Group of the Sierra Club, Bat Conservation International, Edwards Aquifer, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, Hill Country Alliance, and the San Antonio River Foundation.



Click image to enlarge 

For more information about the film festival contact Yviand Serbones at (210) 302-3244 or click here.
Click for the 2014 San Antonio River Authority Environmental Film Fest Schedule.
Posted by at 3:13 PM 0 comments

Neighbor to Neighbor - News and Events-June 16, 2014


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June 16, 2014
 

Hill Country News
TWDB Board to approve financial assistance at Board meeting on June 18
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will hold a Board meeting to approve financial assistance for numerous water projects across the state. Projects to be considered for financial assistance include emergency water supply and water supply projects, wastewater treatment plant improvements, a new wastewater treatment plant and an agricultural conservation center. Learn more

Hill Country Alliance Urges Texas Water Development Board to Make Conservation Priority in Funding State Water Projects
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) soon will announce draft rules and priorities for how SWIFT funds will be spent. In advance of that announcement, the Hill Country Alliance (HCA) convened a roundtable discussion in Blanco on June 4th where HCA board, advisory team and other water and land stewardship experts discussed a range of solutions that could save money and provide water to see the state through future severe droughts. Read more

Rainwater Revival call for sponsors and exhibitors
HCA is currently accepting sponsor and exhibitor applications for the 5th annual Rainwater Revival to be held October 25th in Dripping Springs. Help HCA promote rainwater harvesting as a viable Hill Country water supply. Rainwater collection professionals and enthusiasts will gather for this “edufest” designed to teach and inspire the practice of rainwater collection. This event will be open to the public and free to attend. Learn more and get involved.

Smart Growth Online
Around the county, communities are choosing healthy solutions for how our cities and towns respond to population growth. Smart Growth Online is a great resource for the latest trends in green infrastructure, urban agriculture, walkable and transit oriented developments and innovative development practices. The next generation is demanding a better way than traditional sprawl patterns. Find helpful articles, events and resources here.
TWA On-Demand Webinar Previews on iTunes U
The Texas Wildlife Association has collaborated with the Texas Education Agency to create On-demand youth webinars. This educational tool for teachers and parents is a great resource for teaching our next generation about taking care of the natural world. Learn more
HCA Issue Paper: Healthy Riparian Areas
The values we appreciate about hill country streams - namely clean flowing water, fish and wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge, recreational and scenic enjoyment are the result of healthy functioning riparian areas.
Upcoming Events

June
June 19 in San Antonio - San Antonio River Authority Environmental Film Fest - Details
June 20-22 in Hunt - Get close-up to nature, Field Macro Photography Workshop at the historic MO Ranch - Details

June 23 in Kerrville - Hill Country Master Naturalist Meeting, Topic: Hill Country Native Plants We Need to Conserve, Speaker: Botanist Bill Carr - Free and open to the public - Details
June 25 - Keeping Rivers Flowing Webinar Series #3: The Historic Murray-Darling Basin - Details
June 28 - 10th Annual Great American Backyard Campout - Details
July

July 11 in Boerne - 2014 New Landowner Series: Back to Basics, Home Gardening, Chickens, Natural vs. Organic - Presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Details

July 23 in Spring Branch - Comal County Land & Water Expo - Hosted by the Central Texas Conservation Partnership - Details
Posted by at 10:12 AM 0 comments
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