Neighbor to Neighbor News Pass it on...

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here for a link to view it online.  Neighbor to Neighbor News Pass it on...                     July 9, 2015 Hill Country News Industrial Wind Development Public Meeting July 16 in Mason Save Our Scenic Hill Country Environment (SOSHCE) will be hosting a meeting July 16th to educate landowners about industrial wind development in Mason and Menard Counties. SOSHE’s recent member update also includes information about attempted legislation to end CREZ, the Blumenthal line and other news related to wind development, transmission and scenic blight. Read more State Comptroller approves $300,000 to investigate monarch decline Texas is getting involved in the investigation into why the monarch butterfly population has declined by more than 80% over the past 20 years. Concerns that the butterfly could become a federally-listed endangered species have prompted Comptroller Glen Hegar to fund research into the abundance and distribution of milkweed, a plant that is critical for the monarch’s migration, as well as the potential costs of a listing. Read more  El Nino 2015 It seems like there has been a lot of discussion of an El Nino pattern this fall and the potential for higher than normal rainfall. While Texans try to make the most of the rains while we’ve got them, we wonder, what causes this pattern and what are the impacts in other places around the world? Check out this two minute video to learn more. Read more  The History of Central Texas Floods Raymond Slade, Jr., Registered Professional Hydrologist has been studying water resources in Central Texas for decades. Catastrophic flooding is not new to this region. Raymond’s study of historic floods in Austin provides lessons for the entire Hill Country region. Also, Ron Green of Southwest Research Institute studies advance warning for flooding in Karst regions. View these valuable presentations to learn more. Read more  DSHS student grant to fund rainwater catchment system Elena Lundeen wanted to help the water conservation problem, a need her community knows all too well. Her small idea became a grant-winning initiative that will continue to change the landscape of her school. Lundeen, a Dripping Springs junior, won a $1,000 grant from Rainwater Revival and Hill Country Alliance. The money will be used to develop a rainwater catchment system at the high school. Read more  Protecting the nighttime view simple Erin Green, Llano County Journal: Although light from Austin and other nearby cities is starting to threaten the nighttime darkness of the areas surrounding Llano and the rest of the Texas Hill Country, it is not too late to reverse the trend and protect the views of the heavens. That was the message from Matt Lara of the Hill Country Alliance, whose “Better Lights for Starry Nights” Dark Sky Program sought to address the importance of dark skies and ways  protect against light pollution, such as fixing wasteful outdoor lighting and safely, effectively and cost-efficiently lighting homes and businesses. Read more  Scenic Texas Announces New Scenic Hill Country Chapter and Leadership Scenic Texas, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the visual character of Texas, announced the formation of its newest chapter, Scenic Hill Country, bringing the total number of state chapters to eight. The Scenic Hill Country Chapter will work to preserve, protect and enhance the Hill Country’s scenic vistas by educating the region on the values and principles of the Scenic City Certification Program, a project of Scenic Texas and its program partners. Read more  LCRA: Lots of water for sale In the latest sign of the drought’s ebbing, two top officials with the Lower Colorado River Authority met with Hays County commissioners to deliver a simple message: They have spare water for sale — lots of it. The river authority, which oversees the doling out of water from lakes Travis and Buchanan, the chief reservoirs for Central Texas, has enough unreserved water to meet the washing, bathing, drinking and watering needs of roughly 230,000 households, even during a repeat of dire drought conditions. Read more Are we “overestimating” our resources? It’s often said that many of our aquifers and rivers are already over-allocated in Texas. In 1922, seven Western states — Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming and California — drew up an agreement on how to divide the waters of the Colorado River. But there was one big problem with the plan: They overestimated how much water the river could provide. As a result, each state was promised more water than actually exists. Read more Soil for Water, July 17 in Fredericksburg Many Texans are unaware of the importance of soil health in catching and retaining rainwater. Microorganisms build soil organic matter and allow it to function like a sponge: holding rainwater for long periods of time and releasing it slowly into plants, springs, creeks, rivers and aquifers. If you are interested in learning how you can build the health of your soil and keep more rainfall on your land in both times of drought and rainfall, come to the first meeting of the Soil for Water program this July 17th in Fredericksburg. Read more Upcoming Events July July 8 in Austin: Region K RWPG meeting and public hearing on the Initially Prepared Plan (IPP) - Details July 14 in Austin - Sierra Club Meeting: Al Gore's Climate Reality Project - Details July 15 in San Antonio - SAWS Community Conservation Meeting - Details July 16 in Mason - SOSHCE Industrial Wind Development Public Meeting - Details July 17 in Fredericksburg - Soil for Water: The role soil health plays in catching and holding rainwater - Details July 23 in Rocksprings - Region J Public Meeting to discuss and receive comments in regards to the Initially Prepared Plan (IPP) - Details July 27 in Kerrville - Do you know who's taking over your yard? - Details August August 11 in - Abandoned Well Education & Plugging - Details August 11 in - Austin - Sierra Club Meeting: Lone Star Rail - Details August 18 in - Buchanan Dam - Better Lights for Starry Nights - Details August 22 in - Rainwater Potential - Details August 25-27 in - San Marcos - The 4th Annual Texas Groundwater Summit - Details

STAND WITH TEXAS FLOOD VICTIMS!

SIGN THE PETITION

This petition will be delivered to Senator Ted Cruz:

Concerns about climate change aren't just politics. Meet with Hays County residents to discuss their concerns about role of climate change in making Texas floods more severe!

A letter from Scott & Carol Price, whose home was devastated in the Memorial Day flood in Wimberley, Texas:

          Dear Majesta,

We never thought the floodwaters would reach our home more than 40 feet above the Blanco Riveroutside of Austin. But today, we and hundreds of our neighbors are rebuilding, mourning the loss of life and, painfully, coming to terms with what scientists say may be a new normal if we don’t rein in climate pollution.

That's why we were horrified to hear our Senator, Ted Cruz, brush off a question about climate change by saying, “In a time of tragedy, I think it's wrong to try to politicize a natural disaster.”

This tragedy shows exactly why Senator Cruz needs to face the facts on climate change — and with the help of Forecast the Facts members, we'll personally deliver that message to him in Austin with our neighbors next week.

Add your name to support our request to meet with Ted Cruz during the Congressional recess next week.

Floods are common in the Texas Hill Country, but not like this one — a tsunami-like wall of water that was the highest recorded flood in the history of the state. Unfortunately, that record may not last as long as we'd like, as a warming climate is predicted to make flooding and extreme precipitation more frequent and severe. Our State Climatologist said that climate change likely even amplified this flood. Scientists point to record ocean temperatures and warmer air boosting the power of the storm.

As we sift through the damage, we’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from neighbors and local volunteers. Putting aside differences, our community is coming together to clean up the mess and build for the future. It's time to push Senator Cruz to do the same, and take responsibility for cleaning up climate pollution and building a cleaner future for his constituents.

Please support our request for a meeting with Senator Ted Cruz next week.

Sincerely,

Carol and Scott Price, Texas Homeowners

MORE INFORMATION:

"More Rain Targeting Flood-Ravaged Texas; Did Climate Change Contribute to Floods?" New Day, CNN, 5-26-2015

http://act.forecastthefacts.org/go/1027?t=6&akid=837.133273.eKdcBH

"Gov. Abbot: The is the highest flood recorded in state of Texas," Austin American-Statesman, 5-25-2015

http://act.forecastthefacts.org/go/1028?t=8&akid=837.133273.eKdcBH

"Heavy Downpours Increasing" National Climate Assessment 2014, accessed 6-23-2015

http://act.forecastthefacts.org/go/1029?t=10&akid=837.133273.eKdcBH

"Climate Change May Have Souped up Record-Breaking Texas Deluge" Scientific American, 5-27-2015

http://act.forecastthefacts.org/go/1030?t=12&akid=837.133273.eKdcBH

"Climate Change, a Factor in Texas floods, Largely Ignored" Texas Tribune, 5-27-2015

http://act.forecastthefacts.org/go/1031?t=14&akid=837.133273.eKdcBH 

HCA Press Release - Six Schools Win Grants to Fund Conservation Projects

June 4, 2015

Blanco Middle School

(Bee Cave, TX) Managers of the Rainwater Revival school grant program were happily overwhelmed with 13 terrific 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 the quantity and quality of proposals for rainwater catchment and water conservation projects this year, it’s clear that teachers and schools are putting a priority on helping students learn the value of water as an important shared resource,” said Karen Ford, who leads the Rainwater Revival event for the Hill Country Alliance.

The Rainwater Revival is a daylong educational event that takes place every fall amidst a festival-like atmosphere at a Hill Country venue. It brings together knowledgeable speakers, demonstrations, products, music, food and children’s activities to help citizens and businesses learn how to harvest rainwater for beneficial use.

At each year’s Revival, the ever-popular rain barrel art auction generates funds for the school grant program. The art barrels are 55-gallon drums turned in to functional works of art by Hill Country artists and high school art classes who volunteer their time and talent. Since it started in 2010, the Rainwater Revival art barrel auction and grant program have funded 19 schools for rainwater capture and water conserving projects.

“Designing, constructing and maintaining water conservation projects brings together math, science, economics and an early appreciation for conserving our precious natural resources,” said Christy Muse, executive director for Hill Country Alliance. “We are so grateful to know these teachers, parents, garden clubs and others are dedicated to teaching our young people how to capture and use rainwater and why it’s important to know and care about water.” 

2015 grants were awarded to:

Blanco Middle School (Blanco ISD): Seventh grade science and ecology teacher, Pam Meier, submitted the winning request to fund a 2,500 gallon rainwater catchment tank that will be used to water the school’s gardens. The project will benefit all 280 students in the middle school as the gardens provide locally grown food for the school cafeteria, and it will enhance learning in math, science, art, and language arts.

Clifton Career & Development High School (Austin ISD): This high school offers career and technical training for special education students, and their winning project to capture rain with a new 2,500 gallon tank will become part of the Horticulture curriculum managed by teacher, Clayton Vader.

Dawson Elementary (Austin ISD): Fourth grade teacher, Chelsa Capers, plans to bring rainwater harvesting to the school/community gardens on their campus to the benefit of all 345 students who will receive numerous science lessons involving the water cycle, natural resources, and conservation.
 
Dripping Springs High School (Dripping Springs ISD): High school junior, Elena Lundeen, is the driver behind this project to place a rainwater catchment tank inside the school’s 6,000 square foot, open air courtyard to water trees, raised beds and grass, thus reducing the school’s usage of expensive treated water for plant life and promoting sustainable technologies.

Magnolia Montessori for All (Austin charter school):  The school’s substantial gardens will be irrigated by a rainwater harvesting system funded by the grant. Garden coordinator, Nashielly Stein, will help the school’s 300 students, who work in the gardens daily, with lessons in science, nutrition, art, the importance of water conservation, and reducing potable water use.

Marble Falls High School (Marble Falls ISD): Students participating in the High School Horticulture Program will design, implement and operate a rainwater harvesting system to support the organic and aquaponic growing systems in the school’s greenhouses.  Mike Chesnut, MFHS Horticulture teacher, will oversee the project.

A full copy of the 2015 winning grant requests and information on past winners can be found at: www.rainwaterrevival.com.

The Rainwater Revival is an annual celebration of collection, conservation and common sense. The free event is sponsored by the Hill Country Alliance, and the next event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. For more information: www.rainwaterrevival.com.
  
The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country. Visit us at www.hillcountryalliance.org.      

CORRECTION: HCA Press Release - Texas Water Symposium, June 18 in Fredericksburg

Texas Water Symposium to Feature Regional Water Experts

The 8^th 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 and the need for public participation. As Central Texas grapples with population growth, increasing demands on our water supply and cycles of intense drought and floods, it is essential that the public is aware of the water infrastructure planning process that is happening now. Read full media release.

Hays County Groundwater Bill Heads to Governor's Desk

Hays County Groundwater Bill Heads to Governor's Desk

by Neena Satija

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 uncontroversial.

House Bill 3405, by state Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, was thought to be dead this week, after a "point of order" by Rep. Mary González, D-El Paso, targeting the legislation was sustained. But in a stunning reversal on Thursday night, the House granted a last-minute reprieve when the parliamentarian announced he had made an error in legal reasoning when he upheld González's action.

With the point of order ruling reversed, HB 3405 was allowed to go to a conference committee of senators and House members. The Senate approved the updated proposal Saturday with a 28-3 vote. On Sunday, the House approved HB 3405 with a vote of 143-1.
"It's just a huge victory for Hays County," Isaac said shortly after the vote. "I'm kind of in shock a little bit. ... It'll be great for Hays County and great for protecting our natural resources." 
HB 3405 would expand the jurisdiction of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Groundwater Conservation District to include water wellfields owned by Houston-based company Electro Purification. The company plans to pump up to 5 million gallons of water daily from the Trinity Aquifer in Hays County — an unprecedented amount for the already parched area — and sell it to some of Austin's fastest-growing Hill Country suburbs. With the land not currently in a conservation district, the company's project would happen with virtually no oversight. 

If HB 3405 passes, Electro Purification would have to report to the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer district how much water it withdraws from the Trinity Aquifer and potentially be subject to pumping limits.  

The company's lawyer, Ed McCarthy, did not return a phone call seeking comment. 
It's the only legislation in a volley of bills aimed at Electro Purification that survived the session, and was expected to be the least controversial. 

No one testified against the bill when it was taken up by the Senate's Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs Committee. Both Electro Purification and a city councilman from Buda, which aims to buy some of its water, told lawmakers they supported it. But in an interview Thursday, González told the Tribune she was concerned the bill "set a really bad precedent and could harm local communities." She said Buda residents along with "multiple other stakeholders" contacted her with concerns.

After the vote Sunday, Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said in a statement: "We pray that under HB 3405, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District will uphold the constitutional property owner and existing contract water rights of our citizens. Without the immediate delivery of water through our current contract, our city, which is one of the fastest growing in the country, will suffer a water shortage in the near future."

González's point of order angered residents of Hays County, as well as Isaac and state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate. "It is a very disappointing development to have a lawmaker from El Paso — hundreds of miles away from my district — insert themselves into a local bill against the will of the people and against the elected officials who represent them," Campbell told the Tribune in a statement Thursday.  

On Sunday, González voted in favor of the bill. "I'm happy for Jason Isaac. I know it was important to him," she said in a brief interview on the House floor after the vote. "I still have my same concerns, but I'm happy for him." 

The legislative tussle also caught the attention of Lt. Gov Dan Patrick, who was in Hays County on Thursday touring the devastation wrought in the community by last week's flooding. There, local officials appealed to him for help moving the bill forward. 

"I am grateful that the House reversed the [point of order on HB 3405] because it is the number one legislative issue for Hays County," Patrick said in a statement Friday. "After visiting Wimberley to survey the flood damage, I believe this bill is even more critical." 

There's no guarantee HB 3405 would stop or even curtail Electro Purification's project. The company is drilling test wells right now to determine how much water it can pump. Once it starts producing water to sell, no district can retroactively cancel its ability to do so. In addition, if the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District does impose limits on the company's pumping, it's likely to end up in court, where it is by no means guaranteed to win. 

Jay Root and John Reynolds contributed reporting.

Post-Flood Riparian Recovery Workshops Planned for Wimberley and Blanco Communities

In the wake of the Memorial Day 2015 floods that roared through Central Texas, people in the Hill Country are left grappling with the aftermath. Images of hundred-year-old cypress trees, stripped bare of their bark and ripped up from their roots, inevitably turn our minds to our creeks and rivers and prompts the question- what can we do to heal our streamsides? 
 
In the wake of the Memorial Day 2015 floods that roared through Central Texas, people in the Hill Country are left grappling with the aftermath. Images of hundred-year-old cypress trees, stripped bare of their bark and ripped up from their roots, inevitably turn our minds to our creeks and rivers and prompts the question- what can we do to heal our streamsides?

 This first in a series of Recovery Workshops has been planned to help landowners identify the steps they can take to improve the health of their riparian areas (where the river and land intersect). Each workshop will include 1 hour of discussion indoors followed by a 1 hour field trip.

Wednesday, June 10^th 9:30 – 11:30 am
Old Blanco Courthouse in the City of Blanco
  
Thursday, June 11^th 5-7 pm
 Turkey Hollow Ranch in Burnett Ranches subdivision (rsvp for directions)
  
Friday, June 12^th 8 am breakfast, 9-11 am workshop
Wimberley Community Center

These workshops are being coordinated in partnership of The Nature Conservancy, the Hill Country Alliance, the Texas Forest Service, Hays County Master Naturalists, the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Speakers include representatives from Texas Forest Service, and Steve Nelle, retired Natural Resource Conservation Service State Wildlife Biologist. Speakers will cover the do’s and don’ts of riparian recovery.

Email Rachael Ranft rranft@tnc.org or call Vanessa Martin (512) 623-7249 for more information.

Download Flyer 

“What is most important for damaged creek and river channels and the riparian area is to re-establish strong stabilizing vegetation.”
- Steve Nelle, retired NRCS biologist

Nine Recommendations for Riparian Recovery

1. The broken and uprooted cypress can be good for the future health and stability of the river.

2. Leave large and small woody debris in place, if possible. Do not burn, remove, or saw it up in small pieces. The wood helps to dissipate energy, and stabilize banks, channel and floodplain.

3. These debris piles are where new plants will establish easily. This is nature’s way to hasten recovery.

4. Minimize or eliminate tractors and large equipment unless absolutely necessary. Take protective measures if using heavy machinery.

5. Repairing banks, removing gravel, or altering the channel can do more harm than good to an already fragile area.

6. Be patient – natural recovery processes are very effective when allowed to work.

7. Be very aggressive in killing axis deer – they can be very detrimental to recovery.

8. Re-imagine what is a beautiful riparian area – they are healthiest when thick with wood and vegetation, and most sensitive when clean and manicured.

9. Take photos now and every 6 – 12 months – repeat photos at fixed points to show the recovery process. This will be very meaningful in the future.

- Steve Nelle, retired Natural Resource Conservation Service biologist 

Helpful Resources
Blanco River Valley Restoration Project Facebook Page: latest news and

events about efforts along the Blanco
Remarkable Riparian: educational materials including videos about riparian restoration.
Letting the River Heal: Hill Country Alliance newsletter
Don’t Give Up On Your Trees: Hays County Master Naturalists
document on critical first steps
Blanco River Restoration Tips: Mark Lundy video on Blanco restoration

Texas Tribune: After Error, Hays County Groundwater Bill is Revived by Matthew Watkins May 28, 2015

Enlarge                                             photo by: Bob Daemmrich

State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, on the floor 

of the House on May 15, 2015.

 _{Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from state Sen. Donna Campbell.}

A bill designed to protect western Hays County residents' water wells received a surprising, last-minute reprieve Thursday night — after a procedural error killed the legislation the day before. 

The reprieve, announced seconds before the House adjourned for the day, left the bill's author, Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, stunned and crying at his desk. About a dozen members gathered around him, hugging and congratulating him. At one point, they all bowed their heads and prayed. 

Isaac said in an interview afterward that the legislation, House Bill 3405, was the most important bill he'd filed this session. It would expand the jurisdiction of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Groundwater Conservation District to include water wellfields owned by Houston-based company Electro Purification, which plans to pump up to 5 million gallons of water per day from western Hays County. The company plans to provide the water to Buda and surrounding areas. 

The company's fields aren't currently under the jurisdiction of any groundwater district, and residents were worried that so much pumping would cause their own wells to run dry. Once news spread of Electro Purification's plans, a passionate group of activists mobilized and pushed for Isaac's legislation. 

On Wednesday night, the bill appeared to die. State Rep. Mary González, D-El Paso, had raised a point of order — a parliamentary maneuver that involves asking whether a House rule has been violated that would kill the bill. The point of order was sustained, and it was too late in the session to resuscitate the bill. 

State Rep. Kenneth Sheets, R-Dallas, was manning the House speaker's desk Thursday when the reversal was announced, after the House had been standing at ease for about 30 minutes. Isaac said he had no idea it was coming, and had almost left for the day. 

"It caught me by complete surprise," he said. "It has just been a really rough day because of what happened yesterday. I have been in a bad mood all day thinking that the one issue that people sent me here to do for them, I couldn't get done."

The bill will now go to conference committee, where it will be worked out with a slightly tweaked version that passed in the Senate. 

"Today we are back on the battlefield," Isaac said. "It is not done yet, but we are back on the battlefield."

In a statement, Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, HB 3405's Senate sponsor, praised the efforts to revive the bill.

"The efforts of Hays County residents to protect the groundwater of property owners remains alive and well as a result of" the recent developments, Campbell said. "Thank you to Speaker Straus and Lt. Governor Patrick for their leadership and to Rep. Isaac for standing, fighting, and clawing with me up to the last second to keep this crucial bill alive for Hays County."

As he left the House floor Thursday evening, Isaac said he still didn't know why the point of order ruling had been reversed. 

"I'm going to go visit with the speaker's team and the parliamentarian, but I'm probably not going to ask why," he said. "I'm just going to say thanks."

González, who has said she felt the legislation set a poor precedent and could harm rural communities, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Neena Satija and Jim Malewitz contributed to this report. 

Flood and disaster relief for Hays and Blanco

Some locations are subject to change as the situation develops.

If you know anyone who needs the information, please pass along.

Hays County

 

1) Hays County Food Bank
 

The most needed items for disaster relief are high-protein canned meals with pop-top cans (ravioli, soups, spaghetti, tuna, salmon, chicken, beans, chili), single serving meals that do not require refrigeration or cooked/meals ready to eat, single serving snacks such as raisins, granola bars, and nuts, peanut butter, canned fruits/veggies.

Donate Food: Food donations are accepted until further notice at: 

• 220 Herndon St, San Marcos
• Cabela’s, 15570 S IH 35 Frontage Rd, Buda, TX 78610
• Living Word Lutheran Church, 2315 Ranch Rd 967, Buda, TX 78610
• Barton Middle School, 4950 Jack C. Hays Trail, Kyle, TX 78610
• Broadway Bank, 320 E Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
• Wallace Middle School, 1500 West Center, Kyle, TX 78640
• Chapa Middle School, 3311 Dacy Lane, Kyle, TX 78640
• Broadway Bank, 320 E Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Donate Funds: Donate online NOW. Checks can be mailed to Hays County Food Bank, 220 Herndon Street, San Marcos, TX 78666

2) Legal Aid Hotline for Disaster Victims through Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
1-866-757-1570
3) Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Centers are open San Marcos and Wimberley,

Wimberley Volunteer Reception Service:
Cypress Creek Church, 211 Stillwater, 8 a.m.-  5 p.m.

SM Volunteer Center (512.753.2320):
San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 C.M.Allen Parkway, 8 a.m. - 5 pm
Coordinated by City of San Marcos, Hays County, and AmeriCorps

The City and County have hundreds of people and organizations actively volunteering—we ask them to coordinate through our Volunteer Reception Centers so that their efforts may be as effective as possible. City, County and AmeriCorps are coordinating volunteers and organizations.

4) Call Center
A Call Center has been set up in San Marcos for county-wide, disaster-related questions at 512-754-2275

5) Large donations: If you have equipment or large donations, they can be delivered to:
Old Springtown Mall between 8-5 pm.
200 Springtown Way
San Marcos, TX 78666

6) More INFO
sanmarcostx.gov/smtxflood           
facebook.com/cityofsanmarcos
twitter.com/cityofsanmarcos
haysinformed.com
servesanmarcos.com
 


Blanco County

1) Donations: please contact Connie Barron at Blanco City Hall at (830) 833-4525

2) The Blanco County Emergency Management Facebook page will be updated regularly by the Blanco County Emergency Management team:

https://www.facebook.com/BlancoCountyOEM

3) If you have any questions regarding the flooding incident, have information to share, or would like to help, please send an email to: blancoflood@nbcems.org.

4) Additional resources are as follows:

www.CityofBlanco.com
Blanco County Relief Facebook page 
The City of Blanco Facebook page
The County of Blanco 


Please go to the Blanco City Hall and register as a volunteer, find where to take donations and/or offer services.

The Blanco County Sheriff's Office is (830) 868-7104  

---

Hays County officials testing well water samples

 KVUE 4:58 p.m. CDT May 27, 2015

 SAN MARCOS, Texas -- Individuals wishing to test their private well water after recent flooding can obtain a sample container and directions on sampling water from the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center in San Marcos.
Residents can bring samples back with fees and the sample will be tested for coliform within 24 to 48 hours.



Click on the links below for detailed information.

How to collect water samples:

How to disinfect your well:

Individuals can call the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center in the Aquatic Biology building, on Sessoms Drive, across from Salt Grass Steak House in San Marcos.  

They can obtain a sample container and directions to sample.  

They will bring their sample back with the appropriate fee and the sample will be tested for coliform within 24-48 hours.

The phone number is 512-245-2329.