CARDtalk: Announcing Community Water Meeting September 11

CARD Hosts a Community Water Meeting September 11

Ask any forward-looking Texan to list the most crucial community issues facing our state and he or she is sure to put "water" near the top. Ongoing drought, record-low lake levels and failing water wells have every informed person concerned for our state's near future. Elected officials, cities, farmers, businesses, parents and involved citizens are seeking solutions. But will we find realistic answers - and soon enough?

Citizens Alliance for Responsible Development (CARD) believes meaningful results begin on a local level through individual awareness and effort. To help us all learn more about the risks facing our community and our future, CARD will host a free Community Meeting

WATER CRISIS: Time to Get Serious!

6-9:30 p.m. Thursday, September 11th,

Wimberley Community Center

14068 Ranch Road 12

We hope you will mark the date and come join the conversation on why water is an increasingly critical issue, and how we can all be part of improving the outlook. We'll have great speakers, useful tips, free refreshments and the rare and special opportunity to talk and work together as a community.

Join us at 6 pm to informally "Chat with the Experts" on ways to enhance your family's personal water plan. There will be several tables, all non-commercial, each with a specialist ready to discuss: Lawns, Household Water, Xeriscaping (low-water landscaping and gardening), Rainwater Collection, and the critical relationship between water and energy.

At 7 p.m., we'll move to the BIG water picture, with five outstanding speakers, starting with one of Texas' most respected water experts, Dr. Andy Sansom, Executive Director of Texas State University's Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Dr. Sansom will introduce the key issues and set the stage for the evening's discussions.

Our speakers will focus on past, present, and future water issues as well as innovative water solutions. On the program: Steve Clouse, Chief Operating Officer of San Antonio Water Systems, Ray Whisenant, Hays County Commissioner and a past president of the Texas Ground Water Association, Peter Newell, Water Resources Engineer at HDR Engineering, a veteran of relief and water development program assessment in stressed nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America, and Bech Bruun of the Texas Water Development Board and a member of the Texas Environmental Flows Advisory Group.

As a bonus, at 9 p.m. the five key speakers, along with County Commissioner Will Conley, will join in a 30-minute panel discussion to answer audience questions.

CARD cordially invites you to join us for this community meeting as we learn first-hand more about the water crisis threatening our community and state, and consider plans and ideas to successfully weather the growing emergency.

Keep abreast of meeting updates at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Fev4_2D5TcN1xEfR7TtuW-PxcNxfDlO2nmI61XWhbzmlCbPXV-O88fhffXuAtkIoaIdVjDWQ_n3Y8DNEzBJVss17qQi1JOU0aeEBsLF0GBSN1yXUYjSz8fh5wEYQRtq3eAqa5BS_jZpSwW_C18bbyK3WQMU9J65Y&c=BrZqklACf_6cDstG9GdpAx3sLSjPbX7mitFx3RrNdaW1CGoS4s3jxA==&ch=c7JX8IGg9fWMpVTfCfzvmavPhuax5CtccLttwuX5scZwtynAsvMUcA==, and help us get the word out with our poster. 

 CARD - Citizen's Alliance for Responsible Development (hayscard.org) | PO Box 2905 | Wimberley | TX | 78676

The Plateau Post Issue # 7

How Wasted Gas From Drilling Could Save Millions of Gallons of Texas Water Millions of gallons of water from hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," could be treated and reused without extra energy costs using gas that is typically burned off at drilling sites, according to a new study by a team of scientists at the University of Texas at Austin. Enough natural gas is burnt on site to fuel energy-intensive treatment for highly-contaminated water, making for a handy 'Two Birds, One Stone' opportunity, the study by UT's Webber Energy Group finds.

Read More

18th Annual Great Texas Birding Classic Breaks Records The results are in and organizers of the 18th annual Great Texas Birding Classic have something to squawk about. The statewide birding tournament attracted a record-breaking 81 teams composed of more than 400 competitors who set an all-time record by recording 425 species of birds during the competition held from April 15 through May 15, according to tournament director Shelly Plante, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department nature tourism manager.

Read More

Proposed New Rules Shed Light on Future Water Projects The Texas Water Development Board's release of draft rules Tuesday afternoon offered Texans a clearer sense of how the board will prioritize and fund competing water supply projects. Though some potential issues remain unaddressed, the proposal provides guidelines for the point system by which the board will rank projects applying for an initial pool of $2 billion - funding approved by Texas voters in November.

Read More

Plateau 

News & Events 

• The Comal County Land & Water Expo will take place on Wednesday, July 23, from 8:30 am-5:30 pm. For more information click HERE
• Plateau Land and Wildlife Management is hiring. For further information on the available positions, please visit the websites at www.plateauwildlife.com 

Historic Ruby Ranch preserved – FOREVER!

Great News! Historic Ruby Ranch is now protected open space FOREVER! Thanks to the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the City of Austin, and the Ruby family, our latest conservation easement project is a monumental one! The permanent conservation of the 747-acre Ruby Ranch, a historical property in Hays County, is the final piece of the puzzle that will result in over 10,000 acres of contiguous open space! Now, Peggy and Jim’s children, including son Cecil Ruby and daughter Jessie Ruby, see value in not only protecting the land, but also their family heritage. In working with HCC, the Ruby family decided a partnership with a land trust was a way to accomplish these goals and in a sense, save part of their family history. “Adding our property to a network of thousands of acres of contiguous preserved open space is really exciting,” said Cecil Ruby. “We have a strong connection to this land and we believe its best use is to remain in a natural state, providing much needed protection for the Onion Creek watershed and the native wildlife inhabiting the ranch. The protection of Ruby Ranch will also preserve the history of our family and the heritage of this ranch for future generations.” This project is particularly important as it provides high quality water run-off and recharge to the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer (BSEA). The BSEA provides water for thousands of central Texans as well as several wildlife populations also dependent on nesting habitat and food sources found in the Onion Creek corridor and watershed. The easement will also protect native rangeland, which provides habitat for a variety of native birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other native wildlife by ensuring that it remains in a natural state. The properties around Ruby Ranch remain mostly rural, including Dahlstrom Ranch, which borders the eastern portion of the property. Dahlstrom Ranch, a 2,252-acre working ranch, is also protected by a conservation easement held by Hill Country Conservancy – as well as the City of Austin and Hays County - purchased in part with funds from the NRCS Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program (FRPP). See more photos of Ruby Ranch on our facebook page As rapid development continues in the region, it has become harder and harder for families to keep lands together and intact. Like many ranching families, the Ruby’s felt the burden of these pressures. This property has been in the Ruby family since the 1930s. The ranch was used for a combination of livestock operation and hunting. Jim Ruby grew up on this ranch and was very much involved in the day-to-day operations required to raise goats, sheep, cattle, and horses. Jim and his wife Peggy took great pride in teaching their children and grandchildren how to ride horses and work with cattle and goats. From left to right, Clark Cornwell – City of Austin; Frank Davis - Hill Country Conservancy; Junie Plummer - City of Austin; Jessie Ruby; Cecil Ruby; Susan Armstrong – Ruby attorney

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Conservation News and Info from TLTC July 2, 2014

Conservation related news from Texas and beyond... TLTC Op-Ed Runs in the Fort Worth Star Telegram  Conservation easements help preserve some of the best of Texas while keeping private lands private By Lori Olson Special to the Star-Telegram Texas is a beautiful and ecologically diverse state with miles of beaches, tall pine forests, vast open prairies and beautiful, rolling hills. And many of our state’s residents have been closely tied to the land for generations, making their living from farming and ranching. But the face of rural Texas has changed dramatically, with scenic hilltops and once fertile farmlands and valleys being sold and divided into smaller and smaller tracks. Protecting the natural state of Texas has become increasingly important: one useful tool in doing this is conservation easement. A landowner can use this voluntary, flexible, negotiated tool to protect their land for future generations by agreeing to restrict certain uses of the property to protect its natural, productive or cultural features. In exchange for this donation, the landowner receives limited tax benefits.  (To read the FULL article, click HERE.) Encourage your US Representative to Support HR 2807- the Enhanced Tax Incentive for Conservation Easements  This important bill was recently passed out of the House Ways & Means Committee. We now have a great opportunity to put this important legislation on the House floor for a vote! For ways to get involved and contact your representative visit: http://www.landtrustalliance.org/policy

TX House Natural Resources Committee Discusses Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program On June 25th, the House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on the Texas Farm & Ranch Lands Conservation Program (TFRLCP) and its role in conserving Texas' water resources. Later this summer, the Committee will make recommendations for possible legislative action in 2015. TFRLCP is a state program that makes grants to non-profit land trusts to purchase conservation easements from willing landowners. State funding for this program would dramatically increase the rate of land conservation in Texas, opening up many opportunities for Texas to leverage significant federal Farm Bill conservation funding. Over $1 Billion dollars will be available for agricultural conservation easements over the next 4 years and without a reliable source for matching funds, Texas simply cannot take full advantage of this opportunity. If Texas were to fund the TFRLCP, land trusts across the state would have the ability to work in partnership with landowners to purchase conservation easements that protect our state's vital land and water resources. With over 90% of Texas land in private hands, landowners across our great state play a critical role in determining the health of our water supply. We need to provide financial incentives that allow Texas landowners and families to place conservation easements on their lands. The public benefits are many....clean water, open space, wildlife habitat. Let your Texas representatives know how private lands provide these essential benefits and that you support incentives for conservation in Texas. Follow TLTC on Twitter       @TexasLandTrusts

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