The Watershed Protection Department would need an estimated $2 billion to solve the city’s most severe watershed problems and other critical needs. A bond package expected to go before voters in 2026 would cover a portion of those costs, if approved. While the work of the 22-member Bond Election Advisory Task Force is still in […]
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
The Austin area won’t be seeing a lot of bluebonnets this year. Here’s why.
It’s a quintessential Texas experience to get your photo taken in a field of bluebonnets. “I have lots of pictures,” said Matthew Gaston, who used to work as director of education for the Zilker Botanical Garden. “It’s this bluish hue and it has these gorgeous little leaves you can see even before it starts blooming.” […]
Posted inWater
Austin’s water reuse program is moving forward, but slowly
Austin adopted what were called “historic” water reuse regulations a year ago, so the program is still in its infancy, especially compared with Los Angeles and San Francisco, which adopted regulations requiring builders to put in the necessary plumbing to reuse water at least a decade ago. “San Francisco started its program in 2012 and […]
Posted inParks
As hordes of visitors descend on Austin for SXSW, Barton Springs Pool is closed for cleaning
Barton Springs Pool is closed while it undergoes a deep cleaning to remove unhealthy growth and things like dirt, leaves, sticks and other debris from the pool floor. While the annual cleaning goes back more than a decade, the closure is taking place as so many people are in town for South by Southwest. Last year, the […]
Posted inResources
Council is likely to briefly stop rate hikes for natural gas
Texas Gas Service Company and CenterPoint Energy Resources, which serve gas customers in Austin and surrounding areas as well as other parts of the state, have filed notices of their plan to raise rates for the service regions that include Austin. The increase for the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program is intended to repay the company […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy seeks to dampen fears of cooling department employees
Despite assurances that Austin Energy is not currently contemplating a sale of its District Energy and Cooling Department, called the DEC, some employees remain concerned that the utility might decide to sell the cooling system, which provides chilled water cooling for producing electricity. According to the utility, “overall, Austin Energy’s district cooling facilities serve more […]
Posted inParks
Parks and Rec Board to explore “rainbow bridge” pet memorial
The Parks and Recreation Board voted Tuesday to form a working group tasked with exploring the creation of a “rainbow bridge” pet memorial at a city park. The proposed interactive feature would allow park visitors to honor their pets, particularly dogs, that have passed away. Chair Pedro Villalobos highlighted the success of similar rainbow bridges […]
Posted inEnvironment
Planning Commission endorses, amends updated erosion protections
The Planning Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 25 to recommend, with amendments, an ordinance proposed by the Watershed Protection Department to add new erosion protections to a section of the Colorado River below Longhorn Dam. The Austin Monitor has previously reported on the ordinance, which would increase the reach of an existing erosion hazard zone, […]
Posted inEnvironment
Updates to erosion protections coming to Council
During the inaugural meeting of City Council’s newly formed Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee on Feb. 26, members heard a briefing on a proposed ordinance from the Watershed Protection Department (WPD) to increase erosion protections along the Colorado River. The Austin-area segment of the river crosses several jurisdictional boundaries, including the Travis County line, […]
Posted inEnergy
Incentives for customer-owned batteries among new programs in Austin Energy’s pipeline
After ending last year with a successful vote for its Climate Protection Plan at City Council, Austin Energy is taking no breaks to celebrate, moving right ahead with plans to make good on its promises for a more sustainable and resilient power grid. Earlier this month, department heads met with the city’s Electric Utility Commission […]
Posted inParks
Encampment cleanup efforts could cost $1.2 million for dedicated team
Austin may establish a dedicated, in-house team to conduct regular cleanups at encampments across the city’s park system. That’s the recommendation laid out in a memo from three department directors in response to a City Council resolution last year calling for increased litter mitigation efforts in city parks. The creation of a special cleanup team […]
Posted inWater
Lady Bird Lake’s water levels dropped (again), raising questions about dam’s integrity
If you went out for a walk along Lady Bird Lake on Tuesday afternoon you might have noticed the water level was lower than usual. Muddy stretches of bank extended farther toward the center of the lake. The smell wasn’t great. Lady Bird Lake’s water level fell by about 2 feet. The Longhorn Dam holds […]