The effects of Senate Bill 709, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott last year, are starting to be felt. The bill changed Texas’ contested hearing process for environmental permits. One of its main effects was to shift the burden of proof to the person or organization protesting, rather than applying for, a permit. The […]
Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
An entity charged with oversight of a portion the Edwards Aquifer. Groundwater Conservation Districts are established through Texas State legislative approval, under a state law first approved in the 1950s. According to its web site, the BSEACD’s charge is “to conserve, protect, and enhance the groundwater resources in its jurisdictional area.”
Posted inHays County
Dripping Springs’ proposed wastewater plan could threaten aquifers
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is moving quickly to prevent a change in the city of Dripping Springs’ wastewater management that could threaten Dripping Springs’ drinking water. The city of Dripping Springs has applied for a permit to discharge treated effluent from its wastewater plant into Onion Creek. But a recent study has confirmed […]
Posted inLocal Government
BSEACD waives fees, passes budget
Because it might be more of a hassle than it’s worth, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District board of directors decided at its regular meeting Thursday to waive a new permit application fee when passing next year’s budget. Approved in a 4-1 vote with board member Robert Larsen dissenting, the decision will subsequently require the […]
Posted inResources, Water
Conservation district passes new guidelines
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors unanimously passed updated rules and bylaws governing 170 square miles of freshly annexed territory primarily in Hays County. The move came over objections from an attorney with Houston-based water supplier Electro Purification. “If you look at the rules, there are a number of places where you […]
Posted inWater
Conservation district releases draft rules
Staff with the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District recently released new rules to govern 170 square miles of unregulated territory. Residents will have a chance to weigh in on them July 16. For the next several months, conversations discussing House Bill 3405 implementation will dominate BSEACD board meetings. The bill, which became law June 16, immediately placed […]
Posted inLocal Government
Conservation district talks flow for Hays County
Staff with the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District spent more than an hour briefing board members on House Bill 3405’s implications Thursday. The long-anticipated bill could nearly double the district’s jurisdiction, and staff is presuming months of increased work as they wait for Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature. HB 3405 will immediately incorporate about 200 square miles […]
Posted inAustin
Reporter’s Notebook: Swimming with the sharks
Kitchen argues for longer lunch break … City Council Member Ann Kitchen expressed concern Thursday about the length of lunch breaks during Council meetings. When Mayor Steve Adler suggested continuing for 30 minutes after citizen communications closed just before 1 p.m, Kitchen protested. “I’d like to take a break for lunch,” she said. “I think that’s […]
Posted inLocal Government, Water
Conservation District preps for annexation
With two major bills pending in Texas’ legislative session, officials with the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District discussed a potentially rushed timeline at their regular meeting Thursday. In March, legislators put forward House Bill 3405 and Senate Bill 1440 to address Houston-based water supplier Electro Purification’s plans to pump 5 million gallons of water per […]
Posted inHays County
Hays commish calls out Buda mayor on Facebook
The cross-county water fight between the Wimberley/Driftwood area and Buda heated up this week as Hays County Commissioner Will Conley used his Facebook page to call out Buda Mayor Todd Ruge in an open letter, calling the city’s testimony at the Texas Capitol on Monday “a disgrace.” Buda’s Assistant City Manager Brian LaBorde testified against […]
Posted inPreservation, Resources, Water
Downward oxygen trend a risk for salamanders
Barton Springs is the only known home to the endangered and federally protected Barton Springs and Austin Blind salamanders. Unfortunately, for these unique creatures, the level of life-sustaining dissolved oxygen in their ecosystem has dropped on average over the past 35 years. Watershed Protection Department engineer Abel Porras brought the issue to the Wednesday meeting […]
Posted inResources, Water
Aquifer district ends six-year dispute with Kyle
Board members with the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District wrapped up a six-year dispute with the City of Kyle on Thursday night at their regular meeting, pending a few issues. “This means we can move on,” said John Dupnik, general manager with the district. He commented that everyone had spent “entirely too long on the matter” anyway. The […]
Posted inHays County
Hays County hears hydrologist on well project
The debate about the Electro Purification well project continued Tuesday in Hays County Commissioners Court as a neutral scientist weighed in on the data. District Senior Hydrologist and Aquifer Science Team Leader Brian Smith with the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District presented his agency’s findings on the hydrological studies and analyses associated with the Electro […]