Full Version: Parks and Open Space Recommendations

In this pandemic, as in the floods of 2015, Hays County residents have pulled together for the greater good of our community. We plan ahead and provide for times of need and for future generations. In that spirit, we must take action today to protect and increase parks, natural areas, and water quality for all our tomorrows.

Hays County voters last passed a parks bond in 2007. In two well-attended Zoom webinars this week, Hays County’s Parks & Open Space Advisory Commission presented its recommended projects after a thorough proposal process. Both the List of Recommendations and the Webinar Presentation are available online.

Wimberley Valley Watershed Association proposed Coleman’s Canyon Preserve, 117 acres that would more than double the size of Jacob’s Well Natural Area. Its significant karst features recharge Jacob’s Well Spring and include Wimberley Bat Cave. The project expands trails, scenic vistas, greenways and preserves, with over 100 acres of Golden Cheeked Warbler habitat. Coleman’s Canyon could lessen flooding potential through strategically located green infrastructure projects.

WVWA is pleased that Coleman’s Canyon Preserve project ranked top of the committee’s list of recommendations, and supports the quality and range of the tiered proposals. Without affecting the County tax rate, these projects will add parks, trails, open spaces, natural areas, and habitat, and improve water quality and flood mitigation. Hays County’s economy depends on hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many of them drawn by County parks, trails, and natural areas. Now, more than ever, the benefits of outdoor recreation for health and well-being are worthy investments.

Please take a look the presentation and list of worthy projects. Then, let your County Commissioner and Judge Becerra know you’re counting on them, ahead of their August 11 meeting. If you can, please also attend the meeting and speak in Public Comments.

It’s a good time to preserve our natural heritage and build well-considered recreational facilities, with clear eyes on flood mitigation and anticipating a growing population. With population growth, groundwater and habitat protection are critical to protect the high quality of life here in Hays County. The time is now.

The parks and open space proposals cannot vote; they need your voice to make them happen.  

It has been over seven months since the City reported its last Blanco Wastewater Treatment Plant direct discharge into the Blanco River, and the water conditions show it! Downstream of the discharge point, the algae blooms have cleared.

The WVWA and POB have also seen some very positive signs for our anticipated negotiations with the City of Blanco:

We continue to push for an agreement with the City to eliminate discharge, implement strong irrigation plans/contracts, and establish a better operational plan for the plant.

POB continues to do monthly water quality testing and these reports can be utilized for our negotiations, and if necessary, a Contested Case Hearing or any other lawsuits.

As you can imagine, the cost of consultants and testing are substantial and we are asking that all of our members make a tax deductible donation.  If you prefer to send a check, it should be made payable to Protect our Blanco and sent to P O Box 520, Blanco, Texas 78606. If you have friends and neighbors who care and who can help us financially, please ask them to join this fight.

Learn more: www.ProtectOurBlanco.org

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