Hello Steve,

For nearly 20 years Environmental Stewardship has been a leader in protecting the Lower Colorado River. As rapid development downstream of Austin has reached a fevered pitch, its water quality has steadily degraded. Making it healthy again will take broad community support.

Four decades ago, Bastrop leaders and landowners organized to force Austin’s wastewater facilities to clean up their act. The Texas Legislature responded in kind by giving the section of the river between Austin and Smithville “exceptional” status. This designation was made to assure we would enjoy the swimming, paddling and fishing that makes the river so valuable. As more algae, silt, and wastewater are added to the river, one thing is clear — we no longer enjoy that status and the state has failed to protect the water quality and aquatic life we once enjoyed.

Environmental Stewardship, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is having success challenging how wastewater permits are evaluated. We are forcing increased transparency and rigor in the permitting process. Recent successes include:

• Encouraging an industrial user to hook up to the city’s wastewater system rather than build its own wastewater operations that would discharge into the river.

• Increasing scrutiny of the impact of sand and gravel mining operations along the river on aquatic life and pushing for increased setbacks.

• Performing supplemental water quality testing above state minimums.

These challenges are mostly won in government hearings that require Environmental Stewardship to hire lawyers and environmental experts to prove our case. We rely heavily on grants and tax-deductible gifts to continue this work. Your donation is essential if Environmental Stewardship is to continue its efforts to protect, monitor, and improve our most vital shared resource.

We live here. We swim here. We fish here. We are the river stewards of today. 

#MyBastropRiver Photo Contest

Environmental Stewardship is thrilled to announce the launch of #MyBastropRiver, a month-long social media photo contest celebrating the beauty of our local rivers and waterways. Community members are invited to capture and share stunning images of the Lower Colorado River, showcasing the natural beauty and importance of preserving these essential ecosystems.

To participate, entrants can post their photos on X.com, Instagram, Facebook, or Nextdoor using the hashtag #MyBastropRiver and MyBastropRiver.com A special guest judge will select the winning photos, which will be announced at a fundraising concert at Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard on April 17, 2025 from 7:00-9:00pm.

“We want to highlight the beauty of our waterways and inspire our community to protect them,” said Steve Box, Executive Director at Environmental Stewardship. “This campaign is a great way to engage people, raise awareness, and support vital conservation efforts.”

How to Participate:

1. Snap a photo or search your library for photos of the Lower Colorado River in Bastrop County

2. Post it on X.com, Instagram, Facebook, or Nextdoor with #MyBastropRiver and MyBastropRiver.com

3. Encourage friends and family to join in and spread the message!

Support the Cause:

Donations to Environmental Stewardship are tax-deductible and directly fund efforts in Bastrop to improve the water quality, monitoring, and protections of the Lower Colorado River.

Join the Celebration:

The fundraising concert will take place on April 17th from 7:00-9:00pm at Neighbor's Kitchen & Yard, where the winning photo will be revealed and the kayak awarded, and incredible bands will perform in celebration of our river. Admission is free, with suggested donations encouraged.

Media Contact:

Andy Wier Environmental Stewardship member

(512) 426-5002

https://www.environmental-stewardship.org/donate

BRINGING SCIENCE TO DECISION-MAKING

On behalf of the organizers of this event,

thank you for your help and participation.

Sincerely,

Steve Box

Board President and Executive Director

Environmental Stewardship