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09/06/11--10:55: Save Water Now: Speak Up and Save Money for Decades to Come (chan 1563510)



While the heat wave has broken, there is no end in sight to the current drought that is rapidly drying up our rivers, springs, and lakes.  Long range weather forecasts suggest that the drought will continue well into 2012, if not beyond.  Climate change models predict that we are already entering a “new normal” of a hotter, drier climate for central Texas.




09/13/11--11:38: Stage III Critical Drought Declared by BSEACD (chan 1563510)

The Barton Springs / Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has declared a Stage III Critical Drought effective immediately. With hot temperatures, no rain, and no replenishing creek flow, water levels in the area aquifers continue to decline. Both of the District’s drought triggers have now crossed their Stage III Critical Drought thresholds. The Lovelady Monitor Well depth-to-water fell below 190.7 feet and, based on manual measurements, the Barton Springs 10-day average discharge is less than 20 cubic feet per second. Click HERE for more information.




10/13/11--13:11: What do you think about the Master Plan for Barton Springs Pool? (chan 1563510)



At the Oct 17 meeting on site at Barton Springs Pool the Joint Committee (Parks, Forestry, Environmental boards) responded to public input and reversed their previous decision to move the South entry to the East side and to expand the parking lot to the south, paving it (with pervious or impervious material TBD) and increasing the size by about 40 spaces.  This brings the plans for renovations of the south side back to 30% approval. Public input proposed alternatives to those drawn by landscape architect Brian Larson for the path leading from the existing entry to the pool that will be considered.

Please click here to download the latest renderings of:  the East Entry Concept;  the South Entry Concept; and the proposed options for improving the south gravel parking lot if the "South Entry Concept" is chosen.

for additional information go to: http://BartonSpringsPublicProcess.com




10/24/11--10:49: City Council continues draining $350 million from City water ratepayers, endangering Bull Creek Preserve and starving higher priority water needs (chan 1563510)

Water & Money -- Last week the Austin City Council approved another $7 million to build a $100 million, 6.5 mile, 10-foot diameter water transmission tunnel below the Bull Creek nature preserve.  In doing so the council ignored the threat posed by the transmission tunnel to the fifty-two (52) small Bull Creek headwater springs and wet caves that are within one mile of the tunnel route and which harbor the Jollyville Plateau salamander.  




10/24/11--10:53: Keep Mopac Local – Help keep Mopac from being converted into a western bypass for I-35 traffic (chan 1563510)



Go to KeepMopacLocal.org and send a clear message to Travis County Commissioners and the Austin City Council to “Keep Mopac Local.” 




11/10/11--12:54: Come to the SOS Holiday Party & Silent Auction ... (you won't be sorry!) (chan 1563510)

Friday December 9th

6PM to midnight

Mercury Hall, 615 Cardinal Ln. (off S. 1st)

$10 suggested donation to SOS at the door


Whole Earth Provision Co. is donating a $10 gift certificate to the first 500 party goers!





11/21/11--08:08: For Immediate Release: Report Documents Growing Threats to the Edwards Aquifer from State-Approved Wastewater Irrigation Facilities (chan 1563510)

A new report released today by the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance and Save Our Springs Alliance shows that the state's permitting of land disposal of wastewater is failing to protect the Edwards Aquifer and Hill Country springs, creeks, rivers, and groundwater. According to the report, Land Applied Wastewater Effluent Impacts on the Edwards Aquifer, prepared by Dr. Lauren Ross, Ph.D., P.E. of Glenrose Engineering, a growing body of evidence establishes that poorly operated systems and a lack of permit standards are putting water resources at risk and causing pollution.





12/05/11--09:45: Environment Texas, Statesman highlight occasional bacteria problems at Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool (chan 1563510)

This weekend the Austin American-Statesman reported HERE on a recent report by Environment Texas on the occurrence of elevated bacteria levels found in some favorite swimming holes, including Barton Springs and Hamilton Pool.   The Environment Texas report HERE  points out that bacteria levels are not adequately monitored, and when monitored, not timely reported so that people can make informed judgments before swimming.




01/06/12--11:37: Thank you! and 2011 Highlights (chan 1563510)

Thank you to everyone who donated so generously to SOS Alliance at the end of the year, attended our Holiday Party at Mercury Hall, took the New Year’s Day Polar Bear plunge at Barton Springs, or otherwise took action during 2011 to help protect Barton Springs and our Hill Country land, water and wildlife. 

Check out some photos from the Polar Bear splash HERE. 

Check out our 2011 SOS Alliance and Hill Country Conservation Highlights HERE.




01/11/12--14:36: Notice of Intent to Sue Filed on Jollyville Plateau Salamander (chan 1563510)

On Monday SOS Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity filed an updated Notice of Intent to Sue letter stating our intent to bring legal action if the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) fails to act promptly to list the Jollyville Plateau salamander as an endangered species.