Community Meeting on Long Branch Sewage Plant

TCEQ, the state’s environmental protection agency, wants to let Houston businessman Stephen Cleveland build a sewage treatment plant at US 290 and Sawyer Ranch Road. TCEQ has just issued a draft permit that would let Cleveland dump up to 45,000 gallons of partially treated sewage into the Long Branch tributary of Barton Creek every day.

Tell TCEQ that Cleveland should keep his sewage out of Barton Creek! Learn how to protect our creek by attending this online public meeting:

COMMUNITY MEETING ON LONG BRANCH SEWAGE PLANT
7pm, Monday, April 5th
Zoom (link posted later)

Save Barton Creek Association is organizing this information session for everyone who lives near Cleveland’s proposed plant, and for everyone who uses and loves the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Our speakers will explain:
• How Stephen Cleveland’s sewage plant will harm Barton Creek
• How TCEQ’s permit approval process works
• How you can tell TCEQ you’re against Cleveland’s permit

Speakers will include:
• Chris Herrington, Environmental Officer for the city of Austin
• Angela Richter, Executive Director, Save Barton Creek Association
• Kelly Davis, Staff Attorney, Save Our Springs Alliance
• Brian Zabcik, Wastewater Campaign Organizer, Save Barton Creek Association

Treatment plants don’t remove all of the pollutants from the sewage they dump into streams. This partially treated sewage still contains phosphorus and nitrogen, which are fertilizers that have caused massive algae growths in Hill Country streams. In our area, huge algae blooms have grown immediately below sewage plants on the Blanco River and on the South San Gabriel River. A study by the city of Austin has estimated that if Stephen Cleveland’s plant is built, it could significantly increase the risk of algae growth for many miles on Barton Creek.

At the SBCA meeting, you’ll learn how to submit a public comment to TCEQ opposing Cleveland’s plant. You’ll also learn what you need to know to attend the only meeting where TCEQ will listen to what the public has to say about Cleveland’s plant :

TCEQ PUBLIC MEETING ON LONG BRANCH SEWAGE PLANT
7pm, Tuesday, April 20th
Online: https://www.gotomeeting.com/webinar/join-webinar
Enter webinar ID: 189-821-291

Barton Creek is one of our area’s most scenic and popular attractions. But we need your help to keep the creek as natural as possible. Tell TCEQ that you’re against Stephen Cleveland’s sewage plant.