Sierra Club Monthly Program: Water Issues in Central Texas

From the Sierra Club –

Happy Hour /food and beverages: 6pm-7 pm

Socializing and informal discussions on current events:  6pm-7 pm

Announcements and program begin at 7 pm

Program:  Water Issues in Central Texas with Phil Cook, Steve Box, and David Baker

Phil Cook, who chairs the Lost Pines Conservation Subcommittee of the Sierra Club, will discuss recent matters that groundwater conservation districts (GCD’s) have faced when presented with permit applications from water marketers, and the present regulatory, legislative, and legal context for groundwater demands. Phil was a founding member of the Bastrop County Environmental Network and for the past 10 years has been involved in groundwater and surface water preservation issues in the Lost Pines area.

Steve Box, founder and director of Environmental Stewardship since 2006, will discuss a lawsuit in which ES and three other plaintiffs are suing the Lost Pines GCD over landowners’ private property rights to groundwater beneath their properties, including the right to protect the associated surface waters.

David Baker, founder and director of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association and VP of Hays Trinity GCD, will give an overview of the ongoing efforts to protect Jacob’s Well Spring in Wimberley and its vitally important connection to Barton Springs.  We’ll also get an overview of the WVWA’s Community Conservation Initiative, including the development of Texas Hill Country Network.

Pre-Meeting Postcard Writing Session: Donna and Mary Beth often have a table for signing petitions and writing postcards to our government leaders between 6:30 and 7:00pm.  Please come early to take action!

Consider biking, carpooling, or taking Cap Metro to the meeting. Free parking is available after 6pm on San Jacinto and nearby streets.