- A Bend in the River Worth Fighting ForUpdated January 5, 2025. By Harold “Skip” Connett and Steve Box As more development converges in Bastrop County’s Wilbarger Bend, landowners are increasingly alarmed by its potential harm to the Lower Colorado River and the aquifers beneath it that they depend on for their livelihoods. A recent administrative court ruling in a requested contested case…
- Environmental Stewardship Given Green Light to Challenge the TCEQ’s Management of the Lower Colorado RiverPress Release Environmental Stewardship Given Green Light to Challenge TCEQ’s Management of the Lower Colorado River Bastrop, TX. February 9, 2024. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. CONTACT: Steve Box, Executive Director, Environmental Stewardship, 512-300-6609, info@envstwardship.org. Richard Martin, a long-time Bastrop County angler, and Environmental Stewardship (ES) moved a big step closer this week to arguing their…
- Reluctant Regulator TCEQ; Legislature needs to hear from you!Call or write your Legislators and ask that Delegation Amendments be added to TCEQ Sunset Bills SB 1397 and HB 1505 so “Reluctant Regulator” works for We The People! Two bills are circulating in the legislature right now to re-authorize the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to continue to regulate air and water pollution delegated to…
- Water Monitoring Project CollaboratorsUpdated: June 5, 2022 Project Collaborators and Participant Environmental Stewardship’s interest is to have an ongoing monitoring program to ensure that the surface water and groundwater interests of the communities and environment of Bastrop and Lee Counties are protected. We are grateful to our collaborators and participants who bring additional resources, skills, outreach, and educational…
- Mobile Water Monitoring Field LaboratoryWe are outfitting a trailer to serve as a mobile field laboratory. Updated May 15, 2022 We are re-purposing “Dale’s Toolbox” to serve as a mobile field laboratory. Dale Morrison, Master Trail Steward, was instrumental in the layout, design and construction of the granite hike and bike trails, concrete and wooden picnic tables, and pavilions…
- State-of-the-art scientific instrumentsWe have purchased state-of-the-art instruments to bring science to decision-making. Updated May 14, 2022 Rather than continue to wait, and rely upon government entities to do the field studies that are needed to validate the groundwater availability model and provide empirical data to decision-maker, Environmental Stewardship has used the public funds from our individual and…
- Response to LCRA’s Rehearing RequestOur case is strong, has prevailed, but is being challenged … again. After prevailing though the contested case hearing where two administrative law judges found in favor of Environmental Stewardship, the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors issued a decision on the LCRA’s groundwater permit that requires the LCRA and the District to…
- 2021 Year-end review: accomplishments and goals for 2022Dear Friends and Readers: As we come to the end of 2021, please give me a few moments to review what we have accomplished this year, and what we hope to accomplish next year. With COVID-19 still raging, virtual meetings became the standard in 2021. None-the-less we were able to participate in a number of…
- Success Reining in Proposed DFCsWaterDefenders make significant progress reining in Proposed Desired Future Conditions GMA-12 votes against Lost Pines’ Conservation DFC We want to thank the Lost Pines Board of Directors for taking a strong stand in its recent vote to adopt conservation based Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) for the Simsboro aquifer. At the November 30th GMA-12 meeting we…
- Decision on LCRA’s groundwater permit applicationIn another major victory for Environmental Stewardship, a final decision and operating permits have been issued on the LCRA’s Griffith League Ranch groundwater permit application that requires the LCRA and the District to monitor the impact of groundwater pumping on surface water as a enforceable condition of the permit. For nearly a decade, Environmental Stewardship…
- Reject “Proposed Desired Future Conditions” for GMA-12Sustainable management – not aquifer mining – is the only way to protect our local communities and the environment from groundwater over-pumping! The “Proposed desired future conditions (DFCs)” that are about to be voted on by the five groundwater conservation districts in the counties listed below are at the heart of this issue. They are…
- The battle over sound management heats up at GMA-12.Coalition formed to advocate for sound management – not aquifer mining – as the only way to protect our local communities and the environment from groundwater over-pumping!
- GMA-12 DFC and MANAGEMENT POLICY ISSUESMine Aquifers – The proposed DFCs only consider the desire to pump as much groundwater as is possible and protect all existing permits without balancing the impacts of the pumping against predicted, unreasonable impact on landowner’s property rights and surface waters, including the Colorado River and its tributaries. Long-term sustainability of our aquifers and the…
- GMA-12 Hearing Dates and Comment GuidelinesGo to WaterDefenders.org Table of GMA-12 Hearing dates and Contact information (Go to bottom of page for COMMENT GUIDELINES) [wpdatatable id=1 table_view=regular] COMMENT GUIDELINES Actions you can take to reject the proposed desired future conditions and change the course groundwater management in our counties. Here is the message we would like for you to help us…
- Public Hearing: LCRA Groundwater Permit ApplicationPUBLIC HEARING LCRA’s Groundwater Permit Application January 28, 2021 at 6-9 PM Hybrid Meeting Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors will hold a Public Hearing on January 28th from 6-9 pm. The meeting will be held at the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center with a virtual connection for public participation. For the District’s…
- ES Requests DFCs to protect Colorado River and TributariesEnvironmental Stewardship requests Desired Future Conditions be adopted to protect the Colorado River and its tributaries from impacts of groundwater pumping Environmental Impact of Groundwater Pumping on the Colorado River and its Tributaries Environmental Stewardship’s Executive Director, Steve Box, presented a power point review of its request that Groundwater Management Area 12 establish standards to…
- Water Exporters Impacts to Bastrop AreaEnvironmental Stewardship gave a presentation at the December 15, Virtual Meeting of Rotary Club of Bastrop County December 15, 2020 program “Water Exporters and Their Impacts to our Area.” by Steve Box, Board President, Environmental Stewardship, a WATERKEEPER® ALLIANCE Affiliate https://environmental-stewardship.org. Click here for the presentation slides Water Exporters and Their Impacts to our Area Groundwater and surface…
- LCRA permit now pending with Lost Pines’ BoardThe Administrative Law Judges recently issued a reply to exceptions filed by the parties clearing the way for a final decision on LCRA’s groundwater permit application. The reply includes some changes to the original Proposal for Decision (PFD). With these changes — which preserve Environmental Stewardship’s win on surface water issues — the District’s Board…
- Environmental Stewardship scores partial victoryWe are pleased and grateful to claim a partial victory in the contested case hearing on LCRA’s application for a groundwater pumping permit. The judges have issued a Proposal for Decision (PFD) that includes the recommendation that surface water monitoring must be done by LCRA as a part of the permit. See the attached press release and summary…
- Environmental Stewardship Launches Fall Fundraising Campaign with #GivingTuesdayIt’s GOOD NEWS Tuesday! In addition to #GivingTuesday matching, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by one of our private sponsors!!! Over pumping of groundwater aquifers throughout Texas diminishes the flow of rivers, streams, springs and spells trouble for communities across the state. So please, do what you can to help us protect Texas’ waters. Your…
- Local water conservation groups make fundraising appealWritten by Michele G. Gangnes Published by Giddings Times & News. A major fundraising campaign benefiting the outreach, education and advocacy work of two local water conservation groups begins December 3. The campaign is built around #GivingTuesday, a world-wide initiative that provides an opportunity to obtain matching funds for donations to organizations working to improve…
- Hearing Concluded on LCRA’s Groundwater Permit ApplicationProposal for decision expected spring of 2020 A contested case hearing before two Administrative Law Judges on LCRA’s application for a permit to pump up to 8.15 billion gallons of groundwater annually from underneath Bastrop County ended on October 22, 2019. Environmental Stewardship and the landowners were successful in making their arguments before the judges…
- [UPDATE] Hearing on LCRA’s Application for Groundwater PermitHearing on LCRA’s Application for Groundwater Permit – October 15-18 – Bastrop Convention Center, Bastrop, Texas. A brief summary of Days 1-4 of the hearing. What follows is a summary of what happened at the first four days of the hearing. The focus is from a perspective of Environmental Stewardship (ES) and the Landowners’ cases and…
- Hearing on LCRA’s Application for Groundwater PermitHearing on LCRA’s Application for Groundwater Permit. October 15-18 and 21-22, 10:00 am, Bastrop Convention Center, Bastrop, Texas. We are urging that you attend the opening session on Tuesday, October 15. Remember September 2018 when over 125 landowners and Environmental Stewardship formally protested the permit that the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District proposed to issue…
- Our Case is StrongHaving filed supplemental testimonies of George Rice and Joe Trungale, moved to strike the LCRA’s prefiled testimonies of Brian Cook and Leonard Oliver, and responded to LCRA’s objections and attempt to strike the testimony of George Rice and Joe Trungale — our case is strong. On September 27th, after months of work, a new pumping file that will be used to adopt…
- Environmental Stewardship provides scientific information on local environmental impactsEnvironmental Stewardship provides scientific information on impacts on the Colorado River, aquifer formations, and exempt domestic wells. Groundwater pumping in the Simsboro formation of the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer group affects the Colorado River and its tributaries, the Carrizo, Calvert Bluff and Hooper formations, other aquifers, and landowners’ domestic wells. Environmental Stewardship has been working with George…
- Mark your calendars: Hearing on LCRA’s Application for Ground Water PermitMark your calendar: Hearing on LCRA’s Application for Groundwater Permit. October 15-18 and 21-22 at 10:00AM, Bastrop Convention Center, Bastrop, Texas. We’ve been busy preparing for the Contested Case Hearing on LCRA’s application to pump 25,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year from Bastrop County. Yes, we have been missing in your inbox for months now…
- Environmental StewardshipYear End Report – 2018 We are pleased to share our enthusiasm as Environmental Stewardship (ES) finishes 2018 having made significant advanced in attaining several of its primary goals. We are excited to be going into 2019 well positioned to provide best available science into several critical public policy considerations and decisions.
- LCRA Prehearing Conference on Party StatusEnvironmental Stewardship and Landowners admitted as Parties A hearing to determine party status of 127 individuals and organizations protesting LCRA’s application for a permit to pump groundwater from Bastrop County was held on December 19, 2018. The hearing was ordered by State Office of Administrative Hearing Law Judges (ALJs) Michael J. O’Malley and Laura M. Valdez.…
- LCRA Applies for Groundwater Export Permit – Hearing Sept. 26thLCRA seeks permit for 25,000 acre-feet/yr of groundwater from Griffith League Scout Ranch Hearing set for September 26th, 7:00 pm, Bastrop Convention Center, 1408 Chestnut Street, Bastrop, TX 78602 The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) applied with the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (District) for groundwater operating and transport permits for eight (8) wells, for…
- Celebrating the Life of Melanie PhillipsIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Melanie P. Phillips, Director and Secretary of Environmental Stewardship. Melanie’s love of the natural environment led her to advocate for preservation of rivers, bays, and trees for ecological as well as recreational purposes. She was passionate about the symbiotic relationship we have…
- What is the error cited by Judge Campbell in Final Judgment?In our last post I left you with the comment: “After nearly an hour of closed discussion in executive session the Board returned to public session where they openly asked questions of their lawyers and engaged in a discussion with the members of the public who were present. They then retired to a second executive…
- Board votes in split decision to appeal Judge Campbell’s decision favoring landownersIn an ironic twist, having denied Landowners a seat at the table in the original 2014 contested case hearing involving End Op’s application for a massive groundwater permit, the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors essentially did it again Thursday night. The Board voted 4 to 2 to appeal Judge Campbell’s decision favoring…
- End Op files notice of appeal in Bastrop groundwater caseDistrict leaves appeal open to End Op by inaction January 25 2018. The Lost Pines District “tabled” any action on Judge Carson Campbell’s ruling earlier in January. We did not want the District to appeal the Judge’s ruling in favor of four landowners, but we did not want the District to create a vacuum either.…
- Board delays decision on appealing Judge’s ruling favoring landownersThe Lost Pines’ Board was unable to make a decision on appealing Judge Carson Campbell’s ruling favoring landowners at its January 17 meeting. Read today’s article in the Bastrop Advertiser/Statesmen The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors declined to make a decision on its option to appeal Judge Carson Campbell’s January 4,…
- One Landowner’s perspective on a landmark water decisionThe following article provides the history of creating the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District and one landowner’s perspective on a landmark water decision This Wednesday, January 17, 2018, Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (District or Lost Pines District) will consider and possibly act on its option to appeal Judge Carson Campbell’s January 4, 2018, ruling…
- Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District considers appeal of Judge’s decision in favor of LandownersThe Board will meet on Wednesday January 17, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. at Bastrop City Hall, 1311 Church Street, Bastrop,TX. We request that you attend and/or write to the District urging it NOT TO APPEAL the trial court ruling upholding private property rights. This Wednesday, January 17, 2018, Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District…
- Judge Rules for Landowners In Groundwater Export DisputeBASTROP January 4, 2018 – A state district judge in Bastrop has ruled in favor of Environmental Stewardship and three other landowners in their suit against the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (District). Judge Carson Campbell’s order rules that the District erred in denying party status and reverses the District’s decision. The order further reverses…
- Judge Hears Arguments on Landowners’ Right to Protest Groundwater Export, Ruling to ComeBASTROP – A state district judge in Bastrop on Wednesday heard arguments for and against the contention that four landowners are entitled to a new hearing because they were wrongfully excluded by the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District from participating in a 2013 administrative hearing. The 2013 hearing resulted in a permit to water marketer…
- ES becomes a Waterkeeper Alliance AffiliateEnvironmental Stewardship became a Waterkeeper Affiliate organization on September 23, 2016. As a new Waterkeeper Affiliate, Environmental Stewardship works to protect and preserve the Texas Colorado River, associated aquifers, and the bays and estuaries of the Texas Gulf Coast by combining its first-hand knowledge of the waterway with an unwavering commitment to the rights of…
- Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund (SAWDF)New Group Launches Fight To Protect Local Groundwater and Aquifers ELGIN – Veterans of a long-standing fight to protect the area’s groundwater have joined forces and launched a new organization to help lead that effort. The new group, the Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund (SAWDF), includes volunteers from the League of Independent Voters, Environmental Stewardship,…
- Environmental Stewardship Celebrates a Water Achievement in the Central TexasGroundwater Availability Model improvements will include groundwater-surface water integration for the Colorado River and the Central Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer After seven years of advocating for action on groundwater-surface water interaction issues in Central Texas, we are on the verge of a major step forward in our efforts to protect the Colorado River and its tributaries from…
- Hearing on End Op’s Obstruction Attempt; Beal flies under radarThe Honorable Carson Campbell of the 21st Judicial District Court of Bastrop County will hold a hearing on End Op, LP’s “request for declaratory judgment on lack of jurisdiction.” (See background below). The hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at the Bastrop County Court House, 804, Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602. The…
- LCRA Water Management Plan in final review at TCEQThe TCEQ is in the final phase of reviewing the LCRA’s application to amend its Highland Lakes Water Management Plan (WMP). Stakeholders from all sides of the issues made oral comments and submitted written comments during the month-long comment period that ended last week. Environmental Stewardship (ES) provided both oral and written comments urging protection…
- Board Delivers Verdict after LCRA WhinesThe Lost Pines Board, at its January 21st meeting, delivered its decision on the LCRA’s application to amend Condition (1) of its groundwater pumping operating permit after LCRA whined that the Board was paying too much attention to the public’s concerns, especially Environmental Stewardship.
- ES, Landowners’ appeal to be heard by Board on August 13, 7:00 p.m., Bastrop Convention CenterLawyers for Environmental Stewardship and Landowners will make oral arguments before the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors on August 13, 7:00 p.m. at the Bastrop Convention Center. ES and Landowners are requesting that the decision by the ALJ to deny party status be reversed and remanded back to SOAH for contested case…
- ES, Landowners appeal denial of party statusEnvironmental Stewardship (ES) and Landowners (Andrew Meyer, Bette Brown, and Darwyn Hanna) have filed an appeal of the decision by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to deny party status in the End Op contested case hearing. The request was filed with the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors on August 1, 2014 and…
- Forestar Files Suit Against Groundwater District & DirectorsForestar (USA) Real Estate Group, Inc. has filed suit in the 335th Judicial District in Lee County against the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District and its Board of Directors (Case No. 15,369). The suit is 1) an appeal of the Boards’ decision to deny Forestar’s application for 33,000 acre-feet per year of the 45,000 acre-feet…
- Forestar Rehearing Well Attended and Well OrganizedOn December 16, 2013, the Board of Directors held a rehearing on the Forestar application requesting 45,000 acre-feet of groundwater per year. The Board has previously granted Forestar a permit for 12,000 acre-feet per year. The hearing was a well attended and well organized. We thank the Board and staff for working with Environmental…
- Forestar Granted Rehearing on ApplicationIn a reversal, Forestar’s Request for Rehearing was GRANTED in a Special Called Board Meeting. Our message to the Board: Nothing has changed, STANDING STRONG! We have your back. In a special called board meeting held on November 4th, the Lost Pines Board of Directors heard arguments from Forestar’s attorney that, for the first…
- Forestar’s request denied, setting stage for litigationForestar’s Request for Rehearing was “essentially denied” by Lost Pines Board of Directors. THANK YOU BOARD for STANDING STRONG! We will have your back. In a bitter-sweet victory, and to a standing ovation of local landowners and citizens, the Lost Pines Board of Directors “essentially denied” Forestar’s request for a rehearing of their application for…
- An Open Letter to Lost Pines Board of DirectorsAn Open Letter to the Lost Pines GCD Board of Directors from its Constituents STAND STRONG! RE: Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group, Inc. Motion for Rehearing Dear Board of Directors, Forestar’s request for a rehearing on the permits LPGCD granted earlier this year was on the agenda for the Board’s September 18, 2013,…
- Landowners Appeal “Party Stutus”Landowners in Bastrop and Lee counties who were recently denied the right to be heard in a contested case hearing are appealing the decision. The landowners had sought “party status” in the End Op contested case hearing being held before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). This administrative decision has broad, significant implications throughout…
- ES Urges Board to Stay the CourseWe have a simple message to deliver to the Lost Pines Board tonight: “Thank you, you are doing the right thing. WE HAVE YOUR BACK. STAND TALL AND STAY THE COURSE”. Forestar Group (USA) took initial steps on June 3rd to enable it to file suit against Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District (District) when it…
- Forestar Moves to Sue Groundwater DistrictBig Money (Forestar) rolls out big guns (Lawyers) to intimidate guardians (Lost Pines GCD Board) into capitulating (giving them what the want) rather than protecting our groundwater resources. We need your help to let the Board know that they are doing the right thing in protecting our groundwater and WE HAVE THEIR BACK. Ask them…
