Hey, Water Traps Are Wetlands, Stupid

Hi,

You folks have a great paper. I wonder if you guys had a german language paper like the Herald Zeitung? There is an interesting and rich heritage in that part of the country, as you know. I have observed that Fredericksburg has always been a cool-headed bunch, but not to be pushed around.

That's why I got curious when some friends of mine seemed extremely put out about some interloper wanting to drain the Mason Creek water table in a fit of wanton profligacy. Boots Ranch, I believe. They seem ready to organize.

Is there anything about this you could fill me in on?

Gesundheidt,

O.A. "Liquid Daddy" Murcheson
Moulton, Texas

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Mr. Murchason,
Perhaps this information will be helpful:


A group of approximately 90 citizens focusing on water issues relating to the Boot Ranch Development met Friday at the Gillespie County Agriculture Building.

The group decided to form a non-profit group to oppose the developers’ request to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to take additional water from Palo Alto Creek.

The group, to be named POWER (Protect Our Water Equity Rights), will be authorized to obtain legal and technical support to assist the TCEQ contested case hearing.

POWER is planning a meeting later this month.

Friday night, reports were made about meetings held during the week with state Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs, members of the Fredericksburg City Council and Gillespie County commissioners.

The group is hoping that due to numerous protest letters written by concerned citizens and Gillespie County officials, TCEQ will hold a contested case hearing on the Boot Ranch request, group representative Jim Schonaerts said.

“While several complaints were made by property owners on how their lives, livelihood and property values would be affected by the reduced water flow in Palo Alto Creek, the overall concerns expressed at the meeting appeared to be centered on two issues,” Schonaerts said.

The first was that granting the Boot Ranch request would set a precedent that any developer could come into the Hill Country and take the water from other creeks for their private use, he said, drastically changing the ecology of the Hill Country.

Palo Alto Issues Prompt

Water Group’s Formation

Contesting Boot Ranch Request For Additional Water

The second was that granting the request would set the precedent that water usage for recreational activities like golf was a higher priority than agricultural use.