Published in the Fredericksburg Standard, 12/06/2023
Aquifers, rivers need high consideration along with growth
“Everyone is concerned about the explosion of growth”, said Paul Tybor, General Manager of the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District.
The current rate of growth and development is staggering as 7,588 new lots/units are proposed or under construction, according to the Gillespie County Economic Development Commission.
Multifamily housing (1,897 units), single family long-term rentals (358 units), single family residential subdivisions (1,121 lots), condominiums and townhomes (170 units), rural subdivisions (361 lots) hotels (1,314 units) STR complexes (133 units), and RV/Tiny Homes (2,234 units) make up the list of potential developments.
While all growth is not bad, the impact of this frenzied development will affect the availability of water in our existing wells and aquifers as well as pollute our rivers and streams.
Granted, not all the projects will be built, but Gillespie County is in the sights of promoters and developers. The recent mass gathering permit request for 30,000 visitors for a music festival near Albert is an example. Thankfully, the County Judge recently denied the application.
Who regulates this explosive growth? In Fredericksburg, the city has authority and provides water and sewer services.
In the county, regulatory authority to is much more limited. Gillespie County Judge and County Commissioners, along with the County Engineer, are reworking the County Subdivision Ordinance, but developers are cleverly finding workarounds.
Protecting the aquifers and groundwater resources is the job of the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District (HCUWCD). It regulates water wells by permitting and regulations. The website https://hcuwcd.org/ has more information.
Developers may not get all the water they request especially if they are planning “lazy river” features and vanity lakes.
Protecting our rivers and streams is the job of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
It regulates and approves wastewater discharge permits, which are effectively permissions to pollute.
Currently, one pending development has requested to discharge 2,000 gallons per day into a dry creek leading to the Pedernales River.
Two more waste discharge applications are rumored to be filed soon. The TCEQ process is complicated, but public participation is allowed and encouraged when discharge permits may pollute rivers and streams.
While there is no coordinated oversight of this explosive growth, a group of your concerned neighbors has formed The Pedernales River Alliance to gather at a website.
Visit https://www.pedernalesriveralliance. org/ to keep informed.
Peake is a former Fredericksburg resident and municipal judge, now residing in Blanco County. She has been active in conservationrelated causes.