History

The Future Looks Bright For TESPA

TESPA was formed in 2015 to fight off a threat to our groundwater posed by Electro-Purification’s (EP) plan to mine groundwater from Hays County and sell it for development over near IH-35. And then there was Needmore, and its plan to take water for a purpose yet unclear. And then we faced the Kinder Morgan contamination of the aquifer out near Blanco. It’s been a busy couple of years.

I am pleased to report that we seem to have met these challenges and can hold our heads high about the results. EP has withdrawn its permit application to the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Control District (BSEACD), and that threat, at least for now, is gone. We also reached an agreement with Needmore that in exchange for TESPA dismissing its lawsuit over their permit, Needmore would agree not to apply to change the use of their water from its current agricultural status before May 2027. And third, we were able to make some important route changes in the Kinder Morgan pipeline to avoid drilling through the limestone beneath the Blanco River that before our intervention had led to an unfortunate contamination event.

As is the case with most every issue relating to groundwater, we must stay vigilant, and we will be watching for new permit applications of concern and have our excellent legal team of Jeff Mundy and Adam Friedman ready when needed. But we need to go beyond legal fights and develop some longer-term strategies to protect our groundwater and our springs.

In that regard, work is underway on the development of a springs protection plan that will cover the entirety of the Hill Country. Although this effort is in the early planning stages, we hope to set up a process where landowners with springs on their property can be paid for protecting and enhancing their oak-juniper forests that capture carbon dioxide and store it in the wood of the trees. In the past, TESPA has considered setting up a Hill Country Carbon Exchange and may decide to become a carbon project developer in conjunction with partner organizations, landowners and potential carbon buyers. Although in its infancy, this concept could transform conservation of both land and groundwater into the future.

So, we have done well so far, and we pledge to all of you to maintain our vigilance even as we attempt to become more creative and expansive in our efforts to protect our springs and groundwater. Thank you for your past support and please don’t stop.