WonderWorld Construction Blocks Purgatory Trail
No sooner had our trail crew established a connection between trails in Upper and Lower Purgatory than WonderWorld road builders set up a construction zone that intersects the trail! See photo and trail map update below.

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Trail Map Update
Updated Ringtail Ridge and Lower Purgatory/Prospect Park trail maps are now available for download from our Natural Areas page. Thanks to Clint King, Sheila Torres-Blank, and Scott Appleton for creating these maps. Future plans at Ringtail include adding another leg to allow bikers to stay off the accessible trail yet still bike the entire loop around the greenspace. Clint has a trail map of Upper Purgatory underway, which we’ll make available pending word from San Marcos Parks & Recreation that access will be permitted during construction.

Spring Lake Preserve Update
As most of you know, Spring Lake Preserve is public property. While it is currently not developed for visitors, planning is nearly complete and arrangements are underway to create an entrance, parking area, signage, and an accessible trail. If all goes well, those improvements should be “turning dirt” by late spring. SMGA is happy to lead hikes: If you are interested, join us on January 17 (see For Your Calendar above) or get some family or friends together and give us a call.

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Full Moon Friday at Ringtail Ridge

Warm temperatures, a pleasant breeze, great company, and a day-old moon made for a relaxing Friday-evening get together last month at Ringtail Ridge. Party goers pictured to the right were just setting up to watch the moon rise when our own skydiving octogenarian, Priscilla Crosson, snapped this photo!

Hays County Parks Advisory Team (CPAT) Update

All future, potential CPAT projects have been placed on hold. It is not clear how much money from the 2007 $30 million bond will be left after the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is funded (see story below) or if there will be earmarks for particular projects or a general budget for recreation and conservation lands. And it is not clear if the commissioners will commit to following protocols and selection criteria provided by CPAT. SMGA advocates that commissioners fund the recommended $5 million for the HCP, leaving approximately $3 million for other projects, and commit to either budgeting the remaining amount between recreation and conservation or to follow CPAT’s recommendations attached to each proposal. Commissioners are being pressured to fund certain big-ticket open space and recreation projects with the remaining 2007 bond money, even though those projects have yet to come through the CPAT process. Stay tuned.

Hays County Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)

The four volumes that provide a full explanation of the Hays County HCP are thick and detailed. The bottom line is this: Currently anyone who wants to develop land in Hays County that provides habitat for the Golden-Cheek Warbler or Black-Capped Vireo is required in advance to conduct a complete evaluation of the site, seek approval from U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFW), and abide by any requirements issued. (Landowners also have the option to forego this process and just assume the presence of these two bird species.) The evaluation and approval process is expensive and onerous to say the least. Participants in a recent presentation to Hays County Commissioners noted that in the past there were developments in Hays County that were outside the law and involved destruction of habitat with no consequences. The commissioners are committed to stopping illegal habitat destruction as well as to facilitating a method for mitigating the effects of development. Increased enforcement matched with an alternative process should be beneficial to all involved.

In contrast to the current approach described above, the HCP would allow a developer to determine how much habitat would be impacted and, based on that determination, purchase mitigation credits. Income from mitigation credits would go into a fund used to secure large tracts of land to provide high-quality habitat with focused and funded management. Such conservations tracts would be identified in advance and held by the county to avoid a haphazard, piecemeal collection of tracts that would be difficult to monitor after developments are built and sold. This approach would also ensure more attractive habitats for protected and other species and would help the county achieve other conservation goals such as watershed and ground water protection. County commissioners will likely approve the HCP draft for USFW review in early 2009 followed by public hearings to further explain the plan to the public and, hopefully, garner support. Meanwhile, consultants working on regional habitat conservation plans recommend that the county secure at least 650 acres of habitat for $5 million. That amount is expected to come from the remaining $30 million 2007 parks bond.

The Balcones Canyonland Conservation Plan (BCCP) for Travis County approved by USFW and supported by voters is in full operation. Download a map of the proposed national wildlife refuge and Balcones Canyonland Preserve here.

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Letter From the President
By Todd Derkacz

I have a physician friend whose treatments involve daily visits to the clinic continuing up to six weeks for patients who are often fighting a potentially fatal illness. His recommendation, his prescription, after the first treatment is for those patients to get outside, go into nature, find a place to relax, get some moderate exercise and breath fresh, relaxing air. That really is not so surprising. Researchers seeking to understand the effects of the outdoors and especially natural areas continue to discover the value of getting up, getting out, and getting into the natural world. Our bodies, our minds, and our spirits could use some time in creation for a little re-creation.

You have likely been asked at least once if not many times for your end-of-year, tax-deductible donation for a long list of worthy causes. If you’re like many of us, you are considering all the needs in the world and targeting your limited dollars based on your values and the efficacy of your contribution. Please count SMGA among your causes for donation. We are local; we are entering a period when conservation lands are likely to become available at an increasing rate and at a lower cost; and we have a good track record of catalyzing conservation and creating improvements that allow our members and the public to experience the natural world even as our developing city expands. We know it is extremely important to have nature near where we live, that we cultivate a connection with nature to improve our lives, and that we protect the natural world.

Bike Bits: The Bicycle Frame
By Gordon Sabin. Here’s the second in Gordon’s series of tips for bicyclists.

The frame is the only component of a bicycle that cannot be efficiently modified. It is therefore important that the frame be selected with care. Buying a bicycle frame from a reputable bike shop is the most efficient and expedient way for the average person to get the appropriate size, shape, and material in his/her frame. Once a quality frame is obtained, other components can be easily added to make the bike compatible to the specific rider. Riding your bike should be comfortable and efficient, and a proper frame is the first step in achieving this goal.
Gordon Sabin offers advice and training to local bikers and can be contacted at gpsabin@grandecom.net.

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Lime Kiln Road Recharge Zone

The San Marcos River Foundation (SMRF) recently reported on a problematic city wastewater pipe on Lime Kiln Rd. SMRF submitted photos to TCEQ of sunken areas that formed several times after the pipe was buried, plus a wet spot that may indicate that a spring was exposed when the 30 foot-deep trench was dug. TCEQ found that an improper grade of pipe had been installed and required the contractor to clean up soil that eroded into Sink creek. SMRF continues to be concerned that the gravel bed deposited by contractors to support the pipe is washing away underground into caves or cavities deep in the recharge zone. A solid gravel bed is required to stabilize the pipe as it carries tons of sewage to the city's wastewater treatment plant. The project will cut through the recharge zone and across Sink Creek Canyon to Craddock Street and has the potential to forever damage the water quality of the San Marcos River. The increased wastewater capacity will support dense development in the area, which is not good for the recharge zone, Sink Creek, or the river. Thanks to SMRF for keeping an eye on the project and for keeping us informed.

Low Flow in the San Marcos River

SMRF also reports that the water flow in the San Marcos River was down to 95 cubic feet per second (cfs) last Monday and that San Marcos will begin stage 1 conservation rules when the 10-day average is 96 cfs or less, also called the critical period because endangered species cannot survive long in such dry conditions. Edwards Aquifer Alliance (EAA) staff expect us to enter stage 1 by January 21 and stage 2 by April or May. San Marcos’ drought has been even worse than San Antonio's drought, which has had its worst 15-month low-water period since 1871. Since we are headed for a seriously dry spring and maybe summer, why not start conserving now? EAA is meeting with mayors around the region to encourage them to find ways to curtail water use before it is too late. It will be too late if we lose our spring flow to the point that endangered species die off. Please help people understand the dead seriousness of this drought.

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Texas State Students Donate Panels

Pictured here is a much-reduced version of one of two Prospect Park kiosk panels developed by Dr. Jim Peterson’s geography class. SMGA’s Todd Derkacz provided general direction on the development of these beautiful and detailed panels, led hikes, and offered assistance, all with help from Melani Howard of the San Marcos Parks & Recreation department. But the hard work was done by the class and Tara Noah in particular. Now we need someone to spearhead the panel installations by either building display cases for the kiosks at Prospect or by working with the city to get a manufactured case to hang on cross timbers.

In the News

Formerly disputed Hays development OK'd (11/24/08)
About six months ago, developer Russell Hinds faced a booing crowd in Wimberley made up of those who disliked his plans to build a subdivision called True Ranch in the picturesque hills of western Hays County. Now, Hinds and his project are back — only without the boos.
Full story here.

Jacob’s Well levels prompt major concerns (11/23/08)
Wimberley residents may have reason to worry after a meeting of groundwater specialists last week at Jacob’s Well. The well is running at such dangerously low levels that it prompted the United States Geological Survey to visit the area and re-calibrate their instruments…
Full story here.

Click a date below to view past News & Events:

November 18, 2008
October 20, 2008
September 17, 2008
August 19 2008
July 16, 2008
June 16 , 2008
May 21, 2008
April 16, 2008
March 25, 2008


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