"What Is the State of San Antonio's Environment and What Strategies Might Be Pursued to Improve It?"

On Saturday, Aug. 5, almost two dozen of South Texas’s most energetic and knowledgeable environmental and conservation activists, representing most of the leading non-profit organizations in those fields, gathered at the headquarters of the San Antonio River Authority to explore the questions asked in the title above. While no joint findings or strategies were adopted, each organization had a chance to put its views on record. Additional insights were offered by two outstanding guest speakers, Trinity University urban studies professor Char Miller and youth environmentalist Chance Ruder. The proceedings were also witnessed by a number of non-speaking observers.

This document includes the formal statements of the group representatives apropos the central topic "What Is the State of San Antonio's Environment and What Strategies Might Be Pursued to Improve It?"; the speeches by Miller and Ruder; and a list of attendees. In some cases, depending on the individual manner of presentation, these texts may not reflect the exact words. Also, in order to provide the highest-quality analysis (as opposed to the strictest possible historical account of the meeting, which seems less important to us than the analysis does), we have permitted speakers to tweak the wording of their statements. While it might be more efficient to use a web-page format and link to these various parts, the primary purpose of this record is to serve as an e-mailed and printed report, so the parts will be included in one continuing-flow document for now.

Statements by official group spokespersons

1. AGUA (Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas) -- Enrique Valdivia

AGUA Revision of San Antonio’s Water Quality Ordinance

(Chapter 34 of the Unified Development Code) AGUA’s revision of San Antonio’s Water Quality Ordinance increases protection of water quality by eliminating the loopholes in the current ordinance.

AGUA’s major recommendations are:

Uniform 15% impervious cover limit

• The current water quality ordinances allow from 30% to 80% impervious cover inside city limits while requiring across the board restrictions of 15% in the City’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Uniform standards will provide more rational management of growth on the Edwards Recharge Zone.

• Maintains the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country within Bexar County, as well as providing a proven solution to mitigating pollution of the Edwards Aquifer.

• Reduces the need for building, monitoring and maintaining expensive engineered pollution abatement structures on all projects.

• Uniform restrictions eliminate the practice of increasing allowed impervious cover at transportation nodes up to 80%. This practice of allowing dramatic increases in impervious cover as areas are developed out, which has presented a moving target for efforts to foster sustainable development of the aquifer recharge zone, will be eliminated under AGUA recommendations.

• Withdraws objections to requests for commercial rezoning, which currently allows for increases of impervious cover from 30% limits for residential zoning to 65% for commercial. This would foster more flexibility in allowing mixed-use development and low impact businesses where they are needed and appropriate.

Ordinance will apply to all sensitive portions of the aquifer

• Will apply to the Recharge Zone, Transition Zone, and Contributing Zone (within five miles of the Recharge Zone). The current ordinance applies only to the Recharge Zone.

Transfer of development rights

• Permits flexibility for new developments by allowing increase in impervious cover (up to 30%) with purchase of land or development rights on the Edwards Recharge Zone within prescribed areas. This section will also give the City a planning tool, enabling us to work with land-owners and developers to acquire land for liner parks, watershed protection, open space and public recreational areas.

Hazardous materials rules

• Requires safeguards for storage of hazardous materials and prohibits storage of more than 600 allons of hazardous materials.

TCEQ Water Pollution Abatement Plan required

• City will not consider plans for projects until TCEQ has approved the Water Pollution Abatement Plan.

Non-degradation standard for developments with more than 15% impervious cover

• Requires monitoring of discharges for likely pollutants such as metals, pesticides, and petroleum products. Prohibits any increases in contaminant concentrations or loads.

2. San Antonio Audubon Society -- Barbara Kyse

Per our Constitution: the San Antonio Audubon Society was formed to educate and train individuals and the public in general in the protection, preservation and propagation of all wildlife, particularly birds, and their habitat, to the end that no species shall become threatened or extinct.

The San Antonio Audubon Society is an independent birding club, not affiliated with the National Audubon Society (although in past it was an Audubon chapter).

As an organization we do not take an active role in conservation advocacy. However, we try to present topics and issues to our membership which might impact current and future birding. Also, we encourage our members to take an advocacy position on issues, such as upcoming changes to the city tree ordinance or any increase in the impervious coverage percentage.

As with most nonprofit organizations, San Antonio Audubon has limited funds and will probably never have a separate sanctuary. Accordingly we allocate funds to other groups or organizations associated with the protection of natural areas focusing on areas vital to birding (examples are the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center and the Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation Group).

Recently, the Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society installed a plaque at Leeper House recognizing the San Antonio Audubon Society whose members inspired the San Antonio City Council to designate the Mitchell Lake area as “a refuge for shore birds and water fowl” on February 8, 1973. This 1973 ordinance also authorized “such changes and additions as are necessary to establish this refuge.”

Our members participate in a variety of scientific and education programs on behalf of sustaining bird populations, such as the Christmas bird count. Individual members have been actively involved with the development and support of natural areas by conducting bird surveys (for example the Medina River Natural area, Government Canyon and Mitchell Lake).

3. American Institute of Architects -- Chris Schultz

Thank you for inviting me to represent the San Antonio Chapter of The American Institute of Architects at this Conference. 2007 is going to be an extremely exciting and busy year for our chapter as we will be hosting the AIA national convention in May — a gathering of around 25,000 architects and allied professionals, material vendors, and industry representatives. Now I know this conference is not about individual group activities or concerns; however, the national convention, currently slated to be the largest gathering in the City next year, places us in a unique position. More importantly, the convention’s theme, “Growing Beyond Green,” is a call to action beyond mere advocacy to full integration of environmentally conscious, high-performance design solutions.

In this age of skyrocketing energy prices, growing recognition of humanity’s strong impact on natural processes, and frenetic speed of life, we often blame much ill and wastefulness on the transportation and industrial sectors of society. However, we forget that according to the Alliance to Save Energy’s 2005 report titled “Building on Success: Policies to Reduce Energy Waste in Buildings,” 39 percent of total U.S. energy use goes to power, heat, and cool buildings — more than to either the industrial or transportation sectors.

Once you add in related industries that produce building materials and products, that percentage is even higher. In June of this year, with the AIA’s strong urging, the US Conference of Mayors voted unanimously to adopt the “2030 Challenge for All Buildings” which calls for immediate energy reduction in all newly designed and renovated buildings to half the national average for that building type, with increased reductions of 10 percent every 5 years so that all buildings designed after 2030 will be carbon-neutral, that is, they will use no fossil-fuel energy. Sadly our mayor was not an attendee at that Conference.

Here’s where I try to tie everything together. We view the national convention as a transformative moment for our community — both our own architectural community and the larger San Antonio/South Texas community. So at the micro-level, we have been working the Stephen Colley, our Committee on the Environment Chair, to develop a list of conservation measures that our local chapter office and member firms can place into practice. Such practices, if not already adopted, should be disseminated through all types of offices and work environments — and we would be glad to share our information.

Additionally we are attempting to infuse environmental consciousness through all host chapter activities: locally produced foods for chapter-sponsored parties, recyclable and/or biodegradable serving products, alternatives to endless reams of paper handouts, 100 percent recycled content paper for a new chapter architectural guidebook, etc.

At the macro-level, we plan to leverage the economic impact of our national convention with City officials to request a more progressive, proactive approach to environmental responsibility. To that end, we are attempting to meet with the Mayor’s office and other City officials to advocate several environmental policies:

(1) LEED Silver certification for all municipally funded projects over 10,000 square feet (in a measure similar to Austin’s initiatives).

(2) Enhanced economic incentives for sustainable private development, be they tax credits for attaining LEED Gold certification or higher, expedited and/or reduced permitting fees for lower level LEED certification, or some other incentives package. As an aside, we should really brainstorm the best approach to incentivize sustainable practices in production residential construction (a market which sadly most architects have little contact with, though I know Stephen and the San Antonio Sustainable Building Coalition have made inroads). After all, where you live is where you learn.

(3) Robust economic development incentive packages to encourage alternative energy companies and related product development firms which start up or relocate to San Antonio.

(4) Minimum environmental standards for ALL future conventions in San Antonio and a strong urging to the private sector hotel and entertainment industries to develop similar standards and ranking systems.

All of these policies have benefits far beyond just our convention and would be an incredible boon to our local environment and economy. We already are a tourism mecca. Why not add/enhance eco-tourism? We already have a strong biomedical and research industry. Why not become a leader in alternative energy start-up companies? We already build municipal buildings. Why not have them living, breathing and less-energy-consuming examples of good stewardship of tax dollars, energy use, and human performance? You know, we’ve always been a frontier community, mixing limited resources, strong wills and determination to make a unique, and in our minds, beautifully appealing city. Why not push those frontier limits?

Well, these are our thoughts. Thanks again for inviting me and for your attention. And we would certainly welcome your input.

4. Bear Springs Blossom -- Peter Bonenberger

THINK globally, ACT locally, CHANGE personally.

Ideas for policies and measures only make sense when we believe in the necessity to THINK, ACT and CHANGE.

It is an empty message when we tell OTHERS what to do. We should say:

What can I do? I have to THINK, ACT and CHANGE, so others see what can be done.

Many people complain about high energy prices, BUT they drive their gas guzzling SUV's, they complain about high electricity bills, BUT they have bad insulation in their houses, they use heat producing energy wasting light bulbs, a sprinkler system for their San Augustine lawn, and 5 pound of pesticides to kill all native grasses and wildflowers.

How can we improve our environment?

To improve our environment, we need to understand a variety of problems:

A) How big is the impact of 6.5 billion humans?

B) why do we have more violent weather?

C) why is energy consumption is the U.S. double as high as in Europe?

D) how can we reduce air pollution when it is travelling around the globe?

E) Why is water contamination is found everywhere?

At Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation we show and explain

a working electricity-producing windmill, a working solar water heating system, a working solar electricity production, rain water harvesting, erosion control, water- and wildlife management.

Why our history is so important to understand the present….

For ten years I talk to our visitors at Bear Springs Blossom Nature Conservation. I learned that most of our visitors don't know that there is a problem with our environment. Education + information is missing. We have to give people more knowledge.

Drive through San Antonio and look at the pollution coming out of lawnmowers. San Antonio burns 2 million gallons of gas every year to mow down non-native grasses. Most of these lawnmowers are big polluters, bad little engines with no tune up at all. We all get poisoned.

Americans buy 100 million pounds of household pesticides every year. Most of it is poured on yards, seeping into our streams and groundwater. There is a direct link between pesticides and Alzheimer’s, pesticides and Parkinson and some cancers.

Look at the trash incineration plant in San Antonio. The AIR POLLUTION from WASTE INCINERATORS includes DIOXINS, FURANS, ARSENIC, CADMIUM, CHLOROBENZENES, CHLOROPHENOLS, LEAD, MERCURY, PCBs, and SULFUR DIOXIDE. Who pays for the huge amount of trash with money + health? WE ALL DO.

Drive through San Antonio and look at sprinkler systems that water walkways and streets. Look at all the huge sealed parking places, streets and driveways. TX-dot spends millions for concrete water channels, where water is channeled to get rid of it as fast a possible.

We need to help our rainwater to stay where it is needed. People complain about water shortages, but we don't allow the water to seep into the ground.

TX-DOT spends millions for wildflower seeds — but before the wildflowers can re-seed, they are mowed down. WHO pays for it? WE ALL DO.

Look at all the new developments. First, everything is destroyed with bulldozers including topsoil, native grasses, shrubs and trees.

At the end they roll out non-native grass carpets, plant a few trees that are dug up somewhere else.

How many buildings did YOU see that use the sun to stay cool, that use the wind to make it comfortable? that use the rain? Not enough people are asking for energy-efficient buildings. WHO pays for it? WE ALL DO.

There is some hope: Wal-Mart has built green Wal-Marts, but not in San Antonio. Home Depot has built green stores, but not in San Antonio.

WHY?

Most of our citizens don't know that there is a problem, so most of them don't ask for a solution.

When you drive around, LOOK at the hill tops. 20 years ago I saw many beautiful hills. Try it today — hill tops are bulldozed flat and there is a big house there with a San Augustine lawn. Cell phone towers grow and multiply faster than our native trees.

People buy property in the Hill Country but they erase the Country with a bulldozer and built a Houston-style house with a sprinkler system on the top of the hill. WHO pays for it? WE ALL DO?

Go to HEB or Wal-Mart -- they cool down their stores excessively. Can you imagine how much energy and money HEB could save if they would bring up their temperature in summer only by 2 degrees? In winter it is too warm in our stores, in summer its too cold. WHO pays for it? WE ALL DO.

I want to ask you a question: Are responsibility, courage, honor and truth values from the past? Why does our society allow that some people destroy our livelihood?

When people contaminate our water supply or make our air unhealthy, why are THEY not held responsible, why do THEY not pay for their damages? WHY do WE ALL pay?

Do you know that it is against Texas law to cut down a mature cedar/juniper? Ten thousands of mature junipers have been killed since this law was adopted. It is against the law to burn plastic, but millions of trash barrels burn every night in Texas.

We have laws to protect our environment BUT we are not enforcing the law. WHO pays for it? WE ALL DO.

We came together to seek ideas for policies/ measures.

First: Inform people about our existing laws and enforce our laws.

Second: Change the rules for constructing parking lots, roofs and driveways. Look at Europe, it’s law there since decades.

Third: Hold people liable for destroying our environment — the one who destroys should pay, NOT all of us. Put their names in the newspaper. They are criminals like the others published in the Sheriff's report.

Fourth: Work together with newspapers and TV. Inform people how to behave better, outlaw and red-flag companies and people who destroy the future of our children and grandchildren.

Fifth: Create an award for companies + people who THINK, ACT and CHANGE, for people who act positive on sustainable living.

Sixth: Force the schools to educate our young ones about our fragile environment: better informed people make better decisions.

Seventh: Bring our groups together. If we work together, we can accomplish much more.

Eighth: Ask your Congressman, commissioner or city councilperson

what HE / SHE does to secure our water and air. If he/she doesn't have a good answer — don't vote for him/her. He/she will destroy your future and your family’s future.

Think globally, act locally, change personally! We need to give people more knowledge so they can THINK more, they can understand the problems, they are able to ACT and they know how to CHANGE.

5. Metro Partnership for Energy -- Anita Ledbetter

Build SA Green:

Current membership has just about doubled since this time last year.

“We have restructured our Checklist and GSABA has approved QuikQual - targeted toward Volume Builders, and a new contract is being negotiated."

INCREASE IN CERTIFIED HOMES. "MPE had 3 homes certified in the past 3 years. Under our new program structure, we have increased our certified homes by 38, or 600 percent, since February 2006."

Imagine Homes - 200 BSAG Homes over the next 1.5 years

Neighborhood Housing Services - 250 BSAG Homes over the next 3 years

San Antonio Alternative Housing Coorporation - 59 BSAG Homes over the next 2 years

San Antonio Housing Authority - 32 BSAG Homes over the next year

City of San Antonio - 26 BSAG Homes over next year

Medallion Homes - 350 BSAG Homes over the next year

Medallion Homes - 48 BSAG Homes by the end of 2006

"LEED for Homes/also BSAG Certified — 196 Homes in the next year spread among various - Production Builders, Affordable Housing, Custom Builders, Architects, and Homeowners. ""TOTAL of 1, 161 Homes"

LEED for Homes pilot. USGBC has announced that MPE has been selected as a permanent provider for the new program.

Green Workshop. "Scheduled for Aug. 25. This is a follow-up to the City Council's Green Roundtable forum. This will be a one-day "How to Build a High Performance Home" Workshop. Partners are: COSA, GSABA, and The Enterprise Foundation"

Builder's Show. "For the first time, a green home will be built by BSAG members in the Alamodome during the GSABA Builder's Expo in Sept. SAWS, VIA and CPS Energy are participating with us."

Habitat for Humanity (San Antonio). "BSAG staff is working with the local affiliate to participate in the federal governments "Rebuild America" program for energy-efficient design."

Contractor's Insurance Program. "BSAG staff has met with consultants, contractors, and insurance companies to initiate a homeowners discount for sustainable building practices."

CEC classes. "Seven classes to date have successfully been performed, with approximately 50 members participating."

LEED AP Certification. Both staff are pursuing the accredited professional certification for the commercial building program.

Energy:

Energy Legislation. Updates to Health and safety code and Senate Bill 5. Staff is working with Legislators.

"HERS/REMRATE TRAINING." “New HERS equipment was purchased by MPE thru a Fannie Mae grant of $6,000. The BSAG Coordinator will have become certified by August and will then be able to offer a whole range of new services to the affordable home builders."

COSA CHDD. "BSAG has been asked to perform 40 blower door tests for their federal home program. This will generate $4,000 in revenue."

SAHA Victoria Commons HERS Consulting. "MPE was chosen as the HERS consultant and will generate over $4,000.00 in revenue."

COSA NAD. BSAG has been asked to perform HERS rating services for at least 25 reconstructed homes. Staff and Contractor training has already been initiated during the past year.

Press:

AIA Local Newsletter - Anita Ledbetter wrote a feature article about Green Building Materials and Sustainable Design.

San Antonio Buisness Journal -- SABJ did an article on MPE regarding the COSA Incentive Score Card

San Antonio Buisness Journal -- SABJ has informed MPE that they will be doing a Cover Story

KTSA -- San Antonio Solutions - Anita Ledbetter and Stephen Colley.

Planning Press Conference -- We would like to have a press conference at the BUILDERS EXPO outside of our Green Home to annouce the certified homes from our volume builders over the next year.

Partners:

COSA Green Roundtable. "MPE successfully participated in this yearlong effort, with a final meeting of approximately 100 local stakeholders."

COSA Resolution. Possible resolution mentioning MPE as the lead agency regarding a green building effort among city facilities.

COSA Incentive Scorecard. "Economic Development Department has asked MPE to take the lead in the Green Initiaves portion of the new ordinance, and MPE will be the clearing house for validating these points. MPE is developing an affidavit with COSA. "

CPS Energy. "CPS Energy will be sending over $ 75,000 in funding for 2006."

COSA Development Funds Request. "We have submitted a request for funding to COSA for $ 50,000 to help fund staff and Stephen Colley to finish developing the Build SA Green Program to include a rennovation/remodeling program, and a commerical building checklist."

6. Citizens Tree Coalition -- Deborah Martin

Air pollution is San Antonio’s biggest environmental health issue. It is a serious public health hazard affecting 1.5 million people in our area. It increases asthma attacks, respiratory illness, cancer, strokes, and heart disease. A 2006 study by Yale University found there is no safe level for ozone. San Antonio is facing federal sanctions that will put a blanket on economic growth. If air quality does not improve markedly next year, expensive restrictions will be put on businesses that produce pollution, low income people will be burdened with costly vehicle emissions tests and repairs, and the City may lose federal highway funds. In addition, health care expenses and lost productivity will continue to afflict area residents and businesses. Air pollution is increasing as San Antonio loses tree canopy cover.

Tree canopy cover is one of the best indicators of the overall environmental health of a city. Between 1985 and 2001, our City lost 39% of its heavy tree canopy cover. There is nothing to suggest that this rapid loss of trees has slowed. In 2003, our City had 27% overall tree canopy cover. Strategy for improving air quality: Increase tree canopy cover to 35% In 2003. The scientific Urban Ecosystem Analysis recommended 35% overall tree canopy cover for San Antonio.

Our strategy for achieving this goal includes enforcement of tree preservation & planting standards for development of natural land and implementation of an Urban Forest Management program by the City of San Antonio. Urban Forest Management Program for the City of San Antonio We are asking City of San Antonio to approve $150,000 funding for this program. It is described in more detail on the opposite side. We propose to quickly expand the program to include Bexar County government, San Antonio River Authority, CPS, SAWS, and other agencies.

Urban Forest Management Program

Summary: We are requesting City of San Antonio FY 2006-2007 funding for an urban forest management program.

Program component	Funding		Source
Evaluation of existing urban forest	$67,000		General fund
Evaluation of tree preservation ordinance	$35,000		Tree mitigation fund
Evaluation of tree planting programs	$8,000		Capital improvements projects
Trend projections and formulation of tree planting/preservation goals	$6,000		General fund and capital improvements projects
Establishment of Municipal Urban Forester position	$30,000		General fund
Establishment of Citizens Advisory Committee	$4,000		General fund
Total		$150,000

Urban Forest Management Program synopsis

Goal: Establishment and maintenance of 35% overall tree canopy cover for the City of San Antonio by 2021.

The Urban Forest Management Program includes the following components:

• Evaluation of existing urban forest through measurement of tree canopy over the metropolitan area, characterization of trees on undeveloped land, and an inventory of public trees.

• Evaluation of the Tree Preservation Ordinance by measuring completed development projects.

• Evaluation of tree planting programs.

• Trend projections and formulation of tree planting/preservation goals.

• Establishment of a full time Municipal Urban Forester position.

• Establishment of a Citizens Advisory Committee to oversee urban forestry programs.

More information about the program and the Urban Ecosystem Analysis for San Antonio is available on the cTc’s website at http://www.treecoalition.org/preserve.htm. Click the Urban Forest Management Program for the City of San Antonio hyperlink to read a PDF file describing the complete plan.

Urban Forest Management Program for the City of San Antonio Summary: This is a six-component program for managing San Antonio’s urban forest. Implementation of the program is necessary for protecting air quality, water quality, quality-of-life, and the health of the people of San Antonio. Our urban forest is essential infrastructure that benefits the health and economy of the City. Consequently, funding for the program should be included in bond packages. Goal: Establishment and maintenance of 35% overall tree canopy cover for the City of San Antonio by 2021.

The program’s six components are: 1. Evaluation of existing urban forest 2. Evaluation of tree preservation ordinance 3. Evaluation of tree planting programs 4. Trend projections and formulation of tree planting/preservation goals 5. Establishment of Municipal Urban Forester position 6. Establishment of Citizens Advisory Committee.

Evaluation of existing urban forest. In order to properly manage the urban forest, an up-to-date evaluation must be made of the existing resource. Total projected cost $67,000.

Regional measurement of tree canopy cover. Tree canopy cover over the metropolitan area, and its rate of decline, should be measured from recent satellite imagery. Similar studies were conducted in 2002 and 2003 by American Forests. Because the resource changes rapidly, the study must be updated every few years. Projected cost $27,000. Partners: CPS Energy, American Forests, UTSA, Alamo Forest Partnership, SAWS.

Characterization of trees on undeveloped land. A random sampling of trees on undeveloped land should be made to characterize the range of sizes, species, canopy coverages, and stocking densities typically encountered. Such information is invaluable for evaluating preservation standards and projecting canopy cover on completed development projects. Projected cost $20,000 Partners: TX Forest Service.

Inventory of public trees. Continue existing program to evaluate and inventory public trees. Projected cost $20,000.

Evaluation of Tree Preservation Ordinance. Tree canopy cover will be measured on completed development projects. Projected cost $35,000. Three different project categories will be analyzed: 1. Exempt projects; 2. Projects complying with 1997 TPO; 3. Projects complying with 2003 TPO. Canopy cover will be measured on current aerial photographs of all such projects. A database will be created describing: 1. Pre-development tree canopy cover; 2. Post-development tree canopy cover; and 3. Preservation percentages from tree preservation plans. Partners: Citizens Tree Coalition

Evaluation of tree planting programs.An assessment of all significant local tree planting programs will be made. The evaluation will quantify tree planting and project the expected future canopy cover to be created. Projected cost $8,000. Partners: TX Forest Service, CPS Energy, Alamo Forest Partnership, SAWS.

Trend projections and formulation of tree planting/preservation goals. Based on information from the preceding evaluations, urban forest and tree canopy trends will be modeled and projected. These projections will be used in formulating revisions to the tree ordinance and determining the scope and magnitude of tree planting programs. Projected cost $6,000. Partners: Citizens Tree Coalition, TX Forest Service.

City of San Antonio Municipal Urban Forester position. Establish a full time position of Municipal Urban Forester for the City. Projected cost $30,000/year (cost based on matching funding from Texas Forest Service). Duties will include: 1. Management of public tree resources; 2. Ongoing evaluation, modeling, projection, and benchmarking of City, SAWS, and CPS tree programs including tree preservation ordinance; 3. Ongoing evaluation of urban forest resource; 4. Citizens Advisory Committee coordination; 5. Serve as a resource for information on urban forestry research and other urban forestry programs; 6. Development of cost/benefit information on urban forestry projects. Partners: TX Forest Service, CPS Energy, SAWS.

Citizens Advisory Committee. Establish a broad-based committee to oversee urban forestry programs and advise City Council and staff. The Citizens Advisory Committee should have up to 20 members and each member should be committed to the 35% tree canopy goal. They should serve in an advisory role with regard to the Tree Ordinance provisions and programs to plant trees to increase canopy. The Citizens Advisory Committee will work with City staff to find reasonable compromises between competing interests. They should serve as liaisons to community and business groups that will promote tree preservation and planting. A strong effective Chair who could bridge the gap between competing interests is a necessity for success. The current Tree Ordinance amendments should be postponed until the Citizens Advisory Committee has had a chance to make recommendations to the City Staff. Projected cost $4,000/year. Partners: Alamo Group of the Sierra Club.

7. San Antonio Friends of the Parks -- Bonnie Conner

My comments will likely be from a slightly different point of view from some that you have heard. That will be because I was on the San Antonio City Council for four years and I am now serving on the Edwards Aquifer Authority. My passion for conservation issues remain the same as they have been for years -- water issues and parks.

The different point of view comes from being involved in the politics and policy-making of these two issues. I clearly understand the desire, the need and the necessity of aquifer protection and for open space and parks.

The reality of addressing these issues has led me to work on issues such as Proposition I and Proposition 3, which voters passed to take money from their pockets (how wise they are) to purchase in fee simple and acquire conservation easements, to protect the aquifer and also acquire parks and open space.

By passing these Propositions the citizens of San Antonio,demonstrate they are aware of the value of our sole source aquifer and their love for the land that surrounds us.

I will continue to work on water and parks issues - it is my passion.

8. Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance -- Annalisa Peace

Texas has been blessed with one of the most pure and abundant natural sources of water to be found anywhere in the world - the Edwards Aquifer. It is the source of the largest springs in Texas and the primary source of drinking water for more than 1.5 million Central and South Texas residents. Further, the Edwards Aquifer spring and underground river ecosystem, as well as the rugged Hill Country watersheds that feed the Aquifer, provide the only home to more than 60 unique animal species, more than 10 of which are federally listed “endangered” species. This incomparable resource is being threatened by pollution from inappropriate land uses, resulting in increased downstream flooding, reduction of recharge capacity, and degradation of the quality of our water.

The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) member organizations include: Alamo & Austin groups of the Sierra Club, Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas (AGUA), Bexar & Travis County Green Parties, Cibolo Nature Center, Environment Texas, Environmental Stewardship Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio, Friends of Canyon Lake, Fuerza Unida, Government Canyon Natural History Association, Hays Community Action Network (Hays CAN), Helotes Heritage Association, Kendall County Well Owners Association, Kinney County Ground Zero, Medina County Environmental Action Association, Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence, Northwest Interstate Coalition of Neighborhoods, Protect Our Water-Blanco County, San Antonio Conservation Society, San Geronimo Watershed Alliance, San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, San Marcos River Foundation, Santuario Sisterfarm, Save Barton Creek Association, Save Our Springs Alliance, Scenic Loop Protection Association, Smart Growth San Antonio, Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, Texas Water Alliance, West Texas Springs Alliance, and Wimberley Valley Watershed Association. GEAA seeks to build statewide support for conservation and sustainable management of the Edwards Aquifer Ecosystem and have developed the Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan that lays out clear steps to protect and preserve the Aquifer.

The goals and objectives for this initiative are:

• To produce and distribute educational materials that will assist public and private sector decision makers to take actions to protect and sustain the quality and quantity of Edwards Aquifer flows.
• To expand and aid the coordination of existing public interest advocacy for sustainable water and land use practices in the Greater Edwards Aquifer region.
• To catalyze much greater investment by private non-profit and for-profit organizations, government agencies, and individuals in Edwards Aquifer watershed preservation and sustainable water and land-use practices.

GEAA publishes and distributes informational materials that beautifully illustrate the workings of our karst aquifer and what needs to be done to make sure that the Edwards will be a clean and reliable source of water for future generations. We disseminate information about aquifer protection at public events throughout the region - from tractor pulls and goat roping competitions to Earth Day events. In this way GEAA representatives educate thousands of people from all walks of life about what they can do to preserve the Edwards Aquifer.

GEAA is bringing groups from across South Texas together to capitalize on the skills of veteran organizers, to provide support for the work that they are doing, and to build influence at the state level by uniting our voices. GEAA member groups work with students and faculty at central Texas’ institutions of higher learning, with citizens and private businesses, and with scientists, attorneys and other professionals committed to sustainable land and water use practices in the Edwards Aquifer region. We have already awarded $70,000 in sub-grants to groups actively engaged in their communities. In addition to funding, GEAA aids these and other organizations in their campaigns to protect the aquifer by providing expert advice in legal and technical matters, fundraising, marketing and organizing. We believe that working together is critical to protecting the Edwards Aquifer and its Great Springs. Our overall goal is to make GEAA a recognized and respected voice for sustaining the Edwards Aquifer and preserving the Texas Hill Country.

We invite you to join GEAA as a member organization. There are no dues, though contributions are appreciated. For more information, contact Annalisa Peace at (210) 320-6294 and visit our web site: http://www.aquiferalliance.org.

Summary of the Edwards Aquifer

Protection Plan to:

SAVE THE HEART OF TEXAS

The conservation groups that make up the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance drafted a consensus action plan for saving the water, wildlife, scenic beauty, and cultural heritage of the Edwards Aquifer region. The “Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan” is based on sound science and sustainable economic development principles. (A copy of the plan is posted at www.AquiferAlliance.org.) The Plan recognizes that current growth patterns and ever increasing consumption and pollution of water and land threatens to ruin the Hill Country within a few short years unless action is taken. The key components of the Plan—ambitious but also practical and necessary—are:

“Not on our aquifer, not with our money.” This has been the common sense motto of San Antonio citizens who have recognized since the late 1970s that the greatest threat to the Edwards Aquifer was the expenditure of taxpayer funds to support development over the aquifer recharge and contributing zones. We call for an end to public expenditures and development subsidies of any kind (highway expansions, sewer extensions, fee waivers, loan guarantees, tax abatements, creation of any utility “designer districts,” etc.) for projects located over or upstream of the Aquifer recharge zones. Hill Country roadways should be maintained for safety and scenic beauty.

Direct development downstream. Public investment along the Austin/San Antonio corridor should support development to the east and downstream of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. Well-managed, compact growth in less sensitive watersheds is both fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable.

Purchase parks, watershed preserves, and conversation easements. Local, state, and federal governments should promptly commit to directing at least $500 million to the purchase of parks, watershed preserves, and conservation lands over the Aquifer recharge and contributing zones. By creating a regional system of parks, preserves, and conservation ranches, we can protect the Edwards Aquifer, curb urban sprawl into the Hill Country, and provide much needed recreation lands for all Texans to enjoy. This is less than a year of spending on highway construction in the Hill country region and about one-half of the corporate personal property taxes that go uncollected in Texas every year. Florida and California voters have together approved more than $10 billion in recent years for purchase of parks and wildlife refuges, which helped them, qualify for large sums of matching federal dollars.

Protect water quality. In 1997, 37 scientists, engineers, planners, and other experts endorsed “Protecting the Edwards Aquifer: A Scientific Consensus,” a report documenting overwhelming scientific agreement that the only reliable way to prevent pollution of the Edwards Aquifer is to steer urban development to the east and downstream of the recharge zone. Any development that is allowed in the Edwards Aquifer watershed should be required to limit impervious cover (roads, parking lots, buildings, and any other surface that prevents rainfall from percolating in to the ground) to no more than 10 or 15 percent of the developable land. Other necessary measures include requiring development setbacks (or “buffers”) from streams and recharge features; prohibiting commercial activities that generate or require significant quantities of hazardous chemicals; and strictly limiting non-native, chemical-demanding landscaping.

Conserve water. Water in the Edwards region is limited. Public and private organizations and individuals need to make water conservation and reuse (rather than expanded water diversions) a top priority.

9. Land Heritage Institute Foundation -- Bill Hurley

Basically, our efforts in LHI are largely similar to the Virginia town of “Williamsburg” in they both are a place the family can learn about local history. Of course, Williamsburg is filled with colonial era buildings while our history in South Texas is chiefly involving the local Indian tribes and Spanish settlers.

The inherent beauty of tree lined creeks and river bottoms, scenic pasture land, unbridled thicket, and the serene bird watcher's paradise here present a remarkable opportunity to acknowledge, preserve and revere the timeless South Texas landscape. This landscape tells a story of thousands of years of human presence, evident in the area's rich natural, archeological and historic resources. Afterall, the land here supported human settlement by the prehistoric native peoples and Spanish-Mexican settlers for a long time. There is soon to be more about the history of the long-horn steer (the REAL one) and its influences on the early trade patterns.

But beyond history, emphasis should be placed on the environmental park like atmosphere of the 1604 acres and its’ proximity to Toyota, Mitchell Lake, the Missions, and the Audubon Sanctuary. It is also intended to be used as an educational outlet regarding local environmental matters in a carefully crafted nature preserve

The Land Heritage Institute Foundation is made up of an alliance of over 20 local organizations. It has strong ties to Texas A&M studies, chiefly involving the history of the region. It has ties to our neighbor Toyota who through extensive negotiations, has agreed to all the specifics within our contract and is contributing Medina River property accordingly.

Its current status is that it is up to the Metro Planning Commission to approve, then the City Council – and it’s done.

10. Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society -- Marge Lumpe

The state of the environment specifically as it relates to Mitchell Lake is very positive The changes wrought by SAWS agreeing to do the necessary improvements at Mitchell Lake and National Audubon signing the lease to manage Mitchell Lake as a sanctuary for at least 25 years is providing a significant improvement on the quality and quantity of environmental education for the entire community.

Many school children are coming to classes being taught by the director, Iliana Pena, and trained docents of the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. Groups of all sorts are touring the facility, and accessibility has been expanded greatly subsequent to the training of two docent classes. The docents, who now number around 40 with another class in training--are now able to keep the facility open regularly on Saturdays and Sundays as well as some week day times.

The possibility of hiking & biking trails connecting Medina River Park, Mitchell Lake and the missions will no doubt become reality within a few years. This will enhance the quality of life for the city and particularly for the south side.

MLAC will sponsor the first Nature Festival similar to the one at Concan in May 2007.

Suggestions to improve our environment in San Antonio:

1. Follow California's lead in establishing a target for emissions reduction. Take steps to improve transportation options--better infrastructure for pedestrians, more bicycle lanes, light rail, etc. Promote neighborhood planning that reduces need for automobile travel.

2. Support legislation that protects the aquifer even if it means less growth over the recharge zone.

3. Protect our trees. Accept and act on the findings and recommendations of our City Arborist. Our arborist has been scientifically trained to oversee and preserve the health of our urban forest. Her opinion should not be allowed to be discounted because of the perceived need for endless growth. More trees will help to reduce the heat island effect.

4. We need more publicity regarding hazardous waste collection, and public service announcements to urge people to recycle along with a list of the things that should be put in our recycle bins.

5. Annual recognition should be given to individuals, companies and organizations who exemplify excellence in preserving, restoring or enhancing the environmental health of the community. Perhaps also point out the most egregious failures.

We should not neglect to show our appreciation to those leaders who have consistently supported the goals of an improved environment for San Antonio.

11. Native Plant Society -- Melissa Miller

The San Antonio Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas believes that the quality of life for our children and grandchildren is the primary issue of our times. What will we leave to them that will make them happy to be alive? And how will we live out our own final years? Most of us grew up around nature, with all its fascination and danger. Most of us would like our grandchildren to have the same experience of following our curiosity from bush to bush and learning the little games that can be played with a flower or bug that told us we belonged to the land. From our perspective, being sequestered indoors or subjected to ugliness and hardscapes from which there is no escape upon stepping outside is unacceptable for the smallest of children, as well as ourselves. We would like, instead, for our children to grow up enjoying and loving Texas. The Texas of our pioneer ancestors. The Texas that could sustain us into the foreseeable future, if we sustain it.

This leads us inexorably to our concern over water as well as the preservation of and ready access to the natural world. While scientists search for water on other planets as a sign of the possibility for life, we are squandering it at home and in our businesses. Once we change indoor water-wasting habits, we are then challenged with the fact that half or more of our water use during the summer is from watering our plants. How is it that all those trees and shrubs living in an inch of soil that were scraped from the land before our houses were built managed to thrive, when we, with out hoses, can’t keep our shrubs alive in the abundant top soil brought from who-knows-where? Could it be because our shrubs come from who-knows-where? The fact is that, especially during a drought, no amount of water and hoses will make up for the loss of a stable natural system.

And what of the birds and mammals that enriched our lives as children? Every day our members find themselves in degraded natural places where invasive species are threatening native plants because nurserymen, willy-nilly, introduce exotic plants for the yard, and consumers assume that their own natives are inferior to them. In Endangered by Sprawl, the National Wildlife Federation, Smart Growth America, and Nature Serve, point out that “our planet is now in the midst of the first mass extinction since the age of the dinosaurs. . . .