We Stopped the Monster Car Lot Above Barton Creek

We stopped the Leif Johnson Car Lot --for now. Last March, SOS was notified of plans by Leif Johnson Ford to build an 86,079 square foot car dealership in the heart of the Barton Springs Zone, immediately adjacent to the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve that protects the Golden Cheeked Warbler, an endangered species. Leif Johnson attempted to claim vested rights to exempt itself from the requirements of the City's Barton Springs Zone Overlay, which restricts retail uses in the Barton Springs Zone to no more than 50,000 square feet. 

But, we fought back. After presenting our case to the City's legal department, the City agreed with us and refused to approve Leif Johnson's site plan. Leif Johnson sued the City in response, but we just got word that the City prevailed in district court. Leif Johnson will now be forced to either scale back its development or appeal the district court's decision. 

We'll keep you updated as the case continues, but hopefully the Golden Cheeked Warblers can rest a little easier knowing that a giant car dealership won't be threatening their home when they return to Austin. SOS thanks Alan Watts and Save Oak Hill for their continued vigilance in opposing the car dealership and the City's legal department (especially Asst. City Attorney Chad Shaw) for being receptive to our feedback and defending the City's ordinances.

For more information about the car dealership, please visit StoptheCarLot.org.

New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge Photos

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS HERE or HERE. 

Polar Bear Splash is a GO!!!

We are happy to announce that Barton Springs Pool will be open on New Year's Day for the Polar Bear Splash.  Many thanks to the pool staff for working diligently since Thursday after the flood to get the pool cleaned of debris so our community can enjoy the 2019 Polar Bear Splash ~ Austin style!

 

We are blessed to live in a place that honors this tradition and the soul of our city - Barton Springs.

 

Join us in thanking the following unsung heroes!

 

Pool Managers:  Matthew Miller, Danica Ruggles, Conor Hopkins, Kris Williams

 

Pool staff:

Edward Balaguer, Sophia Bastidas, TJ Bulgerin, Milton Hein, Shane Keckin, Joel Manzo, (see pic for Matthew Miller, Pool Manager,  Jim Pappas, Troy Clites & Carl Petry), Claire Prewitt, John Shumake, Alex Slivinske, Brave Stephens, Elleyna Thompson, Landon Tourne, Derk Wilkinson, Lindsey Worthington

 

And our PARD Officials:

Aaron Levine, CORO, Aquatic Supervisor; and Kimberly McNeeley, CPRP, Acting Director and Adam Thompson

 

We'll see you Tuesday at the front gate area!  We will have hot coffee, donuts and the commemorative Polar Bear tees for sale as long as they last. 

 

 

Seeking the Truth on Springs Pollution

This last week gave us a stark reminder of how vulnerable Barton Springs is to urban pollution sources on the watershed south and west of the springs. The clear flowing springs suddenly turned milky white, triggering a pool closure and rapid investigation of the source and content of the pollution.

2018 Year End Letter

When we arrived at Barton Springs at 8:30 this New Year’s Day morning it was 29 degrees.

The front gate parking lot was full.  Seriously. 

Before we could set up the Save Our Springs welcome tent, with free coffee and donuts, our maps and water education materials, and our traditional Polar Bear t-shirts, the t-shirt line was already six people deep.

It never let up.  Before we packed up that afternoon, we had enjoyed the magic of Barton Springs welcoming the new year with a few thousands friends, neighbors, and potential friends. 

Unlike some years, when it’s warm and sunny, it was a true winter splash.  It felt like a fairy tale. It’s hard to describe the sense of community, good will, and pure joy of starting the new year at Barton Springs. 

We are all so blessed by the beautiful waters of Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs, and the hundreds of other smaller springs of Central Texas.  

The challenge of keeping these springs clean and flowing grows every day, as our region’s population continues to grow.  With a changing climate, central Texas could see an even greater influx of newcomers fleeing rising seas and larger storms along the Gulf Coast.

Please make a generous donation today to SOS to support the science, law, and public education advocacy that we need to save our springs from these growing threats.         

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Thank You Holiday Party Participants!

Thank you to all of you who braved the weather and made this year's Holiday Party one of the best ever! 

Thank you so much to our Sponsors!