 Last week Save Our Springs, along with other conservation groups, scientists, and community members, submitted a petition authored by conservation biologist Crystal Datri to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Lipan salamander to receive protections under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The filing of the petition starts a 90-day clock for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine whether the petition presents substantial evidence showing the species should be listed. Taking its common name from a group of indigenous people that have long inhabited the western parts of Texas, the Lipan salamander is a small salamander that retains larval features, including external gills, throughout its life. The species is entirely reliant on groundwater of adequate quantity and quality. The species has an extremely limited range with only about 20 known locations in Edwards, Kinney, Uvalde, and Val Verde counties, from the Nueces to the Devils Rivers in Texas. While the Lipan salamander is a unique species, it is one of 15 salamander species endemic to the Edwards-Trinity aquifer system and faces similar threats common to its genus. With its limited range and dependence on groundwater, its main threats are over pumping of the aquifer that has been exacerbated by climate change. Learn more about the threats facing the species by reading the petition HERE.
Crystal Datri explained the importance of filing the petition: “We're really fortunate here in central Texas because of the types of protections our groundwater resources have: the EAA for the San Marcos and the Comal Springs and the BSEACD for Barton Springs. The Lipan salamander springs don't have those types of protections and some of them, including some of the largest springs in Texas, they're dry. The community swimming pool in Brackettville, the Las Moras springs, has already run dry this year, coinciding with the beginning of irrigation season. There are Lipan salamander springs that haven't run in years. These dying springs may already be extirpation events for the species.”
Crystal also explained that the fate of the Lipan salamander is directly tied to impacts here in Hays County and Comal County: “The Lipan salamander might seem far away out in southwest Texas, but we're dealing with the same aquifer. Those waters, if not captured by pumpers, would come out in springs that those of us in central Texas are more familiar with: the Comal and the San Marcos. Your continued support of Save Our Springs allows us to work with our partners to protect these rare species that make our home so special, thank you for joining us!
Outside of her work at SOS, Lindsey is an Olympic weightlifter and a devoted mom to Eve, and you can spot them most weekends enjoying a wild swim or a kayak adventure. We asked Lindsey to share more about what brought her to this work, what challenges and excites her, and where she finds her favorite waters.
What brought you to SOS, and what do you work on here? Barton Springs brought me to SOS! I had started to swim at the springs regularly and I was feeling like I needed to make a career change. I was sort of lost during this time, just swimming until I could figure it out. I started forming relationships with other regulars at Barton Springs and got plugged into the Zilker Park Vision plan debacle. I'll never forget standing by the pool and watching Ben Livingston march down the stairs and announce to all of us swimmers, "Can you believe this bull*%$&!" holding a print-out about the vision plan in his hands. I started to volunteer and show up. Later that fall I heard that SOS was hiring, and the rest is history! For the past two seasons I have worked as the Outreach Coordinator at SOS, managing tabling efforts, leading snorkel tours and ecotours, and helping to manage our summer internship program. A lot of this work keeps me out of the office and at the springs—which is a great part of the job. Why did you choose to work in water conservation? I spent years studying environmental literature in graduate school at UT and I knew I needed to do something more directly involved with the material world. I had always enjoyed my years as a public school teacher, so outreach and outdoor education was a perfect fit. What’s the most challenging part of your role? I think figuring out how to give people memorable and transformative in-water experiences has been challenging. It's something magical that is really hard to design and execute in advance. So much of our bond with nature occurs spontaneously and through play. How to allow for people to capture this playful aspect of solo exploration while simultaneously "leading" a group of people through a pre-set itinerary is a challenging art. It is one that I am still figuring out. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Be here now.
What part of this work is most rewarding for you? Hands down, leading ecotours and snorkel tours and seeing people discover new swim spots that they want to return to and keep building relationships with. Also, educating elementary school age kids about how groundwater is hugely rewarding. What’s a common misconception you hear about Texas water? That there is none! Since traveling abroad, I have heard many people be surprised that there is decent swimming in Texas. I always tell them not only is there decent swimming, Central Texas is home to some of the best swimming holes in the world. I am very proud of our water in Texas. What we have here is very special and far surpasses many "iconic" swim spots of the world. What’s something unexpected about you? A fun fact! My other sport is Olympic weightlifting! Where’s your favorite place you’ve ever gone swimming? Ooooh this is such a mean question. (I'm not counting the Springs in this question). For freshwater I would have to say the waterfalls in Barton Creek Wilderness Park and a close runner-up being Cascade Lake on Orcas Island, WA. For salt water, it would be the channel swim between St. Kitts and Nevis Island where I got to swim with my partner and saw a handful of sea turtles along the way. Oh and Brighton Beach, English Channel! Where I faced my fear of ocean swimming and sobbed on the beach afterwards because I was so happy. If you could take anyone on a Texas river trip, who would it be and where would you go? Of course I would take my daughter, Eve. I love exposing her to the outdoors and she is a natural wild swimmer. In a perfect world, I would love to take her to the swimming holes on the Frio that are in the H.E. Butt Foundation Camp Grounds. There is a blue hole there that is 30 feet deep! But I would equally enjoy taking her back to the Frio in Garner State Park. Spending all day in the water with her, watching her wade and explore through the shallows, watching her captain her kayak Gingerbread (she named it, not me), and mermaid through the crystal clear waters is all I ever need in this world. What's the funniest thing a kid has said while on a snorkel tour? "Is this a petting zoo?" (asking about the geese. Eager to touch geese). How much can you bench? I have no idea how much I bench but my snatch pr is 38 kg right now! (The snatch is one of two lifts in the sport of weightlifting, the other being the clean and jerk. The objective of the snatch is to lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion) Tell us about a scary encounter in the wild - creature, weather, or other. A year or so ago I wanted to take a quick dip in Barton Creek before work. I knew there was a chance of thunderstorms in an hour but I figured I would be down and up in plenty of time. Well, the water was so beautiful and it was so calm and peaceful out there that one thing led to another and my dip turned into a full on swim-selfcare-communing with Nature session. Warning!: The Greenbelt always works its magic: time seems to stop when you are down at the creek (this should be posted at every trailhead). As I was standing in the water taking pictures I felt raindrops and suddenly remembered where I was and that it was time to GO. As I was hurrying to pack my things and pull on shorts over a wet bathing suit, I saw a bright flash of lightning. OK now we REALLY have to go! However, I still had a 20 minute hike up the Hill of Life in between me and my car. I tore across the flat meadow on the way to the hill. This hike was now going to be an uphill sprint. I hit the button on my sportwatch (might as well get the PR if I make it out alive) and started the long haul up the Hill. Lighting was now absolutely CRACKING above my head, it seemed like mere feet away from me. I was cursing myself for being so careless but I finally made it up to the top and to my car, lucky that I did not get a collateral strike charge from a tree out there. I also learned that my official "Running For My Life" pace is about 10 minutes a mile up the Hill of Life. With a couple of breaks. Not exactly David Goggins, but I'll take it. The lesson here? Folks! With access to high quality weather apps, no one should ever get "caught" in a thunderstorm. (P.S. Beware of Greenbelt magic. It will always keep you longer than you think :) Whether she’s underwater, online, or on the trail, Lindsey shows up for the springs and the people who love them. We are so lucky to have Lindsey on our team. To join Lindsey on a Snorkel Tour, sign up below! IN THIS ISSUE: Thursday, May 15th - Join Us for the Statesman PUD Hearing Stand Up for Our Endangered Species Saturday, May 17, SOS + The Long Time, Sandlot Baseball Benefit Stop the Water-Guzzling CloudBurst Data Center in San Marcos May and June Eco-tours at Barton Springs  SOS In Court This Thursday to Defend Lady Bird LakeJoin us this Thursday, May 15th at 2:00 p.m. at the Travis County Courthouse for a court hearing in SOS Alliance v. Watson, et al., our Texas Open Meetings Act challenge against the Austin City Council's unlawful approval of the Statesman PUD. The hearing will take place in person and is expected to last 3 hours. Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility 2:00–5:00 p.m. 1700 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701 10th Floor, Courtroom 10(C) (Judge Soifer) This case focuses on governmental transparency and accountability. It's also about guaranteeing a participatory democracy by allowing the public a fair chance to express their views on Council votes on matters of significant interest to the community (i.e., one of our members was limited to just 12 seconds per zoning item). The process for approving the Statesman PUD ordinance (and related items) was deeply flawed. It did not inform the public about the full scope of what was being approved, including dramatic changes at 3rd reading to increase the heights on the property to 725 feet (taller than the Jenga Tower). Under the guise of a "zoning" amendment, the Austin City Council approved the relocation of the Hike and Bike Trail, eroded environmental protections of the Lady Bird Lake shoreline, and approved the removal of almost 100 mature trees along the trail and lake. Your presence in the courtroom will send a clear message that Austinites expect transparency, accountability, and protection of our lakefront, not backroom deals. Parking and Transit Options:
 Join SOS This Saturday at The Long TimeJoin us at The Long Time this Saturday, May 17th for an afternoon of sandlot baseball, live Cajun music, cold plunges, and good times! Nestled in east Austin, The Long Time is both sandlot ballfield AND community event space. This year, The Long Time selected Save Our Springs Alliance as their featured nonprofit for the Steppin’ Up to the Plate campaign in honor of the critical work we do in Central Texas! Game Day Lineup: 11:00 AM: Nashville Dollys vs. Austin Grackles 3:00 PM: Austin Moon Towers vs. Your Texas Playboys Live Music: 2:15 PM: Charles Thibodeaux & The Austin Cajun Aces 4:30 PM: Hayride music set All Day: Left Field Flea Market, local drinks & yummy food, cold plunge stations from our friends at MeltWell starting at 1PM (bring a swimsuit & towel or purchase one at the general store) Location: 5707 Dunlap Road North, Austin, TX 78725 For every $10+ donation, you'll up your chances to win a raffle with prizes like a Barton Springs season pass (+ free parking), gorgeous artwork by Roger Paul Mason, and a gift basket brimming with local treasures. Come for the fun, stay for the cause -- protecting our waters. See you there!  Dangerous Rollback on Endangered Species' Habitat Protections - Speak Up Now The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to weaken one of the most important tools we have to protect endangered wildlife. A proposed rule change would strip away federal protections against habitat destruction by redefining what it means to “harm” an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). You can read more about the proposed change HERE.This change would be devastating for species like the Barton Springs salamander and the Golden-cheeked warbler, both listed as endangered because their habitats are being destroyed. For over 50 years, the ESA has safeguarded America’s most vulnerable wildlife. If this change goes through, it will open the door to unchecked development and ecological collapse across the entire country. We can’t let that happen. Submit a public comment by May 19 Speak up before it’s too late. You don't have to go into detail, even a simple comment makes a difference. Tell them you oppose this change to habitat protection! How to submit a comment:
Let Senators Cruz and Cornyn, and your Congressional rep know you oppose this rollback. Share this alert Forward this to friends, neighbors, and everyone who cares about keeping Texas wild. Now’s the time to act. Let’s stand up for the species that can’t speak for themselves.  Hays County: Speak Out Against the Proposed CloudBurst Data Center
We’re in the midst of a water crisis. Hays County is currently facing a Stage IV Exceptional Drought, the most severe classification, and prolonged periods of intense drought have become our new reality. While we struggle to conserve our rivers and aquifers, a new threat looms—water-intensive data centers are being proposed throughout our region, ignoring the limitations of our already strained water supplies. The proposed data centers on Francis Harris Lane in southern Hays County, including the massive CloudBurst AI data center, exemplify the imminent danger to our water resources. These facilities would consume hundreds of thousands of gallons of water daily for cooling. When combined with the water needed to cool the power plants for their extreme energy usage, the ultimate water consumption of these data centers could rival that of small towns. With our aquifers and rivers already under immense stress due to severe drought conditions, these data centers will exacerbate our water crisis. Climate experts warn that droughts will only worsen over time, making this type of water-intensive development not just reckless but irresponsible. It’s time to act. Join us on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Hays County Commissioners Court (Downtown San Marcos, Third Floor) to voice your concerns. Sign up at the door before 9:00 a.m. to demand transparency about the project’s water sources, emphasize the ongoing drought, and advocate for sustainable, water-conscious development that safeguards our future. We need our elected leaders to sound the alarm now, before irreversible harm is done. This is our moment to protect Hays County’s water for generations to come. Show up, speak out, and help stop this disaster in the making, before it’s too late. IN THIS ISSUE: Help Stop the $5.6 Billion Dollar Convention Center Waste Protect Water Quality on Our Pristine Streams - SB 1911 An American Eel Spotted at Barton Springs We’re Hiring! Summer Internship Applications Now Open New Eco-Tours for May and June  Save Austin's Soul, Not the Convention CenterNew Convention Center or local parks and culture, you decide. Volunteer now to Save Austin's Soul -- before it's too late! Yes, it really is that binary. While our City Manager sounds the alarm on budget cuts and revenue losses, our City Council barges ahead with a $5.6 billion boondoggle project to tear down the center we have and build a new, bigger convention center. If the Austin City Council keeps going, 75 to 80% of our hotel tourism tax dollars -- over $170 million per year -- will be tied up for 30 years to cover the massive debt and tens of millions every year in operating losses. But nobody comes to Austin for the convention center. The City tells us it's about 1% of visitors. The whole convention industry is dying, sliding downward since the 2008 bust. As virtual meetings boom, actual convention attendance declines and convention centers sit empty across the nation. As the mismatch between supply and demand widens, Austin and other cities now have to give away the space for free to attract conventions and events. Only a handful of downtown luxury hotels and giant construction, engineering, and architecture firms benefit from digging The Magic Hole for the new convention center. People visit Austin, businesses locate here, and we live here because of Austin's water, parks, and local culture. Culture and nature-in-the city visitors generate far more of the $170 million per year hotel tax collections than the convention center ever did or ever will. We are rapidly losing the Soul of Austin because of blind greed and failed leadership and integrity at City Hall. But we can stop this massive, 30-year transfer of wealth from the local creatives and Austin places that we love and are losing. With 20,000 Austin voter signatures, we can force a public vote this November. That vote would pause construction of the new center and make funding available to support local culture and nature tourism Austin’s top hotel tax priority. Want to help? Contact SOS here or the Austin United PAC here to help gather the petition signatures we need. Learn more and contribute to Austin United PAC here. Watch and share Austin Free Press' The Magic Hole short documentary for the truth about this civic nightmare. It takes a community to save a community. Please join with us today, next week, and until we have the petition certified.  No Sewage in Barton Creek: Help Pass SB 1911Senator Eckhardt has filed a bill to protect Texas’ last remaining pristine streams, including Barton Creek and Onion Creek, from new pollution due to the discharge of treated municipal sewage. SB 1911 would discontinue TCEQ’s ability to issue wastewater discharge permits, also known as TPDES permits, into Texas streams that have very low concentrations of phosphorus to protect their crystal clear waters and prevent algae blooms. You can read the text of SB 1911 here and check out an article featuring some of SOS’s partner organizations that describes the issues with wastewater discharges in the Texas Hill Country at this link. Please take a few minutes to express support for this bill by emailing:
What makes this American eel sighting so remarkable is the extraordinary migration and biology that made it possible. Their journey from the Sargasso sea to our springs is a feat of survival, swimming entirely upstream and crossing dams, levees, and drought-stricken areas. They can breathe through their skin for several hours in wet conditions, which could explain how this particular eel navigated to the springs' waters after recent rainfall across Central Texas. READ MORE HERE
 Nico Hauwert's sold out Eco-tour last week was epic! We ventured to secret caves and springs, where Nico shared expertise on dye tracing and the complexity of our aquifer system.  Don’t miss what’s ahead! Grab your tickets now for upcoming Eco-tours, including the first Barton Springs snorkeling adventure of the season in just two weeks, featuring some of Austin’s most amazing environmental leaders as our guides.
At Save Our Springs, we’re fighting to protect what makes this city livable, lovable, and unique. But we can’t do it without your support. If you believe in defending Austin’s soul over corporate spectacle, please consider donating today. Your gift helps fund our legal work, education programs, and campaigns to stop wasteful projects and salvage our natural and cultural heritage.
In Solidarity, SOS Alliance   A remarkable biological encounter occurred at Barton Springs Pool on April 22, 2025. While diving near the spring vent just west of the diving board, EMS educator, Search and Rescue Operations Specialist, and longtime regular swimmer, Bill Hanson, caught a glimpse of the elusive American eel (Anguilla rostrata). Although 2 resident eels thrived in the springs for over a decade, they have not been observed in the Springs in several years, and populations are in steep decline across much of their habitat range. “As I was descending toward the cave, I saw the head of a large fish emerge from the opening,” Hanson recalled. “The body following behind this fish’s head kept coming, relentlessly. I finally accepted that what I was seeing was a 3–4 foot, beautiful blue eel.” Hanson, who has been swimming at Barton Springs for nearly 17 years, had never seen anything like it there. “It swam northeast, undaunted and calm… kind of a battleship-blue, without a blemish on its skin.” By the time he surfaced and alerted others, the eel had disappeared. Two additional sightings were reported later that week by Barton Springs "regulars", and these sightings have sparked wonder and excitement. “Eels remind us that nature is still full of mystery,” says Dr. Melanie Stiassny, a leading ichthyologist at the American Museum of Natural History. “Their story is one of the most extraordinary in the animal kingdom.” The American eel spends most of its life in freshwater before migrating to spawn thousands of miles to the Sargasso Sea, a warm, gyre-bound region of the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas. After hatching, the leaf-like larvae drift in the ocean currents for up to a year before transforming into transparent “glass eels” and making their way inland via rivers and streams. Once in freshwater, they develop into yellowish pigmented “elvers,” eventually maturing into adults and living in lakes, estuaries, or springs for 30 years (or more) before returning to the Sargasso Sea to breed and then presumably die.  Student views a live American eel at Barton Springs University The complex life cycle of this fish faces dangers around every bend. Dams and levees block upstream migration routes, urban development degrades freshwater habitats, and pollution affects water quality. Commercial overfishing, particularly of juvenile eels in the glass eel stage, has also dramatically reduced populations. Moreover, the species has never successfully reproduced in captivity, which limits recovery efforts. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American eel populations have declined by over 80% in some regions since the 1970s and in 2014, they were officially listed as endangered by the IUCN. Since American eels are mostly nocturnal and avoid light, they are rarely observed in the wild, making any sighting significant. So, how did the eel end up in the Springs? American eels possess the ability to breathe through their skin, a trait known as cutaneous respiration. This allows them to leave the water for several hours and travel short distances across wet land, which may explain how the recent rains enabled this individual to access the Springs. The reappearance of the American eel at Barton Springs is a signal of hope. As an indicator species, the eel reflects the health of these waters and offers proof that the pathways between the sea and the Springs have endured despite the age of concrete and control. Hanson, known for his love for all things wild at Barton Springs (he even attempted a Heimlich maneuver on a fish choking on a crawdad), sees the eel’s presence as a reminder that even in urbanized landscapes, nature still has the capacity to surprise us, “It reminded me how little we really know about what shares this water with us.” The eel has returned to Barton Springs, one more reason Barton Springs remains a place of awe. Who will be among the few lucky enough to see it?
Eel paintings by Kate Csillagi, SOS Communications Director.
 This Thursday the Austin City Council will consider approving $40 million to destroy our historic Zilker Park bridge over Barton Creek and replace it with a giant, ugly, highway bridge.
Please sign up to speak here, on Item 50, either in person or by call in, and please send an email to City Council today here telling them to stop the madness and protect the historic Barton Springs Road Bridge, Barton Creek and Zilker Park. Please take a few minutes to read the details here, spread this email to your friends and if at all possible please plan to be there at City Hall this Thursday at 10:00 to defend our City's natural and cultural heritage (once again). Top Reasons to Save Our Historic Zilker Park Bridge 1. The Bridge is a Historic City Treasure and Should Be Maintained and Protected Forever. The beautiful, historic Zilker Bridge is one of many in central Austin from the early 20th Century. More than 25 of these bridges, including the Lamar Bridge over Lady Bird Lake that the City once tried to destroy and replace, are found from East Austin to downtown, from Hyde Park, and the Shoal and Waller,Creek watersheds to the Blunn, and Bouldin Creek watersheds in south Austin. These historic bridges are all built in a common, arching style, and with the concrete and building techniques developed since the ancient Roman Empire that make them "forever bridges." Yes, forever, if you care enough to say no to the lies, greed, and demands to erase our history and heritage that now run rampant at City Hall. The Zilker Bridge over Barton Creek is a public treasure and is included as a contributing feature to the Zilker Park National Register Historic District. The bridge should be completely off limits to anything but love and caring. Replacing the bridge with a bigger, uglier highway bridge will also do real damage to Zilker Park, Barton Creek, and the hike and bike trail. It will destroy part of the Vara Daniel State designated Archeological District that covers much of Zilker Park and runs along the northwest bank of Barton Creek. And it remove the beautiful bridge views long loved by canoists, kayakers, paddle boarders, walkers, runners, and swimmers who play in and along Barton Creek below the bridge and pass over the creek on the pedestrian bridge. 2. City Staff Lied That the Historic Bridge is Frail and Cannot Be Maintained Without Spending More Than the Cost of Destroying and Replacing It. City Staff lied repeatedly to City Council and the public that the historic Zilker bridge was frail and would cost tens of millions to repair and maintain. Austin structural engineer Tom Kam, who has actually built bridges for the City of Austin in his 40 year career, debunked this claim by simply reading their own technical reports. These reports determined a "fair" condition for the bridge, that the vertical supports in the creek and the arches were solid, and that only the horizontal decking needs attention. Staff falsely (and absurdly) claimed that the only way to repair the decking was to set off a series of small explosions to remove the decking and replace it entirely. Mr. Kam visually inspected the decking, which is easily done by walking on the trails on both sides of Barton Creek, directly under the bridge. Go see for yourself. It doesn't take an engineer to see that the bridge decking is in good shape. Every bridge needs attention, but the City has neglected the bridge upkeep for too many years. Meanwhile, the cost to demolish and replace the bridge keeps going up from $20 million to the $40 million current price tag. 3. The Real Agenda is To Replace Zilker Park With a Forever LiveNation - Ticketmaster Controlled Outdoor Entertainment District. This $ 40 million plan to destroy our historic bridge is the first major move to resurrect the LiveNation-driven plan to convert Zilker Park into an outdoor entertainment district. Destroying the historic bridge and replacing it with a much bigger bridge provides cover for stringing sewer and water pipes, power lines, and telecommunications cabling on the underside of the new bridge to serve LiveNation/ACL's 75,000 customers per day and the proposed year-around concert venue. A new bridge would allow overloading of concrete and steel hauling trucks to build parking garages, temporary and permanent stages, and 3 other new bridges pushed for the Zilker Park. 4. The New False Claims Suggest the Historic Bridge is Dangerous to Cars, Bikes and Pedestrians. It's Not. With Mr. Kam and others debunking the false claim that the bridge is frail and cannot be saved without blowing it up, staff now argues that the road, as it passes over the bridge is "out of line" and "obsolete," and does not meet "current design standards." They strongly hint without directly claiming that the bridge is dangerous. That's because there are no statistics identifying the bridge as high on traffic accidents . Yes, there is a very slight turn in Barton Springs Road as it crosses the creek. But none of our streets are straight lines and there is no case to be made that the bridge alignment causes any problems. Further, the recent Barton Springs Road safety changes dedicate one car lane of the bridge to bike lanes and has been declared an overall success for managing traffic. The car/bike/pedestrian conflicts are now vastly improved -- and car traffic is slowed down by the changes to make it even safer for bikes, peds and cars entering and leaving the park. The simple fact is that the bridge is safe and should be loved and maintained as long as Austin exists. Its time to say no to the greed of construction firms and Live Nation, and the willingness of City Staff to tells lies and mislead to serve their interests. Please sign up, show up, and speak out!! Save Our Historic Zilker Park Bridge!  The proposed 8-mile expansion of MoPac South is one of the greatest threats we've seen to Barton Springs, Barton Creek, and the Edwards Aquifer in recent years. Its years-long construction and expanded footprint will harm our air and water quality, the health of the students at Austin High School, and critical habitat for the endangered Barton Springs and Austin Blind Salamanders. Yet, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) has repeatedly denied public access to critical environmental and traffic modeling data that they are using to justify the highway expansion. That's why we're suing them. Last Friday, we filed suit against the CTRMA to force the release of this public information. CTRMA is claiming that they are not obligated to release this information under the so-called “deliberative process privilege,” a claim that directly contradicts Texas case law. This privilege applies only to internal policy discussions, not to factual and technical reports that form the basis of policy decisions. The CTRMA cannot selectively disclose information, while withholding the underlying information. “This is about accountability,” Bunch added. “The public has a right to know the basis for a massive, proposed toll road expansion located directly on top of multiple and highly vulnerable public trust resources. By state law and basic principles of good government, the CTRMA can’t pretend they want help from the public in evaluating the proposed project and potential alternatives but then keep secret almost all of the information they are relying on." Stay up to date and consider making a donation to support our efforts to fight the Mopac South expansion at KeepMopacLocal.org. You can read the full press release HERE and the KXAN article on the lawsuit HERE. The lawsuit in its entirety is also available HERE. Please take action below to ensure the MoPac South expansion is removed from the CAMPO 2050 Regional Plan!  TAKE ACTION: Environmentally-Focused Comments Needed for New Transportation Plan The next long-range transportation plan for the Austin region is being considered by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), a regional body that decides how federal and state dollars are spent on local transportation projects. There is an ongoing open house for the new 2050 Regional Transportation Plan which ends April 15, 2025. Submit comments now! We need your help speaking up for the environment. New and expanded roads have an enormous impact on our region’s air and water quality, yet the plan would expand regional road capacity by 26% with no plans for environmental mitigation. Here’s an interactive map of the new roads and expansions. The plan includes the horrible new expansions of Mopac South, RM 1826, and RM 620. These planned expansions are based on outdated data that don’t reflect the new “post-pandemic normal” of increased telecommuting and hybrid workplaces. The draft plan also includes new roads that will drive development over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and other environmentally sensitive areas. The proposed extension of RM 150 around Dripping Springs—a giant gift for developers. And, it includes the extensions of Yarrington Road west of Kyle and a new western loop around San Marcos that will fuel growth over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zones. The Actions:
Where: 5330 Bluffstone Lane, Austin, TX 78759 *Must sign up to speak in advance. Contact Your Elected Officials. Send an email to your elected officials with your comments. The CAMPO Policy Transportation Board includes representatives from most of the local cities and counties. These include Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes and Council Members Laine, Siegel and Qadri; Travis County, Judge Andy Brown, Commissioners Howard and Travillion, and Amy Patillo; Hays County, Comm. Debbie Ingalsbe.  Help Protect Barton Creek Habitat Preserve from Polluted Wastewater An Austin developer is seeking a wastewater permit from TCEQ to serve a development that would include six high-rise condo buildings, a hotel, and a distillery next to Barton Creek Habitat Preserve, Central Texas’ largest nature preserve, important habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler, and vital safeguard for water quality in Barton Creek. The permit, if issued, would allow poorly treated sewage to be irrigated on a field that sits directly upslope from Barton Creek. Any runoff of pollutants would go directly into Barton Creek. Learn more about the permit by taking a look at the application materials and draft permit HERE. Join us in opposing this wastewater permit by making comments during the public meeting next Tuesday, April 8th at 7pm at the Hotel Viata, Juniper Ballroom, 320 S. Capital of Texas Highway West Lake Hills, TX 78746. You can also submit written comments before the end of the public meeting using the link below! Enter the permit number associated which is WQ0016547001  Join Us for Upcoming April Eco-toursWe’ve been having a blast in the woods and our newly flowing creeks, getting dirty and learning so much with new friends. Now, it's your turn to join us for two incredible eco-tours this April! Sunday, April 13th, 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM – Hike & Swim the Barton Creek Wilderness Park with the Envirobabes! (Optional vanpool from SOS office at 8 AM) Join us for a guided hike and swim of the beautiful upper Barton Creek waterfalls, including the legendary Sculpture Falls (fingers crossed for rain!). Special guest Michelle Camp, Save Barton Creek Association Board Treasurer and sustainable water tech expert, will join us for an unforgettable day in nature. During the hike I will share a bit about how the Wilderness Park became included in the Greenbelt parkland (hint: it was the work of amazing conservationists just like you!) and the lore around the notorious Edwin Foster, mid century WWII inventor turned landowner who made many, uh...alterations...of the creek during his tenure! Sunday, April 27th, 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM – Hike & Swim the Barton Creek Wilderness Park & Sculpture Falls! (Optional vanpool from SOS office at 8 AM) Join SOS field guides and special guests for a guided hike and optional swim/snorkel in the stunning waterfalls of Upper Barton Creek. Explore the rich history and ecology of the Greenbelt, and discover how Barton Creek plays a crucial role in recharging the Edwards Aquifer. Learn about the wildlife, plant life, and geology that make this area so unique, and get tips on how you can help keep Barton Creek and Barton Springs clean and healthy for future generations of Austinites. As we face unprecedented challenges—from the fight to stop the MoPac expansion to preventing wastewater in Barton Creek--your support is more crucial than ever. The best way to make an immediate impact is by becoming a sustaining, monthly donor. By backing SOS, you are supporting our legal efforts, environmental advocacy, and scientific research that keep Austin green, beautiful, and livable.
Together for Change, SOS Alliance  Barton Springs Flows Remain Critically Low - Even after the two-week closure intended for cleaning and maintenance, Barton Springs is experiencing an alarming accumulation of algae. With flow levels at just 17 cubic feet per second (cfs) — well below the historical average of 66 cfs — management has been unable to lower water levels. The endangered salamanders cannot withstand further reductions in water levels when flows are already so low. Without the ability to lower pool levels, management is unable to unclog the shallow end drain (which is clogged again) or perform essential silt removal and deep cleaning. Despite some rain over the past few weeks, the Texas Hill Country remains on the verge of Stage IV drought according to the latest update from BSEACD. Conditions are likely to become worse, with March forecasted to be hotter and drier than normal. Ways To Help - While we push for stronger policies on municipal conservation, water reuse, and sustainable development, individual action remains essential. Real change happens when concerned citizens and water stewards take charge, making smart choices in our homes, businesses, and communities.
Water is our most precious resource—how we use it today determines our future. Your support helps us push for stronger water protections, take legal action when necessary, and expand our efforts to educate more people about Barton Springs and our unique watersheds in Central Texas.  Celebrate World Water Day with SOS Celebrate World Water Day 2025 with Save Our Springs as we hike the beautiful waterfalls along the Barton Creek Greenbelt this Saturday, March 22nd! Join SOS field guides and special guest, Andrew Harrod of Save Barton Creek Association to learn more about the ecology and history of the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Andrew Harrod grew up exploring Austin’s parks, which inspired him to study Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M. After 13+ years teaching science, he transitioned to a career in natural resources, working with Austin Wildland Conservation and the Texas Wildlife Association. Now, as VP of Programs for Save Barton Creek Association, Andrew is a passionate advocate for protecting our water resources and loves sharing his knowledge as a Capital Area Master Naturalist. Fun Fact from Andrew: Did you know that Barton Creek sits at the meeting point of three major ecoregions—the Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie, and Edwards Plateau? This unique convergence means you'll see Hill Country plants like Ashe juniper and mountain laurel, but as you get closer to the Colorado River, a whole new world of flora emerges—oak trees, sycamores, and even palmettos!
Check out the remaining SOS Eco-tours for March! Don't miss your opportunity to see the incredible beauty of upper Barton Creek and learn about the creation of the Greenbelt from experts in the field of wildlife and conservation.
 Last week, we had an important victory in our ongoing lawsuit against the proposed expansion of I-35 in Central Austin, Rethink35 et al v. TxDOT. To strengthen our case, we enlisted the expertise of Krish Vijayaraghavan, a nationally recognized environmental expert with over 20 years of experience. His analysis confirmed something alarming: PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) pollution levels in the project area already exceed the EPA’s updated safety standard of 9.0 µg/m³, finalized just last year. This means the proposed expansion could worsen air quality, further endangering Austin residents—especially those in historically Black and Latino neighborhoods already facing high rates of respiratory illness.Although TxDOT’s attorneys tried to block Mr. Vijayaraghavan’s testimony, the court ruled in our favor, ensuring that his critical findings remain part of the case. This ruling is a win for transparency and accountability, and it gives us important momentum as we push for a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to fully assess the project’s potential harm to Austin’s communities. We’re now entering the final stages of this lawsuit, and the next few weeks will be pivotal. This effort has been fueled by the hard work and resources of our community, especially Rethink35 and our co-plaintiffs. But we can’t finish this fight without your help. If you believe in fighting for cleaner air and water, healthier neighborhoods, and a better future for Austin, please consider making a donation to help finish this lawsuit. Let’s push for a better future together.  Don’t let the rain over the past couple of weeks fool you. The Texas Hill County is still in a drought with flows from Barton Springs barely above the threshold for Stage IV drought. The Barton Springs discharge flow rate is a shocking 12 cubic feet per second according to the current USGS water data, with the average being 66 cfs. With March expected to be hotter and drier than normal, every drop counts. Please join us in continuing to conserve water as much as possible by following these simple tips. Our aquifers, springs, and endangered salamanders depend on your actions. Additionally, consider taking advantage of residential rebate programs that save water and money: Austin Water Rebates LCRA Service Area Rebates City of Kyle Rebates Stay informed by reading the latest drought update from BSEACD and make sure you're doing your part to conserve and protect our precious water.  SOS is Now on Bluesky and Meetup!We’re expanding our reach! Follow us on Bluesky (our handle is @ savoursprings.bsky.social) It's a great alternative to the Meta monopoly—where we’ll be posting updates, actions, and news more regularly. Join us on Meetup to stay up to date on eco-tours, snorkel adventures, and other upcoming events. Let’s connect, explore, and protect our springs together! Follow us on Bluesky here Join our Meetup group here  Explore Barton Creek with Us! We kicked off our first eco-tour of the season this past Saturday in honor of International Women’s Day, and it was an incredible experience! Huge thanks to Kirstin Boyd-Farmer of Westcave Preserve for leading the way. Don't miss our upcoming adventures: Saturday, March 22 – Hill of Life Trailhead: Upper falls Hike & Swim with Andrew Harrod of Save Barton Creek Association Sunday, March 30 – Lost Creek Greenbelt Trailhead to Upper Falls with Ed Crowell, SBCA board member and author of Barton Creek (2019) As we face unprecedented challenges, it’s clear that the fight for our future depends on each of us showing up with resolve, compassion, and unity. Stay tuned for updates on our lawsuits and how you can help. For now, your support allows us to continue our critical work.
Onwards, SOS Alliance  YOU DID IT! In 24 hours, we raised $15,510 -- the largest Amplify Austin Day total in our history, surpassing our previous record by over $5,000! We are beyond grateful. This record-breaking success would not have been possible without YOUR SUPPORT! Thank you for your generosity and for believing in our mission.  We want to give another big shoutout to the folks at I Live Here I Give Here for making this day of giving possible year after year. Also a every donation will be matched 50% by the Kirk Mitchell Environmental Law Fund! Together, with our incredible community of supporters like you, we are able to expand our team of lawyers & educators, as well as turn our Eco-tour "SalaVander" into a billboard for SOS on wheels, bringing in new members from across the region.
Your continued loyal support drives the fight to protect Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, and the Texas Hill Country for decades to come. In Gratitude, SOS Alliance |
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