Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Polar Bear Splash at Barton Springs! It was incredible to see Austinites of all ages—and entire families—come together to dive into our home waters and kick off the New Year with energy and joy. We estimated over 3,000 people in attendance! This 45-year tradition has grown into something truly special, reminding us of the resilience and connection that make Austin so unique. Barton Springs is the heart of our city, and this event is more than a daring leap—it’s a celebration of the community that rallies to protect it. We are all part of the growing strain on our limited water and natural areas, so this time-honored tradition is an opportunity to get involved with SOS to be a part of the solution. ​

Milestone is pressuring Austin to extend water and wastewater services to a 498-acre development, known as Hays Commons, outside city limits in the environmentally sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. They’re also seeking change to the Save Our Springs (SOS) Ordinance for their property! The SOS Ordinance protects Barton Springs and endangered species from groundwater contamination. The Hays Commons SOS Amendment would threaten water quality, set a dangerous precedent for future projects in the Recharge Zone, and undermine Austin’s long-standing environmental protections and sustainable growth goals. 
On Tuesday, January 14, at 6 PM at Austin City Hall, the Planning Commission will decide whether to grant an unprecedented exception to the SOS Ordinance to allow the Hays Commons development to increase impervious cover from 15% to 25% over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone - that's 88 total acres (over 66 football fields) of pavement. This exception would set a dangerous precedent, weaken protections for our water, and jeopardize Barton Springs and local drinking water wells.
Why is this important?

• Hays Commons is in the worst possible location. It sits directly over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, where pollutants can easily flow into the aquifer, contaminating water supplies and threatening Barton Springs.
• This is about greed, not need. The developer, Milestone Community Builders, is asking Austin to abandon its long-standing water protection rules to maximize profit at the expense of public health and the environment.
• The SOS Ordinance is at risk. If this exception is approved, it will pave the way for more developments to demand similar concessions, undermining decades of water protection efforts.

Your voice is critical to stop this. A strong community presence can show the Planning Commission that we won’t stand by while our water and springs are put in jeopardy for profit.
Let’s protect Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer together. Join us on January 14th at 6 PM at Austin City Hall and make your voice heard!
When: Tuesday, January 28th at 6pm (this is the RESCHEDULED DATE)
Where: Austin City Hall (301 West Second Street)
Must sign up to speak before 5:30pm on Tuesday. See links for info below

Stop the Mopac South Expansion: Comment by January 28thHelp us stop the destructive Mopac South expansion! This project would add up to 7 lanes, pollute the Edwards Aquifer, harm endangered species, and disrupt Zilker Park—all for just 5 minutes saved in commute time.
 What’s at Stake?
The proposed expansion adds up to 7 lanes of pavement to MoPac, stretching from Cesar Chavez to Slaughter Lane. This destructive project would:

• Pollute the Edwards Aquifer: More pavement means more polluted runoff into Barton Springs and our drinking water.
• Harm Endangered Species: Barton Springs and Austin Blind Salamanders are at risk from sedimentation and pollution.
• Damage Zilker Park & Lady Bird Lake: New bridges would increase noise, clear trees, and disrupt wildlife and parkland.
• Increase Traffic, Not Solve It: The “induced demand” effect means more lanes = more cars, making congestion worse.
• Endanger Neighborhoods & Schools: Austin High School and nearby neighborhoods will see worsened air quality and noise.

All this destruction for only 5 minutes of saved commute time during rush hour! Please submits comments and demand a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to ensure public input and protect our environment. Don’t wait. 

Join us for the Open House TODAY, Monday, December 9, 2024 at 5:30PM
Austin High School Cafeteria1715 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78703

The Mopac South expansion project (yes, the one we helped halt in 2015) is back and CTRMA is charging forward. The proposal includes up to 7 additional lanes in some locations and wastes million of dollars on yet another lengthy and damaging construction projection.  The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) is bypassing a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which could significantly impact the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Whirlpool Cave, and endangered species like the Austin Blind Salamander. PLEASE COME OUT TODAY at 5:30pm at Austin High School in the cafeteria to find out more about the proposal, and ask CTRMA questions. We will need to show in full force today and for the foreseeable future to hold the CTRMA accountable and prevent unnecessary harm in the name of saving 5 minutes in traffic.
"More road lane access would continue the exploitation of the Hill Country, the headwaters of our creeks, and home of endangered species. The CTRMA and TDOT must recognize the marginal utility of new roads and expand their mandate to include mass transit such as light rail and commuter rail. An Environmental Impact Statement is required."
- Austin Sierra Club

Why Attend the Meeting?

• CTRMA is moving forward without a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), despite demands from Travis County and environmental leaders that say we NEED it.
• The expansion offers only a 5-minute travel time reduction. We want to hear from you - it worth the cost and environmental harm? What are the alternatives?
• This expansion, along with Hays County’s proposal to connect SH 45 to I-35, would increase overall traffic, turning Mopac from a local commuter highway into an alternative I-35

​More Ways to Speak OutWe need a wave of public comments demanding that the CTRMA hit the brakes on this reckless expansion and explore a "low-build" alternative that focuses on strategic upgrades rather than a massive widening. Think . . . improved lane efficiency, better public transit, and targeted improvements that don't sacrifice our environment for a few extra miles of asphalt.
The deadline is December 29th at midnight, so we don't have a moment to lose. Will you take a few minutes right now to submit a comment and make your voice heard?

Together, we can guide the CTRMA toward a solution that considers the integrity and protection for the heart of Austin – our clean water, fresh air, and natural spaces.
We will see you tonight at the meeting, please spread the word!
- SOS Alliance

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! We are psyched to invite you to our annual Save Our Springs Holiday Party, happening Friday, December 6th, from 6 to 11 PM at the historic American Legion Charles Johnson House (404 Atlanta Street).
This event is more than a party—it’s a gathering of everyone who shares a love for Austin’s waters, parks, and communities. Last year, we had so much fun together, and we can’t wait to do it all again!
 Live Austin Music: Dance to the tunes of legendary local musicians.
 Delicious Tamales: Enjoy handmade tamales while catching up with friends.
 Face Painting for Kids: Fun for all ages!
 Silent Auction: Bid on local art, unique experiences, and more.
 Special Presentation: Hear the latest updates on SOS’s work, including highlights from this year and what’s next for Central Texas water, democracy, and parks.

Oppose the Water Management Plans this Thursday!Speak up against the upcoming water management plans that will ultimately shape our water future at the City Council meeting this Thursday, November 21, at 10:00 AM. Oppose Items 3 and 4 to adopt the updated 100-Year Water Forward Plan and Water Conservation Plan, which include significant changes that concern utility customers like you! 
Three Reasons to Oppose the Plans:

1. RISING UTILITY BILLS
The Water Forward Plan proposes costly infrastructure projects, such as Aquifer Storage and Recovery and an additional water treatment plant, which will likely result in significant utility rate hikes for Austin Water customers (YOU!).

2. WEAK CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
The plans underestimate the potential of traditional and cost-effective water conservation approaches, such as robust public awareness and education programs, that have successfully achieved substantial water savings in Austin’s past. 

3. LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
The process of updating these plans has lacked sufficient clarity in justifying these large-scale projects. Additionally, there has been inadequate data explaining why customer engagement in rebate and incentive programs has been so severely low. 

Join us to hold Austin Water accountable and ensure that water management strategies reflect our community's needs. Let’s make our voices heard for a water future that prioritizes affordability, sustainability, and accountability. Contact Tanzia at [email protected] if you have any questions or need assistance! 

WHEN: Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.
WHAT: Oppose Items 3 and 4
WHO: Austin Water
HOW: Sign up HERE to speak remotely or in person 

Toll Agency Kicks Off Mopac South Public Input Charade​

Last Tuesday at the Austin High School Cafeteria our local toll road agency, the CTRMA, released their updated proposal to add 2 toll lanes each way on Mopac, from Cesar Chavez to Slaughter Lane.  The event kicked off an initial public comment period that runs through December 29th.  

While they sought to sugar coat the whole thing, a close look at the diagrams showed they are really proposing to add 6 to 7 new lanes of pavement on Mopac, not 4 lanes (2 each way).  This image shows what's proposed for the bridge over Lady Bird Lake--expanding from the 7 lanes that currently exist on the Lady Bird Lake bridge to a 13 lane bridge.  Every inch of the bridge right of way over the lake, through Zilker Park, and on top of Austin High School would be paved.  

The CTRMA dishonesty is further illustrated by their refusal to use the word "toll."  They are now "express" lanes, not toll lanes.  While pretending to "respond to public input," they are actually going in the opposite direction -- make the project bigger, more costly, and more environmentally damaging.  

Mark your calendar to attend a December 9th 5:30 p.m. community-hosted meeting on the proposed project, also set for the Austin High cafeteria.  That's the time to learn the important details, ask questions, hear from SOS and other community groups, and also hear the concerns of Austin ISD leaders and opposition of the Travis County Commissioners Court.  The project was shelved in 2015 after a community show of force against it.  We can force it back into hiding again if enough people stand up against this monstrosity.  

Together we can Keep Mopac Local -- for local commuters-- and not convert it into a western Interstate 35 with interregional and interstate car and truck traffic.  

State tuned and see us on December 9th at Austin High at 5:30.  

Location Correction on Mopac South Open HouseThe updated location of the Open House for the resurrected proposal to expand Mopac South is the Austin High School Cafeteria (1715 W. Cesar Chavez St. Austin, TX 78703), November 12th at 5pm - PLEASE ATTEND. We need a strong turnout to show unified opposition to the CTRMA's proposal to add 4 more lanes to Mopac within 1,200 feet of Barton Springs. We are joining Travis County's call for the CTRMA to complete a full Environmental Impact Statement, as required by federal law, before proceeding with the project. This Open House kicks off a public comment period on the Mopac South expansion plan that runs through December 29th.  We killed this terrible project in 2015 and with your help we can do it again. Stay tuned for the re-launch of KeepMopacLocal.org, which will have updates and action alerts. 

Austin Council Drops Latest Attack on Citizen Initiative and Recall Petition Rights; Approves South Congress SkyscraperYesterday the Austin City Council withdrew its proposed ordinance erecting delays and roadblocks to citizen initiative and recall petition rights under the Austin City Charter.  The action came after SOS attorneys told the council the ordinance violated the Austin City Charter and state law.  It's not clear if this latest City Council attack on Austin's already very limited rights of direct democracy will come back at a later date.  
​
The City Council also gave final approval for a 480 foot skyscraper to be built with zero setback from the South Congress sidewalk, just south of the world famous bat bridge. The approved tower would block and disrupt views along Congress on both sides of the river.  The 0.8 acre tract, located where the current Firestone tire shop sits, is allowed 95% impervious cover and with no on site park or heat island protection requirements.   But hey, Mayor Watson and the city council members will tell you how much they care about protecting our lake and climate with good planning. 

Get ready for a much needed uplifting holiday party in Austin, hosted by Save Our Springs Alliance! Save the Date for Friday, December 6th, from 6 to 11 pm, at the historic American Legion Charles Johnson House (404 Atlanta Street).

This year, we're celebrating all things local, featuring delicious homemade tamales, incredible music from legendary Austin musicians, and the company of the most interesting folks from our beloved city. Plus, we're gearing up for our best silent auction and food drive. 

Event Highlights:
*Locally Sourced: Connect with the most interesting folks from our beloved city and celebrate the spirit of community at our Silent Auction filled with local art and unique gifts and services from your favorite Austin businesses
*Delicious Food: Indulge in a feast of delicious homemade tamales, showcasing the best flavors Austin has to offer.
*Legendary Music: Immerse yourself in the sounds of Austin with live performances by renowned local musicians.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Please fill out this quick form to let us know how you can help.SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE!!!

SOS Goes to Texas Supreme Court Tuesday, October 1stTOMORROW, Tuesday, October 1st, the Texas Supreme Court will hear arguments in Save Our Springs Alliance v. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This case could decide the future of Onion Creek, the primary source of recharge for Barton Springs, as Dripping Springs seeks permission to dump over 800,000 gallons of treated sewage daily into the creek.

Earlier this summer, the Court agreed to review the case, a rare move and a significant step in our fight to protect the region’s water quality. A favorable ruling would overturn the Court of Appeals' 2:1 decision against us.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. If we lose, the creek—and Barton Springs—could face irreversible damage. This is one of the rare cases the state’s highest court agreed to hear, so it’s a crucial opportunity to defend the integrity of our region’s water.
​
Please consider joining us in court tomorrow, Tuesday, October 1st at 9am. Oral arguments begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the SUPREME COURT BUILDING at 201 W. 14th Street (corner of 14th & Colorado). The Courtroom is located on the First Floor and parking is available in the State Visitor Parking Garage at 1201 San Jacinto, across the street from the Texas State Library and Archives. You can also watch the live stream here. 
Thank you for your support!

Help us Say "NO" to an SOS Ordinance Amendment for Hays Common!
Developer "Milestone" has proposed a new mega-development referred to as "Hays Commons" over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone (EARZ). This 497-acre development (southwest of the intersection of RM1626 and SH 45 SW) would put hundreds of new homes, along with new shops/businesses, in an area that our community has spent decades trying to protect--the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.

On Wednesday, October 2nd, the Austin Environmental Commission will consider a request of Milestone to initiate an amendment to the Save Our Springs Initiative Ordinance (the "SOS Ordinance"). This amendment would include raising the allowable impervious cover for the site from 15% Net Site Area to 25% NSA, increasing the amount of pavement allowed on the property by dozens of acres of impervious cover.

The SOS Ordinance protects groundwater from pollution in two important, inter-related ways: reducing the total impervious cover allowed on the site and requiring water quality treatment. These two provisions worth in tandem with one another to achieve non-degradation of the water before it makes its way into the Edwards Aquifer, which lacks natural filtration. 

The Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, which is the most environmentally sensitive area of the aquifer has the lowest limit of 15% Net Site Area. This is an intentional feature of the SOS Ordinance, as pollution discharged into this area of the Recharge Zone will make its way directly into Barton Springs (home to the endangered Austin Blind and Barton Springs Salamanders) within only 3-5 days. 

Changes in water quality would have a disastrous impact on groundwater quality and on these species. Raising impervious cover in this area will increase pollutants upstream of Barton Springs, increasing the risks of exposure of the salamanders to pesticides, fertilizers and other pollutants. 

Milestone is threatening the City of Austin. If the City doesn't provide it with water and wastewater, it will leave the City's jurisdiction and attempt to get permits to dump its sewage into Little Bear Creek and the Recharge Zone through spray irrigation. We need the City of Austin to hold strong and not give into these threats.  

For decades, we've been fighting behind the scenes to stop developments like this one. The SOS Ordinance is Austin’s strongest defense against reckless urban sprawl over critical water resources, and now it’s under attack. The Hays Commons proposal would lead to increased infrastructure costs, environmental degradation, and irreversible harm to our springs and creeks. We can’t let that happen.
​
Take action today by writing to the Environmental Commission and urging them to vote NO on the Hays Commons request to initiate this amendment to the SOS Ordinance. Read more about the proposal and write in using the button below.

On Thursday,  Travis County District Court Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ordered Mayor Watson and the Austin City Council to stop a November election on 13 proposed amendments to the Austin City Charter.  In granting Save  Our Springs Alliance request for a temporary injunction, Judge Guerra Gamble stated that the City Council's violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act in the course of calling the charter amendment elections were blatant and intentional.  Yesterday the City put out a press statement that they would not appeal the decision.  They will likely reschedule a charter amendment election for May or November of 2025.  

This was a huge win for open, transparent government and the rule of law.  We thank everyone who supported this effort.  We especially thank our lead attorney in this case, former Travis County Commissioners Court Judge Bill Aleshire and key consulting attorney, former SOS Board member Fred Lewis.  Read the Austin American Statesman story here .  And the Austin Free Press here for more on this case and the City Council's pattern of violating Texas' landmark open government law. 
​
Meanwhile, Barton Springs pool is closed, hopefully only for a few days.  Pool staff report that an old, unused drain pipe under the pool collapsed.  They estimate a few days is needed to fill in, or stabilize, the pool bottom.  It's terrible timing with the holiday weekend upon us.  A much bigger problem:  Barton Springs flows are now at 22 cubic feet per second, less than half of long time average flows.  Our water supply Highland Lakes are at 55% of storage capacity.  With climate change, our reliable water supplies are substantially reduced.  Yet our major water utilities -- Austin Water and LCRA -- and most of our smaller water suppliers, are spending billions to expand our water and wastewater facilities when we should be investing in the opposite path: conservation, efficiency, and reuse.  ​

We're excited to introduce SOS Environmental Attorney Victoria Rose (and kick off a new MEET OUR TEAM series). Rose has been an integral part of SOS since February 2022. With a deep passion for protecting our environment, Victoria’s work "locks in" with our mission. Her smile is golden, she is sharp as a tack, and her heart is with nature. 

Victoria is the lead attorney for a high profile case against Mirasol Springs which challenges the sprawling development near Hamilton Springs and Roy Creek, threatening several endangered species and the water quality in an extremely sensitive area. I sat down with Victoria to learn more about why she joined SOS and what makes her tick!

Why did you join SOS? I’m excited about SOS’s mission to protect water quality and wildlife through litigation while also working to educate the public. The kinds of cases that I’m getting to work on really remind of me of my initial inspiration for wanting to become an attorney, and its exciting to show up to work everyday.

What is the toughest part of the job? Waiting for a court’s decision in a case; I’m not good at waiting!

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? An elephant is eaten one bite at a time. Remembering this helps me to take huge, overwhelming projects and break them down into manageable tasks so that I don’t get too anxious or overwhelmed to work effectively.

What do you love most about what you do? I love having a job that aligns with my values and where I can work to protect the environment and the people and wildlife living in it. I also love the other people that work at SOS, and their excitement really keeps me going. 

Tell us a surprising or a fun fact about you. In college I worked for a lab that studied grasshopper mice and bark scorpions. Part of my job included collecting scorpions in the desert. We would go out at night with ziplock bags, forceps, and a black light to find scorpions. The scorpions would glow green under the blacklight, and then we would pick them up by the tail with the forceps and toss them in the ziplock bag. I am crazy good at scorpion catching.

Tell us about more about your role as an attorney at SOS, a case you’re working on, and what the ideal outcome is: While I work on a variety of cases, most of my cases center around challenging the issuance of a permit that would harm the environment. So, this includes challenging wastewater discharge permits and other kinds of permits at TCEQ and challenging groundwater production permits at groundwater conservation districts. The biggest case that I’m working on right now is our Mirasol Springs case, we are challenging two groundwater production permits, 1 wastewater permit, and 1 river diversion permit. The Mirasol Springs case also involves some endangered species work with the Texas fatmucket mussel and Pedernales River springs salamander. The ideal outcome of that case is the developer putting the entire parcel into a conservation easement in recognition of the sensitivity and rarity of the ecosystem on and near the proposed development. Alternatively, it would be great to see the development scaled back a lot and for the development to be served 100% by rainwater and beneficial reuse of wastewater. 

Why did you want to become an environmental attorney? I was always interested in becoming an attorney, perhaps from watching too much Law and Order, and I was always interested in the outdoors and nature and science. For a long time I didn’t have a plan to combine these two interests, but my undergraduate environmental law and ecology courses showed me how I could combine my interests and work towards helping people as an environmental attorney, and I have been on that course ever since.

What’s your favorite “Bill Bunchism”? “Pollution delayed is pollution denied.” It helps me to remember that even when cases are tough or take a long time, we are still protecting the aquifer and springs by keeping pollution out of them for the time being.

We're incredibly grateful for Victoria’s hard work and passion for protecting our springs and wildlife. Thank you, Victoria, for everything you do!