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.  
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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.
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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.
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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. 
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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!

At Wednesday's special Austin City Council "Budget" meeting, the City Council first voted on placing 13 proposed amendments to the Austin City Charter on the November ballot. These will appear at the very bottom of the ballot, below votes for Mayor and 5 of the 10 city council seats.  There was 5 minutes of discussion before the vote to call the election.   

Never heard of the proposed city charter amendments?  Or only heard a bit about the proposals to reduce direct democracy by making it harder for citizen petitions for initiative and recall.  That's the basic idea -- minimize public awareness of these moves that will reduce City Council and City Manager accountability to voters, while hoping the noise and distraction of an enormous November ballot keeps voters uninformed.  

Public notice on these actions was minimal and Mayor Watson made sure that public discussion and public comment on the proposals was minimized.  While some of the proposed amendments -- including ones to make it harder to petition ordinances like the SOS ordinance onto the ballot (Prop. G) and to make it almost impossible to petition a recall election (Prop H)-- were subject to a Charter Review Commission process, many were added at the last minute by city staff and supported by the city council.  For the ones subject to the Commission review, the City Council told the Commission upfront to gut voter initiative and recall powers at the outset.  (Only Councilmembers Makenzie Kelly and Alison Alter opposed placing some of the more offensive amendments on the ballot.) 
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We urge either voting "NO" on all of the proposed amendments, or vote "NO" on all but Prop I, which is the only measure that would strengthen City Hall accountability by having the City Attorney appointed by the City Council instead of the City Manager.  This proposal barely lost in a previous charter amendment election.  
Read the ordinance calling the November 5 election HERE and stay tuned for further information. Meanwhile, tell your Austin voting friends to "just vote no thank you, on amending the Austin City Charter." ​

On Tuesday, August 13, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted to place a $440 million  road bond on the November ballot. The bond package includes over $200 million in funding for new and expanded roads over and upstream of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. Many of these projects are designed to serve Hill Country developers and will only make traffic worse for current Hays County residents.

If approved by Hays County voters, the road bonds would trigger an average tax increase of $80 per year for Hays County homeowners. Given the current economic climate, with inflation and rising living costs, the decision to increase taxes is a real brain-fart moment for a Commissioners Court that was supposed to be better than their predecessors.

Virtually no one in Hays County was aware of the proposed bond package until early last week. Once the word got out, the environmental community united to ask that any bond proposal be postponed until next year, following a public stakeholder process to select the best projects for Hays County. Taxpayer and transportation advocates also urged the Hays County Commissioners Courts to postpone. The Commissioners ignored these requests from dozens of individuals and organizations.

The bond package, if approved by Hays County voters, includes funding for a “Dripping Springs Bypass,” an extension of RM150 west of its current terminus at RM 12 that will do nothing for traffic congestion. The only purpose of this southwest Dripping Springs loop is to open up vast areas in the upper Onion Creek watershed for new development.

Additionally, there is $7.5 million to support an extension of SH 45 SW through both Hays and Travis counties. Travis County Commissioners and environmental advocates have long opposed this project because, if built, it would convert Mopac from a local commuter highway into an alternative “I35 West,” diverting interstate and interregional traffic onto the Edwards Aquifer and through Zilker Park. If approved, the bond would also fund several other new “greenfield” roads aimed to unlock land over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone west of Kyle and Buda.
Not all the projects included are bad—some will address safety concerns and serve the rapid development along the I-35 corridor. No one objected to these projects, but the Hays County Judge and Commissioners bundled the bad with the good, giving voters no choice but to say “yes” or “no.”
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SOS urges its Hays County supporters to vote “NO” on the road bonds this November. If defeated, the County Commissioners can do what was asked of them: appoint a citizen bond advisory committee to develop a bond package that meets transportation needs while protecting the beautiful and vulnerable Hill Country waters that feed San Marcos Springs, Barton Springs, Onion Creek, Barton Creek, and the Blanco River.

Thanks to YOUR loud opposition, the City Council has backed down from their proposal to raise pool entry fees at Barton Springs and other city pools. The proposed increase from $5 to $8 for resident adults—and similar hikes for other age groups—would have made our cherished pools less accessible to many in our community. SOS thanks you for speaking to keep our cherished pools a community refuge.

This decision is especially important given the facts: Despite Barton Springs Pool generating over $4 million in revenue annually, none of that money is specifically allocated to PARD. Meanwhile, the city’s golf program operates at a $600,000 surplus. These fee hikes were unnecessary and tone deaf at a time when public pools are essential to public health in the face of rising temps. 

City officials cited the “question and concern” raised by the community as the primary reason for rescinding the fee hike proposal. It’s clear that our collective voices made the difference. The fees will remain at their current levels, keeping our public pools affordable and open to all.
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This victory is a powerful reminder that when we stand together, we can make a difference. Let’s keep this momentum going. Take a moment to thank the City Council members who listened to our concerns and supported our vision for affordable public spaces.