Submit Comments Against MoPac Expansion + Fight Wastewater in the Springs

In this Issue:Speak Up Against the MoPac South Expansion
​This Saturday, March 14th Paddle for the People, Guided Kayak Event on Lady Bird Lake
Save Our Springs from Wastewater -- Donate Today

Speak Up Against the MoPac South Expansion
A Threat to Water, Wildlife, and Austin Communities

The battle against the South MoPac expansion isn’t new, but our opposition is more urgent than ever. SOS and local allies have been pushing back against this short-sighted, environmentally harmful project since 2012. In 2016, a powerful groundswell of experts, neighbors, and community leaders shut it down, standing together for the water, wildlife, and neighborhoods that make Austin unique. Time to do it all again. 
​
Now the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) has revived the project, and we need all hands on deck. They are proposing to widen 8.7 miles of MoPac South from Enfield Road to Slaughter Lane, adding 6–8 new lanes and bringing the total width to as many as 13–18 lanes in some sections. The plan includes new toll lanes, auxiliary lanes, and bridges over Lady Bird Lake and Barton Creek. The expansion would push a massive highway footprint through the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, alongside Zilker Park, Austin High School, and neighborhoods throughout the corridor.

“The Zilker Neighborhood Association has opposed the MoPac South expansion project for over a decade and is now a proud member and financial supporter of the Better MoPac Coalition. There are an absurd number of reasons to oppose CTRMA’s seemingly relentless quest to toll Austin area residents and the environment. The Better MoPac Coalition is our best hope,” states ZNA President JD Leonard.

The Better MoPac Coalition formed in 2024, bringing together a diverse coalition of environmental groups, neighborhood associations, and local advocates to rally public awareness. We’ve been steadily building momentum, and now that draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed MoPac South expansion has been released, our next critical step is to submit comments and make our voices heard. The EA leaves much to be desired, downplaying the effects to water, wildlife, and communities and declaring a "finding of no significant impact". Now is the time to tell them otherwise. The official public hearing comment period started Monday, March 9, and goes through Sunday, May 3, 2026. 

How to Get Involved

• Submit your comments: Read through or listen to CTRMA’s draft Environmental Assessment and tell CTRMA what matters most to you -- water quality, endangered species like the Barton Springs salamander, the beloved Greenbelt trails, or your family’s health. A letter template is provided to help you get started, but we strongly encourage you to write your own message. Personalized, thoughtful comments are powerful and help ensure your voice stands out rather than being grouped with identical form letters.

Submit Your Comments to CTRMA Today!

• Attend the Public Hearing & Open House: Mark Your Calendars! Tuesday, March 24, 5:30-7:30 PM, James Bowie High School Cafeteria, 4103 W Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749. Review project details, ask questions, and make your voice heard in person. 
• Join the Better MoPac Coalition: Connect with neighbors, advocates, and experts to stay informed and coordinate our efforts. We have fun too! Signing up is free, and we will keep you in the loop on this issue. 

This project threatens our water, wildlife, parks, and community health. When you share your story, it makes a real difference. Every voice matters!
Submit your comment today and join us in standing up for Austin’s most precious resources.

---

Save Our Springs from Wastewater!

The fight to protect the Edwards Aquifer and Barton Springs from wastewater pollution from the Hays Commons Development is heating up. The preliminary hearing begins Tuesday, March 10, and SOS will have several months to gather evidence and then present its case to an administrative law judge. The project would irrigate treated municipal sewage over the fragile Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone—full of caves and karst features—threatening nearby wells and Barton Springs. A recent report from Edwards Aquifer expert Dr. Nico Hauwert highlights the serious risks of pathogenic contamination and why strong watershed protection is critical, which you can read here.
You’ve already helped by submitting comments on the draft permit in 2024 -- thank you! Now we need your support to continue and win this fight. SOS must fund expert witness testimony and a detailed geologic assessment of the irrigation area to support the testimony of our experts about the certainty of groundwater contamination associated with the permit.
​
Your donation today will directly strengthen our case and help defend Barton Springs and our aquifer. Give now and stand with SOS in this fight.

Your Support Strengthens Our Case

From the MoPac South expansion to Hays Commons, we are rising up together and refuse to be ignored on these major trespasses against our water, wildlife, and neighborhoods. We know it’s exhausting, and it often feels like the odds are against us. However, every comment, every campaign, every legal fight, and every gift makes a real difference.
Your support helps SOS fund expert research, legal action, and community organizing to protect the places we all love in Central Texas. Thank you for standing with us. 

In Solidarity, 
SOS Alliance