SAN MARCOS RIVER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER VOL. 12, NO. 2
Printed Quarterly -- April 2, 2002

NATIONAL NEWS FLASH! GUADALUPE BASIN ON TOP TEN MOST ENDANGERED LIST

American Rivers has named the Guadalupe River Basin, of which the San Marcos River is a part, as one of the Top Ten Endangered Rivers in the nation in 2002. SMRF and its supporters in the water right application for instream flows on the San Marcos and Guadalupe will hold a press conference on the morning of April 2 at the Capitol. This designation will be announced there, and the groups will explain why 2002 is a pivotal year for the river, and crucial conservation action is needed now for river flows.

The Guadalupe Basin is one of many rivers in Texas from which so many water rights were granted by the state that there is now concern during dry periods that low flows will be prolonged to the point that serious damage can occur if more water rights are granted to be pumped out of the river without reserving some for instream flow. The rivers and the bays and estuaries that the rivers provide fresh water for, could see such impact to their health that some parts may not be able to recover. This could damage the many communities and wildlife populations that depend on this flow, as well as major industries the river and bays support like tourism and seafood harvesting.

This announcement will go a long way toward educating the entire region about the measures that need to be taken to preserve some flow, even during dry periods, for the rivers and bays and all the people, industries, and wildlife that depend on it. There are many cost effective alternative methods for providing water to the cities in this region, like reuse of wastewater, more efficient agricultural irrigation practices, dealing with leaky pipes that can lose large percentages of municipal water, using peak flows, and uniform water conservation rules in the basin.

American Rivers, a 30 year old national river conservation organization, believed that 2002 was important to this river basin partly because of the SMRF water right application, and the possibility that a hearing will begin this year on that application. Already the application for water to leave it in the river, providing water for the bays as well, has drawn attention from the Legislature's Joint Committee on Water Resources as they consider what to do about preserving flows. If this application is denied, and more water rights are granted to water developers to sell instead, the impact on Texans in this region may be harsh. Rivers could cease to flow in dry periods. Bays could cease to support the food chain that makes bays a nursery for the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. Check out the American Rivers website at www.amrivers.org for more information, or SMRF's at www.sanmarcosriver.org to learn how to help.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ---- APRIL, RIVER AWARENESS MONTH, AND GRANT NEWS

Have a great River Awareness Month! We are kicking off the month with the press conference about the big American Rivers announcement on our river basin, but there is lots more coming. Read on for the details. Dates are at the front of each headline so you can see at a glance what is happening, and a lot of it is early in the month! SMRF has weekly email updates to keep everyone current as more events are scheduled, so if you have not yet signed up for that service, email wassenich@sanmarcos.net to begin now. SMRF has been sponsoring River Awareness Month activities for about fifteen years, involving all ages and exploring the many interesting facets of the jewel of this area, the San Marcos River. There are sure to be several events that you will enjoy, no matter what your interests.

While writing this newsletter, we have heard great news that SMRF will be receiving a very large grant to carry on the technical studies for our water right application. As soon as written notice is received, we will do a press release. Watch your local San Marcos Daily Record for that announcement, (and the email updates).

[back to top]

DUES ENVELOPE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER?

If there is an envelope inserted in this newsletter, that means that SMRF has not heard from you in 2001 or 2002. If you happen to be a lifetime member and received this envelope by mistake, or have indeed paid dues in '01 or '02, we sincerely apologize. We tried to remove all lifetime members and '01-'02 members from that set of address labels. Please let us know of any mistake so we can check our records, at 512-393-3787. We don't want to send our newsletter to those who do not care to receive it, as it is time-consuming and expensive to print and mail, so we are trying to clear our membership list. The form to send in dues is on page 7, and dues are $35 per year, or $15 for students. Later in the year board members will call to check on this list one last time before addresses are dropped. SMRF accepts dues and donations at any time during the year, but makes a special effort at the first of each year to ask members for their support. Please pass your newsletter on to someone who you think might want to join or tell them to sign up for the email weekly updates by emailing wassenich@sanmarcos.net, to learn more about SMRF in order to decide if they want to join.

APRIL 6 ----TRASHURE HUNT

This first Saturday in April is a busy one, and it starts off with the Trashure Hunt, a river cleanup that brings divers and snorkelers from all over Texas to help out. Sponsored by the Dive Shop, this is their 21st annual event. Many locals participate as well, and bank walkers are always welcome, as there is much trash that pours into the river each time it rains from the streets and storm drains. Register anytime after 8:30 a.m. at the Lion's Tube Rental or City Park Rec Hall, as it is also called. Come work for as long as you have time for, and bring your friends and family with you. The largest group to register and work usually receives special recognition and a prize. At 4 there will be a free BBQ for volunteers at the Rec. Hall, with music, awards ceremony, and drawings of items donated by many local businesses. SMRF, the City Parks Dept., the Lions Club, and Keep Texas Beautiful are also sponsors.

APRIL 6 ----TRAIL DEDICATION PARTY IN PROSPECT GREENSPACE

Hold that Saturday 1 p.m. slot open to drop by the dedication of the Prospect Greenspace trail to Inga VanNynatten, which is going to be THE trail event of the spring. Come see the new boulder benches and planters, and Inga's Trail at its springtime best. Inga was the National Park Service person who helped San Marcos get a greenspace plan going, learn where to go for grants, and helped SM Greenbelt Alliance form and start building trails. She died over a year ago, and her family gave some of the memorials to SMGA to do the benches and planters, and buy LOTS of trail building tools. For info call 392-3932. Prospect is just three blocks southwest of the Bishop and Hopkins intersection, and the trail as at the dead end of Prospect. Wear sturdy flat shoes for hiking the rocky trail, and come to enjoy lemonade and cookies.

Pictured here are Hayley and Maddie North, enjoying the boulder benches in the shade of an oak grove. Hayley is holding baby Henry North. Some of these benches will be carved with the trail name and a quote from Inga VanNynatten, "Trust Me".

APRIL 6 & 7 ----ELECTRIC LAWNMOWER DISCOUNTS AT THE MALL

Big discounts will be offered on two kinds of electric lawnmowers on Saturday and Sunday, the 6th and 7th, at Black and Decker at the Outlet Mall, courtesy of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas. Customers can choose either the kind with a cord, or a rechargeable battery. These are great lawnmowers, Sherwood Bishop has the battery kind, and Tom Wassenich has the corded kind, if anyone wants to come mow to try them out. (Tom Sawyer tactic) The discounts are for $50 and $100. American National Power and Hays Energy contributed to this project because it can make a BIG difference in air quality in central Texas, where fully 15% of the VOC's or hydrocarbons in our air come from lawnmowers. Few realize that one hour of mowing is equivalent in air pollution to 40 hours of driving a car!

Other benefits are the extremely quiet operation and no polluting oil or gas spills while filling the tank, and no messy gas cans in the garage. Money is also saved by not buying gas or oil and not having to do tune-ups. Electricity costs are about $5 per year on the average for lawnmowing. Think about it, and also remember to water and fertilize less, so less mowing is required, and less hot and miserable work in the summer.

APRIL 8 ----CHAMBER NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE TALKS BRUSH

At noon at Logan's Roadhouse each month on the second Monday , this Chamber committee meets to hear speakers on interesting and diverse LOCAL natural resource issues. This month the speaker will be Jim Doersam of Texas Disposal Systems, who started up the Austin 'Dillo Dirt program many years ago. Jim manages the compost division at TDS, and the several Gardenvilles that TDS now owns, including the San Marcos Gardenville. Using brush cuttings, tree limbs, and landscape waste for composting on a massive scale is Jim's cup of tea. He can detail the composting operations for Buda/Niederwald, City of Austin, City of San Antonio, and Ramada Downs facility that TDS does, as well as the San Antonio contract to convert San Antonio solid waste from its wastewater plant into compost. Come discuss ideas for San Marcos' landscape waste.

APRIL 9 ----LAKE DUNLAP FLAP OVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT

New Braunfels is being asked to treat its wastewater to a better degree by those who live downstream of that city and those who drink the river water. SMRF is joining with Preserve Lake Dunlap Association, Friends of Lake McQueeny, Concerned Citizens of Lake Placid, and Protect Lakes Across Texas to urge attendance on the evening of April 9 at a public meeting held by TNRCC on the New Braunfels permit. This plant discharges poorly treated waste into the Guadalupe River just above the point that San Marcos' water is withdrawn and piped to San Marcos. Neither nitrate nor phosphorus treatment is done at this plant by New Braunfels, so the algae problem gets more serious every year and affects the oxygen levels and the taste and smell of the water. Those who live downstream of that discharge are leading the effort to clean it up, but San Marcos needs to help. The meeting is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday the 9th at the New Braunfels Civic Center. For carpool arrangements, call 393-3787. There is a poster about this event on page 6, prepared by the lake groups.

[back to top]

APRIL 12 ----HEAR OF RIVERS, SPRINGS, AND BAYS AT WILDFLOWER CENTER

A conference about community and economic benefits of rivers, springs, and bays will be held at the Wildflower Center in Austin on Friday the 12th from 9-3, and registration deadline is April 5. This is a BEAUTIFUL place to be at a meeting in the spring, and Andy Sansom, of SWT's new International Institute for Sustainable Water Resources, will do the opening talk. Speakers from Sierra Club, USGS, Hill Country Conservancy, Coastal Bend Bays Foundation, Environmental Defense, and Texas Parks & Wildlife's nature tourism division will cover the morning topics on rural, urban, coastal, and tourism benefits. After a box lunch the afternoon panel will include Myron Hess, National Wildlife Federation; Tom Beard, West Texas rancher who serves on their regional water planning board; Robby Cooke, Eagle Lake State Representative who serves on the Natural Resources Committee; and perhaps a TNRCC Commissioner. Registration is $35, call 512-474-0811 to have an agenda faxed, or email lb@texascenter.org for registration information or directions. Texas Center for Policy Studies is coordinating the conference that is sponsored by way too many groups to list, and five foundations that provided funding: Houston, Meadows, Hershey, Magnolia, and Brown.

APRIL 22 ----SUPERFUND SITE TEST RESULTS READY

The dry cleaning fluid and gasoline additives found in the springs flowing into Willow Creek near the San Marcos River at IH 35 have been a mystery for around 16 years. TNRCC conducted many soil and water tests all around those springs and both sides of Hwy. 123 in the past year and is now ready to show the results to the community. A meeting that is billed as a "come and go" type of gathering with maps and test results on display, will run from 6 to 8:30 on Monday, April 22, at the Activity Center. Fish, sediment and surface water have also been tested near the springs. EPA declined to put this site on the federal Superfund list as there were no drinking water supplies taken from the river nearby, but the state has a Superfund program as well, so TNRCC began researching the problem a year ago to see what could be done. This meeting will not be about how the cleanup will proceed, but will focus on what chemicals are found at what levels, and at which locations they are showing up. TNRCC staff will be on hand to answer questions.

APRIL 23-28 ---SEE A PLAY ABOUT THE SAN MARCOS THREE KINGFISHERS

Charles Pascoe has written a fun play based on the three types of kingfishers that are seen in San Marcos (which is a very exciting thing for birders) and it will be seen on the Main Stage of the SWT Theatre on April 23 through 27. The shows are at 7:30 p.m. every evening, and the final performance will be at 2 p.m. on April 28. The box office opens on April 16, phone 245-2204. The title is "Kingfishers 3 and Blue", and the action takes place in 1910. The three kingfishers (a belted, a green, and a ringed) meet in wetlands around San Marcos for a weekend of fishing, and a mysterious force summons them to travel east, so they bayhop their way through Texas and other coastal states, ending up in the Okefenokee Swamp. They find an abandoned Blue Heron egg and unwittingly hatch it. To tell you more would ruin the story, so just come see it. On Wednesday night, April 24, they will dedicate their performance to SMRF.

RIVERBANK RESTORATION UNDERWAY

The long awaited restoration project on the bare dirt area that was once used as a parking lot on Cheatham Street near Rio Vista Dam is about to begin. Barriers were placed to keep cars off the land, in order for it to begin recovery from the compaction of auto traffic. A paved parking lot, complete with restrooms, is just above Cheatham Street on Riverside. Using it will help with the dangerous pedestrian crossing in the middle of the block on Cheatham. Walkers will be able to cross at the stop sign at Riverside instead of in moving traffic. Years ago this park area called Glover's Island was open to cars all the way into the park, and drivers would change their oil there, letting the waste oil soak into the ground, and dumping trash. This restoration project is just another step in trying to keep the river clean for swimming, and the banks safe from erosion. The City will be restoring native plants on the now bare dirt riverbanks and along the old mill run.

GRANTS AND GIFTS, NAME DROPPING

Great news on the donation front! The Trull Foundation of Palacios, Texas granted SMRF $7,000 to be used on technical studies for the water right project, which are already underway. Texas Rivers Protection Association has pitched in $5,000 for the cause and there will be a photo in the local paper soon about that. Centurytel has donated $1000 to help with several SMRF projects--the river cleanup dinner, the Ezell's Cave hydrolab equipment, and the San Marcos River Rangers' supplies and kits for their volunteer water testing at 15 sites on the river. (Call 557-7571 today to arrange to be trained as a volunteer river tester in this Texas Watch program.) The Texas Canoe Racers contributed $250 to the water right project and the Calhoun County Shrimpers donated $1500, since they realize how important it is that fresh water continue to be allowed to flow to San Antonio Bay, where they make a living from the productivity of the bay. Southwest Plumbing covered most of the cost of the river cleanup dinner supplies with their $150, and Texas Water Trails, a guide service that runs rivers all over the state but is based in Dallas, contributed $100 to the water right project. A new patron or lifetime member, John Tolbert, contributed $500. Sincere thanks to all of these loyal supporters, SMRF couldn't do it without them.

THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH THE RIVER CLEANUP

The 30th annual Spring River Cleanup of the San Marcos on March 2, coordinated by Tom and Paula Goynes, was also one of the coldest in this cleanup's long history. Still, a lot of trash was collected, including an amazing number of tires from Jeff Pine and his friends who did a downstream section, and from the Texas Canoe Racers and their Luling section. Thanks to all those who helped!. Some groups did their work the week before when they first saw the forecast, and some came the weekend after, so the pile of trash ended up being quite large in Martindale and further down, comparable to the years when hundreds of volunteers work. Special thanks to the Spencers, who allowed the barbecue dinner for volunteers to be held in their store building, so much warmer than the open pavilion in their campground. Many members helped with the dinner, serving and transporting it, and baking desserts. Thanks to Woody High, who cooked succulent briskets, sausage and all the trimmings for just the cost of the materials, and thanks to Southwest Plumbing and Centurytel who paid those costs. Culinary arts students from Gary Job Corps baked trays and trays of cookies for the dinner, and local members brought great cakes and pies. All leftovers were chilled quickly and frozen to be used for another river cleanup on the Medina River in central Texas, also being assisted by the Texas River Protection Association and Tom Goynes. And finally, thanks to sponsors TG Canoes and Spencer's Canoes, and Green Guy Recycling who assist every year, as well as all the cities and counties who dispose of the trash. Job well done, once again!

[back to top]

BIRDING/NATURE MAPS DELAYED SLIGHTLY, REWRITE OF BROCHURE UNDERWAY

The latest word is that Texas Parks & Wildlife will be printing the Heart of Texas Birding and Nature Trail Maps in late 2002, which is a bit later than expected. But this extra time is being put to good use in San Marcos to get ready for the tourism boost that these maps will give the area. Local volunteer Theresa James is working on a new birding brochure for San Marcos, incorporating past efforts and the new TPWD maps, which feature several of the most interesting spots in San Marcos for birdwatching and nature walks. The Chamber has long wanted someone to rework the brochure done by SMRF volunteers years ago, correcting directions as streets have changed names and connections, and including the sites that will be on the new TPWD maps. A list of those sites can be seen on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website, www.tpwd.state.tx.us, and then click on Nature at the top of the page, then Nature Tourism on the right of the next page, and then Heart of Texas East on the left of the next page. Speaking of birding, a new informal email list has been formed for birders in this area and the group is enjoying sharing weekly updates as well as special sightings in between. Email fmslaw@centurytel.net to sign up.

COTTAGE KITCHEN LUNCHEON WAS FUN AND FRUITFUL

Lunch was served in early February by SMRF volunteers at the Charles S. Cock House Museum, the little rock house at the corner of C. M. Allen Parkway & Hopkins Street. Thanks to all the dedicated bakers, servers, and cooks who pitched in and made the event a breeze. Deep appreciation is also felt for all the members who came to eat lunch and brought others to help SMRF's profits for the Heritage Association. Every Friday is a good time to have lunch there, 11-1, as different community groups do the "Cottage Kitchen" every week, and there is always great food for a great cause. The luncheons benefit the Heritage Association, which was a major donor to the SMRF endowment fund. To-go lunches are available, and home baked desserts too.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ELECTED

The nominated slate of board members were elected by acclamation at the annual membership meeting. They are Therese Whalen, Jack Fairchild, Jon Cradit, and Jim Blackburn. Officers for the coming year are the same as 2001. President Dianne Wassenich, Vice President John Tolbert, Secretary Therese Whalen, and Treasurer Carolyn Kelly. Thanks to these folks for being willing to serve the river and community in this way.

MORE ON THE NEW EXOTIC WEED IN RIVER

Cryptocoryne beckettii was found below Stokes Park/Thompson's Islands, downstream of the state fish hatchery and the city's wastewater plant. SMRF's newsletter enclosed a photo of the plant in January, and described plans underway by U. S. Fish & Wildlife to do a test run on a sluice/screening technique to remove the plants before the colonies get large enough to threaten the endangered wild rice in the river. The pump turned out to be too small to handle such a large amount of vegetation, so Paula Powers of USFWS is attempting to find funding to do more work. SMRF wrote a letter of support to enclose with their grant applications. Aquarium dumping and live bait dumping can have dire consequences in a sensitive ecosystem of a river, bringing in plants and animals that do not have natural predator controls in that location. It is important for SMRF members to help get the word out --Never dump non-native bait buckets or aquarium animals or plants into local waterways. In fact, it is quite illegal and can be devastating to the native creatures and vegetation.

RIVER MOSAIC TO BE FINISHED

During April, the fourth grade students of teacher Judy Brown from Crockett Elementary will be working on the mosaic mural below the Lion's Tube Rental, to finish it up, grout it and preserve it for future generations. This mural has been worked on by Sabina Reynolds' art students from San Marcos High School, and the Youth Service Bureau, with help from all ages of community members who painted special tiles with messages and pictures at community gatherings in past years. The mosaic of broken tile represents a river flowing through a park scene. The fourth graders will be assisted by their parents.

[back to top]