Join us for the Texas Water Journal's inaugural webinar, free of charge! Register for the webinar Even before the 86th Texas Legislature began, it was clear the session would feature a deluge of activity focused on addressing Texans’ experience with flooding. Much attention has been paid to Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8, which create major new statewide programs. Significant questions surrounded the implementation of these bills, but answers have begun to flow recently. In his recent article in the Texas Water Journal, "State Legislature, Voters Move to Eighty-Six Texas’s Flooding Challenges", Matthew Berg, Ph.D. wades into these uncertainties and the larger trends behind the legislative session. Read Berg's article here and join him for the webinar.
April 3, 2020 Article, Article Vol 11, Vol 11 (2020), Vol 11 (2020) Inflow to the Highland Lakes has substantially decreased from 1942–2013, likely due to increased evapotranspiration from the proliferation of 19 major upstream reservoirs and about 69,500 minor reservoirs and water bodies. Increased evapotranspiration from land surfaces and stream channels also probably represent major causes for inflow reduction. Eight climatic indices were evaluated with respect to correlations with inflow volumes to the lakes. A combination of the indices for the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and Oceanic Niño Index (Niño 3.4 region) was found to be, up to three months in advance, a fair indicator for the wettest three-month inflow periods, and a good indicator, up to nine months in advance, of the driest three-month inflow periods. The single best index indicator of dry periods is the Pacific Decadal Oscillation—a good indicator of the driest three-month periods up to a year in advance. © 2020 Raymond M. Slade, Jr.
Texas Water Journal By Michael Berg Abstract: Even before the 86th Texas Legislature began, it was clear the session would feature a deluge of activity focused on addressing Texans’ experience with flooding. Elected representatives from across the state floated solutions for Hurricane Harvey and long-term issues alike, featuring a mix of both recovery projects and future planning efforts. Much attention has been paid to Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8, which create major new statewide programs. Significant questions remain regarding the implementation of these bills. We wade into these uncertainties and the larger trends behind the legislative session. In all, 128 introduced bills specifically mentioned “flooding” or “flood,” far exceeding anything from the previous 10 sessions. Even more, 240 total introduced bills addressed issues with a clear connection to flooding. Of these, 67 (28%) went on to become legislation. As new laws go into effect, implementation ramps up, and funds trickle out, strong, sustained stakeholder engagement and communication will be key to making sure these programs hold water. Keywords: flood, planning, infrastructure, recovery, resiliency
Precisely ten minutes later, at 12:47 P.M. in San Antonio, Texas, that arc of sunlight illuminates the altar of Mission Concepcion, where there was once a representation of Christ's heart.
Every nineteen years, the full moon appears in the Milky Way, just as it is shown in a fresco on the ceiling of Mission Concepcion. And on November 26th, 2019 a 4,295-year-old calendar created by the Hokan speaking peoples of South Texas will end. After which it will reset for the next 4,295 years. "You're talking about specific moments in time where land and sky connect," says Gary Perez. Gary is a Centro San Antonio ambassador and researcher who first deciphered the geographical, astronomical and mathematical elements of the White Shaman Mural rock art near Del Rio that portrays the ceremonies of native peoples. "When I was invited to look at the rock art and it was explained to me in a narrative, I thought wow, they’re talking about our ceremony," he explains, "but I also think you're looking at a map of Texas, probably the oldest one in, maybe even the world." Gary is descended from the Hokan speaking peoples of South Texas, and was educated in his heritage largely by his grandmother. She was instrumental in the founding of the Native American Church, which happens to turn 100 years old in 2018. Because of this, Gary had unique insight when approaching the 4,000 year old art. He realized that four dots in the piece joined together to map the springs along the Balcones escarpment, including the Blue Hole at the University of the Incarnate Word, the headwaters of the San Antonio River. "It's not just a terrestrial river, it's a celestial river," he says, referencing the alignment of the constellation Eridanus with the San Antonio River at midnight every Winter Solstice. The resemblance between the river and constellation is uncanny, giving context to the spiritual connection indigenous peoples had for this area. Major events seem to coincide with the 4,295 year calendar created by the indigenous people of South Texas, down to the construction of the San Antonio Missions now 300 years past. Gary says the missions are a mixture of the Spanish and Native worldviews. As he sees it, they serve as a promise from his ancestors: "When the calendar comes to an end, it will end with everything we left embedded in the Missions." "Thank God we caught it in time. Our culture did not die. We’re still here," he says, "There's a story behind all this. A story of humanity." The Witte Museum recruited Gary to help them tell this story through their Lower Pecos exhibit, which features his research on the rock art near Del Rio. At one point in the immersive exhibit, Gary's voice comes in, adding color to the story of the native peoples who lived in South Texas thousands of years ago. His presence in the exhibit helps him connect with people when he's on duty as an ambassador. Locals and visitors can speak with Gary in the streets Downtown one moment, and in the next listen to his insight on the Hokan speaking peoples of South Texas at the Witte Museum. Part of the reason Gary became an ambassador was for these unique, interpersonal experiences. "I really wanted a ground view of what is being done Downtown." He had an interest in what people were saying about the Missions, the river, the city, and its history. With time, he gained an additional perspective: "It didn't take long before I realized there is a tremendous necessity for what Centro does Downtown." It's important to Gary that his work takes on a life of its own and that people are aware of these often overlooked pieces of history. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without the opportunity that Centro offers." The discoveries he's made shed light not only on San Antonio's past, but on its future. "They offer us a peek into the future, not just next year or 20 years from now, but 300 years from now." Gary explains that the Missions and rock art will always function as timepieces, and represent a promise from his ancestors. "When our ancestors created that painting on the wall, they were thinking about us. And they were hoping that we would pick it up just in time to pass it on into the next 4,295 years." Sunday, December 22, 2019
By Lindsey Carnett The Herald-Zeitung Thanks to the passage of Proposition 5, Guadalupe River State Park will soon start receiving much-needed funding. Just weeks after the passing of nine Texas constitutional amendments, state conservationists are applauding state voters on their 88% approval rating for Proposition 5 — which will send the sales tax on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. This funding source will help replace decades-old infrastructure — such as outdoor plumbing installed in the 1930s and 1940s — as well as upkeep nature trails, protect Texas’ natural areas and give the department the ability to open new sites. With a 89.4% voter approval rating in Comal County, 13,972 voters were in favor of Proposition 5 and only about 10.6%, or 1,657 were against. "I think clearly what this says is Texans care about our open spaces and historical sites and we know that it’s a big part of our culture, and of our state pride," said John Sheppard, executive director of the Texas Foundation for Conservation. With the exponential growth Texas is experiencing, the state’s population is set to double by 2050 — which makes now the vital time to protect the land and its assets, Sheppard said. "The state parks are the gateway to the outdoors for millions of Texans," Sheppard said. "The challenge (for state parks) over the years has been woeful underfunding — to the tune of parks only received about 40% of funds we’d anticipated." The passage of Proposition 5 will make it so there is a solid funding stream to state and local parks such as the Guadalupe River State Park, and others, Sheppard said. Sheppard added this amendment protects local city parks as well, which can receive park grants through the state office and match funds. "Some money also goes to the historical commission as well, which protects historical sites," Sheppard said. While many people may ask what upkeep state parks need that costs funds, infrastructure is not a cheap expense, Sheppard said. "Even if the state has land, it takes several years to make a state park," Sheppard said. "It takes building basic infrastructure, long-term planning — and every year, the parks department had to go into the next year not really knowing how much would truly be available." Thanks to the lobbying of over 80 different nonprofits and pro-environmental groups focused on conservation, the proposition was put out for voters and it’s state-wide passage rate of 88% shows it was highly wanted, Sheppard said. "Other states have done similar propositions but 88% is the highest passing rate of any," Sheppard said. Guadalupe River State Park is slated to get new restrooms, and it’s fixes like this every state park needs, Sheppard said. "I think we’re going to look back on this legislation, this amendment and in 10, 20, 30 years we’ll realize how important it was we made this decision when we did," Sheppard said. A day pass at Guadalupe River State Park is $7 for adults and free for children under 12. An annual pass costs $70. Camping is available for a nightly rate ranging between $15 and $24. Guadalupe River State Park is located at 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, 78070, within parts both Comal and Kendall counties. For more information about the park, call 830- 438-2656
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