Re: [Texascavers] The owner of Honey Creek Cave's public statement at Tuesday's TCEQ public hearing
The sewage project is for Silesia Properties, that is part of a cluster of over a dozen companies. I have a lot of information on them. If you are interested contact me directly. I am reluctant to post details about the people behind this project in a broad forum. I am against this sewage dump proposal obviously… ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] The owner of Honey Creek Cave's public statement at Tuesday's TCEQ public hearing
Amazing - Joyce's statement is a passionate, well-documented rebuke of the development plan and our regulatory failings. While it's a great read, I am saddened to the core at the same time. Texans who care already know how these hearings barely pay lip service to environmental concerns (probably because if our continuing one-party rule by politicians who are *always* in developers' pockets). The Edwards alliance states that this permit is expected to be approved. That alone is shocking to me, along with how aquifer impact isn't a winning argument in this case. If we were in a more eco-savvy state, developments might be forced to build with less density, composting toilets, xeriscaping, etc. - or not build at all. This is a big deal for cavers, with huge implications for Texas' longest cave. It would be interesting to know where this money is coming from: out-of-state carpetbaggers taking advantage of our lax regs? Whoever they are, I'll be donating to the fight against them. On Fri, Aug 23, 2019, 5:01 PM Bill Steele wrote: > Tuesday evening I attended the Texas Commission on Water Quality (TCEQ) > public hearing in Bulverde regarding a developer's application to build > four houses per acre, many hundreds of new homes, in the Honey Creek > drainage basin and be able to dump 500,000 of treated sewage into Honey > Creek, effluent which will at times of high water make its way into the > pristine environment of Texas' longest cave. Comments were made by several > Texas cavers, including Joe Ransau, Kurt Menking, Linda Palit, Sandy > Mosier, Allan Cobb, Andy Glusenkamp, and me. To me, the most moving comment > made was that by the cave's owner, and a good friend to our caving > community, Joyce Moore. Here it is in its entirety. > > Bill Steele speleoste...@aol.com > > > Honey Creek Discharge Permit Comments > > from Honey Creek Spring Ranch > > by Joyce Moore > > > > My name is Joyce Gass Moore. I am a 5th-generation Texas, and a 5th-generation > co-owner of Honey Creek Spring Ranch. Our ranch is located in far > western Comal County, and downstream of a proposed Silesia properties > development known as Honey Creek Ranch. And so I speak to you today not > only as an affected landowner, but as a very concerned citizen. > > When my son and nephew take over the management of Honey Creek Spring > Ranch, it will represent 6 generations of continuous family ownership and a > legacy of stewardship dating back to 1846 when my ancestors first set foot > on Texas soil. As German-immigrants, my family was one of only a few who > homesteaded western Comal County—3 of whom (all neighbors) applied for land > deeds on the same day in 1871. Because the waters of Honey Creek were so > important to the settlement of Comal County, our entire ranch was > recognized as a State Historic Site by the Texas Historical Commission; and > in 2018 was Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. > Department of the Interior National Park Service. > > My ancestors knew hardship and fought to protect their land and Honey > Creek. They carved the ranch out of cedar and live oak covered hills, > suffered thru drought, disease, and bank failures, and sacrificed > everything they had to nurture, protect, and improve the land they loved. > And now—150 years later, once again we are threatened by those who seek to > cash in on the land in order to capitalize on its value. Despite what they > may tell you, these folks do not hold the best interest of the land or its > natural resources at heart. This is very evident in the description of the > development being planned. My ancestors would be so deeply disappointed in > what western Comal County has become, and in the landowners, who are > allowing this to happen. > > The Texas Hill Country is known for its aesthetic beauty—people have been > drawn to this area for generations—drawn to its crystal-clear streams and > scenic vistas. Unfortunately, all this beauty rests atop a particularly > fragile ecosystem—a calcareous limestone substrate known as *karst*. > Although not a geologist or a hydrologist, I do understand how infiltration > works—how water moves thru a karst system. Surface recharge features > (cracks, fissures, pits, sumps) are all designed to move water quickly into > subterranean acquifers (the Edwards, the Trinity, and Cow Creek are all > examples). These aquifers provide the drinking water for millions of > people. Springs flowing from these same aquifers provide critical habitat > to a unique group of plant and animal species—many of which are found only > in the most protected streams and riparian areas of Central Texas. Until > this proposed development and wastewater discharge became a possibility, > Honey Creek was one of the most protected aquatic systems in the Hill > Country. > > The number of these pristine riparian systems are shrinking rapidly—most > of it due to rampant and unregulated development over the recharge area, > and the failure of
Re: [Texascavers] The owner of Honey Creek Cave's public statement at Tuesday's TCEQ public hearing
“Gluesenkamp” Sent from my iPhone > On Aug 23, 2019, at 5:01 PM, Bill Steele wrote: > > Tuesday evening I attended the Texas Commission on Water Quality (TCEQ) > public hearing in Bulverde regarding a developer's application to build four > houses per acre, many hundreds of new homes, in the Honey Creek drainage > basin and be able to dump 500,000 of treated sewage into Honey Creek, > effluent which will at times of high water make its way into the pristine > environment of Texas' longest cave. Comments were made by several Texas > cavers, including Joe Ransau, Kurt Menking, Linda Palit, Sandy Mosier, Allan > Cobb, Andy Glusenkamp, and me. To me, the most moving comment made was that > by the cave's owner, and a good friend to our caving community, Joyce Moore. > Here it is in its entirety. > > Bill Steele speleoste...@aol.com > > > > Honey Creek Discharge Permit Comments > > from Honey Creek Spring Ranch > > by Joyce Moore > > > > My name is Joyce Gass Moore. I am a 5th-generation Texas, and a > 5th-generation co-owner of Honey Creek Spring Ranch. Our ranch is located in > far western Comal County, and downstream of a proposed Silesia properties > development known as Honey Creek Ranch. And so I speak to you today not only > as an affected landowner, but as a very concerned citizen. > > When my son and nephew take over the management of Honey Creek Spring Ranch, > it will represent 6 generations of continuous family ownership and a legacy > of stewardship dating back to 1846 when my ancestors first set foot on Texas > soil. As German-immigrants, my family was one of only a few who homesteaded > western Comal County—3 of whom (all neighbors) applied for land deeds on the > same day in 1871. Because the waters of Honey Creek were so important to the > settlement of Comal County, our entire ranch was recognized as a State > Historic Site by the Texas Historical Commission; and in 2018 was Listed in > the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the > Interior National Park Service. > > My ancestors knew hardship and fought to protect their land and Honey Creek. > They carved the ranch out of cedar and live oak covered hills, suffered thru > drought, disease, and bank failures, and sacrificed everything they had to > nurture, protect, and improve the land they loved. And now—150 years later, > once again we are threatened by those who seek to cash in on the land in > order to capitalize on its value. Despite what they may tell you, these folks > do not hold the best interest of the land or its natural resources at heart. > This is very evident in the description of the development being planned. My > ancestors would be so deeply disappointed in what western Comal County has > become, and in the landowners, who are allowing this to happen. > > The Texas Hill Country is known for its aesthetic beauty—people have been > drawn to this area for generations—drawn to its crystal-clear streams and > scenic vistas. Unfortunately, all this beauty rests atop a particularly > fragile ecosystem—a calcareous limestone substrate known as karst. Although > not a geologist or a hydrologist, I do understand how infiltration works—how > water moves thru a karst system. Surface recharge features (cracks, fissures, > pits, sumps) are all designed to move water quickly into subterranean > acquifers (the Edwards, the Trinity, and Cow Creek are all examples). These > aquifers provide the drinking water for millions of people. Springs flowing > from these same aquifers provide critical habitat to a unique group of plant > and animal species—many of which are found only in the most protected streams > and riparian areas of Central Texas. Until this proposed development and > wastewater discharge became a possibility, Honey Creek was one of the most > protected aquatic systems in the Hill Country. > > The number of these pristine riparian systems are shrinking rapidly—most of > it due to rampant and unregulated development over the recharge area, and the > failure of an already-broken system intended to regulate the disposal of > wastewater. I think it very ironic that the name chosen for the area by my > ancestors (Honey Creek) is the same name chosen by newcomers to become their > sales pitch. It is the same aquatic system that will be destroyed if this > Honey Creek Ranch permit is approved. > > Treated effluent discharged into a tributary of Honey Creek will absolutely, > negatively impact water quality--primarily through significant increases of > Nitrogen and Phosphate levels. These nutrients will encourage the growth of > algae and will degrade the recreational and aesthetic value of Honey Creek. > Decaying mats of algae will impact Dissolved Oxygen levels and will almost > certainly have a devastating effect on aquatic life. The introduction of > Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products contained in the effluent will >
Re: [Texascavers] The owner of Honey Creek Cave's public statement at Tuesday's TCEQ public hearing
Correction: Make that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). > On Aug 23, 2019, at 5:01 PM, Bill Steele wrote: > > Tuesday evening I attended the Texas Commission on Water Quality (TCEQ) > public hearing in Bulverde regarding a developer's application to build four > houses per acre, many hundreds of new homes, in the Honey Creek drainage > basin and be able to dump 500,000 of treated sewage into Honey Creek, > effluent which will at times of high water make its way into the pristine > environment of Texas' longest cave. Comments were made by several Texas > cavers, including Joe Ransau, Kurt Menking, Linda Palit, Sandy Mosier, Allan > Cobb, Andy Glusenkamp, and me. To me, the most moving comment made was that > by the cave's owner, and a good friend to our caving community, Joyce Moore. > Here it is in its entirety. > > Bill Steele speleoste...@aol.com > > > > Honey Creek Discharge Permit Comments > > from Honey Creek Spring Ranch > > by Joyce Moore > > > > My name is Joyce Gass Moore. I am a 5th-generation Texas, and a > 5th-generation co-owner of Honey Creek Spring Ranch. Our ranch is located in > far western Comal County, and downstream of a proposed Silesia properties > development known as Honey Creek Ranch. And so I speak to you today not only > as an affected landowner, but as a very concerned citizen. > > When my son and nephew take over the management of Honey Creek Spring Ranch, > it will represent 6 generations of continuous family ownership and a legacy > of stewardship dating back to 1846 when my ancestors first set foot on Texas > soil. As German-immigrants, my family was one of only a few who homesteaded > western Comal County—3 of whom (all neighbors) applied for land deeds on the > same day in 1871. Because the waters of Honey Creek were so important to the > settlement of Comal County, our entire ranch was recognized as a State > Historic Site by the Texas Historical Commission; and in 2018 was Listed in > the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the > Interior National Park Service. > > My ancestors knew hardship and fought to protect their land and Honey Creek. > They carved the ranch out of cedar and live oak covered hills, suffered thru > drought, disease, and bank failures, and sacrificed everything they had to > nurture, protect, and improve the land they loved. And now—150 years later, > once again we are threatened by those who seek to cash in on the land in > order to capitalize on its value. Despite what they may tell you, these folks > do not hold the best interest of the land or its natural resources at heart. > This is very evident in the description of the development being planned. My > ancestors would be so deeply disappointed in what western Comal County has > become, and in the landowners, who are allowing this to happen. > > The Texas Hill Country is known for its aesthetic beauty—people have been > drawn to this area for generations—drawn to its crystal-clear streams and > scenic vistas. Unfortunately, all this beauty rests atop a particularly > fragile ecosystem—a calcareous limestone substrate known as karst. Although > not a geologist or a hydrologist, I do understand how infiltration works—how > water moves thru a karst system. Surface recharge features (cracks, fissures, > pits, sumps) are all designed to move water quickly into subterranean > acquifers (the Edwards, the Trinity, and Cow Creek are all examples). These > aquifers provide the drinking water for millions of people. Springs flowing > from these same aquifers provide critical habitat to a unique group of plant > and animal species—many of which are found only in the most protected streams > and riparian areas of Central Texas. Until this proposed development and > wastewater discharge became a possibility, Honey Creek was one of the most > protected aquatic systems in the Hill Country. > > The number of these pristine riparian systems are shrinking rapidly—most of > it due to rampant and unregulated development over the recharge area, and the > failure of an already-broken system intended to regulate the disposal of > wastewater. I think it very ironic that the name chosen for the area by my > ancestors (Honey Creek) is the same name chosen by newcomers to become their > sales pitch. It is the same aquatic system that will be destroyed if this > Honey Creek Ranch permit is approved. > > Treated effluent discharged into a tributary of Honey Creek will absolutely, > negatively impact water quality--primarily through significant increases of > Nitrogen and Phosphate levels. These nutrients will encourage the growth of > algae and will degrade the recreational and aesthetic value of Honey Creek. > Decaying mats of algae will impact Dissolved Oxygen levels and will almost > certainly have a devastating effect on aquatic life. The introduction of > Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care
[Texascavers] The owner of Honey Creek Cave's public statement at Tuesday's TCEQ public hearing
Tuesday evening I attended the Texas Commission on Water Quality (TCEQ) public hearing in Bulverde regarding a developer's application to build four houses per acre, many hundreds of new homes, in the Honey Creek drainage basin and be able to dump 500,000 of treated sewage into Honey Creek, effluent which will at times of high water make its way into the pristine environment of Texas' longest cave. Comments were made by several Texas cavers, including Joe Ransau, Kurt Menking, Linda Palit, Sandy Mosier, Allan Cobb, Andy Glusenkamp, and me. To me, the most moving comment made was that by the cave's owner, and a good friend to our caving community, Joyce Moore. Here it is in its entirety. Bill Steele speleoste...@aol.com Honey Creek Discharge Permit Comments from Honey Creek Spring Ranch by Joyce Moore My name is Joyce Gass Moore. I am a 5th-generation Texas, and a 5th-generation co-owner of Honey Creek Spring Ranch. Our ranch is located in far western Comal County, and downstream of a proposed Silesia properties development known as Honey Creek Ranch. And so I speak to you today not only as an affected landowner, but as a very concerned citizen. When my son and nephew take over the management of Honey Creek Spring Ranch, it will represent 6 generations of continuous family ownership and a legacy of stewardship dating back to 1846 when my ancestors first set foot on Texas soil. As German-immigrants, my family was one of only a few who homesteaded western Comal County—3 of whom (all neighbors) applied for land deeds on the same day in 1871. Because the waters of Honey Creek were so important to the settlement of Comal County, our entire ranch was recognized as a State Historic Site by the Texas Historical Commission; and in 2018 was Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service. My ancestors knew hardship and fought to protect their land and Honey Creek. They carved the ranch out of cedar and live oak covered hills, suffered thru drought, disease, and bank failures, and sacrificed everything they had to nurture, protect, and improve the land they loved. And now—150 years later, once again we are threatened by those who seek to cash in on the land in order to capitalize on its value. Despite what they may tell you, these folks do not hold the best interest of the land or its natural resources at heart. This is very evident in the description of the development being planned. My ancestors would be so deeply disappointed in what western Comal County has become, and in the landowners, who are allowing this to happen. The Texas Hill Country is known for its aesthetic beauty—people have been drawn to this area for generations—drawn to its crystal-clear streams and scenic vistas. Unfortunately, all this beauty rests atop a particularly fragile ecosystem—a calcareous limestone substrate known as *karst*. Although not a geologist or a hydrologist, I do understand how infiltration works—how water moves thru a karst system. Surface recharge features (cracks, fissures, pits, sumps) are all designed to move water quickly into subterranean acquifers (the Edwards, the Trinity, and Cow Creek are all examples). These aquifers provide the drinking water for millions of people. Springs flowing from these same aquifers provide critical habitat to a unique group of plant and animal species—many of which are found only in the most protected streams and riparian areas of Central Texas. Until this proposed development and wastewater discharge became a possibility, Honey Creek was one of the most protected aquatic systems in the Hill Country. The number of these pristine riparian systems are shrinking rapidly—most of it due to rampant and unregulated development over the recharge area, and the failure of an already-broken system intended to regulate the disposal of wastewater. I think it very ironic that the name chosen for the area by my ancestors (Honey Creek) is the same name chosen by newcomers to become their sales pitch. It is the same aquatic system that will be destroyed if this Honey Creek Ranch permit is approved. Treated effluent discharged into a tributary of Honey Creek will absolutely, negatively impact water quality--primarily through significant increases of Nitrogen and Phosphate levels. These nutrients will encourage the growth of algae and will degrade the recreational and aesthetic value of Honey Creek. Decaying mats of algae will impact Dissolved Oxygen levels and will almost certainly have a devastating effect on aquatic life. The introduction of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products contained in the effluent will eventually enter Honey Creek and then will become a dramatic example of how a once un-impaired aquatic system with exceptional levels of aquatic life use, was degraded due to wastewater and high-density residential development. It will become yet another Poster Child for Poor Management—all in the Name of
