UGRA Announces Two New River Protection and
Enhancement Projects
Kerrville, TX, July 28, 2004 – The
Upper Guadalupe River Authority today announced two new projects designed to
protect and enhance the value of the Upper Guadalupe River. The
projects are: a spill containment initiative and a pilot brush control
project. UGRA Board President, Janet
Robinson, stated, “Each of these projects will efficiently contribute to
preserving and enhancing the Upper Guadalupe.”
UGRA’s
Spill Containment Initiative is designed to protect the Upper Guadalupe from
spills of pollutants. The Initiative
was developed in consultation with local fire departments and the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality.
UGRA will fund the purchase of containment equipment that will be
positioned at selected volunteer fire departments in accordance with a joint
plan. The equipment will be available
for use by all seven of the County’s volunteer fire departments in the event
of a spill to the River. The equipment
includes 400 feet of eighteen inch containment booms; 1,400 feet of eight
inch absorbent booms; and 500 hydrocarbon absorbent pads. According to UGRA General Manager, Greg
Etter, “The key is to contain spills so that they can be remediated. This Initiative will provide our fire
departments with the tools they need to contain spills and protect the River”.
UGRA
and the City of Kerrville are undertaking a joint brush control project at Kerrville Schreiner Park that is designed to study
and demonstrate good brush management practices. The first phase of the project will focus
on brush management and control of exotic and invasive vegetation on a nine acre tract immediately south of the Bandera Highway. Mesquite, second growth cedar and undesirable invasive
plants will be removed and native plants and grasses
will be planted. This will reduce the
amount of water lost to interception and evaporation and establish a tall
grass/savanna eco-system that will act as a filter and slow down runoff,
resulting in less erosion and more opportunity for groundwater recharge. Etter stated, “Proper brush control results
in improved water quality and quantity.
This joint project will benefit the water system and serve as an
example and a living laboratory.”
The
UGRA Board also recognized the service of immediate past Board members Joseph
D. Armistead and Thomas M. Myers.
Janet Robinson, UGRA President, stated, “UGRA and the community were
fortunate to have men of Joe and Tom’s caliber serve
on our Board. Each of them made a
lasting contribution to the stewardship of the Upper Guadalupe River.”
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UGRA aspires to be respected for its efficient, responsive and
forthright stewardship of the Upper Guadalupe River and its tributaries.
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