More money sought for Edwards Aquifer study _By Chris Cobb_ (http://herald-zeitung.com/contact.lasso?ewcd= 6f6cf874d6a84ef1b95e37e9f79195568af7d827721a528e94756ad7a6117f2b&-session=HeraldZeitung:400C74 0F05531011B9Uvq15AFBFB) The Herald-Zeitung Published February 17, 2009Additional funding is being sought to help pay for an in-depth study of how best to manage water levels in the Edwards Aquifer, both to serve an ever-growing population and protect the native species who call the aquifer home.
The Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program is a collaborative effort of more than 35 local governments, water conservation districts and other stakeholders, to strike a balance between the needs of the almost 2 million people that rely on the aquifer for water and the numerous endangered species that depend on healthy flows in the Comal and San Marcos springs to survive. The total cost of the study is around $3 million, said EARIP program manager Dr. Robert Gulley, and he estimates it will take another $1.6 million in federal or state funding to ensure the program is completed. “It’s essential that we obtain some additional funding for the program,” Gulley said. “What it will provide is the ability for the aquifer to continue to meet the needs of the region for water, while also providing for the endangered species that live in the springs.” Eight federally endangered or threatened species are found only in the Comal or San Marcos springs, including three species of invertebrates, two species of fish, two types of salamanders and the aquatic plant Texas Wild Rice. The study is designed to protect them and establish appropriate pumping levels to make sure the aquifer can continue to provide for most of south-central Texas. “It is vital that the state of Texas put in the necessary dollars to protect this precious resource, the 1.7 million people, businesses and unique wildlife that call the Edwards area home,” state Sen. Glenn Hager said in an EARIP news release Thursday. Stakeholders on the EARIP steering committee met Thursday in Austin to discuss the plan and push for state funding while the Legislature is in session. Securing funding from the state Legislature, Hager said in the release, also would help the program get additional federal dollars. The EARIP is tasked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with having some sort of plan in place by 2012. However, no money was ever contributed to the program, either by the state or federal governments. While more than $750,000 has been raised by stakeholders, Gulley said, more money is needed to finish the study. Doing so, said Roger Biggers, director of water services for New Braunfels Utilities who also serves on the EARIP steering committee, would ensure the safety of the aquifer, the springs and everything that depends on them to survive. “This is a vital process we need to go through for the long-term health of the Edwards Aquifer,” Biggers said. _http://herald-zeitung.com/story.lasso?ewcd=3a16fc5599edd69a&-session=HeraldZe itung:42F949F7054cd014BDiTsX80684C_ (http://herald-zeitung.com/story.lasso?ewcd=3a16fc5599edd69a&-session=HeraldZeitung:42F949F7054cd014BDiTsX80684C) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=fe bemailfooterNO62)
