col·lec·tive (noun)
A group of people who share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest, or work together on a specific project or projects to achieve a common objective. Collective consciousness is a term created by French social theorist Émile Durkheim that describes how an entire community comes together to share similar values.
News Updates
Have some news of interest? Submit it to info@lakeaustincollective.org.
Travis County Adds Webb Estates Tract to BCP
Travis County has closed on a transaction to purchase approximately 147 acres of a 167-acre tract off City Park Road. The property owner has been trying to obtain approval for a subdivision since 2007. This environmentally sensitive land is adjacent to the existing Coldwater Canyon and Franzetti tracts and is a great addition to the Balcones Canyonland Preserves. [see project page for map]
Lake Austin Initiatives Dying on City Council Vine
In response to citizen communications regarding the lack of coordinated oversight of Lake Austin, the Waterfront Planning and Advisory Board unanimously approved a Resolution in April 2010 asking the City Council to set up a Lake Austin Task Force, similar to the Waterfront Overlay Task Force that resulted in the re-creation of the Waterfront Planning Advisory Board, The Waterfront Planning Advisory Board only has oversight of Lady Bird Lake and cannot act on issues beyond the Longhorn Dam. The City Council has taken no action on the Advisory Board's recommendation.
In a similar vein, the Parks and Recreation Board unanimously approved a Resolution at its 30 November 2010 meeting asking the City Council to set up an appropriate, multi-disciplinary team to recommend methods and policies that would allow for reasonable use of Lake Austin while also protecting the resource, specifically damage to the shoreline caused by wakes. The City Council has taken no action on the PARB request for action.
Tropical Storm Hermine passed through west Austin area in September 2010, causing heavy stormwater runoff in the Lake Austin and Bull Creek watersheds. Area residents contacted City of Austin officials and, with persistence, finally convinced the Director of Watershed Protection, Victoria Li, to view problems with debris and water quality of Lake Austin. After her boat ride, Director Li responded that "the Watershed Protection Department is typically only responsible for routine and on-going maintenance of Lady Bird Lake, as it is surrounded predominately by publicly owned open space, parkland and trails." The City is ignoring that it has any responsibility for managing Lake Austin.
The Austin City Manager, Marc Ott, takes his direction from the City Council. If the City Council does not think the Lake Austin area is important, the staff responsible for implementing the policies and enforcing the code also ignore its importance to the City, and the City's responsibility for managing it.
The Council Members who had the foresight in the 1980s to establish protections for Lake Austin are no longer in power, and those who are in power are focused on the urban core. We are invisible to the elected officials because they don't know that we have the numbers and willpower to vote and make a difference in the election of our Mayor and Council. If you live within the Full Purpose or the Limited Purpose jurisdictions of the City of Austin, be sure you are registered to vote, and exercise that right when elections are held. Residents in Limited Purpose jurisdiction can vote for Austin mayor and council members and charter amendments, but not for bond-related issues.
New Rules in Effect for Shoreline Modification and Access
In December 2010 the City Council did approve changes to the Land Development Code that reflect better shoreline management practices. Staff also has developed detailed specifications that are provided in the Environmental Criteria Manual, and compiled some great information at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watershed/bulkhead_shoreline.htm to help residents and contractors implement better shoreline practices.
Why were these changes needed? In Spring 2009 the Environmental Resources Group of the Watershed Protection Department surveyed the bulkheads along Lake Austin and found that 42.5% of the Lake Austin shoreline has been covered with vertical bulkheads (download the presentation given to Environmental Board in May 2009). They also observed a deterioration of the shoreline habitat and water quality. Staff then conducted thorough literature reviews and tested alternative methods to determine how to provide better bank stability, wave abatement, water quality, and healthy aquatic life. In presenting the recommendations Staff stress that these changes alone were not adequate to mitigate the heavy wave action that is eroding the shoreline of Lake Austin. The Parks and Recreation Board subsequently passed a Resolution for Wave Abatement in November 2010 but the City Council has taken no action on the request.
Septic Loading in Lake Austin
Some residents along Lake Austin who have professionals service their individual raw intake water treatment system have reported that Lake Austin is turning "slightly septic." How is the water quality of Lake Austin, which is the primary source of drinking water for lakeside residents in addition to the entire City of Austin, being affected by septic systems? The last known study was conducted in1985, "Data Report of Septic Tank Loading to Lake Travis and Lake Austin." At that time there was an estimated 357 septic systems within 500 feet of Lake Austin, and 2,102 septic systems within 5,000 feet of Lake Austin. How many septic systems have been added in the past 25 years, and in what condition are the septic systems now? (The estimated life of a septic system is approximately 20 years.) Seems like another look at the septic loading on Lake Austin is overdue...
Amplified Sound Ordinance Now Applies to Lake Austin Boaters
In November 2009 the Austin City Council approved changes to the amplified sound ordinance as requested from the Austin Police Department. The Lake Patrol can now enforce limits on amplified sound from watercraft on Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake. Enforcement of the amplified sound ordinance will be driven by citizen complaint of specific problems. Call 311 to report a problem of sustained ampliified sound (refer to Mike's mile marker map to help Lake Patrol know which zone of the lake the watercraft is located). Read the approved Ordinance with the changes that apply to watercraft.
Summer brings Recreational Boating
Please help keep Lake Austin safe and fun for everyone! Boating regulations on Lake Austin are governed by the Texas Water Safety Act in addition to local regulations. There's also a handy Quick Reference to the Water Safety Act. Be sure the driver of any watercraft knows and follows the boating regulations. You can find lots of useful information about boat registration, boating laws, safety requirements, and boater education at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/.
Lake Austin Recreational Boating Study
Many of you participated in this study of recreational boating on Lake Austin, and the report is now available. There are two files: the final report and the appendices.
WTP4 Construction
The current plans also call for tunneling under the Balcones Canyonland Preserve and Bull Creek to install distribution lines from Four Points to Hwy 183. Citizens with questions or concerns are invited to call the WTP4 hotline at 498-9874 or email info@wtpfour.com. Residents of neighborhoods near the Spicewood Springs area who are concerned about the route for the transmission lines have posted lots of good info about the project at http://www.stoptheshafts.com/.
Not only does Lake Austin serve as a significant source of drinking water for citizens in and around Austin, it provides spectacular recreational and scenic opportunities. Send contributing information or questions to info@lakeaustincollective.org.