User:
luke
Date: 11/16/2007 7:58 pm
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Public support for protecting environmentally sensitive land in the Barton Springs watershed has been overwhelming in the last few weeks. More than 1500 people have sent e-mails, signed postcards, or written letters to the Austin City Council calling on them to allocate at least $75 million for protecting vulnerable lands in the upcoming bond election. And last night, dozens of people attended a public hearing at City Hall calling for open space protection.
The Council is responding. Council member Betty Dunkerly wrote "We are trying to add more dollars to open space and bring the total up to that recommended by the Bond Advisory Committee." That would mean $42 million for aquifer protection, which is a good start, but with city staff warning 7500 acres in the Barton Springs watershed are under imminent threat of development, a total of $75 million is needed.
The Council is scheduled to set the final bond package on June 8, so there's still time to weigh in. As Council member Raul Alvarez told environmental advocates last night, "Keep the e-mails coming!".
