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A House subcommittee has approved the San Marcos Stormwater Abatement Project, which is designed to replace aging infrastructure that currently allows untreated stormwater runoff to make its way into the San Marcos River, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett said.
As part of this $1.25 million initiative, stormwater treatment “best practices” will be adopted, including grassy areas or wetponds that can receive rainfall and remove pollutants and sediment before it enters the river, Doggett said.
“Sediment carried into the upper San Marcos River during storm events can have negative effects on the health of the river. In some places, terrestrial vegetation is now growing on sand bars from sediment flows into the river from creeks and roadways,” Tom Brandt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Marcos NFHTC, said.
“The buildup of sediment has the potential to seriously affect habitat for both the endangered fountain darter and Texas wild rice. The San Marcos Storm- Water Abatement Project is aimed at helping to reduce both sediment and vehicle associated pollutants flowing into the upper San Marcos River during rain events,” he said.
According to Texas State University’s River Systems Institute, “Archaeological discoveries of Clovis points and Mastodon bones indicate that this area has been inhabited over 12,000 years.”
“After immense growth in Hays County, some of our surroundings may have changed, but our needs have not—clean air, clean water, and green spaces—are what every family counts on today and in the future,” Doggett said.
“A treasured part of my own family memories include a number of birthday parties long ago with our now grown daughters tubing down the River and relaxing on its banks. This federal support will go to ensure that Central Texas families continue to enjoy the good times and the great beauty that the River has to offer,” Doggett said.
