Latest News

Hays County commissioners reject Hays Commons development agreement
On Tuesday, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted 3-1 to deny a proposed development agreement tied to the controversial Hays Commons project, located almost entirely on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. The debate over Hays Commons has stretched on for years, drawing significant attention from residents in both Hays and Travis counties. Milestone has stated that if the agreement was denied, it could still pursue development under existing county rules. However, this vote is a much deserved victory by Hays Residents For Land And Water Protection, and GEAA is beyond grateful to all our members and partners who helped make this

HELP STOP HAYS COMMONS
ATTN: GEAA MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WE NEED YOUR HELP TO STOP HAYS COMMONS In April, GEAA member group Hays Residents for Land and Water Protection (HRFLWP) helped make a huge impact and it’s time to do it again! The public comments you all submitted resulted in the Hays Commons Development Agreement, variance request, and preliminary plan being tabled for public input. The Hays Commons Development Agreement is coming back to the Hays County Commissioners Court agenda on June 9th. Tell Commissioners Court to Vote NO Commissioners Court Meeting: June 9, 2026 Submit Public Comments BEFORE JUNE 8 at 11:59 PM Show

Barton Springs recharge zone: Still a bad place for freeways.
by: Annalisa Peace 4-20-26 We’ve never understood why highway authorities keep wanting to build freeways in one of the most precious and fragile places in the Austin area — the Barton Springs recharge zone. So, of course, GEAA is opposed to the huge multi-lane expansion of MoPac (running south from Enfield Road to Slaughter Lane) over the recharge zone. That’s why we’re urging you to join GEAA member groups in opposing the new MoPac South project by taking these two steps: Attend the MoPac South Town HallWHEN: Wednesday, April 22, 6-8pmWHERE: Austin High School Cafeteria,1715 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78703 Join us on

Rocket Testing, Data Centers, and Great News from Local Elected Officials
Dear GEAA members and friends, As National Groundwater Week concludes, we have been inundated with threats and gifts to both the quality and quantity of our Edwards and Trinity groundwater. Here are some brief updates. It ain’t rocket science to worry that a rocket testing site on the Edwards Recharge Zone is bad news. It’s common sense. GEAA has been working with founding GEAA member group, the San Marcos River Foundation to support them in urging Texas State University to reconsider their plans to locate a rocket testing site on the Freeman Ranch property. The problem is that the Freeman Ranch is located 100% on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge

Sen. Campbell Asks TCEQ to Evaluate Watershed Protections for Canyon Lake
State Sen. Donna Campbell put the TCEQ on notice, giving the regulatory body 30 days to respond to her request for an evaluation of Canyon Lake’s watershed to determine whether existing regulatory measures adequately prevent gradual degradation under projected growth and hydrological issues. The request comes amid community opposition to Lennar Homes’ proposed Broken Cedar Ranch — an 850-home development in Fischer that would discharge up to 600,000 gallons of treated wastewater daily into Potters Creek and Canyon Lake. We are very grateful that Sen. Campbell recognizes what is at issue concerning the cumulative impacts of wastewater permitting on local water

Yea! San Antonio City Council votes FOR the aquifer!
Dear GEAA members and friends, Yesterday Mayor Jones and the San Antonio City Council unanimously voted to deny the creation of a Municipal Utility District for Lennar’s Guajolote Ranch development. Big shout out to our partners, Scenic Loop Helotes Creek Alliance, who did an amazing job of presenting our case. Honestly, I have never seen an instance where the Edwards Aquifer got so much love in one place. Many thanks to our partners, experts, and elected officials who have joined us in opposing this wildly inappropriate Lennar development. And, to all of you who continue to support our efforts! You can watch the council meeting here. I would urge

Opponents challenge wastewater plans for Hays County concert venue
Express News Jan 9, 2024 By Liz Teitz. Written comments stated by the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance: “The Fitzhugh music venue, as currently proposed, would

Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer declares Stage 4 exceptional drought
By Carissa Lehmkuhl PublishedDecember 15, 2023 5:19PM Weather FOX 7 Austin As quoted by GEAA Executive Director Annallisa Peace, “The news of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer

How new legislation and growth threaten Edwards Aquifer
By Annalisa Peace,For the Express-News Nov 27, 2023 GEAA Under a new state law, those who own property in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, where most of the development

Where I Work: Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
by Rachel Hanes November 20, 2023. As policy director at the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, Rachel Hanes works to protect the Edwards and Trinity aquifers.

Water for the future: Comal County has opportunities for reuse.
By Rachel Hanes / Policy Director, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance Oct 28, 2023 Updated Oct 29, 2023. It is vitally important for residents in Comal County to

Digging into healthy soil to battle climate change
By: Deborah Reid-Technical Director, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, for the Express News Oct 3,2023 Perhaps you are familiar with the vital role healthy soils play