Water Resources

The Bandera Canyonland region is home to many pure, clean water resources. This area is also under increasing pressure from development and is prone to drought. Preserving and protecting water resources, as well as water availability and sustainability are of critical concern to BCA members and the community at large. The BCA has become actively involved in initiatives to help preserve the pristine waters of the Sabinal River and creeks in the Canyonlands and to help conserve and protect the local groundwater supplies.

The Save Our Sabinal (SOS) campaign was a grassroots effort, led by Bandera Canyonlands Alliance, to protect the Sabinal River from wastewater discharge. The SOS campaign sought to block a request for a Wastewater Discharge Permit filed by Young Life’s Camp Lonehollow, located in Vanderpool, Texas. BCA was proud to see local landowners and Texans around the state joining together to voice their objections to the direct discharge of wastewater into our pristine creeks and waterways. These efforts led to an agreement between the involved parties that protects the water, local economy, and property values.

BCA initially became involved in protesting this permit because there are currently no direct wastewater discharge permits in the Upper Nueces River Basin, which includes the Frio, Nueces, and Sabinal Rivers. Wastewater discharge into pure, pristine streams degrades the water quality and causes algae blooms, making the water unsightly and less attractive for swimming and other recreational activities (see the SBCA report “Pristine to Polluted”). Local landowners and businesses were greatly concerned about the negative impact the proposed discharge would have on the local economy, which is dependent upon visitors who come to the area each year for recreation that centers around the Sabinal River. In addition to this, landowners were concerned about the reduction of property values.

There was widespread opposition to this permit. Several conservation-minded entities, including Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Nueces River Authority, raised concerns about the proposed Wastewater Discharge permit. Area landowners actively participated in showing their opposition by placing distinctive yellow and blue Save Our Sabinal signs on fences and gates throughout the area. More than 25,000 people signed online petitions asking Young Life to change their plan to a Zero Discharge approach. Hundreds of people filed official comments with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) asking that the proposed charge be denied.

Ultimately the camp, working with the TCEQ and the Cibolo Nature Conservancy, adopted a Zero Discharge approach and withdrew its application for a discharge permit. The camp is now requesting a Texas Land Application Permit, along with a Reuse Permit, that would use all of the treated water for irrigation at the camp. As part of its plan, Young Life has committed to install a sub-surface irrigation system that activates if weather conditions are wet and prevent surface land application of treated water.

The Bandera Canyonlands Alliance supports this new approach and applauds Young Life for committing to a more environmentally friendly method to dispose of its wastewater. BCA and other organizations that advocate for the protection of Texas rivers are hopeful that the Young Life model has set a new standard for future permits. Protection of the pristine waters of Texas and conservation of groundwater resources are a key concern of BCA and our members. BCA will continue to join with other groups and individuals to advocate for regulatory and legislative protections for the last remaining pristine rivers and streams of Texas. The protection of water is an issue that BCA cares deeply about. Thank you for joining us.