Apparently about several tracts totalling around 400 acres were purchased on Hwy. 1340 across the road from Camp Stewart, by an out of town developer and were being cleared, trees burned and roads built including down into the Guadalupe River. Ron Duke, of the Kerr County Water Alliance (KCWA-contact page on website), reported this major river and land violation to me and others on March 21st. This is a new citizen's group formed to observe and protect our county's water resources. As you know, groundwater (aquifers) and the river comprise the bulk of our Kerr County water supplies and they are connected - groundwater produces the springs, which in turn produce most area creek and river flows.
The incident was fully described, photographed and published by the West Kerr Current.
The contractor's damage to the property is significant with Duke stating ' The damage is not visible from the road...up close it is. Acres-n'acres of hill are now on the riverfront. An area about the size of length X height of all Tivy Stadium has been pushed/bulldozed downhill.' This incident was reported by Upper Guadalupe River Authority to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on March 8th with the agency rushing to investigate on March 18th. No permits were noted and the contractor was told to halt operations, which they did. The state reports anyone can check the progress of the complaint at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/compliance/complaints/waci.html The TCEQ tracking # 418815. On the tracking page 2nd paragraph where says 'Search the Status of Complaint' enter the tracking #.
Local Kerr and Kerrville residents are invited to support and follow this investigation, its eventual penalties and future river basin protection measures which should and could evolve. Remember ' Water is Life!' Mike Mecke Kerrville
