Canyon Lake is one of Texas's most treasured natural resources, called the gem of the Texas Hill Country. It is a drinking water asset, recreation area, wildlife habitat, and provides great economic benefits for surrounding communities. Protecting its water quality should be a priority for everyone who depends on it—today and for future generations.
Chapter 311 protections for Canyon Lake play an important role in ensuring that development and growth around Canyon Lake are balanced with responsible environmental stewardship. These protections help reduce managed pollution, simultaneously safeguard water quality and water supply, and preserve the natural character of the watershed. As our region continues to grow, weakening these safeguards could have lasting consequences for the lake, the groundwater systems, wells, downstream communities, and local businesses that rely on a healthy ecosystem.
Economic growth and environmental protection do not have to be competing goals. Thoughtful planning, responsible development, and strong environmental standards can work together to protect private property rights while preserving the public resources that benefit us all. Economic growth has not been thwarted by a no wastewater ban in the Highland Lakes for forty years, almost half a century.
I encourage everyone -- elected officials, appointed officials, community leaders, developers, and all private property owners -- to support strengthening the protections that keep Canyon Lake and its raw water supply clean and healthy. Once water quality is lost, restoring it is far more difficult and expensive than protecting it in the first place. We owe it to current fellow citizens and future generations to create win-win solutions to innovate and implement systems, making the decisions that preserve Canyon Lake as the valuable resource it is.
No Discharge Reuse Every Drop.
Sincerely,
Danae N Delaney
Canyon Lake, TX
