The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) is set to host a stakeholder meeting for the Medina River Below Medina Diversion Lake Watershed Protection Plan on September 9 in Castroville. This meeting will focus on discussing the quality of the Medina River below the Medina Diversion Lake and developing strategies to address water quality impairments in the watershed.
The public meeting is scheduled to take place from 1-4 p.m. at the Braden Keller Community Center located at 1410 Amelia St. This meeting marks the fourth in a series of meetings with watershed stakeholders to address elevated bacteria concentrations in the Lower Medina River and Medio Creek, as well as nutrient concerns present in the watershed. Tina Hendon, TWRI program specialist, emphasized the importance of the watershed protection plan in addressing these impairments and concerns.
During the meeting, stakeholders will have the opportunity to review and discuss recommendations from recent technical work groups. These discussions will cover potential sources of bacteria, priority areas for management, management measures to address pollutant sources, and education and outreach priorities for the watershed. Hendon stressed the significance of continued stakeholder input in identifying appropriate strategies and partners to improve water quality throughout the watershed.
The TWRI is collaborating on this project with the San Antonio River Authority, with funding provided through a federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. TWRI, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, brings together expertise from across The Texas A&M University System to address water resource challenges in the state.
For more information about the stakeholder meeting or the watershed protection plan, interested individuals can contact Tina Hendon at [email protected] or Patricia Carvajal at the San Antonio River Authority at [email protected] Additionally, more information about the watershed can be found at medina.twri.tamu.edu.
In conclusion, the upcoming stakeholder meeting for the Medina River Below Medina Diversion Lake Watershed Protection Plan presents an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the development of strategies to improve water quality in the watershed. By engaging with experts and fellow stakeholders, attendees can play a vital role in shaping the future of water resource management in the region.