The Bandera County Democratic Club heard from local water expert Dr. Margo Denke at its monthly meeting April 12 at the Silver Sage Community Center.
Denke spoke about local water issues and how groups such as the Friends of Sabinal Canyon and the Bandera Canyonlands Alliance are working to preserve the county’s water resources.
One of the main actions taken by the Friends of Sabinal Canyon, she noted, was their opposition to routing runoff water from Camp OTX into Sabinal Creek.
Denke outlined basic concerns facing the county amid ongoing extreme drought conditions. She discussed the Edwards, Trinity, Mid-Trinity and Lower Trinity aquifers, and how their water levels have changed over the past 10 years.
“We are in a groundwater crisis,” Denke said.
She described how monitoring wells installed by the Friends of Sabinal Canyon are part of a collaborative effort with the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (BCRAGD). With the county currently in Stage 5 drought conditions, Denke emphasized the importance of closely monitoring new well permits. There’s “not enough drinking water for our county,” she said.
Minutes from the March 8 meeting were read and filed for the record.
The treasurer’s report was discussed, and members agreed to develop a budget in May for the coming year. A discussion about how to designate funds for the BCDP Protest Committee sparked heated debate.
Democratic County Chair Lynn Oliver reported on recent party activity and congratulated the 22 club members who participated in the Kerrville protest. She praised Robert Rios, Precinct 203 chair, for leading the organizing effort. The BCDP Protest Committee is planning to attend a second event in Kerrville in April.
Jodi Sinclair, reporting on the Public Relations Committee, emphasized the need for the group to improve its image and outreach in the county.
The Activities Committee reported on several upcoming events: the Frontier Times Gala on April 26; the Arthur Nagel Scholarship Luncheon, which will feature guest speaker Dr. Saleh Jaafar, the clinic’s medical director; and the Adopta- Highway program, also on April 26. Members also noted that Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder held a town hall in Fredericksburg on April 13.
Under new business, the club discussed communications issues related to a band channel and website publications.
The Bandera County Democratic Club meets the second Saturday of each month at the Silver Sage Dining Hall. A potluck lunch is served at 11 a.m., followed by the meeting at noon.
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