CASTROVILLE — The Texas Water Resources Institute will host a public meeting Oct. 16 to discuss next steps for the Medina River Below Medina Diversion Lake Watershed Protection Plan.
The meeting will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Braden Keller Community Center, 1410 Amelia St. The event is free and open to the public.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently accepted the watershed protection plan as meeting its guidelines for watershed- based plans.
That plan outlines strategies to implement management measures aimed at improving and protecting water quality in the Medina River watershed.
“Acceptance of the plan is a result of collaboration between watershed stakeholders, the San Antonio River Authority, Texas A&M AgriLife and TWRI,” said Tina Hendon, program specialist with the Texas Water Resources Institute. “Local residents, agricultural producers, business and industry representatives, and local officials provided valuable input for development of the plan.”
Organizers say the Oct. 16 meeting will focus on implementation and highlight the role of community partners in supporting conservation and clean water.
The agenda includes updates on outreach efforts, upcoming events and opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback and help design a new Medina River Watershed Protection Plan logo.
Guest speakers include Nathan Glavy of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, Kason Haby of the Texas Grazing Lands Coalition, and Lee Albee, owner of Southwest Farms, who will discuss local conservation practices and regenerative agriculture.
“Implementation is about more than just projects; it’s about people and partnerships,” said Mary Michael Zahed, TWRI program specialist. “This meeting is a chance for stakeholders to see how local organizations and producers are putting conservation into practice to help shape the future of the watershed.”
Funding for the plan is provided through a federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant from the EPA, administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
For more information, contact Zahed at mary.lipfordzahed@ ag.tamu.edu or 979-314-8092, or visit medina. twri.tamu.edu.
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