Residents ask ASR officials 'Why Bastrop County?' at town hall
Some Bastrop County residents spent their afternoon Sept. 3 at the Community Center in Mayfest Park to discuss Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project with about a dozen Austin Water staff members.
Some context: The ASR project, approved as part of Austin’s Water Forward Plan, aims to store and draw water at the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer through a facility Austin officials plan to build in northeast Bastrop County, as previously reported by Community Impact.
However, Austin Water officials plan to first launch a three-year scientific study—which will test water compatibility in a lab and not in the ground—in late 2025 to explore the feasibility of storing drinking water underground in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer.
Notable quote: “We've been meeting with some stakeholders here in Bastrop County since April, talking about the project—what protections and benefits would they like to see in the project, and now we're here to talk with the community in general, and we're really happy to do so,” Chanslor said.
Bastrop historical marker to honor former slave Jeremiah J. Hamilton
A new historical marker through the Texas Historical Commission could soon be placed on the Bastrop County Courthouse square.
The details: The 27-by-42-inch historical marker—which would be affixed to a 3.5-inch diameter post—would recognize Jeremiah J. Hamilton, who represented Bastrop and Fayette counties in the 12th Texas Legislature from 1870-71.
Hamilton was born enslaved in 1838 and was brought to Texas in 1847.
“He was illegally taught to read while a slave,” according to a staff document from the Texas Historical Commission. “After emancipation, Hamilton taught school, advocated for Bastrop County Black farmers, registered voters and served as a land trustee.”
Hamilton represented the 26th District as a Republican.
‘This will save lives’: New Texas laws require summer camps to remove cabins from floodplains
Two months after 25 campers and two counselors died in the historic July 4 flooding at Camp Mystic, Gov. Greg Abbott signed three new laws Sept. 5 that he said will “make youth camps safer” and ensure Texas communities are better prepared for future disasters. The flood victims' families attended the Sept. 5 bill signing ceremony in Austin.
The details: Under the two-pronged camp safety package, summer camps are required to remove existing cabins from floodplains by Jan. 1.
Camps must also develop and annually update comprehensive emergency plans, set up warning systems to notify campers if something is wrong and install ladders so campers can climb on cabin roofs during floods.
Looking ahead: Two other disaster preparedness bills, as well as legislation designed to regulate Texas’ multibillion-dollar THC industry, did not pass during the recent special legislative session, which ended around 1 a.m. Sept. 4.
When asked Sept. 5 if he planned to call a third legislative overtime to continue work on those policies, Abbott told reporters to "stay tuned."
