Environment
Tuesday, October 22, 2019 by Jessi Devenyns
Environment
Commission calls air quality motion a ‘vague statement,’ fails to pass it
Despite the philosophical support of commissioners, a motion to improve air quality at construction sites failed at the Oct. 16 meeting of the Environmental Commission.Commissioner Pam Thompson prepared a motion on the fly during a presentation by the Office of…
Thursday, October 3, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Environment
City reaches milestone for cave site restoration plan
City staff members have completed a draft land management plan to protect the city’s natural resources at the William H. Russell Karst Preserve, the 191-acre Southwest Austin site previously known as the Blowing Sink Research Management Area.The natural features of…
Friday, September 6, 2019 by Jessi Devenyns
Environment
Environmental Commission discusses how to make the Heritage Tree Ordinance even more tree-centric
Austin values its trees. According to the city arborist’s office, trees are a $16 billion asset to the community.In 1982, in an effort to better protect its trees, Austin implemented its inaugural tree ordinance, which was unique both then and…
Friday, August 23, 2019 by Jessi Devenyns
Environment
Toxic algae blooms expected to recur
Algae in Austin’s waterways is nothing new. In the summertime when the water warms up and flows slowly, it’s common to see tendrils of blue-green algae floating in the current.“It’s a very seasonal pattern. A very regular pattern,” Brent Bellinger…
Tuesday, August 13, 2019 by Andrew Weber
Environment
Zebra mussels have muscled their way into Lakes LBJ and Pflugerville
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced Monday that reproducing populations of zebra mussels have been found in lakes Lyndon B. Johnson and Pflugerville, bringing the number of statewide lakes infested with the invasive species to 17.In Central Texas, reproducing…
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 by Sangita Menon
Environment
Austin officials advise keeping pets out of Lady Bird Lake following death of two dogs
The city of Austin is warning people to keep their pets out of Lady Bird Lake while authorities test the water for the presence of harmful algae. Two dogs died recently after swimming in the lake, though officials cannot confirm…
