Austin May Join Effort to Buy Aquifer Property

From Austin Chronicle, August 1, 2008...

A large swath of environmentally sensitive land south of Austin could be spared from development. Several parties familiar with negotiations for a conservation easement for the Dahlstrom Ranch in Hays Co. – 2,275 acres of prime recharge land over the Edwards Aquifer – say the deal appears to be close to reality.

Hays Co. commissioners recently approved a partnership with the Hill Country Conservancy that would apply for National Parks Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.

George Cofer, executive director of the HCC, said the application would "create a plan for the part of the ranch that the family has said they're willing to have public access on." The National Parks Service would then pull together various stakeholders to help craft a plan for the property.

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