News and Notes

• Thanks everyone for a great May meeting!  Here is the link to a recent article in The Economist, as promised...Pork, Chopped.  FYI, the Animal Planet episode featuring feral hogs in Caldwell County will make its World Premier during monster week, May 24 at 7 PM!  The feral swine around here are getting to be as famous as the BBQ... well maybe not that famous.  
• RSVP now to attend the Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Workshop for the Plum Creek Watershed on June 25, 2013!
• April 24, 2013 article in the Hays Free Press - Hillside Terrace to flush septic woes
• Planning and Design funding approved for Hillside Terrace Subdivision wastewater improvement!
• For the latest news on the Hillside Terrace wastewater project, Community Cleanup Events, a major wastewater spill in Kyle, the feral hog competition and more, check out the Februrary 2013 Watershed Coordinator Summary Report. 
• $5,000 grant from TDA to fund feral hog survey and wireless trapping system for Caldwell County!
• Check out a special presentation by Dr. Kevin Wagner revealing valuable insight into Agricultural BMPs for Improving Water Quality from the February 7, 2013 Plum Creek Watershed Partnership Meeting.
• Please continue to check our website for updates as we expect a very busy and very exciting 2013.  Some of our plans include new feral hog projects and competitions, riparian workshops, watershed clean ups, domestic well testing for stakeholders, a soils testing campaign, wastewater workshops and more...

Watershed Clean Ups

• Thanks to a grant from CAPCOG and additional funding from Caldwell County almost 30 tons of solid waste won't be finding its way into Plum Creek. 
• 1,100 Tires and counting...After another great turnout at our Dale Community Collection Event, Caldwell County residents have one more opportunity to dispose of old tires and nonhazardous waste in Lockhart, TX on June 1, 2013.
• Thank you, Lockhart!!! Over 300 volunteers turn out for the 5th Annual Plum Creek/Town Branch/Lockhart Springs Cleanup and Environmental Fair. 

Caldwell County and Hays County Feral Hog Task Force

• The Caldwell County Feral Hog Task Force elected a Leadership Committee at its May 14, 2013 meeting.  Inaugural members (affiliation) include: Val Ramirez (hunter/trapper), Jesse Staton (landowner), Meridith Longoria (TPWD), Nick Dornak (PCWP), and a Caldwell County Representative. 
• Click here for link to May 15, 2013 article in the San Marcos Daily Record (or see PDF)...Animal Planet show tackles area’s feral hog problem.
• Thanks to tremendous support from local landowners, hunters and trappers, 1,135 feral hogs were removed from the Plum Creek Watershed and surrounding area from October through December of 2012!
• The first Caldwell County Feral Hog Task Force Meeting was held on Januray 8, 2013.  Click here to see what's on tap for 2013.

The Plum Creek Watershed Partnership has developed a Watershed Protection Plan as a proactive approach to cleaning up and protecting Plum Creek in Caldwell and Hays Counties in South Central Texas. The watershed planning process led to key recommendations including public outreach and a variety of management practices. Through focused local effort throughout the watershed, implementation is underway to address water quality issues, including E. coli bacteria and nutrient levels. Browse the website to find out more and get involved as we move forward with watershed management in Texas!