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<br />spillway. In 1994m Texas State University purchased Spring Lake to preserve its rare
<br />ecosystem and to provide research and environmental education opportunities for
<br />children and adults through the River Systems Institute. However, the Rogers family
<br />retained the "Sink Creek" tract, an adjacent 251 acre parcel of land located immediately
<br />upstream. The majority of the 241 acre Sink Creek parcel's surface drainage is into Sink
<br />Creek and a small portion drains to the San Marcos River immediately above Spring
<br />Lake, making conservation of this property vital to maintaining the health of these
<br />vulnerable aquatic systems. Additionally, roughly half of the "Sing Creek" tract is in the
<br />Edward's Aquifer Recharge Zone and its development would negatively impact water
<br />quality and spring flow.
<br />
<br />In the late 1990's, the Rogers family sold the Sink Creek tract to an investor/developer,
<br />who recently proposed to build a 75,000 square-foot conference center, a 250 room
<br />hotel and other associated development on the property. Local pressure halted this
<br />project, however the owner began moving forward with plans for a massive residential
<br />development. Recognizing the urgent need to prevent development in this
<br />environmentally sensitive area, the City of San Marcos, Hays County and Texas State
<br />University formed a collaborative effort to acquire and develop the Sink Creek tract as a
<br />passive use park and nature preserve and asked The Nature Conservancy to purchase
<br />the land on an interim basis. The Conservancy, which had included the site as a high
<br />priority are for both aquatic and terrestrial species in its 2004 EcoRegional Assessment
<br />for the Edward's Plateau, purchased the property in May 2006 for $4,869,000,
<br />$1,131,000 below the fair-market value according to a recent qualified real estate
<br />appraisal. The City of San Marcos has two years to acquire the Sink Creek Tract from
<br />the Conservancy for its original purchase price, plus interest.
<br />
<br />In November 2005, 68% of the citizens of San Marcos voted to support $2,000,000 in
<br />bonds towards the acquisition of the property. Hays County has also committed
<br />$700,000 from its remaining parks and open space bond funds. The Meadows
<br />Foundation has committed $355,670 towards the project. The U.S. Department of
<br />Interior has also committed $1,000,000 to the acquisition of the property. The County
<br />has applied to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for $400,000 to the acquisition
<br />and development of the land. $200,000 from LCRA will allow the consortium to partner
<br />with other important water partners to make this project a reality.
<br />
<br />2. What is the service area of the project?
<br />
<br />With the sudden increase in population of the Austin Metropolitan area, the City of San
<br />Marcos has also seen rapid expansion. In 1970, the City's population according to the
<br />census was 18,860. In 1980, the numbers had grown to 23,420 and in 1990 to 28,743.
<br />The City, according to the 2000 U. S. Census had over 34,733 persons living within the
<br />city limits. The current estimates have the community at 44,769. From 2000 to 2005,
<br />the population exploded at a 28.89% growth rate.
<br />
<br />Until just a few years ago, Hay County was a very rural, agriculturally based area.
<br />Covering 679.8 square miles of south-central Texas. In 1970, 27,642 persons lived in
<br />the County (8,860 of them in the City of San Marcos). According to the 2000 census,
<br />the County numbered 97,589, a 283% growth in just 30 years. The County is projected
<br />to nearly double again by 2010. Of the current population of 97,589 persons, 48.96%
<br />
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