GEAA has partnered with Hays City and local residents to oppose Milestone’s plans for a wastewater treatment plant to serve a high density housing development on 290 acres of the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Milestone’s plans to disperse sewage effluent in this sensitive area threatens to pollute Barton Springs and the wells of nearby residents. We invite you to join us in Buda next Tuesday when TCEQ will host a public meeting to discuss Milestones wastewater permit

When: Tuesday, July 16th at 7:pm

Where: Comfort Suites (main meeting room) in Buda 15295 S IH-35, Bldg. 800

It is important to have a crowd of concerned citizens attend this public meeting to let both TCEQ and Milestone know that this is not a good idea. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during the first half of the meeting. Comments from the public will be recorded during the second half of the meeting.

Written comments may be submitted to TCEQ any time before 5:pm on July 25th. You can submit comments here by entering the permit number WQ0016373001.

The summary of the GEAA Comments Hays Commons TLAP read, “ In summary, the high-density type of development proposed by Milestone with high impervious cover, coupled with their plan to irrigate treated sewage over the recharge zone, is ill-suited for the environmentally sensitive nature of the area. Existing development in this area respects the location over the EARZ and consists predominantly of single-family homes on one acre plus lots, with On-Site Septic Facilities (OSSFs) for wastewater. Dropping in a highdensity development with 14 acres of 70% impervious cover commercial space, plus a 32-acre treated sewage irrigation field over numerous Karst features is not only incongruous to the existing area aesthetic but will likely lead to significant groundwater contamination. We urge TCEQ to reject the Hays Commons wastewater permit application in its entirety.”

The site of Milestone’s Hays Commons development was subject to impervious cover regulations enforced by both the City of Hays and Austin. Sadly, when SB 2038 became law on September 1st of last year, Milestone immediately and successfully filed to have the area de-annexed, which meant that the aquifer protection measures enforced by both cities are now moot.