PRESENTER: Presenter
Christopher J. Looney, AICP, Planning Director
Robin Gary, One-Water Coordinator, NBU
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation on the One Water New Braunfels Annual Report
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DEPARTMENT: All
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2023, City Council approved an Interlocal Agreement with New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) to jointly establish the One Water Program. One Water is an integrated and coordinated planning and implementation approach to managing water resources for long-term resilience and reliability meeting both community and ecosystem needs. One Water’s vision is:
To ensure water remains a celebrated and protected feature of the New Braunfels community by collaboratively managing water resources to safeguard watersheds, waterways, and groundwater.
ISSUE:
Implementation of the One Water Roadmap began with foundation and organizational framework building, followed by internal education and training. Next steps include community outreach and broadened education. One Water’s long-term strategic efforts are intended to foster a generational paradigm shift in how we in our community use and value our water resources.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
The Community Identity tenant speaks to implementing goals of our residents identified in Envision New Braunfels, including but not limited to protecting natural resources.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REFERENCE:
Action 5.2: Discourage development in Edwards Aquifer Recharge and contributing zones, stream zones, flood-prone areas, steep slopes, or other ecologically constrained areas. Where development in these areas must occur, require that it be environmentally sound using tools such as but not limited to low impact development (LID).
Action 5.4: Incentivize water use reduction and conservation.
Action 5.5: Encourage the capture of water for reuse and aquifer storage.
Action 5.8: Encourage native vegetation and remove non-native invasive species in natural riparian and enhance drainage areas.
Action 5.10: Increase sources of water in the region to adequately serve the citizens.
Action 5.12: Expand education on water conservation to new residents who may be moving to the region from areas of water abundance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Annual City contribution of $50,000 to the program identified in the tri-party ILA.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
N/A