PRESENTER: Presenter
Robin Gary, One-Water Coordinator, NBU
Christopher J. Looney, AICP, Planning & Development Services Director, CoNB
Body
SUBJECT: Title
Presentation on the One Water New Braunfels Program Year 1 Annual Report
Header
DEPARTMENT: NBU and all city departments
Body
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In August, 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 finite 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:
The first year has been focused on Foundation Building. The program’s organizational framework was established, including several committees that have already been working to implement the One Water Roadmap, a high-level plan to achieve the aforementioned vision. Year 2 will focus on internal education and training, while subsequent years will see community outreach and broadened education. One Water’s long-term strategic efforts are intended to foster a generational paradigm shift in how the community uses and values our water resources.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
2. Adopt the new Land Development Ordinance that implements goals of our residents identified in Envision New Braunfels, including but not limited to protecting historic structures, preserving and increasing green space and tree canopy, protecting natural resources, and safeguarding the character, integrity, and stability of neighborhoods.
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:
The annual City contribution of $50,000 to the program has already been approved in the FY 2025 Budget.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
N/A