The Flood Debris Should be Gone Soon!

The Friends of Barton Springs Pool have consistently supported the short term Master Plan Project funded in PARD to remove the flood debris and gravel that has created a shallower than normal bar in the deep end of the pool. The Friends have advocated for more regular and effective debris and gravel removal, something that has not been done at the pool in almost 20 years. The short-term project to remove the gravel bar now provides such a mechanism, using a crane to scoop out gravel not successfully removed in earlier trials.

Through the approval process, the City of Austin has worked closely with interested citizens to get input into the project design. An extensive permitting process involving U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and two other agencies reviewed the project to ensure the safety of the endangered salamanders. The gravel Bar Removal Project is now a reality, scheduled for be accomplished in January 2011 while the swimming crowds are away.

Unfortunately, the project must disrupt the pool environment to be accomplished. The project has been designed to minimize disturbance and to be as short and temporary as possible. According to PARD, the pool will be closed on January 24, and they estimate that it will reopen March 12.  During the shutdown, an access pad, crane pad, tree protection, and coffer dam will be placed, and the pool drained down some. Then, the crane will remove the gravel and the coffers, pads, and equipment will be removed.

Earlier this year, the City of Austin prepared a summary of how environmental protection will be maintained while the project is implemented. Please see more here (pdf).

Tom Weber, Advocacy Director, FBSP

Thanks 2010 Volunteers, See You in Spring 2011!

Volunteers shovel sand upstream of the pool after the Hermine flood

Ladies, gentleman, friends one and all,  I would like to extend gratitude deep as the waters beneath the diving board and gushing as the springs in the wettest of years to everyone who gave their time to help keep the gem of our city sparkling.  What better barometer for the condition of our environment in a changing world than the sacred waters of Barton Springs?  As volunteers at the pool we take stewardship of this uncommon urban paradise.  And with our attention to these waters, guide and protect the quality of our resources and lives through the changes of a new millennium.

So, invisible badges of Environmental Archangels all around for the volunteers of 2010, you’ve been deputized!  Regular cleanings and special events, from First Thursdays to Emergency Responses, we have a growing network of incredible individuals and groups who care deeply about a wonderful natural resource.  We logged hundreds of volunteer hours over the course of 2010, pushbrooming the shallow end, scrubbing walls, clearing the nature trail, maintaining the grounds, beautifying the bathrooms.   And we had so much fun doing it, we forgot that most people call that work!

Certainly, our snacks were always delicious and satisfying (Mmm, delicious pizza too, thanks Emma Cravey, former Fun Chair!), and it’s great to get in the water when the pool is closed on a hot summer day.  However, looking back over all the moments and memories of the past year with volunteers, the camraderie and relationships that spontaneously coalesced from a group of people gathering at the springs with a common purpose, this is what continuously surprised me and stands out as the best part of volunteering with the Friends of Barton Springs.

We are looking forward to lots of great opportunities to participate at the pool in 2011 as things are getting off to a big start with the debris removal in just a couple of weeks.  We will have some weekend opportunities to volunteer down at the pool during this closure period.  And then Spring Cleaning is right around the corner, with several opportunities to get the spring fresh sparkle on.  And of course, first Thursdays, pizza and pushbrooms, it doesn’t get much better than that!  I can’t wait to see all the familiar faces and new friends that 2011 will bring to the best poolside party in town!

Warmest Regards and Gratitude,

Jonathan Beall
Service Chair, Friends of Barton Springs Pool

Treasurer’s Report December 2010

Friends of Barton Springs Pool Treasurer’s Report

(December 2010)

FBSP Beginning Balance: $302,817.57
Income:
Kempner Fund/Leila Kempner Matching $1,000.00
Membership Donations: $65.00
Sub-total new income: $1,065.00
Total Income: $303,882.57
Expenses:
Constant Contact (email service): $31.07
Sept. Flood, Oct. Cleaning, Fall Social $237.83
Total Expenses: ($268.83)
FBSP Balance: $303,613.74

November President’s Report

Senator Watson Presents SEP Fund Check to FBSP for Bypass Tunnel

Last month, I reported on the long series of successes FBSP achieved this year in cleaning the Pool, raising money, engaging the community, and having fun.  This month, I have a less inspiring report to make on the work city staff has done toward completing the short-term projects of the Barton Springs Master Plan.  Progress has been slow.

At the end of 2009, we published a timeline for some seventeen short-term projects for improvements to the Pool and surroundings.  These are projects that City Council approved and funded in 2007.  Our goal was to see every one of the projects completed or at least under contract by the end of 2010.

We were increasingly concerned that after more than two years not a single project had been completed.  In fact, very few had even been started.  Now, with another year past, the situation is a little better.

To be sure,  the deck is stacked against ever doing anything.  Each project requires cooperation between two or three city departments, public input, review by a special committee and several city boards and commissions, staff contract review,  one or more votes by the City Council, and approval by one or more state and federal agencies.  It’s an arduous gauntlet to run once.  To run it fifteen or twenty times, concurrently, is a huge effort.

Members of FBSP and the Barton Springs Plan Coordinating Committee have been actively involved, every step of the way, testifying before committees, boards, commissions, council, and agencies.  We’ve also paid visits to staff members, consultants, council members, legislators, and others.  We’ve published several comment memos on various projects.  Against the odds, we’ve nudged the projects forward.

Quick Dips

Renovation of the bathhouse roof

Bathhouse Phase One. This has been a bright spot.  The project, which includes roof replacement and upgrading various mechanical systems, is almost complete.

Flood Debris Removal. Despite some obstacles, removal of the flood debris, nicknamed the ‘gravel bar,’ is close to action.  If the Corps of Engineers completes their review by mid-December, as promised, the project will start in January and be finished in time for Spring Cleaning in late February.

General grounds improvements. Though the schedule has been slipping, this project is into the design and review stage.  Latest estimate is to begin construction in the last half of next year.

Bypass tunnel. This project was sent back to go early this year by a course change, and it has still not regained the ground lost.  However, the inlet grate and outlet gate, for which FBSP secured state funding, can move forward independently.

For a brief summary of all the short-term projects, click here.

Treasurer’s Report November 2010

Friends of Barton Springs Pool Treasurer’s Report

(November 2010)

FBSP Beginning Balance: $302,651.42
Income:
APF (Oyster Event Volunteering): $250.00
Membership Donations: $24.15
Sub-total new income: $274.15
Total Income: $302,925.57
Expenses:
Verve Hosting (web service): (M.Weber) $108.00
Total Expenses: ($108.00)
FBSP Balance: $302,817.57

October President’s Report

Time to reflect on a year of challenge and achievement

by Robin Cravey

As the summer season fades, and we look forward to the fall and winter, it’s a good time to look back and take stock.  From Spring Cleaning in February through our Flash Flood Rapid Response, the year has been busy and exciting for FBSP.

Spring Cleaning 2006 was the first organized event for us, back when we called ourselves the Barton Springs Swimmers Club.  It still kicks off the year for us, and was led this year by Jonathan Beall.

The Barton Springs Treeathlon in April, organized by Mike Cannatti, was a new event on our calendar this year.  It was our first real fundraiser, and brought in $7,500 for tree planting and maintenance at the pool.

Our Picnic by the Pool in June was another new event for us, led by Gary Beyer and Emma Cravey.  This event was a fun replacement for our former Annual Meeting.

Council Cleans the Pool Day again blazed in August, led by Tom Weber.   In addition to Mayor Lee Leffingwell, the city council, and other elected officials, we were honored to have Senator Kirk Watson present, and grateful to have him present FBSP with a check for $300,000 to help fund repairs to the bypass tunnel.

The flash flood in September gave us a chance to mobilize scores of volunteers, helped by the publicity generated by Chasity Keen Larios.

Our first-ever Fall Social is scheduled for November, with much organizing effort by Jesse Malone.  There we’ll recall the year with members and friends.

Through it all we rely on the steady accounting of Maria Weber and the versatile and enthusiastic work of Mary Yarrington.

Quick Dips

Fall social. The fall social will give everyone a chance to trade stories about the year past, and catch up with friends you last saw during the summer.  If you’ve earned a tee shirt, you can pick it up.  We’ll present more rewards for our star volunteers  We’ll have a slide show with lots of photos, and a surprise musical guest.

Fall board retreat. Every spring we hold a day-long board retreat to map out our goals for the year.  This year, we’ll also hold a half-day fall retreat to look back and see how we did.

Looking ahead. In December and January we’ll be planning ahead for the Spring Cleaning and starting the whole cycle again.  Our calendar this year was well-paced and effective, but we’ll no doubt have a few new surprises in the coming year.  And it’s all done by a hard-working all-volunteer board and members.  Not a single paid staff member.  Darn good!