Dear Editor 08/18/2016
Is the City of San Marcos willing to rise to the Challenge in Restoring Cape’s Dam?
With all the discussion about Cape’s Dam and the surrounding areas, there is a question I keep asking myself!
Is the City of San Marcos capable of rising to the challenge in creating a vision, a master plan for the Cape’s Dam, Stokes Park, the millrace and the surrounding areas?
There are many cities across the nation that have challenging waterways and river projects, and San Marcos is no different. There really is no reason why our city is unable to restore Cape’s Dam, provide safe passage for fish and wildlife, while still providing safe access for recreation through the historic millrace. Where there is a will, there is a way! Sometimes quick fixes are not the solution, it is better to start over. A chance to step back and think BIG!
We need to create a signature project, a Master plan, with vision for the Capes dam/ Stokes Park and surrounding historical structures to create a sustainable environment for all. A vision where all various interest groups, organizations and river enthusiast have a say to make the project their own, working in collaboration. Organizations like Fish & Wildlife, Texas Historical Commission, Parks & Recreation and other groups such as the kayakers, Veterans groups, river enthusiast and San Marcos Tourism should all have seat at the table.
The master plan should make accommodations for all, including providing safe passage for fish and wildlife & providing safe access points for recreation. We need to protect for our endangered species as well as protect our History with Cape’s Dam and millrace. We also must preserve the water in the millrace for our community & veterans.
Several City council members mentioned at the City council meeting just this past week that they were willing to look at the idea of creating a group or commission to develop a plan. Let’s hope that if this group is to be formed, it is inclusive, so that all parties have a say, so that common solutions can be found.
Our City is rich, with many people and groups who have a love for the river. What we need from the city is leadership, so all of its river enthusiasts have a seat at the table working in collaboration. Working together, opportunities may be discovered, solutions may be found. We all need a chance to step back and think BIG!
Sincerely,
Vic Patel
HAVEN Management Services LLC.
p: (512) 392-8111 f: (512) 392-8180
1560 IH-35 South San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
The San Marcos City Council received a presentation on the Sidewalk Maintenance and Gap Infill…
The San Marcos River Rollers have skated through obstacles after taking a two-year break during…
San Marcos Corridor News has been reporting on the incredible communities in the Hays County…
Visitors won't be able to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Jacobs Well Natural…
Looking to adopt or foster animals from the local shelter? Here are the San Marcos…
The Lone Star State leads the nation in labor-related accidents and especially workplace deaths and…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
That's what the Section 106 process is supposed to do under the National Historic Preservation Act. But, US Fish and Wildlife continues to ignore it.
It is amazing how poorly state agencies that need to cooperate together in order to ensure that ALL facets of an ecosystem are kept functioning, for the benefit of all, including Federally-protected endangered species Fountain Darter and Texas Wild Rice.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept in Spring 2015 published an excellent article in their quarterly newsletter, "History of Dams on the Upper San Marcos River" (see https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_t3200_003_3_15.pdf for complete article) This article delineates the importance of Capes Dam, noting it's historical significance and designation, along with the other, few remaining dams which once were more numerous than now.
So why couldn't USFWS bother to consult with their colleagues at TPWD to find out BEFORE designating Capes Dam's Historical status as "N/A" on the TPWD Sand and Gravel Permit to Remove Capes Dam?
Furthermore, why wasn't any sort of a review of TPWD own literature, including a newsletter published within the last year, when Capes Dam's historical status was marked "N/A" by the applicant - the City of San Marcos - with paperwork filled out by USFWS personnel and acknolwedged & sworn to by the City of San Marcos City Manager Jared Miller?
The lack of inquiry by the officials into required information to receive a permit to remove as significant aflood control structure, and a historical structure too, as Capes Dam, is simply shocking. There appears to be very little desire to actually do their jobs, to honestly and accurately report the data as recorded, or research the literature to see what information is already available.
It's as if the employees and contractors of TPWD and USFWS don't want to know the facts, before they destory Capes Dam, possibly sending Texas Wild Rice into extinction.