For Immediate Release – July 9, 2008

AUSTIN — Austin Water Utility’s (AWU) Water Quality Protection Lands Program will conduct multiple prescribed burns on nearly 400 acres of the Onion Creek Management Unit located in Hays County approximately 2 ˝ miles northeast of the FM 150 and FM 3237 intersection on Thursday, July 10 and possibly Friday, July 11. The operational briefing will take place at 10 a.m. and ignition will begin at approximately 11 a.m.

The prescribed burns being conducted are located between FM 967 and FM 150, approximately four miles southwest of Buda and just west of the Ruby Ranch subdivision. AWU’s prescribed burn is conducted in concurrence with Hays County fire officials.

The Water Quality Protection Lands were purchased to protect water quality and quantity reaching the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Research shows that grasslands and savannas are the most effective vegetation types to meet these goals. The majority of the Water Quality Protection Lands are being restored to grasslands and savannas and this restoration process requires the integration of multiple land management treatments to reduce and maintain the density of juniper and hardwoods. The prescribed burns are typically conducted to manage the density of brush and to encourage the growth of more favorable native grasses.

The prescribed burn is managed by the Austin Water Utility’s Water Quality Protection Lands Program in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, the Texas Forest Service and local emergency service districts, including the Buda Fire Department. For more information, please visit www.cityofaustin.org/water/wildland.

Media Contact:
Sarah Fusco, Public Affairs Office
Email to: Sarah.Fusco@ci.austin.tx.us
City of Austin Water Utility
(512) 972-0150; pgr.(512) 802-8956