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BASTROP — Environmental Stewardship is expanding its legal campaign to protect the Lower Colorado River and the aquifers that feed it, backed by new funding as it advances two high-profile regulatory battles.
Based in Bastrop and affiliated with the Waterkeeper Alliance, the nonprofit has become a leading voice in regional water protection. Its work spans from upstream wastewater concerns at McKinney Roughs to groundwater extraction in the Wilbarger Bend—both areas west of the city facing mounting pressure from development and industrial use.
“We’re actively defending the river and the aquifers that sustain this region,” said Executive Director Steve Box. “We’ve reached a critical phase in both the Corix and Rambo cases.”
Wastewater discharge
One of the group’s ongoing legal battles is a permit dispute over the expansion of a wastewater treatment facility in McKinney Roughs Nature Park.
Environmental Stewardship has challenged the permit, citing the need for updated environmental data before further discharges into the Colorado River are approved.
A hearing on the merits was held in January before the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and a proposal for decision was expected earlier this month.
“This is akin to a courtroom trial,” Box said. “Every piece of evidence and expert testimony matters—and this ruling will guide Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s final decision.”
As of press time, no update had been released.
The case has required significant resources, with legal and expert witness costs estimated at $50,000, according to Box. The organization is working with environmental law firm Perales, Allmon & Ice P.C. and stated it is prepared to appeal if necessary.
Mining impact
Further downstream, the group is also challenging a groundwater permit sought by Rambo Materials, which wants to withdraw 100 acre-feet annually from the county’s Hooper Aquifer.
Environmental Stewardship has raised concerns about the permit’s potential impact on nearby wells and groundwater flow.
A 2023 administrative ruling found the group lacked standing because affected landowners draw from a different aquifer. That decision was recently remanded by the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, and a preliminary standing hearing followed.
“We need hydrologic data, not assumptions,” Box said. “Drawdowns from these kinds of operations can have long-term impacts on both surface and groundwater.”
The proposed mining site sits across the river from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Boring Company operations in Bastrop. Through previous efforts, Environmental Stewardship helped encourage both companies to connect to the city’s new wastewater system instead of discharging into the river.
“These aren’t just legal cases—they’re about protecting the river that so many in this region depend on,” Box added.
Growing support
To support its advocacy efforts, Environmental Stewardship recently received a $65,000 grant from the Jacob and Teresa Hershey Foundation, helping the nonprofit pursue regulatory challenges and water quality initiatives across the region.
That support builds on community donations and outreach—including more than $11,000 raised during the group’s April fundraiser at Neighbor’s Kitchen and Yard downtown. The event drew new members, donors and supporters from across the county and highlighted the organization’s ongoing work, representatives said.
Year to date, the group has raised enough to support $45,000 in operating expenses, bolstered by monthly sustaining donors, major gifts and individual contributions. Box said those funds are vital not just for legal costs, but for the long-term capacity of Environmental Stewardship’s mission.
The group uses public donations to leverage matching support from foundations. Under federal nonprofit rules, every $3 in tax-exempt contributions can be matched with $7 in private foundation funds—an important multiplier in sustaining the group’s efforts, according to Box.
“For nearly 20 years, we’ve worked to protect the Lower Colorado River as development downstream of Austin accelerates and water quality declines,” he said. “Making it healthy again will take broad community support.”
For more information or details on how to support, visit environmental-stewardship.org.
