DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas — The proposed 1,400-acre Mirasol Springs development in Dripping Springs could strain the water supply in the Pedernales River, so neighbors and environmental activists are trying to put the project on pause.
Mirasol Springs, proposed by Dallas billionaire Steve Winn, will create 30 resort residences, 40 home sites, two restaurants, a farm and the University of Texas' biological field station. It would be built right across from Hamilton Pool and next to several creeks like Roy Creek Canyon.
But environmental activists and neighbors in the area say the development would come at the expense of precious water resources from the river, local wells and the creeks.
Bill Bunch with the Save Our Springs Alliance said the Pedernales River has shown a sharp decline in inflows over the past 20 years, especially with the last few years’ major drought conditions. He said this project would just exacerbate that problem.
“This project is proposing to pump an enormous amount of water out of the river, which is already hardly flowing,” Bunch said. “There's simply not enough water to support this proposed development.”
Environmental advocates say developers would be pumping 96,000 gallons of water per day from the Pedernales River. They could also pump groundwater from the local wells if needed. The activists are especially concerned that developers would not follow the pumping requirements during drought seasons, like the one it's already in.
“They've told the public that they want to be a green and sustainable project that would put more water back into the ground and into the river than they withdraw, but that is not true,” Bunch said.
Activists say the project would also endanger three native Texas species, including the salamander, if the project goes forward as proposed. They say these species are extremely valuable to keep in the water.
Neighbors' reactions to the project
Neighbors who live right across from the project are also concerned this will dry up the rivers and creeks they’ve enjoyed for generations. Annie Borden built her own home with her family here more than 20 years ago.
“It's so precious, so it's just heartbreaking, really,” Borden said. “It's like if it were to come to pass, it would be like a death in the family.”
Borden said the developers have been meeting with the neighbors for several years, but it’s still not enough.
“I'm not going to attribute ill intentions, but I just don't think they truly get it,” Borden said.
They do plan to have a mediation with developers at the end of the month, but they’re hoping their efforts to raise awareness now will put more pressure on them to rethink the development.
Developers plan to start construction summer 2025 once they get all their permits, but Save Our Springs Alliance and Save the Pedernales are asking the Winn family to withdraw its pumping permit applications before then.
Mirasol Springs' response
In response to previous concerns, developers have told KVUE they've adapted their plans and they plan to have about 70% of the land dedicated to a "conservation easement" to help preserve it.
The developers behind Mirasol Springs sent KVUE the following statement Wednesday morning in response to this report:
“Mirasol Springs is a model development proposal for the Hill Country. The inaccurate information being promoted by these organizations will be addressed in upcoming permit proceedings. They consistently misrepresent the facts and benefits of our innovative water management program to the public.”