AUSTIN, Texas — In the City of Austin, a resolution was passed Thursday directing the city manager to “prepare a study with recommendations to improve the ecological health and safety of Austin’s rivers, lakes and creeks by addressing litter problems, prevention and abatement in our watersheds.”
Led by Councilmember Paige Ellis, the Clean Creeks and Lakes resolution directs City Manager Spencer Cronk to report back to the council by Feb. 20. He is also asked to take immediate action to address the illegal dumping of scooters and other micro-mobility devices into Austin watersheds.
Some actions the City could take on both items may include posting signs along Lady Bird Lake indicating the legal ramifications of pollution, a public outreach campaign, and researching best practices provided by other cities.
“Our watersheds are our most important natural resource, and we are overdue for a study on how to best protect them from plastic bags, litter and hazardous materials,” said Ellis. “Pollution is not just a problem in one part of town, and it does not have just one solution. A study of this scope and magnitude has never been done before, and I’m thankful that council reinforced its commitment to improving our environment.”
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Her office says the resolution has support from several local environmental advocacy organizations:
“Council Member Ellis’s 'Clean Austin Creeks' Resolution is commendable and provides guidance for City staff and other stakeholders to address collaboratively the negative environmental and economic impacts of abandoned electric mobility devices currently polluting our creeks, streams and springs,” said George Cofer, Hill Country Conservancy.
“Keep Austin Beautiful seeks to end littering, improve recycling and beautify neighborhoods citywide,” said Rodney Ahart of Keep Austin Beautiful. “That’s why we mobilize thousands of volunteers to reduce landfill waste, and to clean and protect Lady Bird Lake and local creeks every year. We believe when people learn about the impact of their actions on the environment, they will reduce their waste. Keep Austin Beautiful supports the Clean Creeks and Lakes resolution proposed by Council Member Ellis and looks forward to receiving the recommendations from the study to better educate the public and improve the ecological health and safety of Austin’s rivers, lakes and creeks.”
"The improper disposal of e-scooters and other pollutants into our creeks and streams is a major problem that poses extreme risk of irreversible harm to our aquatic life and overall water quality,” said Bobby Levinski of Save Our Springs Alliance. “Council Member Ellis's resolution will help the City fully assess the situation and put forward a plan with meaningful actions to ensure that our creeks remain clean and safe for residents and critters alike."
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