FROM THE SAN MARCOS RIVER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

By Anne Olden

Reading the SMRF newsletter shows the breadth of knowledge the organization keeps up with about river-related issues, as well as the many activities in which SMRF is involved. I encourage you to become a member and learn not only what SMRF is doing, but what other groups are doing throughout the state concerning stream flows, groundwater issues, invasive plant removal, and much more. The SMRF website is www.sanmarcosriver.org Below are summaries of two items from the October newsletter.

In August SMRF board members met with county sheriffs in three counties adjacent to the upper river to discuss increased crime, public intoxication, drugs and drunk driving on and along the river. The counties have limited resources to deal with these problems. SMRF hired off-duty deputies to provide security at problem areas along the river at the times when many of the problems were occurring. Many citations were issued for littering, underage drinking, and drug violations. SMRF will consider hiring more security if the problems continue.

A new book about the San Marcos River has been published by Texas A&M University Press. It is sponsored by the River Systems Institute at Texas State University, with Andy Sansom as general editor. The author is Dr. Jim Kimmel, a geography professor at Texas State. His wife, Jerry Touchstone Kimmel, a professional nature photographer, did the photography for the book. The text talks about the history of the river as well as its beauty. [Sounds like an idea for a Christmas gift.]