Information concerning our subdivision and the surrounding area.

Attention all Association Members:

We are trying to build a database of email addresses so that we can get information out to you in a timely manner.  This will be used only for ESHHOA information distribution and will not be used for advertising or made available for any other reason.   If you have not done so already, please send your email address to Christie Rath at -

We need volunteers for various committee positions.  This is an opportunity to become involved with the operations of our subdivision.  Anyone interested in volunteering can contact any one of the Board of Directors.

Special Notices:

• We are under a No-Drought status (more information)
  
  The Barton Springs Edwards Conservation District (BSEACD) had been in Alarm Stage Drought status since January 10,2007, following 4 months of Critical Stage Drought.
  
  On March 22, 2007 the BSEACD board of directors evaluated the current aquifer conditions and voted unanimously to move from Alarm Stage Drought status to a No-Drought status immediately.
  
  
• Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) rule changes affect us significantly
  
  BSEACD has proposed revisions to their current rules mostly pertaining to drought management which includes but is not limited to the amount of water a home can use during alarm stage and/or critical stage, fines for overuse, mandatory meter reading, etc.
  
  More information about the rule changes can be seen by visiting the BSEACD website rules page - (http://www.bseacd.org/rules.html).
  
  
• Aqua Texas Water Rate Increase
  
  We are fighting the proposed water rate increase. See the "President's Message" in the April 2007 newsletter.  More information will be posted here before the end of the month.
  
  
• LCRA Friendship to Manchaca Project
  
  LCRA to build transmission line, substation in southern Travis County, northern Hays county.  This will be near the proposed State Highway 45 extension.  (more information)
  
  
• Protect Your Pets
  
  We all enjoy the open spaces that make our neighborhood special.  However, those open spaces attract animals, especially with the drought and additional building around us.  Our neighbors have lost many cats in the last few weeks.  Please take extra precautions to protect your pets.  Contact one of your Board Members if you have additional questions.
  
  
• Illegal Activity in Neighborhood
  
  Many homeowners have expressed concern about automobiles speeding, automobiles making excessive noise by tire screeching or loud mufflers, lawn damage, and vandalism in the neighborhood.  Several homeowners met with the ESHHOA BOD and Deputy John Cravatt of the Travis County Sheriff's Office to discuss the issue.
  
  Deputy Cravatt said that all incidents should be reported to the Sheriff's office.  They may not be able to successfully prosecute each individual incident, but cumulatively, the incident reports can help build a prosecutable case.  Also, the more incidents reported, the higher the probability that there will be a responding officer in the neighborhood that can catch them in the act.  The Sheriff's office cannot do anything if the problems are not reported.  So please..., report all incidences to the Sheriff's office, regardless of the probability of catching the perpetrator.  The more incidents reported, the more likely that they will be resolved and stopped.
  
  You DO NOT have to give your name or address when reporting an incident.  However, unless you give your name, or a Sheriff's officer catches and tickets someone (which creates a case number), there will be no case on file, and the incident will not be recorded anywhere for future investigations.
  
  Call 911 for the following incidents that you have witnessed, even if the offender has left the scene:

  Automobile speeding, tire screeching, reckless driving.
  Drunken driver.
  Underage drinking.
  Illegal substance use.
  Lawn Damage or Vandalism.

  Call 854-9285 for the following incidents:

  Loud muffler.
  Lawn Damage or Vandalism after the fact.
  Loud music/stereo/radio.
  Verbal abuse or harrassment.

  NOTE: If you are put on hold while calling 854-9285, don't press any numbers, even though you are given the option to.  Pressing a number (like 5 for western district) will forward you to a voice mail system during certain times of the day, and you will not be able to speak with anyone until possibly the next business day.  Just stay on the line and someone will eventually answer depending on how busy they are with 911 activity.
  

  If you experience what could possibly be considered retaliation, even though you cannot prove it, it is especially important that you report the problem. This is a far more serious offense, and will escalate the priority of the investigation.
  


• Trespassing on Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL)
  
  The City of Austin is requesting the help of the Estates of Shady Hollow neighborhood with a trespassing issue on one of their Water Quality Protection Lands immediately west of the Estates. They have recently begun having a problem with trespassing and vandalism on this tract, known as Edwards Crossing, and believe access is occurring at or near gates on Lost Oasis Hollow, Green Emerald Terrace, and/or Red Mesa Hollow.
  
  This property is currently closed to public access due to ongoing research and land management actions. Those authorized to access the property, including City officials, game wardens and other law enforcement officials, will have identification badges and/or letters of authorization with them. They will also have vehicular access to the tracts and should not be parking outside the gates.
  
  If you see anyone suspicious on the property or unknown vehicles parked at the gates or fence line, please call Kevin Thuesen, WQPL Program Manager, at 632-8064, or Willy Conrad, Division Manager, at 826-4132. You may also reach them at the WQPL office at 263-6433.
  


• Flooding in Neighborhood
  
  On November 15th and 16th of 2001, the southwest area of Travis County experienced an extraordinary rainfall event.  Some flooding occurred, and as a result Travis County performed a Drainage Status Evaluation for the ESH area.  A memo summarizing the results of this study was given to the ESHHOA Board.
  
  Travis County will be responsible for remedying some of the issues, and individual property owners will be responsible for others.   We are awaiting further clarification from Travis County before pursuing any action.
  

• Wage war on weeds, not water
  
  The highly mobile chemical atrazine, a weed killing chemical, is showing up frequently at more than 50% of the City of Austin's surface water monitoring sites and 70%of the groundwater minitoring sites.  It has also been detected in 86% of the samples from Barton Springs pool (which is fed from our aquifer). (City of Austin 3/7/2007 news release)
  
  
• 2006 Holiday Lights / Decorations Contest
  
  Winners of the annual holiday and lights decoration contest announced. (Details)
  
  
• AquaTexas payments
  
  AquaTexas no longer accepts payments at their Pflugerville office.