Staff Report
WIMBERLEY — At its June board meeting, Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association (TESPA) founder and president Jim Blackburn stepped down from his executive position, according to a news release. Andrew Weber, Wimberley resident, attorney and TESPA board member, was unanimously elected to take the top leadership role.
“I’m very pleased to be handing over the reins at TESPA to Andrew Weber,” said Blackburn. “I’ve been the organization’s president since our beginning ten years ago and it’s time for a change. Andrew will be an excellent leader in this challenging time of drought, water grabs and bad actors. He’s smart, competent and shares our conviction that the future of our region is dependent upon protecting our groundwater.”
As he stepped into the role of board head, Weber said, “We are all grateful to Jim for his leadership in creating and guiding TESPA in its first decade. As we continue to litigate unflinchingly for the water we need to sustain life and economy, we look forward also to working on legislative solutions and collaborating with others locally, regionally and statewide. We are here to protect and defend this most fundamental resource.”
Ten years ago, TESPA was founded as a way to legally protect local groundwater and over the last decade, the nonprofit organization has achieved milestones through litigation and public engagement.
Currently, TESPA is involved in several actions against Aqua Texas for overpumping and excessive line leaks. Further, the group is working to ensure local quarries don’t pollute groundwater and destroy sensitive habitat.
Blackburn will continue to serve on the board of TESPA and lend his legal skills to litigation strategies against threats to local water resources.
“I will continue to the best of my abilities to protect our groundwater and springs which are the lifeblood of Wimberley Valley and the Hill Country in general,” said Blackburn.
TESPA stands ready to file lawsuits, go to court and use the law to fight for the resources of all communities, stated the news release.
“Often, that is the only effective way to protect what is of utmost importance to all of us living here,” said Blackburn.“I urge you all to support Andrew and TESPA as we move forward. I know I will.”
TESPA is a nonprofit organization with a mission to protect the Trinity and Edwards aquifers from overpumping, the springs that flow from this interconnected system and the property rights of landowners who depend on and wish to conserve this precious natural resource. For more information, visit www.TESPAtexas.org.
