08/28/2026
We just got word at the Lavaca County Flood Control District No. 3 that the Lavaca River in Hallettsville will be completely sprayed with "no buffer" allowed. And it will be same next year. So what does this mean to you and me? It means we need to start thinking differently about what is happening here. The plans are in place to turn this river into Bermuda banks, but the question all along is how will the edges of the water be managed? That is today's question. How will the buffer be managed and we already know it will be managed for 7.5 miles with herbicides.
And as much as we may not like this, that is how it might have to be. The only way it could be different is if our leaders want it to be diferent.
But since it is so complicated....who is going to lead?
The reality just might be, it is going to be sprayed completely every year with chemicals that will allow Bermuda Grass to grow on the upper banks. And then by the water --nothing is allowed to grow so those chemicals will be the kind that harm animals, and harm water -- because they have to be harsh to take away so much.
So....where am I going with this?
Everyone needs to start looking at the Lavaca River downtown Hallettsville different because if an animal buffer (deer, cows, bass, gar, the endanger Houston Toad,) is not allowed so the ecosystem can survive without food and shelter......then we need to start looking at this river differently..
We need to address, okay, :"if this is what the City of Hallettsville, Lavaca County Courthouse and Lavaca County Flood Control District N. 3 want - no native plants.
Correct? We have to get that straighten out and regroup with a united plan. Correct?
Because if that is the case, then we need to put our minds together and think.....what CAN BE DONE TO help the ecosystem? What is DOABLE? Affordably working with volunteers?
And as far a volunteer wise, there still has to be money set aside for volunteer’s tools, materials and supplies.
So we all need to be thinking of artificial ecosystems, this can be an Eagle Scout project, this could be a Friends of Lavaca River project or it could be an Adopt the River project or it could just be a community wide project working with Forestry, and bigger non-profits willing to partner to raise funds an collaborate suggestions to actually out the time in —but what we need now is the master mind project—what do you think we can do to help the ecosystem for Hallettsville?
We can't just turn our cheeks and raise our shoulders and say “Oh well”. Giving up is never an option, “giving” is always an option.
And where can we get the funds to create artificial habitat systems throughout the Lavaca River downtown from West Park Street to right at KC Hall?
These spots can serve as both education spots and too honoring our pledge to be conservationists and educators to help our community.
We need to think, think, think....the solutions are there, we need to find them. It is important to know who is paying for this because our needs are unique, and not the normal circumstances...as the sprays will come.
Will you volunteer?
Will you donate?
Will you lead?
Because right now we need to think differently.
So think, think, think and think of who would fund for something "different".
If you want my notes from the last flood control meeting that was held on August 26, 2026, message me, it is too long to post.
We need ideas of what could work with these unique circumstances. Whatever the ideas are - it needs to be collaborative and doable.
It helps to know who will give tools, materials, and supplies, as well knowing who will lead, and who will come up with genius solutions.
Friends of Lavaca River already has plan for 5th Street and it is on stand still until we raise $50,000.
But throughout the river system, there could be ideas we haven’t thought of that could be done — but we need the ideas, the solutions to help the river from West Park to a little past KC Hall.
Why? For education. Because we are humans and the livestock, game, and wildlife need humans to help them because they can’t help themselves.
This projects is enhancing habitat on a 1.9-mile stretch of the Gra...
