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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Hill Country is one of the fastest-growing |
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regions of our state and nation, and the area's continued growth |
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presents unique challenges to the stewardship of its natural |
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resources; and |
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WHEREAS, A significant economic engine for the Lone Star |
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State, the Hill Country boasts a regional GDP of nearly |
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$300 billion and a population of more than four million people, |
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many of whom choose to live there because of the high quality of |
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life and numerous opportunities the area affords; and |
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WHEREAS, Spanning 18 counties in Central Texas, the Hill |
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Country contains the headwaters of 12 of Texas' rivers, thousands |
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of natural springs, and four of the state's nine major aquifers; a |
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total of more than 1,100 miles of river flow through the region, and |
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it is home to some of the most highly visited parks in the entire |
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state park system; and |
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WHEREAS, The Hill Country's natural areas provide habitats |
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for at least 300 species of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, and |
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fish of the greatest conservation need, many of which depend on land |
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and water preservation efforts for their survival; and |
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WHEREAS, The historic practices of farming, ranching, |
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hunting, and fishing are likewise increasingly threatened by |
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unprecedented development, traffic, soaring land prices, soil |
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erosion, and the degradation of free-flowing streams in the region, |
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putting families at risk of losing their livelihoods; and |
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WHEREAS, Locally driven initiatives offer a responsible way |
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to manage future growth while protecting the area's lands, waters, |
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and rural communities; ensuring the long-term prosperity of the |
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region requires collaboration between its diverse stakeholders, |
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including rural and urban residents, elected officials, |
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businesses, farmers and ranchers, builders and developers, and |
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representatives of the recreation and tourism industries; and |
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WHEREAS, By working together, we can protect the Texas Hill |
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Country for generations to come, and it is fitting that we |
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acknowledge the critical importance of taking action for the sake |
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of all who appreciate this dynamic and beautiful area of our state; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the Texas Hill Country as an integral |
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part of the State of Texas and commend those who are endeavoring to |
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preserve the region's precious natural resources and iconic |
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landscape. |