Austin voters approved 50 million dollars back in 2006 to buy land or conservation easements on property over the Barton Springs portion of the Edwards Aquifer. The council has voted to spend one million dollars on a conservation easement for part of the Dahlstrom Ranch in Hays county to keep that land un-developed. Council members say that will help prevent new pollution from reaching the Edwards Aquifer. Hays county and the Hill Country Conservancy" are also working to preserve the ranch.