What is your role and how does it help support the mission of the River Authority?
My role is General Counsel to the San Antonio River Authority. In essence, I serve as the primary attorney representing the organization and manage other attorneys and legal resources that support our work. We maintain agreements with a group of law firms, each one specializing in different areas of law. For example, we work with attorneys who focus exclusively on water law; when issues arise related to water rights, we rely on their expertise to conduct research and represent us before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While we consult these outside experts for their specialized knowledge, I am ultimately responsible for overseeing and managing their services on behalf of the River Authority and ensuring that our agency remains in compliance with all legal requirements that affect the organization and the properties we maintain.
Why do you enjoy working for the River Authority?
First and foremost, what drew me to this role was the privilege of being responsible for the San Antonio River. As a lifelong outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking, and walking trails, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for nature. Being part of an organization that oversees such a precious resource—especially one as significant as the San Antonio River—immediately resonated with me.
Photo Credit: Airon A. Mothershed, River Clicks Photo Contest
Secondly, I was attracted to the opportunity to work in and give back to the community. My background includes roles in organizations that were either owned by a local government or semi-governmental in nature, so I am drawn to community-focused work. Since joining this agency, I’ve immersed myself in understanding our responsibilities as a public entity in Texas and have truly enjoyed it—I feel like I’m thriving in this environment.
Lastly, I was drawn to the agency’s mission and the commitment of those who work here. During my initial research on the River Authority, I noticed how mission-driven the organization was—focused on making the river clean, safe, and enjoyable for the community. That’s a broad and meaningful commitment, and I believed (correctly, as it turns out) that such a mission would attract dedicated, like-minded individuals. Now, nearly two years in, I’ve seen firsthand just how committed my colleagues are to that mission, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to be a part of it.
Are there any upcoming projects that you’re excited about?
Yes, there is one project that stands out: the Otilla Dam restoration. I was part of the team that helped acquire the dam from San Antonio Water System (SAWS). It’s located south of our headquarters, at a site known as Trueheart Ranch along the river. When I first visited the dam and learned about its history—along with SAWS’s interest in transferring responsibility to our agency—I was genuinely excited. Of course, I understood that accepting ownership came with liability, but the idea of managing an active dam on the San Antonio River was incredibly appealing. We’re currently in the design phase of what we envision for the dam, and the plans are truly inspiring.
Otilla Dam
How can we support the San Antonio River in our day-to-day actions?
First and foremost, I would encourage everyone to help us help the community keep the river clean. After a rainstorm in San Antonio, it’s hard not to notice the debris that ends up floating in the river—it grabs people’s attention and highlights the importance of collective responsibility. While I don’t hold any one person accountable for the litter, I make a personal effort when walking along the trails by the river to pick up any debris I see that might end up in the water. I encourage others to do the same and to take pride in the river. Our river has a rich history; it’s the reason people first settled in this area, and it continues to be central to our community’s identity. As I look out the window now, I see someone jogging by the river—a small example of how it adds to our daily lives.
Photo Credit: Chris Nelson, River Clicks Photo Contest
We owe it to ourselves—and to future generations—to preserve the river, so it remains a valuable asset. When people take personal responsibility for keeping the river clean, they begin to see it as their river. That sense of ownership fosters pride, and if we can spread that feeling across the community, I believe we’ll take care of the river—and in return, the river will take care of us.
Today’s blog was contributed by Luis Garcia, General Counsel at the River Authority.
The “My River POV” series provides readers the opportunity to learn about the unique insight and experiences of the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) staff and their connection to the San Antonio River in hopes of inspiring stewardship of area creeks and rivers.
