TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Activists and landowners are speaking out against a new development on the borders of Travis County and Hays County today that they say could threaten the springs that feed several of Texas' "crown jewels." On Tuesday, representatives with Save the Pedernales and the Save Our Springs alliance are hosting a press conference highlighting the impact they believe Mirasol Springs will have on the water near Hamilton Pool and Reimers Ranch. Travis County enters fray over ‘conservation-scale’ development Mirasol Springs Hamilton Pool Preserve in fall 2019. (KXAN Photo/Harley Tamplin) Mirasol Springs, a "conservation-scale" development, is in the permitting phase of its construction. The developers have filed for groundwater pumping and a river diversion. Landowners believe the amount of water that has been requested could cause the Pedernales River and local springs to dry up. Speakers at the event include Bill Bunch with Save Our Springs Alliance, Nico Hauwert, an "expert witness" with the SOS, and landowners concerned about the impact of the development. Mirasol Springs and Conservation The developers have pledged to set the gold standard when it comes to conservation. Seventy percent of the property, which borders the Pedernales River, is placed in a conservation easement, restricting future development on that land. Plans for Mirasol Springs include around 40 homesites, cabins and a hotel. Much of the land will be placed in a conservation easement, preventing further development on the land. (Credit: Mirasol Capital) Homeowners will also be restricted in various ways. Private wells will not be allowed on the property, impervious cover will be limited and pesticides will be banned. “Our goal if our permits are approved is to take no more water out of the aquifers than we put back in it,” said Steve Winn, founder and CEO of Mirasol Capital, the group behind Mirasol Springs, at a hearing in January. The property will consist of several dozen homes and cabins, a hotel and a field lab that will study wildlife and springs in the area. That lab will be operated by the University of Texas. Pushback against Mirasol Springs Several hearings have taken place since the plans for Mirasol Springs were announced, with people protesting that there is "not enough water" for the development and people whose families have lived in the area surrounding Hamilton Pool for decades. ‘Not enough water to go around’: Why landowners are pushing back against new development Roy Creek Canyon suffered during the 2023 drought. Owner Lew Adams is concerned that Mirasol Springs, which will neighbor the canyon, could result in it being dried up. (Credit: Lew Adams) In December, Travis County got involved in the debate over the development. Travis County Commissioner's Court issued an order apposing the permits filed by Clancy Utility Holdings LLC, the utility company established to manage water at Mirasol Springs. "We decided to take action to oppose this development at the level of the groundwater Conservation District, doing the same in front of the TCEQ regarding wastewater," said Travis County Judge Andy Brown to KXAN on Monday. "We don't want to see anything else that's going to take away from the water that is feeding Hamilton Pool." Travis County has invested around $180 million, according to Judge Brown, to the purchase of conservation easements on the land surrounding Hamilton Pool.