The following article was posted on the Texas House of Representatives website by Rep. Roland Gutierrez
New State Water Plan calls for Legislative Action
by: Rep. Gutierrez, Roland
01/06/2012
SAN ANTONIO – Late yesterday, The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)Â released the 2012 State Water Plan calling on Texas Legislators to lift current restrictions on the transfer of surface water from one basin to another.
TWDB concedes that even with the aggressive 2012 plan to conserve and find new water sources, that with the current restrictions, the greater San Antonio area will not be able to meet its growing needs. “San Antonio has done an exemplary job conserving water, but we need additional sources of water to reduce pressure on the San Antonio Pool of the Edwards Aquifer due to our growing population,” said Representative Gutierrez. “We need a fresh approach to our water provisions as a state.”
“House Bill 814 which I filed last regular legislative session, would have responsibly increased our water supply, reduced water restrictions, and provided economic stability,” said Gutierrez. “And unlike many other options currently being explored, it does not increase the burden on taxpayers.”
Potential socioeconomic losses by projected water shortages include: losses in regional income, state and local business taxes, the number of full-time and part-time jobs, population losses, and declines in school enrollment.
Rep. Gutierrez pledges to continue to fight for access to water resources and to protect and ensure a sustainable water future for the San Antonio region.
Other recommendations of the 2012 Water Plan include the creation of new reservoirs, increased water loss audits, and sustainable financing for water projects.
The 2012 State Water Plan is available online on the Texas Water Development Board website https://www.twdb.state.tx.us.
Texas House of Representatives
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Texas’ 2012 State Water Plan was just release and you can go download it and read it by going to :
https://www.twdb.state.tx.us./wrpi/swp/swp.asp
Also:
HB 2358 (By Landtroop), Relating to the repeal of the junior priority of a water right authorizing a transfer of water from one river basin in Texas to another river basin in Texas introduced in 2011 Legislative session by Landtroop and will be considered again in the 2013 Legislative session as it was deferred to the Natural Resources in the 82nd LEGISLATURE — REGULAR SESSION Thursday, March 10, 2011 HOUSE JOURNAL
See copy of HB 2358 attached Word.doc.
HB 2358 (By Landtroop), Relating to the repeal of the junior priority of a water right authorizing a transfer of water from one river basin in this state to another river basin in this state.
To Natural Resources.
762 82nd LEGISLATURE — REGULAR SESSION Thursday, March 10, 2011 HOUSE JOURNAL — 33rd Day
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By: Landtroop H.B. No. 2358
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the repeal of the junior priority of a water right authorizing a transfer of water from one river basin in this state to another river basin in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 11.085(s), Water Code, is repealed.
SECTION 2. (a) This Act applies only to an application for a water right or an amendment to a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication authorizing an interbasin transfer of water that is accepted for filing on or after the effective date of this Act.
(b) An application for a water right or an amendment to a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication
authorizing an interbasin transfer of water that is accepted for filing before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the application is accepted for filing, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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We all need to follow what happens next year in the Texas Legislative Session that will begin on Jan. 8, 2013.
Dianne Lampman