Protecting Our Water
May 25th, 2007
Earlier this week the House discussed the best plan to meet our future water needs in Texas. After hours of debate and compromise, we passed Senate Bill (SB) 3. The core of SB 3 will protect our rivers and streams for future generation and create and conserve water for all Texans. Along with passing Senate Bill 3, I am proud to say we passed another six amendments to protect our state and local water.
Until now, state law did not provide designated protection to ensure a minimum of flow in rivers and into bays and estuaries. Instead, priority is given to other uses such as agricultural, commercial, and residential uses. Water rights in several river basins have been over-permitted, and other basins likely will follow suit. SB 3 provides a means to balance agricultural, commercial, and residential needs with important environmental considerations.
In order to fully support our rivers for fishing, camping, and hiking, we must empower people to donate to the Texas Water Trust. Senate Bill 3 now allows any person who renews their fishing license to give whatever they feel comfortable donating in order to save Texas rivers. Donating money is important, but if your favorite river is littered with glass and debris, then what is the point of going?
I made sure to offer an amendment that will preserve our rivers and also an amendment to protect our natural heritage from any person who puts our rivers at risk by using glass containers. This will make sure we are treating our state rivers the same way we treat our beaches, with the utmost respect for safety.
Part of a smart water plan is conservation coming from the state and local groups.
The most efficient and cost-effective method for meeting our water demands is a policy that focuses on conservation. Water conservation is an increasingly important strategy for addressing the water needs of Texas ‘ growing population and expanding economy. In the 2007 State Water Plan, conservation accounts for nearly 23 percent of the amount necessary to achieve the state’s water needs in 2060.
I passed an important amendment that closed a legislative loophole for three counties in West Texas. Since the Brewster County Groundwater Conservation District was formed, the mission of the district has been to develop, promote, and implement water conservation and management strategies to protect all water resources for the benefit of the economy, citizens, and the environment of the District.
We also gave the Culberson County Groundwater District the ability to protect the groundwater for the entire county and not a small sliver of the county.
Water must be one of our states priorities. Serving this session on both the Natural Resources and Agriculture and Livestock committee, it is clear that we must continue to work to care for our state’s heritage, but balance that with the needs of cities and counties, as well as, the people of Texas and business and industry.
I am proud to say that yesterday we were able to authorize our local leaders by passing a half dozen amendments and give the state the adequate tools it needs. Now it is up to the members of the conference committee to safeguard this necessary legislation and important amendments.
