Five members of the Texas House of Representatives recently gathered in Val Verde County to learn about water issues facing the county.  Representatives Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin), Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio), Joaquín Castro (D-San Antonio) and Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton) came to the county at the invitation of Val Verde County’s state legislator, Representative Pete Gallego. 

“In advance of the upcoming legislative session, it’s important for legislators to understand why we are so protective of all of our natural resources, but particularly our water,” said Representative Gallego.  “I want them to see what I see and know what I know so that they can help protect our water supplies during the next session of the Legislature,” Representative Gallego stated.

During their two day trip, the legislators viewed Del Rio and Lake Amistad, but spent most of their time studying the Devil’s River watershed.  The Devil’s River is particularly unique  because it is the last remaining river in Texas still in its natural state and is the standard for cleanliness by which all other bodies of water in Texas are measured.

“The members were certainly impressed by the natural beauty of our area and they now understand why we are so passionate about it,” said Representative Gallego.  “As a result of the trip, we have four more friends in the Texas House of Representatives,” Representative Gallego concluded.    

Posted in Notes