Below is the HillCo client report from the May 1 TWDB board meeting.
The Board met to consider their posted agenda. The following report focuses only on selected agenda items.
Drought Update
Robert Mace, Office of the Executive Administrator, TCEQ
- 2011 saw a big uptick in drought in Texas
- Looking at statistical tools to determine what will happen in the future
- Climatologists look to sea surface temperature anomalies to determine whether there will be an El Nino or La Nina
- When temperatures are warmer, El Nino conditions are likely to be experienced
- From 1971-200 there was a high likelihood of increased precipitation from El Nino conditions
- El Nino also brings fewer tropical storms and hurricanes
- From 1971-2000 there was a high likelihood of warm, dry conditions when La Nina conditions are present
- It would take a stronger than normal El Nino to bring Texas out of the drought
- There is a good chance Texas will see very strong El Nino conditions by the end of the year
- Pacific Decadal Oscillation also impacts weather in Texas
- PDO is a comparison of sea surface temperatures in the Northern Pacific Ocean
- In the PDO cooling phase, hotter drier conditions are experienced
- There is no predictive ability surrounding the PDO as far as when it will be warming again; usually lasts 20-30 years
- The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation phases last around 20-40 years and are based on sea surface temperatures in the mid-Northern Atlantic Ocean
- Cooler temperatures in the AMO bring cooler wetter conditions to Texas
- Both the PDO and AMO went bad for Texas around the same time in the late 90’s
HB 4 Rule Development Update
Todd Chenowith, TCEQ Staff
- Three work sessions were held around the state to receive public input regarding development of the HB 4 rule
- Three stakeholder meetings were also held in Austin
- Input was gathered on all aspects of the potential rule from prioritization to the definition of conservation
- There will be a work session on May 29th in El Paso
- Public has submitted 37 written comments as well
- June 26th is the target date for proposal of the draft rule, after which a formal comment period will begin
- Chairman Rubinstein noted it may be appropriate to extend the comment period to allow for more input; noted that in the preamble to the publication of the draft rule there will be specific targeted pieces the Board would like public comment on