Today, Lt. Governor Dewhurst issued charges to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and announced appointments to the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee and Joint Interim Committee to Study Water Desalination.
Lt. Governor Dewhurst instructed the Senate Committee on Natural Resources to focus on the following issues:
USE OF BRACKISH WATER. Lt. Governor Dewhurst charged the committee with studying and making recommendations to encourage the use of brackish water, including but not limited to Aquifer Storage and Recovery and Desalination.
REGULATION OF WATER SUPPLY. Lt. Governor Dewhurst also asked the committee to study and make recommendations on what state and federal environmental regulations most affect implementation of water supply strategies in the State Water Plan, including recommendations to reduce state barriers.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING DELAYS. Additionally, Lt. Governor Dewhurst instructed the committee to examine current processes for environmental permitting, including the impact of permitting delays on economic development. He also asked the committee to consider what environmental regulations and permitting procedures are most challenging for small businesses and make recommendations to reduce those burdens, and study and make recommendations on changes to the permitting process that could speed job creation while continuing to protect the environment.
IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION. Lastly, Lt. Governor Dewhurst asked the committee to monitor the implementation of legislation passed during the 83rd Legislative Session, including monitoring implementation of House Bill 4, which created the state water implementation fund.
Lt. Governor Dewhurst also named the following appointments:
State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee
Sen. Troy Fraser (Chair), Marble Falls
Sen. Robert Duncan, Lubbock
Sen. Kevin Eltife, Tyler
Joint Interim Committee to Study Water Desalination
Sen. Craig Estes (Chair), Wichita Falls
Sen. Troy Fraser, Marble Falls
Sen. Glenn Hegar, Katy
Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, McAllen
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., Brownsville
Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst will continue to release his interim charges in the coming weeks. For a copy of today's release: http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/prview.php?id=511
