A link to the new Brazos Watermaster web page has been added to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and nominations are being accepted for the Brazos Watermaster Advisory Committee.
The Brazos Watermaster Program was established by petition and subsequent order issued by the TCEQ Commissioners on April 21, 2014. The program will have jurisdiction over the Lower Brazos River Basin including and below Possum Kingdom Lake. Five watermaster deputies will patrol the counties in the basin from offices located near their jurisdictional areas.
Water-rights management is based on “run of the river rights.” That means the deputies oversee a constantly changing, dynamic surface-water system of rivers and tributaries that allow diversions as water is available and as it passes individual diversion points.
Water right holders will be required to pay an annual fee. Each account will be assessed a base fee (currently $50) plus a use fee based on the type of use and amount of water authorized in the permit.
TCEQ is currently accepting nominations for the Brazos Watermaster Advisory Committee. It will include between 9 and 15 water right holders or their representatives in the regulated area, and will meet at least once per year — more if needed. The committee will report to the Executive Director of the TCEQ. Duties will include:
- providing recommendations about water administration and distribution activities that would benefit water rights holders
- reviewing and providing comments on the annual operating budget
- performing other operations-related duties requested by the Executive Director
- performing duties requested by water rights holders which the committee determines would benefit the administration of water rights
When selecting committee members, consideration will be given to the nominee’s or applicant’s geographic location, amount of water rights held, type and or use of water right, and experience and knowledge in water management practices. Please contact the Watermaster Section Manager if you would like to be considered for membership on the WAC, nomination forms will be available soon or you may submit a resume:
Amy Settemeyer, Watermaster Section Manager
MC-160
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, Texas 78711-3087
(512) 239-2588