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Texas State Water Plan Released

The Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) draft 2012 State Water Plan, published late last week, was a focus during the Tribune Festival conference over the weekend. The capital cost to design, construct or implement the recommended water management strategies and projects is $53 billion, according to the state water plan. In addition, municipal water providers are expected to need nearly $27 billion in state financial assistance to implement these strategies. Tom Mason, formal general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) noted in regards to financing the plan, there needs to be the political will generated to pay for the plan. Rep. Alan Ritter agreed saying, “When constituents say don’t spend our money, we are listening.”

Rep. Ritter and Mason were both on the panel discussing “the Coming Crisis over Water” with other panelist members Andrew Sansom, the executive director of the River Systems Institute, and Laura Huffman, the executive director of the Nature Conservancy of Texas.

The population in Texas is expected to increase 82 percent between the years 2010 and 2060, growing from 25.4 million to 46.3 million people. In order to meet the need for future water supply for a growing population, members on the panel offered several suggestions.

Rep. Ritter argued that developing water resources will not be cheap and there is a need for Texans to voice their desire for funding water infrastructure. He pointed out that 17% of surface water requirements are going to be new reservoirs which will be a long term project.

Huffman stated Texas will need far more robust water conservation programs.

Mason argued that it takes a change in attitude and change behaviors where water is not treated as an entitlement. 

The draft state water plan will be available for public comment from Sept. 26 through Oct. 25.  The plan is available online for review, and comments may be submitted in writing to Kathleen Ligon by e-mail or by mail to P.O. Box 13231, Austin, TX 78711.

The public will also have the opportunity to comment at meetings throughout the state.  Representatives from the TWDB will be available to take comments and answer questions.  All meetings will begin at 6 p.m.

Additionally, there will be a formal public hearing on Oct. 17 in room 170 of the Stephen F. Austin building in Austin, also at 6 p.m.