More than 550 attendees, speakers, and sponsors attended the Water for Texas 2017 conference on January 23–25, hosted by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) in Austin, Texas. Themed as “Innovation at Work,” the conference featured panels, presentations, and demonstrations aimed at water professionals and enthusiasts from around the state.
Guest speakers and panelists alike argued for Texans to remember recent droughts and/or floods. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar told the audience that the population is increasing everyday so there is a need to continue advocating for water issues, even in a tight budget, because water is important to economic growth.
In regards to drought, TWDB Commissioner Bech Bruun told a morning general assembly that the Texas maps currently forecasting water conditions in the area look very similar to ones right before the drought of 2011. “The Future of Flood: What’s on the Horizon” panel reviewed details of past flooding events and discussed the need for more funding. Bruun noted that $6.8 million in one-time funding for a high-tech network of stream gages, grants and outreach efforts was well used but the TWDB will need additional funding appropriated during this session if they want to continue building on that work. As such, TWDB has requested $12.5 million in exceptional items.
During a panel presentation it was noted that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) uses fees to fund agency operations, in fact about 85% of the budget is fee funded. However, since the programs generate less in revenue than it takes to run several programs, including the TCEQ Water Program, the agency is continually in the process of updating fees but find many of the fees are statutorily capped.
Evan Smith with the Texas Tribune moderated a panel with Senator Charles Perry, Representative Eddie Lucio, and Representative Lyle Larson reviewing issues for the 85th Legislative Session. In regards to Smith’s question if there was a perceived lack of urgency regarding water issues; Rep. Lucio said it would be a challenge this session while Sen. Perry pointed out addressing the issue will not get any cheaper by waiting. Sen. Perry listed two areas where he thinks there may some momentum; he thinks there is energy behind establishing a statewide flood plan and believes funding may be asked for surface modeling. Rep. Larson advocated for a grid in order to move water, similar to the electricity grid (ERCOT) in Texas, arguing that the state plan is problematic if it is focused on a regional boundary.