Group developing regional water plan

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

August 25, 2005 - For years, we’ve been hearing that some day “water is going to be as expensive as oil.” Well, at the rate oil and gas are going up in price, water may not be as expensive, but it is likely to be as precious.

When then-Gov. George W. Bush signed into Texas law the Senate Bill 1 (SB1) in 1997, he paved the way for “comprehensive water legislation” in the years to come. As the population of Texas continues to increase, officials and citizens alike are looking ahead to see just where the water will come from, and who will be able to get what they need.

According to state information, Texas’ population is expected to increase from 19 million in 1998 to around 40 million by 2050. This means the demand for water will increase significantly. Urban citizens and rural residents/producers need to be sure the water supply is there to meet their needs.

SB1 provided that there would be 11 interest groups that would be represented on each of the state’s newly-designed 16 Regional Water Planning Groups (RWPG). These members would represent groups such as the public, counties, municipalities, industries, agricultural and environmental entities, among others. Obviously, river authorities such as the Lower Colorado River Association, water districts and water utilities would be included, too.

On Aug. 23, the first of several public meetings in regards to the region’s water planning group was held in Columbus, and the latest plan for the regioin was outlined to attendees. While comments were taken, questions posed by commenters were not answered as the purpose of the meeting was only to collect comments for the region’s citizens.

Each RWPG is to submit a proposal that outlines their plan of how their region would ensure an adequate water supply for its residents in the coming years. The proposals are to be submitted to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) in January 2006.

The group representing South Central Texas has been designated as the “Region K-Lower Colorado Regional Water Planning Group (LCRWPG).” The area includes part of or all of Mills, San Saba, Llano, Burnet, Gillespie, Blanco, Travis and Bastrop counties. Also included are Fayette, Colorado Wharton and, finally Matagorda counties. This plan will represent 2010 to 2060 water needs.

Funding for the preparation of the regional water plans will be covered, 100 percent, by the state, according to Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), but the individual RWPGs will be responsible for 100 percent of their administrative costs.

Each RWPG will access water supplies and demand, water quality problems and socio-economic characteristics of the individual regions. They will need to identify water supply threats to agriculture and natural resources, along with preparations for drought conditions.

According to Mark Lowry of the Region K RWPG, it was explained that there are a number of “essential elements” of the LCRWPG regional water plans. These include “population and water demand projections; determination of water supplies available for use during droughts; where and when there is a surplus of supply or need for additional supplies; identify, evaluate and select water management strategies based on need and identification of the impacts of water management strategies.”

Other areas of importance include: “determine socio-economic impact of not meeting needs; providing a plan that is consistent with the State’s Long-Term Protection Goals; identifying ecologically unique streams and rivers and identifying unique sites for reservoir construction and economic impacts of unmet needs and infrastructure funding.”

Obviously, public participation in activities and various processes are important information, as is “coordinating with neighboring regions concerning mutual interests and shared resources.”

Other issues and concerns that surface during the planning sessions and public meetings will be addressed, too.

Other meetings in the region are set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the civic center in Burnet; and 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 7, on the third floor of One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd., in Austin.

Benefits of the regional meetings and plans should help areas determine future needs and how they will/can be met without waiting until the last minute and trying to find a solution. Those interested participating in the regional water planning efforts are invited to attend any of the RWPG meetings or contact regional group members.

(Contact information: TWDB/David Meesey, 512-936-0852 or dmeesey@twdb.state.tx.us; or online at www.twdb.state.tx.us.)