The Texas State Senate News

SAN ANTONIO-The Joint Interim Committee on Water Resources Development and Management met in San Antonio Tuesday, November 18, at the City Council Chambers. Co-chairs from the Senate and the House are State Senator J.E. (Buster) Brown of Lake Jackson and State Representative Ron Lewis of Mauriceville. The meeting was called to order at 8:30am with a welcome address from San Antonio Mayor Howard Peak.

The committee on Water Resources Development and Management was created to study the State's water supply and wastewater infrastructure needs as implemented by Senate Bill 1, passed in the 75th Legislative Session. Other areas of study will include the role of state, regional, and local entities' participation and investment in water-related projects, and projections for Texas' future water and wastewater needs to the year 2050. The committee will meet in various locations around the state and will compile a report, including recommendations, to the 76th Legislature.

State agency personnel who testified were Ken Petersen with the TNRCC, Craig Pedersen, Executive Administrator of the Texas Water Development Board, Dr. Tommy Knowles with TWDB and Dr. Larry McKinney with Parks and Wildlife.

Other invited testimony throughout the day included Don Durden, civil engineering consultant (Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce), Greg Ellis (General Manager, Edwards Aquifer Authority), Jaran Patlan (Chair of the Board, San Antonio Water System), Michael Thuss (San Antonio Water System, CEO), Mayor Billy G. Moore (Mayor of San Marcos) and Ken Choeffel (HDR Engineering).

Public testimony will be taken in the afternoon with Q&A. Before adjournment the committee will discuss future meetings that will be held around the state.

For further information on the implementation of SB1 by state agencies, please check the following web sites:

http://www.twdb.state.tx.us (Texas Water Development Board)
http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us (Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission)
http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/admin/topdoc/gi/229 (Statewide Watershed Management Approach)
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)

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