|
<br />~-
<br /> ~~
<br />C
<br />t
<br />' permit, the Texas Water Commission must •first determine that the applicant has
<br />provided evidence that he/she will utilize the requested allocation in an
<br />' efficient manner. ~ `,
<br />5. Groundwater Management~~ ~ ~ '.~
<br />The enabling legislation for Amendment 1 will require the Texas Water Commission ,
<br />to study conditions in each of 25 designated regions in the state;"identify .•
<br />regions experiencing critical underground water problems, such as water short- •
<br />ages, gas, pollution or subsidence; and prepare a plan of proposed actions for
<br />overcoming these problems. Upon reviewing the situation in a particular region,
<br />~if the commission determines that a •;regional underground water conservation''
<br />district is the appropriate vehicle for implementing corrective actions,: the ~ '
<br />commission may ,call an election on the question-of creating such district.
<br />A district could only be`created upon approval by a majority'of the qualified ~~. ,,
<br />voters voting on. the question. If local voters turn down a proposed district, '
<br />•no further action by the commission is .authorized. .. At the same time, however,:.." ~.
<br />• upon voter rejection of a proposed district, all .of the localities within the ''
<br />district will immediately become ineligible for financial assistance from the
<br />state for water resource projects. ~ ~ ,
<br />, 6., .Protection of Bays` and Estuaries ~ ,
<br />~. The new water plan contains extensive provisions to protect the state's coastal ~~
<br />~ bays and estuaries. .Under • the legislation, the water commission, in the 'course , ' ~ ~~;;
<br />of ., granting permits for the construction of reservoirs within 200 miles of the- •.
<br />Gulf Coast, must establish requirements necessary to maintain the ecological ". ,
<br />health of affected bay or estuary systems. Additionally,~the proviso requires :'
<br />•~ ~ five percent of the -water .in reservoirs constructed within 200 miles of the~~,~_
<br />' coast be made ab_ailable for release 'in order to maintain the wellbeing of down--
<br />.stream bays and "estuarine habitats. _ . ' - , .. '.
<br />' 7^. ~ Agricultural Water Conservation - .; • '
<br />_ Amendment 2 on the ~.November,_•5 . ballot •establishes a' $10 million_ trust . fund ~ to, °: ~ " ~ • ~ .
<br />. finance -' agricultural ~ "water ~'. conservation research,' ~: technical. assistance • ~. to '. ~ • . ~ •
<br />farmer
<br />' s; and desalinization and weather modification programs. ~, ~ .".
<br />'Additionally, ahe~,~amendmenf .creates 'a $5 .million, pilot ,loan program ;to"assist_, ~'
<br />- ~ farmer's-with, the ;purchase of-water-efficient',.irrigatiori equipment: If the pilot • ~~~
<br />program ;',is successful;-'.the .Legislature 'will ' be '. authorized to' follow through by, " ~. ~.
<br />_, issuing $200" million .:in,, state .bonds, to finance .'a, full-scale equipment loari.'~
<br />'program. - ., ~ , . .. ~ :. .:
<br />. .. ' . ' .. Conclusion , .
<br />Historically,~local water users 'and local taxpayers have paid, and will continue -
<br />to pay most of the cost of water, supply, sewage treatment 'and flood control ~. ~.~
<br />. facilities. .For local officials, the problem is that the billions of ,dollars,,,.
<br />~__needed for water projects is in addition to the tens of billions cities will
<br />• have~to spend during the next several years on other public works, such as ~ ~~
<br />' -roads, parks and, libraries. These many demands far exceed the cities'. financial '',
<br />.- -.4 - ..
<br />ti: _
<br />
|