Regional Water PlanningRegional Water PlanningSenate Bill 1Senate Bill 1

Introduction

and

Status as of August 01, 1999

IntroductionIntroduction

• A 50 year regional water plan is being developed for this region.

• Current predictions are that regional demand for water will exceed supply over the next 50 years.

• Several water supply options are under evaluation for the region.

• Planners are soliciting public input to determine the criteria for selecting options.

Purpose of Senate Bill 1Purpose of Senate Bill 1

• June 1997 legislation signed to law by Governor.• Response to 1995-1996 drought.• $6 billion estimated economic losses due to

Drought of 1996.• Approximately 300 entities with threat to water

supplies.• Texas is only 1 of 3 western states without

a State Drought Contingency Plan.• $25 - $40 billion annual estimated impacts of

multi-year drought.

Legislative Goal of Senate Bill 1Legislative Goal of Senate Bill 1

• Develop regional/state plans to provide water for

all of Texas through year 2050.

• Regional, rather than State control of water resource planning. Grass-roots, bottom-up approach.

• Local support through local involvement in the process of developing and implementing plans to meet long-term water supply needs.

Intention of Senate Bill 1Intention of Senate Bill 1

• Orderly development, management, and conservation of water resources.

• Drought preparation and response.• Sufficient water available

– reasonable cost– ensure public health, safety, and welfare– further economic development– protect agricultural and natural resources.

South-Central Texas Regional Water South-Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group (Region L)Planning Group (Region L)

• Public• Agricultural Interests• County• Small Business• Water Utilities• Electric Generating

Utilities

• Municipal• Industries• Environmental

Interests

• River Authorities• Water Districts

Regional Water Planning GroupRegional Water Planning GroupVoting Member CategoriesVoting Member Categories

Regional Water Plan -Regional Water Plan - Key Considerations Key Considerations

• Plan must specify projects sufficient to meet all the region’s water needs.

• Projects not included in the plan may not receive permits from the TNRCC.

• Projects not in the Plan may not receive TWDB financial assistance.

Senate Bill 1 - Seven Tasks for Senate Bill 1 - Seven Tasks for Regional Water Planning GroupsRegional Water Planning Groups

• TASK 1: Description of the regional water planning area.

• TASK 2: Current/projected population & water demands.

• TASK 3: Analysis of current water supply in the region

• TASK 4: Water demand/supply comparison - identify surplus or needs.

• TASK 5: Develop the plan, including identification of water management strategies for needs identified in Task

4.

• TASK 6: Additional recommendations: unique ecological segments,

reservoir sites, legislative/policy issues.• TASK 7: Adopt the plan including public participation.

Projected Texas Population and Water UseProjected Texas Population and Water Use

16.9

27.3

36.6

15.7

17.118.4

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Year

Mil

lio

ns

of

Peo

ple

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Millio

n A

cre-feet

population water use

South Central Texas Region South Central Texas Region Planning SchedulePlanning Schedule

• Establish / revision of criteria for evaluating options (October 1999)

• Six candidate plans (January 2000)• Three candidate plans (April 2000)• Initially prepared draft (August 2000)• Final plan forwarded to TWDB (December 2000)

South Central Texas Region South Central Texas Region Water Supply Option CategoriesWater Supply Option Categories

• Local/Conservation/Reuse/Exchange (11)• Edwards Aquifer Recharge (5)• River Diversion with Storage (7)• Existing Reservoirs (5)• Potential New Reservoirs (19)• Carrizo and Other Aquifers (10)• New Options (open)

• Compatibility• Economic• Efficiency• Environment• Fairness

• Feasibility• Flexibility• Reliability• Water Quality• Other

South Central Texas Region South Central Texas Region Initial Evaluation CriteriaInitial Evaluation Criteria

SummarySummary

• A 50 year regional water plan is being developed for this region.

• Current predictions are that regional demand for water will exceed supply over the next 50 years.

• Several water supply options are under evaluation for the region.

• Planners are soliciting public input to determine the criteria for selecting options.