After the designation of the Salado Springs complex as critical habitat for the Salado Salamander, a research permit was required to conduct tracer tests and install piezometers to study groundwater flow patterns in the complex. Ms. Stephanie Wong, a graduate student at Baylor University, spearheaded the permit application process on behalf of CUWCD, and a five-year research permit was awarded to CUWCD in February 2015.
The District’s staff has completed the renewal of the required management plan. Our management plan satisfies the requirements of SB 1, SB 2, HB 1763, the statutory requirements of Texas Water Code (TWC) Chapter 36, and the rules and requirements of the TWDB.
CUWCD recognizes that the groundwater resources of Bell County and the Central Texas region are of vital importance and that local management provides essential localized leadership, local discernment, local accountability, based on local oversite, and local expert understanding of the resource. Preservation of this most valuable resource can be managed in a prudent and cost effective manner through education, cooperation, and developing a comprehensive understanding of the aquifers. The greatest threat to CUWCD in achieving its stated mission is the misunderstanding of the resource by elected officials, property owners, and water users. Scientific understanding can support localized management of the groundwater resources, if the district continues to invest in science based research to bolster understanding of local conditions. CUWCD’s management plan is intended to serve as a tool to focus the thoughts and actions of those given the responsibility for the execution of the District’s activities.
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) solicits a request for applications for Fiscal Year 2016 Agricultural Water Conservation Grants. The total amount of the grants to be awarded under this request for applications by the TWDB shall not exceed $600,000 from the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund. The rules governing the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund (31 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 367) and application instructions are available upon request from TWDB staff.
Governor Abbott has appointed Peter Lake of Dallas for a term set to expire on February 1, 2021 and reappointed Kathleen Jackson of Beaumont to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a term set to expire February 1, 2017. The board provides leadership, planning, financial and technical assistance for the responsible development of water for the State of Texas.
The Texas Water Journal is an online, peer-reviewed journal devoted to the timely consideration of Texas water resources management, research, and policy issues from a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates science, engineering, law, planning, and other disciplines. It also provides updates on key state legislation and policy changes by Texas administrative agencies.
The most current volume can be found here.