
By Billy Howe
TFB State Legislative Director
During the 2013 session of the Texas Legislature, funding the State Water Plan was at center stage. And rightfully so, considering this drought has brought into focus how unprepared our state is for a record drought with a growing population.
However, behind the scenes there were several contentious groundwater issues as well. Legislation was debated on reporting groundwater usage to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), providing the TWDB with more oversight of local groundwater conservation districts, mandating criteria for local districts to use in permitting the production of brackish groundwater, and requiring local districts to issue long-term permits to produce groundwater.
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