Texas Water Day 2006

More than 100 Texas water professionals joined together March 15 to spread the word in Washington, DC, about top water issues in the Lone Star State. The second annual Texas Water Day was sponsored by the Texas Water Conservation Association and the Texas Water Development Board. All areas of Texas were represented by 39 regional, state, and federal entities. Support was provided by 31 sponsors.

Groups fanned out across Capitol Hill to brief the Texas Congressional delegation and federal agencies about vital issues and ask for help on legislation. The Texas Water Day Planning Committee in association with the TWCA Federal Affairs Committee developed white papers on the major issues, including suggestions for action. Click here for the Summary Brief.

The specific issue papers support:

• Passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2006
• Continued funding of the U.S. Corps of Engineers
• Full funding for the USGS Cooperative Water Program and National Streamflow Information Program in Texas
• Appropriate tax treatment of private activity bonds for financing water projects
• Flood control initiatives, including additional FEMA funding
• Federal funding to support water reuse as a key water management strategy
• Initiatives to control and eradicate invasive weeds
• Continued funding of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and new initiatives to ensure continued operation of small public water systems
• FFunding for activities aimed at further developing brackish groundwater and seawater desalination technologies and opportunities

The day's events concluded with a reception to which members and staff of the Texas delegation and federal water agencies were invited. Special guests included Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Sen. John Cornyn, Cong. Chet Edwards, Cong. Kay Granger, Cong. Silvestre Reyes, IBWC Commissioner Carlos Marin, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner John Keys, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brig. Gen. Don Riley, Rep. Bill Callegari, and TWDB Chairman E.G. Rod Pittman.