Texas Water Day 2009

Texas water professionals once again joined forces to spread the word in Washington, D.C. about water issues in the Lone Star State that are vital for the economy, the environment, and the people of Texas. The fifth annual Texas Water Day was held on February 4th, 2009, with organizational support from the Texas Water Conservation Association and the Texas Water Development Board. All areas of Texas were represented by 62 regional, state and federal organizations and private sector entities. See the list of entities that participated here. More than two dozen sponsors (.pdf) provided crucial financial support for the event.

Ten teams of participants fanned out across Capitol Hill to brief 34 congressional offices (all 32 of Texas; U.S. Representatives and our two U.S. Senators), along with several committee staff offices. A large group of participants also met with U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-California), a native Texan who chaired the House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Water and Power.

The Texas Water Day Planning Committee, in association with the TWCA Federal Affairs Committee, developed the informational white papers on the most crucial water issues facing Texas, as well as the Summary Brief (.pdf).

Six priority water issues were discussed during Texas Water Day 2009:

• Controlling Invasive Aquatic and Riparian Plants
• Federal Funding of Authorized Texas Water Projects
• Federal Funding of Floodplain Management, Levee, and Dam Safety
• Funding for U.S. Geologic Survey
• Innovative Financing
• Water Conservation, Water Reuse, & Desalination

2009 Texas Water Day Photo Gallery